Fremont: A Quirky Center
of the Seattle Universe

It may be one of the most quirky and eccentric neighborhoods in the U.S., and it certainly takes the cake for the most eclectic in Seattle. Fremont is a very unique and artsy neighborhood located just north of Downtown Seattle with attractions, restaurants, and something for everyone.

There’s a guidepost indicating the neighborhood’s spot as the self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe”, a 16-foot tall bronze statue of Communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin, and the Fremont Troll — an 18-foot tall public sculpture lurking under the Aurora Bridge and clutching a Volkswagen Beetle. Richard Beyer’s “People Waiting for the Interurban” sculpture sits along the south border of the neighborhood, commemorating the light rail line that used to connect Downtown with the various Seattle neighborhoods. Across the street, the northwest tower of the iconic Fremont Bridge holds a Rapunzel light fixture with long, neon hair.

In addition to these oddities, Fremont is home to an artsy culture and a fantastic mix of coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, bistros, and boutiques that are very accessible simply by walking through the neighborhood.

History of Fremont, Seattle

It took a few decades for settlers to move into the Fremont area after the Denny party’s November, 1851 arrival at Alki. In 1888, settlers L. H. Griffith, E. Blewett, and Dr. E. C. Kilbourne were the first to plat the area that would become Fremont. They named their new neighborhood Fremont for Griffith and Blewett’s hometown in Nebraska.

Originally, Fremont was centralized on the north shore of Lake Union and was a hub for the lumber and shingle industry, with an iron foundry. Railroads and trolleys brought more economy and residents to the neighborhood, although this faded during the mid-1900s as passenger transit declined. Fremont had a resurgence in popularity and its categorization as an artistic and eclectic Mecca began in the 1960s. Low rents made it an attractive neighborhood for artists, students, and bohemians to congregate, triggering somewhat of a renaissance for the area. Locals began to call Fremont an “Artists’ Republic” and proudly stated that it was “the community that recycles itself.”

Over the last couple of decades, several tech companies have moved to or opened locations in the Fremont neighborhood in the wake of Adobe, which opened their offices here in 1998. Since then, giants such as Google, Getty, and Tableau have installed offices on the south area of the neighborhood bordering the Ship Canal. The influx of hundreds of tech employees has given rise to significant changes in the economics of the neighborhood, with numerous lunch spots, fitness centers, and other retail businesses opening to appeal to the weekday crowd. In addition to the full fitness centers such as Emerald City Athletics, Anytime Fitness, and Fremont Health Club, there are more specialty and boutique fitness spots like Bodycenter Studios and Yoga Tree.

The growth of tech companies in the neighborhood hasn’t diminished Fremont’s unique culture, however, which still flaunts itself proudly, particularly every June for the Fremont Solstice Parade, which begins with a procession of naked bicyclists that are often covered in colorful paints and (meager) costume features.

Walk Score & Transportation in Fremont

Fremont has a walk score of 84 and is the 14th most walkable neighborhood in the city. It has a transit score of 64, and is also quite bikeable with a score of 79.

There are three main bus routes that pass through Fremont, including the 31 and 32, which start in Magnolia and travel through Fremont to end in the University District. From the north, route 40 starts in Northgate and has stops in Fremont on its way to Downtown Seattle. Commuters can also access Downtown via routes 29 and 13, which have stops at Seattle Pacific University on Nickerson Street in North Queen Anne, across the ship canal from Fremont.

Unique Gems in Fremont

There are unique gems to find all over the Fremont neighborhood, including the odd sculptures and other oddities mentioned earlier. Visit the Fremont Sunday market each week (year-round) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for farmers market goods, antiques, handmade goods, and flea market finds. There are also several fun neighborhood events during the summer, most notably the Fremont Solstice Parade every year in June.

Gas Works Park: Seattle has made a green space out of the old Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant on the north shore of Lake Union, and it now features a play area and a large hill with winding paved paths that is popular for cycling and flying kites. There’s no swimming or fishing from the park, but there is a gorgeous view of Downtown Seattle from the north side of Lake Union. The Burke-Gilman Trail also runs along the park’s parking lot for easy access by foot or bike.

Theo Chocolate: For something fun to do and a tasty treat, visit the Theo Chocolate Factory in Fremont. From chocolate making classes to daily tours (with free samples!), there’s something for the whole family, including a kids’ chocolate story time.

Paseo: Famous for its Caribbean sandwiches and roasted corn, Paseo has been a Seattle favorite for many years. There’s usually a line around the block for the slow-roasted pork sandwiches and mouth-watering Caribbean fare, but it moves relatively quickly and you’ll be savoring the best sandwiches in Seattle in no time.

Brouwer’s Cafe: One of Seattle’s most sought-after craft beer destinations is located in the heart of Fremont, with 64 craft beers on tap, over 400 bottles from the U.S. and abroad, a great selection of whiskeys, and a full-service bar, plus delicious Belgian-inspired cuisine. Don’t miss the in-house ground lamb burger, which is a Seattle favorite.

Nectar Lounge: There are lots of great bars and lounges in Fremont, but one of the best is Nectar Lounge, with live music from all genres, all over the world and an outdoor patio. There are three full-service bars at Nectar, featuring some tasty craft cocktails to enjoy as you catch the show of the evening.