10 BEST Things To Do in Fremont Seattle

I'd rate Fremont as one of the coolest neighborhoods in Seattle and extremely walkable!

This funky neighborhood is an interesting mix of quirky stores and eclectic street art, juxtaposed against the shiny new buildings of tech companies like Google and Salesforce.

Despite this influx of tech workers, Fremont still retains a fiercely independent spirit. This evolved all the way back in the 1960s when artists and students converged on this neighborhood due to cheap rents.

Today this spirit is evident in the Fremont Solstice Parade in June, when naked bicyclists boldly navigate the streets of Fremont. It's also apparent inside the funky vintage stores, and decades old music venues that still attract big crowds.

To get a real feel for this neighborhood, I'd recommend the First Friday Art Walk to see a broad array of galleries, art installations and locally made food and wine. I'm also a regular at the Sunday Fremont Market held under the Aurora Bridge in cooler months, and 34th Street in spring and summer.

Things to do in Fremont?

Start your day by exploring Fremont's streets to see famous landmarks like the Lenin Statue or Cold War Rocket. I'd then suggest taking a fun photo beside the fearsome 18-foot Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge.

My favorite time to visit Fremont is over the weekend when the restaurants are bustling and the neighborhood comes alive! Every type of food is represented here, but some of my favorites are the festive El Camino for mexican, and ZapVerr for thai.

The Fremont Brewery also has an amazing atmosphere and fun beer garden with water views. There's also some super trendy restaurants along Stone Way in Fremont, like The Whale Wins and Joule.

Whenever I want a glimpse of the Old Fremont, I order coffee at the Fremont Coffee Company inside a converted craftsman. Fremont is full of these charming old craftsmans, co-existing beside the gleaming new office buildings. If I'm feeling more energetic I'll take my coffee to go, then wander along the Burke-Gilman trail on the Ship Canal.

If I want to catch some live music, I head out to the famous Nectar Lounge. Nectar Lounge has launched many musicians' careers, and attracts talent from all over the world. It's been here since 2004 and is a neighborhood staple. It's just a block away from the equally popular Hidden Hall, which also has an amazing roster of live music and dance parties.

It's also fun to explore vintage stores in Fremont like Jive Time Records for used vinyl, or the Fremont Vintage Mall with tons of mid century furniture. I'm also impressed by the classy boutiques, trendy gift shops, and lush houseplant nurseries.

Where is Fremont?

Fremont is 20 minutes north of downtown, on the other side of the ship canal. Most visitors will drive, bike or walk across the historic Fremont Bridge to get straight into the neighborhood. This famous drawbridge was constructed in 1917 and often opens to boat traffic.

10 best things to do in Fremont Seattle

1. Vibrant restaurant scene in Fremont.

Fremont's restaurants cater to all tastes, from slick, trendy interiors, to a more relaxed ambiance.

I've noticed that most of the chic restaurants are clustered along Stone Way in Fremont. These include The Whale Wins (northwest fare), Joule (asian fusion), Purple Wine Bar and Cafe, and Tavolata Stone Way (pasta).

The more laidback options revolve around breweries, tacos, burgers and thai. Families will love the bright, cheerful interior at El Camino (mexican), or pita pockets and turkish pizza at Cafe Turko.

Load up on burgers and booze at Triangle Spirits, tacos and tequila at the Red Star Taco Bar, or hot and spicy thai at ZapVerr. The jungle-themed Dreamland Bar and Diner is also great for burgers, wraps and nachos, and has an all day breakfast.

Tavolata Stone Way (plates, pasta and cocktails).

Joule restaurant (asian fusion).

The Whale Wins (northwest fare).

Rock Creek Seafood and Spirits.

El Camino (mexican).

2. Visit Ballard breweries.

Choose from two great breweries in Fremont, the Fremont Brewing Company and Aslan Brewing, and the intimate Mr B's Meadery.

Whenever I'm driving around Fremont, it's impossible not to notice the huge sign for the Fremont Brewing Company and the large beer garden out front. You'll see plenty of bikes here, as locals ride or walk here. Order a flight, then sit out in the beer garden and enjoy the water views across the street. There's no food here, but you're welcome to order in.

Aslan Brewing Company is 21+ and was founded in 2012 by two guys from Bellingham, and produce quality, organic beer.

Mr B's Meadery has a cool location down a set of stairs between two buildings off 36th Street. This intimate space offers mead flights in flavors like lady lavendar and raspberry ginger. Don't forget to check out the funky toilet!

3. Get a photo at the scary Fremont Troll.

I consider Fremont to be Seattle's funkiest neighborhood, full of murals and street art. The star of the show is definitely the 18-foot Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge (N 36th). This scary looking guy is clutching a volkswagen beetle. He's been here since 1990 and was inspired by the "Three Billy Goats Gruff" fairytale where a troll lives under a bridge.

4. Hang out at Fremont Coffee Company.

Whenever I want a glimpse of the Old Fremont, I step inside the charming 1904 craftsman that houses the Fremont Coffee Company. On rainy days I sit inside one of the cosy rooms while nursing a warm latte and reading a book. On sunnier days it's fun to sit out on the wrap around porch, and watch all the hustle and bustle along 36th Street.

The wildly successful Cafe Ladro is another option, directly across the road from the Fremont Coffee Company. It has 16 different locations in Seattle, including Fremont.

Another option is the minimalist, trendy interior of Milstead & Co is where tech workers in Fremont go for their morning coffee.

5. Visit Fremont's quirky shops.

Fremont has a cluster of fun, whimsical shops along Fremont Avenue North and N 35th Street. Here are my top picks:

Pipe & Row or Les Amis for classy, modern fashions with a minimalist vibe.
Lucky Vintage for a tastefully curated set of luxury vintage clothes from the 1940s to 1980s, in a stylish store.
Portage Bay Goods for greeting cards, totes, journals and dozens of other gift ideas.
Sfingiday for gorgeous handmade gifts and fine art.
Indoor Sun Shoppe and Peace Love and Happiness are nurseries selling a huge selection of indoor plants.
Forest Ceramic Co sells gorgeous ceramics made on Orcas Island.
Fremont Vintage Mall for a huge selection of vintage clothes, jewelry, records, CDs, furniture, toys and other cool finds
Ophelia's Books for a classic used book experience.
Jive Time Records for used vinyl.

Forest Ceramic Co sells tumblers, bowls, teacups, luminaries and so much more!

The Indoor Sun Shoppe has spent the last 50 years selling houseplants, including cacti, tropical trees and carnivorous plants.

6. Visit the Statue of Lenin (N 36th and Evanston).

Another great piece of street art in Fremont Seattle, is the Statue of Lenin. I'm always intrigued how it made it's way to Seattle!

Apparently the statue was toppled after the ousting of the communist party in Slovakia in the 1989 revolution. A local Seattle man purchased it in a scrap sale, shipped it to Seattle, but passed away shortly after. The statue found its final home in Fremont in 1996.

7. Stand beneath a rocket (N 35th and Evanston).

Another of my favorite Fremont landmarks is the 54-foot high Fremont Rocket, complete with smoke shows and cool laser lights! It was acquired from a military surplus store in 1991, and installed in Fremont in 1994. Contrary to popular belief, I discovered it's not a real cold war rocket. It's actually the tailwing from a WWII-era Flying Boxcar transport aircraft that's been modified to look like a rocket.

8. Visit the Center of the Universe Signpost (Fremont Place N).

I love checking out all the fun destinations on the Center of the Universe Signpost in Fremont. There's local Fremont attractions like the Troll and Lenin Statue, but the fun kicks in with wild and crazy destinations like the Dinosaurs, Xanadu, and Bermuda Triangle. This sign was installed in 1991 by a local artist, and has been replaced a few times.

9. Take a picture at the Interurban Sculpture (JL Patches Place and Fremont Ave N).

Everytime I drive by the Interurban Sculpture, I notice it's been freshly decorated by locals, with new hats, glasses and scarfs. This quirky statue depicts five people and a dog waiting for the Interurban streetcar. The streetcar is a big part of Fremont's history, serving surrounding neighborhoods from 1910 until the 1940s when it went into debt.

Another iconic landmark is the J.P.Patches clown statue, across the road from the Interurban Sculpture. This clown used to be a big deal in Seattle, and had his own T.V. show from 1958 to 1981. It was one of the longest running children's shows ever!

10. Experience live music at Fremont.

Seattle was once the worldwide focus of the music industry, during the gritty grunge era in the 90s. It's nice to know that some of this music legacy lives on through fabulous venues in Fremont like Hidden Hall and Nectar Lounge. Some of the best local and international acts come to play in these intimate venues.

11. See nude cyclists at the Solstice Parade.

The Fremont Solstice Parade got its start in June of 1989, to celebrate the summer solstice. A bunch of naked couriers then spontaneously joined in the fun the following year. This tradition of naked cyclists has continued, but they now cover up with body paint. The Solstice Parade is full of cyclists, rollerbladers, dancers and musicians, and is a nod to Fremont's counter culture past.

12. Stay at Hotel Hotel in Fremont.

I always recommend Hotel Hotel to out of towners looking for affordable accommodation in the heart of Fremont. This lovely hotel has industrial chic rooms, some with shared or private bathrooms. The location can't be beat!

13. Check out amazing views at Gas Works Park.

One of my favorite viewpoints in Seattle is at the Gas Works Park in Fremont. Here I can sit on a grassy mound at the park and take in panoramic views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. I always see lots of boat activity out on the lake, and frequent sea plane take-offs and landings. I need to remember to bring a kite, because kite flying happens to be a big deal here! Families will also love the playground.

The Gas Works Park was once a former gasification plant, and the rusted ruins are still visible today.

14. Join the First Friday Art Walk.

The best way to get to know a neighborhood is to join in the local art walk. Fremont has a First Friday Art Walk, where you can check out everything this artsy neighorhood has to offer, including galleries, artworks, artisan food, wine and beer.

15. Visit the Sunday Fremont Market.

The bustling Sunday Fremont Market is a must-see every weekend, and has dozens of stalls. It's held on 34th Street in Fremont in spring and summer, and under the Aurora Bridge in the colder months to shelter from the rain.