Seattle's Fremont Neighborhood

The Center of the Universe

One of the quirkier neighborhoods in Seattle, Fremont is located to the north of downtown between the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Woodland Park Zoo. Residents refer to their neighborhood as "The Center of the Universe". I don't know about that, but it is a great place to spend an afternoon.

This is the Guidepost at the Center of the Universe - a unique street sign, located at Fremont Ave and 35th, pointing you to all the Fremont landmarks that you should look for.

Things to see in Fremont

There are several things you should watch for as you wander through this part of Seattle. Fremont landmarks that make it unique:

Statue of Lenin

This cast bronze sculpture of Vladimir Lenin was created by Slavic artist Emil Venkov. It weighs over 7 tons and was installed in Poprad, Slovakia. It toppled in the 1989 revolution, and was found lying face down by an American who was teaching in Poprad. He mortgaged his house to raise funds to buy the statue and transport it to Washington. It is on display at the corner of Fremont Pl. N, Evanston Ave, and 36th. During the Christmas season, he is usually decorated with a top hat of lights or a star.

Fremont Troll

Yes, it's a troll who lives under the Aurora Bridge and snacks on Volkswagon beetles. He became a star when he appeared in a well-known Seattle movie.

Waiting for the Interurban

This sculpture was created in 1979 to commemorate the light rail Interurban line that used to connect downtown Seattle with Fremont and other neighborhoods. It has become a popular, interactive piece of artwork available to anyone who wants to decorate it. It has celebrated birthdays, graduations, weddings, memorials, I-love-you's, and much more over the years. Find it at the corner of 34th and Fremont Ave. Watch for it on the Ride the Ducks tour, also.

Late for the Interurban

This is a memorial statue commemorating two clowns, J.P. Patches and Gertrude, who starred in the J.P. Patches Show, the longest-running locally-produced children's tv show in the US, from 1958 to 1981. The statue stands at Fremont Ave and 34th St, just up the street from Waiting for the Interurban.

Rapunzel and How the Elephant Got His Trunk

These are neon signs in the windows on either side of the Fremont Bridge, a drawbridge over the Ship Canal.

Things to do in Fremont

If you're looking for unusual events in Seattle, Fremont is probably where you'll find them! That may explain their unofficial motto: Freedom to be Peculiar! Here are just a few:

Moisture Festival (March)

Celebrate spring with a comedy/variety/vaudeville show consisting of comedians, clowns, aerialists, jugglers, tap dancers, and more. Also features a late night Burlesque show.

HopScotch Festival (May)

No, it's not about the game on the sidewalk - it's a spring beer and scotch festival!

Fremont Solstice Parade (June)

Probably the most infamous event in Fremont, the Parade is famous for its Solstice Cyclists who cycle in costumes consisting entirely of paint. Most of them are wearing enough paint that it's hard to tell that they aren't wearing anything else. But a few of them don't wear much paint either, so be forewarned!

Outdoor Cinema (June-September, weekend nights at dusk)

Movies are shown on the big screen painted on the side of a building at the corner of N 35th and Phinney Ave. Bring your own seating and enjoy a summer evening of pop classics, cult favorites, and other films. On warm, weekend nights other than Saturday, there is Off-the-Wall Entertainment, a sort of interactive theater where the audience is many times the best part of the show. Friday nights are more relaxed, Saturday nights include Applaus-O-Meter contests for best urban campsite, most creative seating, best costume, and other games. Admission to both is by donation.

Fremont Sunday Market

Rain or shine, all year round, the market hosts vendors of flowers, produce, crafts, artwork, imports, and flea market stuff. This is one of the larger farmer's markets in the area.

Theo Chocolate Factory Tour

Organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory that offers samples in their store. They feature some unusual flavors such as coconut curry, bread and chocolate, chai tea, and spicy chile (beware this one!)

Fremont Oktoberfest

Three words sum it up - run, drink, play! A 5K fun run, Street Scramble scavenger hunt, kids' play area, music, Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving, Dog Day Afternoon (bring your dog), comedy show, and of course, beer.

Trolloween

A procession of costumes, comedy, and chaotic fun that begins at the Troll and ends who-knows-where, and evolves every year. You won't find any official information on it, as their policy is "no publicity".

Shop and Eat in Seattle's Fremont

There are lots of little shops and galleries. My daughters (one of whom lives in Fremont) and I like to cruise the boutiques for sales. Recent finds were $60 pants for $8 and a shirt marked down to $0.98!

There are several good coffee shops, pubs, breweries, and eateries to choose from. A few that we like:

• Homegrown Sustainable Sandwich Shop - homemade sandwiches out of homegrown ingredients, with sides of homemade potato chips, cole slaw, or popcorn.
• Blue Moon Burgers - good, inexpensive burgers, hand-cut fries, hand-dipped shakes, and beers on tap.
• Nana's Soup House - hot soup, sandwiches, and corn muffins!
• Norm's Eatery and Ale House - comfort food, great homemade potato chips, and beer on tap. Oh, and your dog is welcome too!

A few more tidbits and photos from Seattle's Fremont neighborhood:

This giant red "R" used to sit atop the old Rainier Brewery Company downtown. Rainier operated from 1884 to 1999, then was sold to Pabst Brewing Company. The sign now sits atop an eatery called The Red Door.

Seattle Fremont Solstice Parade

Seattle Fremont Bridge with Aurora Bridge in background