Self-Guided Fremont Seattle Walking Tour
Welcome to the center of the universe! Scientists coined this nickname for the North Seattle neighborhood in the early 90s. They determined that Fremont was as good a place as any to receive this acclaim and the city council made this official in 1994. In this eccentric neighborhood, you can find a troll, a chocolate factory, dinosaurs, and even a controversial statue. Fremont might not initially come to mind when creating a Seattle itinerary but after spending an afternoon here you might start to understand why Fremont received its title.
Seattle is an extremely bike and pedestrian-friendly city. I have created a walking tour for Fremont, but you could also turn this into a biking tour. Check out one of the many bike-sharing options in the city, such as Lime, Ofo, or Spin. Simply download their respective app and locate one of their bikes on the sidewalk. Lime is my favorite because these are always readily available and well maintained. They are also only $1 for every 30 minutes, which I think is super affordable (traveling on a budget over here!) Simply use the barcode scanner on the app to unlock your bike (and enjoy the cute music) and you can be on your way! Leave the bike anywhere when you finish riding (within reason people! let’s not put the bikes in trees, in the water, etc.) and lock it.
Ok enough about bikes, this is a walking tour after all! I have done so many walking tours on my travels. They really help me learn and feel more connected to the place I am visiting. Unfortunately, they can be a little pricey or take up too much of my time. Self-guided tours are a great option because you can pick and choose which sites to visit and take the tour at your pace. The Fremont Seattle Walking Tour I created could last anywhere from a couple of hours to an entire day. Go explore the center of the universe at your own pace and have fun!
Self-Guided Fremont Seattle Walking Tour
Start: Center of the Universe Sign Post
3427 Fremont Pl N
Appropriately we are going to start our Fremont Seattle walking tour at the Center of the Universe signpost. You can find this funky signpost in a small median at the intersection of North Fremont Avenue and North 35th Street. This will direct you to the Guggenheim Museum, the Milky Way, and Taiwan. You can also find directions to some closer spots, like the Troll and Lenin statues.
Since the 1970s, residents have proclaimed Fremont as the Center of the Universe and in the 1990s scientists agreed with this opinion. Ok so now I have to fess up- I keep mentioning these scientists. While they were in fact scientists who decided was the Center of the Universe, this was determined in a bar. Probably after a few drinks. So this wasn’t determined after a formal study or anything, but it just adds to this neighborhood’s quirky nature. So just go with it, the people of Fremont definitely have!
From here take a short 1-minute walk to the Rocket Statue. From the signpost, walk on Fremont Pl N towards 35th street. Take a slight left onto N 35th street. Turn left onto Evanston Ave N.
Stop 1: Fremont Rocket & Lenin Statue
On top of a building at the corner of North 36th Street and Evanston Ave North you will see the 53-ft Fremont Rocket bearing the Fremont motto “De Libertas Quirkas” translated as “Freedom to be Peculiar”. Peculiar is a great word to describe this neighborhood and its quirky art. This statue, which was constructed from military surplus, was originally located outside of a military supply store in Bellingham, Washington. In 1991 after the Fremont Business Association heard that this rocket was going to be destroyed, they decided to collect it for their peculiar neighborhood.
From there head north on Evanston Ave N and take a sharp right onto Fremont Pl N for our next stop.
You should now see a giant Statue of Lenin (just remember Fremont’s motto…it is a peculiar neighborhood for sure). This 16-ft bronze statue has sparked some curiosity and controversy. Emil Venkov, a Bulgarian artist, completed this piece in 1988 under the direction of Czechoslovakia’s Communist Party. However, the Community Party fell in 1989 and the statue was going to be destroyed. Lewis E. Carpenter, an American teacher working in Poland, found the statue and decided he wanted to preserve this piece of history. He ultimately purchased the statue and shipped it to his home in Washington State. After his death, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce decided to display the statue until it was purchased. In 1995 the statue was unveiled in Fremont and is still on sale today (as of 2015 the asking price was $250,000 if you were curious).
If you are hungry be sure to check out the next stop. From the Statue of Lenin continue NW on Fremont Pl towards N 36th Street. On N 36th Street you will reach Red Star Taco Bar.
Stop 2: Red Star Taco Bar
Red Star Taco Bar is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. This 21+ taco bar is open every day from 11am-2am and offers a menu filled with reasonably priced offerings. Some of my favorites include the Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos and the Taqui-Queso. They also have a great selection of drinks including my favorite- Margarita Slushies. Check them out on Monday for $5 House Margs and Margarita Slushies and partake in their live trivia night (at 8 pm & 9 pm but call to confirm). Nuna Ramen is another delicious and affordable option nearby.
To reach our next stop head NW on N 36th Street toward Evanston Ave N. After 0.2 miles, turn left onto Phinney Ave. Walk along this road until you reach Theo Chocolate.
Stop 3: Theo Chocolate
Thank this bean-to-bar chocolate factory for the sweet aroma you might have noticed during your time in Fremont. Theo Chocolate Factory was established in Fremont in 2006 and was the first organic fair trade-certified cocoa producer in the United States (how cool is that?!). Theo Chocolate offers daily factory tours (read all about that and learn how to book a tour in my blog post here).
You can also visit the Theo Chocolate Retail Store daily from 10am-6pm. This store is full of delectable treats and plenty of chocolate samples!
Once you have filled up on chocolate, let’s continue our Fremont Seattle walking tour. Head south on Phinney Ave N towards N 34th Street. Turn right onto N Canal Street and you will see the giant Dinosaur Topiaries.
Stop 4: Dinosaur Topiaries, Burke-Gilman Trail & Fremont Sunday Market
Ok so remember the Fremont motto as we check out this next stop. The mom and baby Dinosaur Topiaries were created by the Pacific Science Center as a promotion for a dinosaur exhibit. A few Fremont residents purchased the topiaries in 1999 (for $1 plus moving fees) to save them from being dismantled. They soon learned that the ivy on the topiaries had only been stuffed so the Fremont Rotary Club began work to grow ivy on the structures. Community members regularly conduct maintenance on the topiaries to keep them looking great!
The Dinosaur Topiaries are located in a grassy spot near the Burke-Gilman Trail. This 27-mile trail is super popular with runners and bikers (especially in the gorgeous Seattle summers). You could easily find a Lime bike along this path if you wanted to check out the trail!
If you are visiting on a Sunday you should check out the Fremont Sunday Market. From the Dinosaur Topiaries, head southeast on N Canal St toward N Northlake Way. Continue onto N 34th St and turn left onto Evanston Ave N. You should see the welcoming market sign and tons of vendors. Open every Sunday (rain or shine) this market hosts vendors selling food, antiques, vintage clothing, and more.
To reach our next stop head south on Evanston Ave N toward N 34th St. Turn left onto N 34th St and after about 400 ft, turn left onto Fremont Ave N.
Stop 5: Fremont Vintage Mall
Along the walk from the Fremont Sunday Market be sure to look for the Google Seattle offices (601 N 34th St). As you continue you will soon reach the Fremont Vintage Mall. A walking tour in Seattle would not be complete without looking for thrift shop deals. Parts of the music video for Macklemore’s hit “Thrift Shop” were filmed inside the Fremont Vintage Mall. Check it out so you don’t have to spend “$50 on a t-shirt.”
From here head south on Fremont Ave N toward N 34th St. Turn left onto N 34th St/J.P. Patches Pl to reach Schilling Cider House.
Stop 6: Schilling Cider House, Milstead & Co and Berlin Wall
You might be ready for a break at this point in the tour. If you are looking for an adult beverage be sure to check out Schilling Cider House. With 32-rotating taps of craft and local cider, you could have trouble making a decision! But don’t fear, they offer a tasting flight. This relaxed bar doesn’t serve food but encourages patrons to bring outside food. They also have a good selection of board games you can play while you drink some unique ciders.
If you would prefer a coffee (you are in Seattle after all) go ahead and walk to our next stop. From Schilling Cider House walk east on N 34th St/J.P. Patches Pl toward Troll Ave N for about 1 minute. You will then reach Milstead & Co.
This relaxed cafe is perfect for an afternoon break. The window-lined walls allow in tons of natural light (when it happens to not be raining). The baristas, who are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, work hard to create a welcoming environment. Right outside Milstead & Co, you can see a piece of the Berlin Wall.
Next, we are going to visit the famous Troll who lives under the Aurora Bridge. To reach the creature from Milstead & Co, head east on N 34th St/J.P. Patches Pl toward Troll Ave N. Turn left onto Troll Ave N and walk up the hill until you see the massive Troll.
Stop 7: Fremont Troll
In the early 90s, the Fremont Arts Council held a competition to revitalize the area under the bridge. Four artists won by creating the Fremont Troll sculpture. Be sure to notice the VW Bug he is clutching. You will also probably see people climbing all over the sculpture for a fun photo-op. After you have taken your pics you can make your way to the next stop.
Head south on Troll Ave N toward N 35th St. Turn left toward Albion Pl N. Turn right onto Albion Pl N. On the left you will see Fremont Brewing Company.
Stop 8: Fremont Brewing Company
This Urban Beer Garden is open every day from 11am-9pm. Stop here for a menu full of craft beers made with quality local ingredients. In the summer the outdoor beer garden is the perfect place to relax and hang out. Similar to Schilling Cider House, they encourage customers to bring outside food.
From the brewery take a 0.5-mile walk to Gas Works Park. Head south on Albion Pl N toward N 34th St. Turn left onto N 34th St. Turn right onto Stone Way N. Make a slight left onto N Northlake Way.
Stop 9: Gas Works Park
This unique park is one of my favorite spots in Seattle (and a perfect place to end our Fremont Seattle walking tour). It is technically in the Wallingford neighborhood, but it is close enough to Fremont that I had to include it. Gas Works makes the perfect spot to end our tour. In the warmer months, find a spot on the grass to picnic, sunbathe, and take in the view. Here you can get a nice skyline view across Lake Union (be sure to look for the Space Needle!) On warm days, the lake fills with people boating or kayaking. You may even see a seaplane landing!
This public park was built on the former site of the Seattle Gas Light Company’s plant. In 2013 it joined the National Register of Historic Places. The gasification plant operated from 1906-1956 and in 1975 the park opened to the public. Richard Haag won a prestigious architectural award for his design of Gas Works Park. Movies, such as 10 Things I Hate About You, TV shows, like The Amazing Race, and music videos, including Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us” all feature this unique park.
I hope you enjoyed this Fremont Seattle walking tour. There are so many fun things to check out in this quirky neighborhood!
Looking for more? Check out these guides:
The Seattle Desserts You CAN’T Miss
Great Places to Go For a Run in Seattle
The Best Day Trips from Seattle
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