A Morning Around Fremont
Start your picnic with an espresso at ETG (3512 Fremont Place N).
Cross at the crosswalk just outside the door to 35th Street, turning
right to spy the neon-adorned Army surplus missile at 35th and Evanston
Avenue N. Turn left on Evanston and walk a block to PCC (600 N 34th), an organic market where you can pick up a delicious carry-out lunch.
Turn left on Evanston for an unobstructed view of the Ship Canal and Fremont Bridge. Turn right along the Canal path, walk about a block until you see the Dinosaur Topiaries at the beginning of the Ship Canal Park, a great place for your waterfront picnic. Catacorner is a historic brick streetcar barn that once housed
Redhook
, one of the first
microbreweries in Seattle. Now, it’s a gourmet chocolate factory. Enjoy
the walk down the Canal path, perhaps spotting sailboats or kayakers.
When you turn back, exit the park at the topiaries and continue along
35th Street. If you visit during the Sunday Market,
you’ll find blocks of vendors and lots of foot traffic. Continue three
blocks to Fremont Avenue, by the Fremont Bridge and the sculpture,
Waiting for the Interurban
on a traffic island across the
street. Turn left on Fremont Avenue, and get your bearings at the Center
of the Universe signpost a half block later on another traffic island
where Fremont Place begins. Stop in Simply Desserts (3421 Fremont Ave N) for the richest treats in town.
Burke-Gilman Trail Features
Bridges
The Burke-Gilman Trail passes under the Fremont Bridge and the Aurora Bridge. Both span the Ship Canal, although only the drawbridge opens for boat traffic.
Lake Washington Rowing Club
Both
athletic teams and individuals hoist their racing shells into the flow
from here. The club’s non-profit activities also include training
lessons for beginners.
Adobe Systems
A
waterfront office building that was designed to leverage the look of
Fremont’s erstwhile industrial structures houses this software company.
801 N 34th St
206 675 7000
Waiting for the Interurban
The Rocket
When
an Army surplus store closed in Belltown, its outside adornment ended
up in the hands of Fremont sculptors and painters who renovated the
World War II-era missile and placed it atop this store.
Rope Swing
Sunny days attract a crowd of rope swingers who get dunked near where Phinney Ave N meets the Canal.
Old Trolley Barn
This
large brick warehouse used to house Seattle’s early mass transit
vehicles, the trolleys. Since then, the building has been a
microbrewery, an event rental facility, and a gourmet chocolate factory.
Indoor Sun Shoppe
Huge
plants decorate the front, and bright grow lights illuminate the
interior of Seattle’s favorite neighborhood home and garden store.
Dock Overlook
The
fenced-in area with benches and a roof sits right on the water, making
it perfect for sunsets and bird and boat-watching. Distant views include
Salmon Bay’s dry-dock industry and the Olympic Mountains beyond to the
west.
Gravel Plant
Mounds
of gravel, asphalt, and conveyor belts make stark contrast with the
solemnity and serenity of the water and park-land nearby.
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The Rocket’s lights used to blink as the engine belched smoke every 45 minutes. That mission was eventually aborted.
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Fremont Culture
First Fridays Art Walk
On
the first Friday of each month, art galleries organize self-guided art
walks to local studios and establishments including the Fremont
Foundry’s Gallery, Fremont Coffee Co., and Black Lab.
Fremont Foundry’s Gallery 154
Fremont Coffee Co
Black Lab
Trolloween
A masquerade parade begins its route near the Fremont Troll. This take-off on Halloween ends at a bizarre masked ball with lightshows and live entertainment.
Pumpkin Carving Contests
During Oktoberfest celebrations, Fremont’s brew fest includes the hilarious chainsaw pumpkin carving competitions.
Moisture Festival
This
new addition to the funky Fremont scene combines elements of Burlesque
and carnival for two weeks in spring. Held at the old Hale’s Brewery
warehouse.
Living Room
The most tolerant venue for art openings, film, open mics, tea, or just lounging around with neighborhood youth.
Summer Nights
Throughout
the warm summer months the Summer Nights concert series brings
world-class music to an outdoor stage on Lake Union in GasWorks Park. The series features artists renowned for their contributions to rock, blues, jazz, and folk music.
Fremont Arts Council
Based in an elementary school’s 1892-vintage power-house, this community organization supports creative expression and artists.
3940 Fremont Ave N
206 547 7440
ToST
This
upscale venue offers a comfortably dark, nightclub ambience and serves
fine wines and cocktails, along with guest musical performers.
513 N 36th St
206 547 0240
Glass Art
Dale Chihuly’s influence can be seen in glass studios such as Edge of Glass.
Edge of Glass
Fremont Library
The
city’s smallest and most charming library draws the resident literati
to spend hours here instead of purchasing the latest author’s
masterpiece online.
731 N 35th St
206 684 4084
