Seattle is home to at least 31 neighborhoods, all with their own vibe and bringing something unique to Emerald City. But of all the best neighborhoods in Seattle? The neighborhood that lies north of Lake Union – Fremont – ranks as one of my top favorite neighborhoods in the city. Away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, Fremont brings funk and class to Seattle. With a killer food scene, breweries, parks, shopping, and even trolls; if you’re visiting Seattle don’t miss checking out Fremont.
This hipster, bohemian, funky neighborhood was once its own until it was annexed to Seattle in 1891. It’s rather small – only 0.89 square miles and gets its name from Fremont, Nebraska. It truly is one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle to visit!
Situated north of the canal near Ballard and Wallingford, you can spend hours exploring Fremont, Seattle. Start your day at Gas Works Park, visit the Fremont Troll, grab a coffee, and shop your way throughout the area. Oh and don’t miss the Fremont Bridge – one of the most frequently opened drawbridges in the USA! When you’ve worked up an appetite stop for food at one of the many delicious Fremont restaurants.
Before reading further, check out some more Seattle neighborhood guides…
- A Guide to the Ballard Neighborhood in Seattle
- A Guide to Seattle’s Most Underrated Neighborhood – Beacon Hill
How to Get to Fremont/Around Fremont
The only downside to visiting Fremont is that the link light rail (the train that services Seattle) does not make a stop in the neighborhood. Instead, you will have to drive, bike, or take the bus.
Thanks to its small size, my favorite way to explore Fremont is on foot or on an electric bike or scooter. Of all of the Seattle neighborhoods, I’ve found Fremont to be one of the most walkable. Clean, wide sidewalks, and fewer crowds than the tourist downtown area, you can thoroughly enjoy moseying around the area. Plus Fremont is bike-lane friendly so you usually don’t run into too many problems with bikers on the sidewalks.
Best Things to Do in Fremont
Below you’ll find my favorite activities in Fremont.
1. Visit the Fremont Troll
This troll is one of the most popular attractions in Fremont so while you’re area stop by and say hello! (Talk about strange Seattle, Washington attractions). The Fremont Troll was sculpted in 1990 as a means to rehabilitate this area under the bridge. The idea of having a troll under a bridge comes from folklore in Scandinavia and is a free attraction.
2. Have a Picnic at Gas Works Park
Although Gas Works is part of the Wallingford neighborhood, it’s so close to Fremont that many refer to the park as being in Fremont. Because this is one of the most beautiful parks in Seattle, don’t miss your chance to visit if you’re in the Fremont neighborhood. I prefer to bring a picnic set up while watching the sailboats and kayaks glide by. And watch as the seaplanes land and take off. Plus it’s one of the best places to view the Seattle skyline.
3. Visit the Fremont Sunday Street Market
If you’re in Fremont on a Sunday don’t miss the weekly European-style street market. The market features antique shops, bakery stands, food trucks, art, clothes, and more! The market is open every Sunday from 10 am-4 pm. (Pst, don’t miss the Phorale food truck!)
Go Boutique Shopping
Spend the day popping in and out of the many artisanal boutiques Fremont has to offer. My personal favorite is Pipe and Row located on 35th Street.
Where to Eat and Drink in Fremont
One of the best things about Fremont is the top-notch restaurants, bars, and breweries scattered throughout the neighborhood. Below are some of the best that I’ve found.
EL CAMINO
El Camino is a laid-back Mexican restaurant in the heart of Fremont. The space is decorated ornately with nods to Mexican heritage. It’s the perfect place to go for margaritas with girlfriends!
FREMONT BREWING
Fremont Brewing is my favorite brewery in Seattle. It’s huge and has a great outdoor patio for summer days. There are a plethora of games to choose from to play at the brewery, and you can even bring your own food in.
JOULE
Joule is an incredible Asian-fusion restaurant run by a husband-wife duo. They’ve won four James Beard Awards for the Best Chefs in the Northwest. The food is unique, unlike any other Asian food I’ve had in the past.
PABLO Y PABLO
Pablo y Pablo is a taco kitchen and margarita bar in Seattle. It’s laid-back and has incredible menu items to choose from. If you’re picking between Pablo y Pablo and El Camino, I have to say that I’m partial to the food at Pablo y Pablo.
STAMPEDE COCKTAIL CLUB
Stampede Cocktail Club is an innovative, swanky cocktail lounge in Fremont. It might be one of my favorite neighborhood finds to date, boasting a rotating menu of unique cocktails each month.
Washington Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Washington
TRAVELING TO/THROUGH WASHINGTON
- For car rentals in Washington, I recommend Discover Cars
- To book a flight to Washington, I recommend a search engine or Skyscanner to compare options
- If you want a private driver waiting for you at the airport, book here
ACCOMODATION IN WASHINGTON
- For booking hotels in Washington, I recommend using a search engine
- For rentals in Washington, I recommend VRBO
TOURS IN WASHINGTON
- For tours and activities in Washington, I recommend using Viator or Get Your Guide
WHAT TO BRING TO WASHINGTON
- Don’t forget a Washington guide book to help plan your travels
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- I love traveling with ARMRA Colostrum travel sticks to support my immune system (use code “KYLEENELSON” for 15% off)
- Washington can be rainy at times, I recommend traveling with an umbrella, rain boots, and a raincoatjust in case
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Seattle, don’t pass this neighborhood up. Although it may take some work to get to it’s worth it once you’re there. After all, it’s one of the “cool” neighborhoods in Seattle filled with things to do, attractions to see, restaurants to eat at, and drinks to be had.
For more on things to see and do in Seattle, don’t miss…
- How to Have a Perfect Weekend Trip to Seattle
- 7 Things to Do When it’s Raining in Seattle
- The Ultimate Guide to Seattle
- 10 Unique Things to Do in Seattle
- Best Hotels in Seattle
- Best Tours in Seattle – Top Experiences for Exploring the Emerald City
For more information on Seattle, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinwashington” or under my highlights for “Washington”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Washington” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
Makes me want to revisit Fremont!! Well done!