Looking for fun things to do in Fremont, Seattle?
Well, you’re in the right place! Welcome to the Secret Seattle guide to Fremont. Known as Seattle’s quirkiest neighborhood, Fremont is full of fun things to do year-round. Fremont has some of Seattle’s best public art and sculptures, so you can go on a self-guided tour or even join the monthly art walk. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Fremont, we rounded up our favorites in addition to cafes and bakeries. Planning a night out in Fremont? We have some incredible bars and live music venues on this list. We also included plenty of shopping recommendations, including the weekend market.
Some of the events on this list are seasonal while others are year-round, rain-or-shine. Be sure to read the whole list and mark your calendar if there’s any seasonal events you’re interested in. Bonus: If you’re on a budget, you’ll find that we included a few cheap and even free things to do in Fremont!
Looking for more Seattle neighborhood guides? We’ve also covered things to do in Capitol Hill, things to do in Pioneer Square, and things to do in West Seattle.
Read on for the top things to do in Fremont!
1. Shop and eat at Fremont Sunday Market
This weekly outdoor market is on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. year-round, rain-or-shine. In the warmer months you’ll find it at the corner of 3401 Evanston Ave North and during the winter it is located underneath the Fremont Bridge. There is always a bounty of food trucks, local craftspeople, vintage goods, and more.
If the Fremont Sunday Market isn’t enough for you, you can also read more about the various Seattle farmers markets.
2. Join the Fremont Art Walk
Looking for a free way to see some art? Join the Fremont First Friday Art Walk. This free art walk that takes place during business hours on the first Friday of every month appears to be self-guided, so check out the map on their website for participating venues.
3. Go on a self-guided public art tour
Another fun and budget-friendly way to spend a day in Fremont is going on a mission to see every piece of public art in the neighborhood. Here is our ultimate list of all the quirky statues and public art you can see in Fremont:
- Rapunzel. Look for this neon sign on the Fremont Bridge (hint: look up… naturally she’s trapped in a tower).
- Waiting for the Interurban. After you cross the Fremont Bridge, you’ll often see this group of commuters decorated for birthdays and holidays.
- J.P. Patches. This clown statue is also near the bridge and is a tribute to Seattle’s favorite clown.
- Center of the Universe Signpost. Look for this whimsical signpost on a traffic island at 3427 Fremont Pl N.
- The Fremont Rocket. Across the street from this rocket sculpture is a Saturn sculpture, making for an out-of-this-world photo.
- Fremont Dinosaurs. These dinosaur-shaped hedges are right next to the Burke-Gilman Trail.
- Gods of Fremont. This sculpture can be found at 619 N 35th St.
- The Fremont Troll. The biggest and best-known sculpture in Fremont (and possibly all of Seattle) is of course the Fremont Troll, which you can find under the Aurora Bridge.
- Berlin Wall Slab. Did you know there is a piece of the Berlin Wall in Seattle? Find it just down the hill that the Fremont Troll sits on.
- Statue of Lenin. This controversial 16-foot statue that often has its hands painted red is located 3526 Fremont Pl N.
- Sri Chinmoy Statue. If you walk along east from the Fremont Bridge along the Burke-Gilman Trail, you’ll see this statue right by the water.
You can make a game of it and try to find each piece while you wander the neighborhood, or you can look them up on a map before you head out and make a route that works for you.
4. Go to drag brunch at Dreamland
Dreamland Bar & Diner in Fremont has a delicious weekend brunch starting at 10:00 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday, but for a real treat you want to try to book a seat for their Dream Girls Drag Brunch. You can see the schedule of upcoming drag brunches on the Dreamland website.
5. Get lots of coffee
Need a jolt of caffeine before you explore Fremont? Here are our top four coffee shops in Fremont (plus a couple of options for the tea drinkers):
- Fremont Coffee Company is located inside a cozy old house that has seating on its front porch—perfect for sipping coffee on warmer days.
- Caffe Vita in Fremont has incredible coffee. Be sure to get a bag of The Theo Blend, which was made in collaboration with local Theo Chocolate.
- Aroom Coffee is a chic Vietnamese coffee house with offerings like the Sesame Latte and a traditional Egg Coffee.
- Lighthouse Roasters is located within walking distance to the Fremont Peak Park. Take your coffee there for a view of Ballard and the mountains on a clear day.
- Steepology Tea has a huge selection of freshly blended loose teas, blends, tea equipment, and more.
- DIY Tea Lab is the place to go for bubble tea in Fremont!
6. Check out Fremont’s best bakeries
These are our top three bakeries in Fremont:
- Lazy Cow Bakery is a fully vegan bakery in Fremont that keeps a free community fridge and food pantry stocked inside for those who need it.
- Sea Wolf Bakers is a family-owned bakery in Fremont that has bread and pastries, plus coffee, a few lunch options, and some lovely grocery items.
- Simply Desserts is the best place to go for cake in Fremont. You can get it by the slice or a whole cake. They also have a few other desserts like cookies plus espresso.
7. Walk along the Fremont Cut
Part of Seattle’s popular Burke-Gilman Trail runs along the Fremont Cut. It’s a popular paved path for joggers, walkers, and cyclists. Take your coffee for a stroll and enjoy watching the boats and rowers pass by on the canal.
8. Shop at a chic clothing boutique
Pipe and Row is a Seattle-based boutique located in Fremont. They stock women’s clothes, accessories, gifts, and home goods. This is a great place to shop if you’re looking for a high-quality gift or some new, on-trend clothing.
9. Browse used records and books
Jive Time Records is right next to Ophelia’s Books so you can shop for used records and books on the same block.
Daybreak Records is another great record store in Fremont if you’re looking for even more.
10. Grab a tasty lunch
Looking for a casual and affordable lunch in Fremont? These are our top six lunch spots in the neighborhood:
- Uneedea Burger has the best burgers and shakes.
- Paseo is a Caribbean sandwich shop in Fremont that is well-known even outside of Seattle.
- Fremont Bowl is a great place to get fresh poke in Seattle.
- Lucky’s Pho is the best place to go in Fremont for pho and banh mi.
- Local Tide is an excellent lunch spot in Fremont if you’re in the mood for fresh seafood.
- Pacific Inn Pub is a local hidden gem with old school pub vibes and the best fish and chips.
11. Shop for a quirky gift
Portage Bay Goods is a charming little shop in Fremont stocked with locally-made art, greeting cards, games, books, home decor, and more. It’s a great place to find a unique gift for someone or a souvenir for yourself.
12. Go climbing at the Bouldering Project
Looking for a fun physical activity that you can do indoors? Check out the Fremont location of the Seattle Bouldering Project. A membership or reservation isn’t required (although reservations are required for groups) and you can rent climbing shoes and a chalk bag there. They have a kid-friendly area as well, so it’s fun for the whole family.
13. Find a treasure while vintage shopping
We love spending hours in the Fremont Vintage Mall. This large vintage store is spread out underground and truly has something for everyone due to its wide variety of vendors.
14. Tour the Theo Chocolate Factory
For $14, you can take an hour-long tour of Fremont’s Theo Chocolate Factory—tastings included! Book your tour on the Theo Chocolate website.
15. Warm up in a plant store
If it’s gray and cold outside, warm up in one of Fremont’s best plant stores:
16. Attend an event at the Fremont Library
Every month, the Seattle Public Library’s Fremont branch hosts a drop-in writing circle for adults. Write with Hugo House is free and a great way to be creative and meet new people. You can see more events happening at the Fremont branch on the Seattle Public Library website.
17. Grab an afternoon pint
Searching for a casual spot to grab a few beers in Fremont? Check out the Fremont Brewing Urban Beer Garden. This indoor/outdoor space is a lively social hub almost every day, rain or shine (but especially on sunny weekends).
Looking for more casual drinking spots in Fremont? We also love Schilling Cider House and the recently-opened Mini Bar. The latter has incredible food as well.
18. Play a round of arcade games with your beer
Add-A-Ball is a hole-in-the-wall bar and arcade that is extremely popular in Fremont. They’re open daily from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (but no kids, sorry—it’s ages 21 and up).
19. Treat yourself to a nice dinner
If you’re looking for an elevated dining experience in Fremont, we have several excellent recommendations for you:
- Le Coin in upper Fremont is a chic French restaurant with a seasonal menu and a cozy ambiance. They also have a great happy hour and brunch.
- Rasai is a progressive Indian restaurant in Fremont.
- Lupo is a cozy Italian restaurant serving wood-fired sourdough pizza, pasta, and ice cream.
- Kamoneji is a snug Japanese restaurant known for its handmade soba noodles.
- Art of the Table is a fine dining experience of a five-course tasting menu created with local, seasonal ingredients.
- Joule has a Korean-fusion menu of small plates, steaks, and seafood and is a great spot for groups.
- Manolin is “a restaurant inspired by a beach vacation” that serves reasonably-priced seafood in a beautiful space.
- RockCreek is another elevated seafood option in Fremont that has a wood cabin aesthetic and eco-friendly practices.
20. Or grab a casual dinner with friends
If you’re looking for a more relaxed dinner in Fremont, check out these three spots that are ideal for a night out with friends:
- Tio Baby’s is a playfully-decorated bar with delicious Tex-Mex fare.
- Brouwer’s Cafe is a Belgian-style pub where you can get craft beer and hearty food.
- Kin Len Thai Night Bites is a Thai restaurant that delights the senses with its colorful decor, fun cocktails, and delicious bites inspired by Thai street food.
21. See live music
Want to see a live show in Fremont? You have a few really good options to check out:
- Nectar Lounge is Seattle’s largest indoor/outdoor music venue. They have three bars, a patio, live music, and DJs.
- High Dive is another great place in Fremont to see live music and go dancing, plus they have fun events like trivia nights.
- Fremont Abbey Arts Center hosts live music artists, story slams, improv comedy, and more.
22. Find Fremont’s hidden speakeasy
The Backdoor is Fremont’s speakeasy lounge that you can find behind Roxy’s Diner. They have excellent cocktails, small plates, and sometimes live jazz.
23. Go dancing
Want to go dancing in a LGBTQ-friendly space? Gay bar Dragster recently opened in Fremont and it has glam decor, Saturday and Sunday dance parties, trivia nights, drag brunches, and really good food and cocktails.
24. Try Fremont’s best craft cocktails
If you ask people about the best place in Fremont for a craft cocktail, many will say Stampede. And if you’re not drinking for whatever reason, they also have an excellent NA cocktail menu.
25. Treat yourself to a midnight snack
If you’re out and about in Fremont late at night and in need of a sweet treat, stop by Midnight Cookie Co. True to their name, they’re open and serving fresh, warm cookies until 1:00 a.m. every night.
26. Go to the Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade
Every June, Fremont gets extra quirky and celebrates the summer solstice with a weekend fair, a parade, and a not-officially-sanctioned naked bike ride. Interested? Read more about The Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade.
27. Grab a pint at Fremont Oktoberfest
Another fun seasonal event in Fremont is the Fremont Oktoberfest that typically happens every September. Read more about Oktoberfest in Seattle.
28. Get dressed up for Trolloween
You’ll definitely want to be in Fremont for Halloween—or should we say Trolloween. The community gathers under the bridge to celebrate the Troll’s birthday on the evening of Halloween with live music, and afterwards everyone marches in the annual Haunt of Fremont.
29. See the Christmas Ships in the canal
If you’re in Fremont for the holidays, don’t miss the Seattle Christmas Ship Festival! You can watch the lit-up ships pass by on the canal from the Burke-Gilman Trail.
30. Visit Gas Works Park
Finally, we had to include Gas Works Park on this list. Although it’s technically within the Wallingford neighborhood, it’s completely walkable from Fremont. Gas Works Park is something that we regularly include in a day’s itinerary whenever we’re in Fremont. On sunny days, you’ll find a crowd of people enjoying picnics, kite flying, yoga, and more. If you go on a wet, chilly day, there will be far fewer people and you’ll have the stunning view of the Seattle skyline to yourself.