"Center of the Universe" Fremont by Jonathan_C

Fremont Travel Guide: 47 reviews and 115 photos

So how does a neighborhood get to be known as the Center of the Universe. It's on our street signs so it must be official. Perhaps no one ever asked before. For residents, the official recognition is unimportant. Like any well loved community, Fremont is the center of our Universe. Over the years Fremont has gone from 'run down' to 'funky' to 'artsy' to 'hip' and you can still find some of each if you visit. But it's the people that make this neighborhood so special. Close to downtown Seattle, with a mix of university types, artists, planners and entrepeneurs, Fremont is a vibrant melting pot of ideas and activism. So you should come and meet the local residents besides the Troll. Come, if you can, for the Solstice Parade on the Saturday nearest the Solstice. Or at least stop by the Sunday Market or the Outdoor Movies. Here you will meet the eclectic, artistic, uninhibited folks proud to be known as Fremonsters.

Community Fremont

Still Life Cafe

Fremontsters are unusually dedicated to living in and improving upon their neighborhood. There is truly something magic that draws fine people here and keeps them from leaving. Almost half of my neighbors that bought houses in the last decade have moved from somewhere else in Fremont. Those of us here can't imagine living anywhere outside of a six block radius centered on us. It's the kind of place where people walk the sidewalks, know their neighbors and take part in community projects.

I've always felt like 5% of the people in any community are doing everything interesting while the other 95% are watching TV, drinking bad beer or both. In Fremont it seems that 20% or more are engaged in making Fremont even more livable and interesting than it is already.

When you come to Fremont you should go beyond mere sight seeing and try to meet some of the people who live here. The Still Life Cafe is a haven for locals. The folks in History House will be happy to fill you in on many inside stories. Visit the Edge of Glass gallery or the Foundry to meet local artists. Walk Canal Park all the way to the pagan fire ring to travel the path my neighbors take into town. Visit the Sunday market or the Saturday Night Outdoor Movies to understand that thriving, viable communities are possible in America without automobiles.

Take your time in Fremont and pretend it's your home for a day. Arrive without a car if you can and enjoy being within four blocks of everything a reasonable person could want. Spend some time in the library and Dusty Strings. Go down to the rowing club and just watch life on the water. You could see everything in just a couple of hours but if that's all you do you'll miss so much.

Fremont, like any well loved community, will grow on you the longer you stay. Who knows, perhaps you won't leave. We'd love to have you join our 20%.

Artistic Fremont

Fremont Fine Arts Foundry

Fremont is the live/work/play location for many Seattle artisits, nudists, pyromaniacs and other creative types. Their passions are best expressed in their own web pages so let me direct you to a few:

The Fremont Arts Council is the driving force behind the Solstice parade and many other fantastic events.

The ARF web site describes the activities of some of Fremont's fire artists.

John Cornicello, my neighbor, has a web site of his photographs of many Fremont Arts Council and community events.

As you'll see, artistic expression is fundamental to our understanding of who we are as a community. Art in Fremont is participatory, collaborative and community building with a major emphasis on fun.

Last visit to Fremont: Aug 2003
Intro Updated Mar 7, 2004
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Reviews (35)

Nectar Lounge (from their website) - Fremont

Live Music Nightlife (2)

Nectar Lounge is my new favorite Fremont night spot. This is Fremont's best nightclub and the owners have a real... more travel advice

art yards Local Customs (2)

Like everything else in Fremont, yards are up for grabs for individual artistic expression. If you stroll around the... more travel advice

the Troll Things to Do (10)

You cannot say you have been to Fremont if you haven't visited the troll. Undoubtedly the most photographed artwork in... more travel advice

financiers from Essential Baking - Fremont

Seattle's best bakery Restaurants (10)

Until you've had Essential Baking Company's Mille Graine bread, you haven't lived. These guys use all organic... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (5)
See All Gasworks park
Shopping (3)
See All fix your gear at NW Garment and Gear
Transportation (1)
getting around in Fremont

Hotels (1)
We need a hotel or hostel!
Sports & Outdoors (1)
yoga
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Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 20, 2003

8 photos

Fremont scenes

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Comments (31)

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hunterV Mar 30, 2009 at 9:11 AM

Hi, Jonathan! Your page is amazing, ourstanding! You have evething there, even Lenin's statue...
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nixca316 Feb 19, 2007 at 8:50 PM

Interesting, Jonathan, Interesting. Take care! (I'm talking about your interurban tip page) ;D
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Beallthere Aug 28, 2006 at 11:06 PM

I'll bet there are some Seattlites who pray to the one true God, the one who made the Sun. Your pictures make Seattle interesting enough for a visit. Thanks.
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atufft Apr 1, 2006 at 8:24 AM

I assumed at first your page would be Fremont, CA, a funny place to be center of the universe. But, now I've learned about the Fremont near Seattle--a very interesting community!
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luckyzen Jan 15, 2006 at 12:15 AM

Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Cape Town.
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kcrismier Nov 10, 2005 at 6:44 PM

interesting stuff! i actually worked in mexico with the man who is the face of the troll! it's a great likeness actually. cheers from redmond
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travelgirl3 Sep 23, 2005 at 5:58 AM

Fremont sounds like a very interesting place - real down to earth. I love the troll under the bridge! We still enjoy going to the Drive-in, when you can find one still operating. Penny
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LauraWest Jul 4, 2005 at 11:52 AM

Hi! I visited Fremont back in 2002 (?). I wish I'd had your tips back then. but I did see The Troll & Lenin, of course & walked around. John Waters was in town for his photo show; met him. did you see his show?
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Birsen May 24, 2005 at 7:16 AM

Hi Jonathan, I enjoyed your VT pages. I am an artist who paying attention on the streets every weird piece... Greetings from Las Palmas:))
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blue_sky04 Apr 5, 2005 at 9:00 PM

Great page! An interesting place to visit.