Fremont & Wallingford

Explore

No trip to these neighborhoods is complete without paying a visit to the endearing Fremont Troll (N 36th St), who resides beneath the Aurora Bridge and next to Troll’s Knoll Park (820 N 36th St), which is also home to the delightful Moss Turtle—an interactive sculpture. A scenic stretch of the Burke-Gilman Trail runs along the Ship Canal and leads to Gas Works Park (2101 N Northlake Way), which offers a stupendous view of Lake Union and downtown. In the evening, check out the local music scene at hot spots like Nectar Lounge (412 N 36th St) and High Dive (513 N 36th St).

Eat and Drink

Fremont pops with fantastic eateries. On Tivoli’s (730 N 34th St) expansive patio, share creative pizzas and Italian-inspired small plates. Stylish Hamdi (4012 Leary Way NW) serves beautifully presented contemporary Turkish dishes. Other favorites include the romantic French bistro Le Coin (4201 Fremont Ave N) and casual Uneeda Burger (4302 Fremont Ave N), known for locally sourced beef and veggie patties and decadent milkshakes in creative flavors. Savor the Creole-style Dungeness crab cakes during brunch in the airy dining room of RockCreek Seafood & Spirits (4300 Fremont Ave N). Wallingford’s Paper Cake (4106 Stone Way N) dessert cafe is a delicious collaboration between renowned pastry chef Gabby Park and Rachel Yang, chef of the contemporary Korean restaurants Revel (401 N 36th St) and Joule (3506 Stone Way N). Nearby Aroom Coffee (3801 Stone Way N) offers outstanding espresso drinks. Head to Atoma (1411 N 45th St) for sublime New American cuisine and Dumpling The Noodle (1723 N 45th St) for sensational sweet-chili fried chicken and other Asian delights. Both Irwin’s Neighborhood Bakery and Cafe (2123 N 40th St) and The Octopus Bar (2121 N 45th St) capture Wallingford’s quirky and welcoming personality.

Shop

On Sundays, shop for arts and crafts at the expansive Fremont Sunday Street Market (3401 Evanston Ave N). Nearby, Fremont Vintage Mall (3419 Fremont Ave N) is a trove of funky finds from yesteryear. Buy and learn to play a new musical instrument at Dusty Strings Music (3406 Fremont Ave N), which carries a wide array of guitars and banjos and also offers lessons. Laughing Elephant (3645 Interlake Ave N) stocks beautiful stationery and paper goods and Pacific Northwest Shop (4411 Wallingford Ave N) is a source of cool locally produced gifts and specialty foods.