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The lowest of four bridges spanning the Lake Washington Ship Canal, this connects Fremont to residential Queen Anne and two main arterials to downtown. Because of the bridge’s low clearance, it faces frequent openings from sailboat, motor yacht, or industrial vessels. Neon art adorns a portion of the span, in the form of a golden-haired Rapunzel and her locks cascading down from the bridgeman’s tower.

Try the savory tortellini gorgonzola, wild mushroom risotto, or pizza de mare, the latter with prawns and squid.

You’ll see denizens using Wifi technology with their laptops. The coffee is superb.

All floats at this innovative parade must be entirely human powered, stimulating the imaginations of Fremont’s anarchic arts community. Crews propel samba bands, dancers, and rock quartets using battery-operated amplifiers. It’s held on or near the summer solstice (June 21).

A boater’s dream, the small passenger-only steamer plies the waters of Lake Union from its north shore in Fremont to the grounds along the southern shore near downtown during the July Wooden Boat Festival. A labor of love for captain, Larry Kezner, the ferry is strictly for sightseeing cruises along Seattle’s Ship Canal and adjacent lakes.

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.

Favorite for cult and classic movies.

A great local source for gay and lesbian literature, mysteries, politics, and insightful recommendations from a gracious staff.

An icon of Fremont’s free spirit is a 15-ft (4.5-m) tall Volkswagen-eating troll created by Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter, and Ross Whitehead, after winning a national competition sponsored by the Fremont Arts Council, that in 1989 decided that public art was the best use for a dark space beneath a highway bridge. Though ugly, the troll’s location under the north end of Aurora Bridge means that it remains on the route of almost every visitor who walks or takes a tour bus.