Fremont Bridge, Seattle

Fremont Bridge, Seattle

The Fremont Bridge, located in Seattle, is a bascule bridge with two movable leaves that stretches across the Fremont Cut. It serves as a vital link between Fremont Avenue North and 4th Avenue North, connecting the vibrant neighborhoods of Fremont and Queen Anne. The Fremont Bridge was inaugurated on June 15, 1917, initially for trolleys and later for all vehicles.

Among the four city bascule bridges crossing the canal, the Fremont Bridge takes the lead as the pioneer, followed by the Ballard Bridge (1917), University Bridge (1919), and Montlake Bridge (1925). Recognizing its historical significance, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and holds the distinction of being a designated city landmark.

During its early years, before the Aurora Bridge was constructed nearby in 1932, the Fremont Bridge boasted the highest vehicular traffic among all bascule bridges in the United States. Even today, it remains one of the busiest drawbridges globally and the most frequently opened bascule bridge in the United States.

The Fremont Bridge changed from green to Fremont Orange in 1972, approved by residents. The blue and orange color scheme was chosen by voters in 1985. In 2006, a restoration project replaced approaches, renovated mechanical/electrical systems, and the bridge was repainted in 2014.

In February 2018, a permanent art installation was introduced to commemorate the centennial of the bridge and two other bascule bridges of the ship canal. This initiative was part of an artist residency program. The Fremont Bridge received the first of three dynamic lighting designs.

Tip:
Stop right in the middle of the pedestrian walkway to watch the sunset over the canal.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seattle. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Fremont Bridge on Map

Sight Name: Fremont Bridge
Sight Location: Seattle, USA (See walking tours in Seattle)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Seattle, Washington

Create Your Own Walk in Seattle

Create Your Own Walk in Seattle

Creating your own self-guided walk in Seattle is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Seattle Architecture Walking Tour

Seattle Architecture Walking Tour

In terms of towering skyscrapers abuzz with commerce, upscale shopping & dining, and splendid theaters, Downtown Seattle resembles many American cities. At the same time, it is also unexpectedly pleasant with hills, outdoor sculptures, and peek-a-boo views of Elliot Bay's sparkling water. Still, the diverse architectural landscape of the city is distinctive primarily for its landmark...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Pioneer Square District Walking Tour

Pioneer Square District Walking Tour

Pioneer Square, the district where Seattle was founded in the mid-19th century, had gone through its boom and near-bust until a period of preservation managed to save it for a new life. Today, this is the most historic part of Seattle that holds a special place in the city's yesteryear and is home to several noteworthy landmarks and attractions.

One of the most prominent sites in the area...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Seattle Center Walking Tour

Seattle Center Walking Tour

Immediately north of Downtown Seattle, you will find the ever-popular Seattle Center. Developed for the 1962 World's Fair, this 30-hectare (74-acre) park and arts & entertainment center contains numerous landmarks. It is also where Seattle's biggest festivals, concerts, film screenings, and theatrical performances are held.

At the heart of this bustling area stands the iconic...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Fremont Neighborhood Walking Tour

Fremont Neighborhood Walking Tour

Fremont is a vibrant neighborhood in Seattle, renowned for its quirky and artistic character. Among other things, this famous district is home to some of Seattle's most beloved and controversial sculptures.

One of its most iconic landmarks is the Fremont Troll, a massive sculpture of a troll lurking underneath the Aurora Bridge.

At the height of its counterculture days, Fremont renamed...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings Tour

Historical Religious Buildings Tour

Seattle, Washington, boasts a wealth of religious sites of various denominations – together reflecting the city's diverse spiritual heritage. Besides being purely centers of faith, these buildings are an important part of the city's historical heritage, some of them standing as architectural marvels, each with its unique story.

Trinity Parish Church, founded in 1865, is...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Seattle Introduction Walking Tour

Seattle Introduction Walking Tour

Overlooking Puget Sound's Elliott Bay on the West Coast of the United States, the port city of Seattle is renowned for its surrounding waters, mountains, evergreen forests, and thousands of acres of parkland. The largest metropolitan area in today's Washington State had been inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years prior to the European pioneers. The first European to set...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


15 Distinctively Seattle Things to Buy as Souvenirs

15 Distinctively Seattle Things to Buy as Souvenirs

With the penchant for coffee they have in Seattle, no wonder they go sleepless. Other than that, the Emerald City is renowned for quite a few "distinctively Seattle" things that make it stand out from the crowd of other major urban U.S. destinations. Here are some tips as to which they are...
Best Coffee Shops in Seattle

Best Coffee Shops in Seattle

Explore Seattle’s top coffee shops to get a real sense of the eclectic and culturally diverse caffeine buzzed city. Whether you desire a chic downtown coffee café with lots of windows and swanky décor or a dark coffee shop with mix-matched furniture, strong espresso, free wireless and lots of...