Landmark in Seattle, Washington... Driving around, I saw a blue bridge in front of me. I remembered seeing something like this on Yelp, so I turned the corner, parked along the side of the road, and hopped out for a photo! After doing a bit of research, I found out that my friend, Marcus S., was awarded Review of the Day (ROTD) for his review of Fremont Bridge in 2022... maybe that's when I bookmarked it? The Fremont Bridge is a draw bridge that is popular because it opens many times a day to let boats pass through. It's a Historical Landmark as it was first used in 1917. I just thought that it was striking in appearance, especially with the orange-colored lettering! read more

Fremont Bridge - 9.11.25 - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We got to cross the Fremont Bridge while in Seattle. The bridge connects the neighborhoods of Fremont and Queen Anne and was built in 1917. The corner parts of the bridge stood out to me the most with their detail and beauty almost resembling an old blue Police Box (UK). Fun fact, it not only is it a pretty blue color and is the most frequently opened drawbridge in the United States opening roughly 35 times a day. read more

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Came upon this bridge while out and about being new in town, in ... well Fremont it got my attention with its blue and orange color scheme being a Met fan. It wasn't always this color which is a nice change from the usual dark green or black a lot of bridges are. It also caught my attention as it sits across from the busy Aurora bridge. Not terribly often do you see two types of bridges in proximity of each other which certainly gives some additional character to the area. Connecting the Fremont Neighborhood to the Queen Anne neighborhood, It is said this is the busiest drawbridge in the U.S. as it opens several times a day to let through boat traffic. It's closed during 'rush hour' time which begs the question, what do boats do during this time and they really need to get through? There is also said to be a bicycle counter on or around the bridge that counts the number of bicyclists that cross the bridge per day. A cool statistic to tally, especially being that the area has many bikers and events take place on and around the bridge that I suppose would warrant this. Fremont Bridge is a local landmark to the city as well as being on the National Register of Historic places which very interesting considering that even though it's old and garnered a fair amount attention during it's time. It's not that big of a bridge and the records it holds aren't particularly monumental (no pun intended). Still it is a pretty cool 'small' bridge that traverses cars, people on foot, people on bicycle, and of course the boats that pass under it. All of this traffic can probably cross in under a minute, pretty cool if you sit back and think about it. Way to go Fremont Bridge! read more

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As a lover of bridges, I always welcome the opportunity to check out unique bridges when I'm visiting a city. While I was out searching for the Fremont Troll in Seattle, I came across the Fremont Bridge. The Fremont Bridge was built in 1917. It's a moveable bridge that opens for marine traffic (I've loved watching this happen ever since I was a kid - though, I'll admit every time I wheel across one I'm completely paranoid it's going to open while I'm on it). Most Seattle bridges that open do so upon request between 7am-11pm. From 11pm-7am, it's by appointment only. The Fremont does have some additional limitations during peak traffic hours because it is a well traveled bridge. The bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge that connects the Fremont and Queen Anne neighborhoods. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is also designated a City Landmark. It has a low vessel clearance at only 30 feet. It opens an average of 35 times daily - the most frequently opening bridge in the United States. If you hang out for very long, you will likely see it open. I watched it more than once and was giddy like a school kid. The bridge was originally painted green. In 1972, neighborhood residents supported a move to Fremont Orange. In 1985, it became blue and orange. In 2006-2007, the Fremont Bridge underwent a $41+ million renovation and was repainted in 2014 with a public art exhibit installed in 2018. I was only at the Fremont Bridge for a short time. I was in Seattle for a week and had much to do and much I wanted to see. However, I loved this stop and I loved the bridge. I'm fascinated by these drawbridges and fell in love with being surrounded by so much water. read more

Fremont Bridge - Fremont Bridge. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Fremont Bridge connects the Queen Anne area to Fremont and runs parallel to Highway 99. Standing on the bridge gives good views of the lake on one side and views of the 99 on the other. The bridge is blue with some orange on the sign and also sprinkled throughout. On one side there is a sign that talks about the history of the bridge such as the beginning of its operation in 1917. Down below from the bridge are trails for you to run, walk, or bike. Fortunately I was able to see the bridge in action and raise before some boats crossed and then lowered again. When this happens the roads are closed off and then the bridge opens up. Ultimately it's just a bridge that you use to drive or walk over but it's worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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The Fremont Bridge is a favorite little bridge of mine. Painted a strong blue, it stands out uniquely against the backdrop of the grey concrete jungle and area lush greeneries. Another less common feature is that opens - notably for the tall mast of sailboats. This pretty little bridge has MCMXVI in concrete on its side, i.e. 1916. On the bridge, a sign reads the first vehicle crossed on June 15, 1917. This is the little bridge that can, opening and closing for tall boats for over 104 years. While you're walking on the bridge, be sure to take in the view of the ship canal (aka Fremont Cut), the Aurora Bridge, and towards Lake Union. For exercise, consider walking the long u-shape along either side of the Fremont Cut, going up and across the Fremont Bridge. The north walk is part of the Burke Gilman Trail and Fremont Canal Park; the south walk is called South Ship Canal Trail. For the tourists, Fremont Bridge is not home of the Fremont Troll. That's Aurora Bridge. :D read more

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Driving through this was fun for all the years past! But now, with our 15 miles quarantine walks, we walk on it. And it's way more fun! Great views from above! Or below! You can climb down using those metal stairs: not good for puppy paws. If you bring your pup, walk on the bridge. And use the stairs next to Google to go down to the water! Minus 1 star for recent littering galore! So much garbage on the bridge and below the bridge since everyone's using it! Cans! Bottles! Pizza boxes! Take your garbage out, dude! read more

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It's a bridge! Our local friends pointed this bridge out to us while we were walking along the river trying to find some electric bikes. I liked the bold blue and orange colors of the bridge. I was hoping to see it open up while we were walking by but we missed out. I also missed out on the neon Rapunzel sign, which looks really cool and fun -- I will have to check it out again sometime at night! There are benches nearby that would be fun to sit on and watch for the bridge to go up while eating lunch -- some construction workers were doing just that when we passed by. If you like bridges, check it out! read more

Fremont Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Fremont neighborhood has several fun little sites to go to. There is the Fremont Rocket, the Stalin statue and of course the most famous one of all the Fremont Troll. The Fremont Bridge is another landmark to go see while in this neighborhood and I am a bit surprised that I haven't been here sooner to walk across it and take in the view and the features of the bridge. I have driven across it plenty of times however. It's a great bridge and one of historical value and if you aren't driving, competing with other drivers you can really take your time and enjoy the views from it to the east and west. A nice, free little landmark to take in regardless if you are a local or a tourist. Enjoy the sightseeing! read more

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The Fremont Bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge that connects the South Lake Union and Queen Anne neighborhoods with Fremont. Aesthetically it is pleasing to be sure with its blue colors topped off with some orange on top. But now that it is boating season, the look become secondary to function. As the bridge serves as a crossing for boating vessels, the bridge is raised many times in the day to allow for water traffic to cross through. This causes traffic to pile up on both sides of the bridge with drivers, pedestrians and bikers all waiting to make it across. The delay to cross usually takes anywhere from 5-10 minutes. If you are trying to get to Fremont, I would advise you to use the Aurora Bridge instead to bypass the delay on Fremont if the bridge is up. You could always go around using the Ballard Bridge and driving back south, but that seems like the long way round. From an aesthetic standpoint, the Fremont Bridge is great. But if you need to cross this bridge regularly, the raising of the bridge becomes a nuisance due to the effect on traffic in the area. read more

Love the colors of the bridge just happened to stumble across it. It had a nice view from both ways. 5 stars go color design, it pleasing to the eye. Safe travels read more

Fremont Bridge - Blue - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Heard this was one of the most active bridge in the US so I had to stop by! The bridge itself is normal but it actually opens up going up and down a number of times a day. Sounds cool to me! Unfortunately, I didn't get to see that. My travel companion and I even waited for a little while but still it didn't happen! The view wasn't bad though. SAD FACE! read more

So I boast vertigo, height issues, and really dislike overpasses. But I decided due to its small length (a 4 minute walk at most) I wanted to snap pictures with the bridge and walk over it - in part because I wanted to see the Rapunzel neon sign. The sign is super cute, and is visible from off the bridge in the daytime, though night is a better time to see the sign's neon colors. The view from the middle of the bridge was breathtaking and I definitely recommend walking the bridge even if you tend to have trouble with the above like I do. Our Lyft driver dropped us off in front of the Fremont Bridge, we walked it (snapping pictures) and a Lyft picked us up on the other side. I will say the pickup wasn't as smooth so walking to the nearby restaurant may prove to make pickup easier on both you and the driver. read more

I don't know what it is about the Fremont Bridge, but I just love it. Maybe it's the peaceful motion. Some days we like to walk down Fremont Avenue toward the bridge in hope of seeing it raise for some of the larger ships passing thru the waterway to or from Lake Union. It's amazing to read about the bridge and come to find out that it raises around 35 times per day! I've only had the issue of getting stuck in traffic twice because of it going up for boat traffic, but find that it moves fairly quickly. read more

Fremont Bridge - Fremont Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Fremont Bridge, you are nice to look at. When you stop traffic to raise for a boat, you don't take very long to lower again, unlike the stupid University bridge. I like to stop right in the middle of the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the bridge to watch the sunset over the canal. read more

The Fremont Bridge tears me apart. On one hand it is just a cool draw bridge. It looks nice and is interesting to watch it go up and down. On the side of the north west tower there is a neon Rapunzel. Also it is the oldest and shortest (height) of the four canal bridges On the other hand it goes up and down ALL THE TIME! This is the most active bridge in the United States. In theory it isn't suppose to open between 7-9 am and 4-6 pm but they make some exceptions which always seem to catch me on my way home from work while I am stuck sitting on the bus for an extra 10 minutes while someone with a sail boat (bastards) holds up all the traffic in Fremont. read more

I've never actually eaten here, but I have walked across this bridge many times. It has never once "let me down." And by "let me down" I mean I have not fallen into Lake Union bellow and drowned. I have also driven my car across this bridge dozens of times and, once again, I'm not dead yet. That makes me believe this to be a pretty spectacular bridge. It's not snooty like that arrogant Aurora bridge with all its traffic and breathtaking views of Seattle and Mt. Rainier. The Fremont bridge is humble and pretty much keeps to itself. A good bridge that will even let your bigger-than-my-house midlife crisis yacht-mobile through by raising itself if necessary. As far as bridges go, it's got everything I expect and then some. read more

Review the Fremont Bridge? Eh, why not? I sure use it enough. As previously noted, although I don't live or work in Fremont, I spend a heck of a lot of time there. It gives me the opportunity to pass over the bridge all different times of the day. I've walked over the bridge and although I'll never quite feel super safe doing that, I'm certainly not having a panic attack as I walk by. I think it has to do with the spacing where the pedestrians walk versus where the cars and bikes are. Did I mention bikes? I'm not a bicyclist but there are uber amounts of cyclists that use the bridge each day as they access a fairly friendly bike route into the city. I've walked, bused, and driven over the bridge. As others have said, as far as going up and down, it's fairly quick. I love getting on boats and seeing bridges from the underside. I find it quite humbling and as always, appreciate the chance to see something from a different perspective. read more

This picturesque little bascule bridge is the first of its type along the ship canal, and is apparently the single most active bridge in the United States! It has great character, and a fantastic view from the walking lanes on either side- very worthy of a camera shot or two. If one walks a little to the west along the Canal, there is a nice strip of the Burke-Gilman Trail that runs alongside the canal. This is a great place to watch the bridge go up and down with the ship traffic! read more

Fremont Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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1497 Cyclists this morning. On sunny days about 9 AM that's what the cyclist counter seems to show. I love this old funky bridge. What a great view for foot traffic cyclists and cars that get stuck there when it goes up. read more

Fremont Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I would liek ot giv ethis landmark a 4 1/2, but the previous reviewer gav eit a 4, so all'e well - 5! I have spent a few minutes and hours totalle dup at this bridge waiting for it to raise or lower. yesterday on my way to the festival and also back! Double whammy! I thinkthere is a seattle Monoploy game which incli=udes a double Fremont Bridge whammjy with an extra 500.00$ bonus. Now to discuss this with the Mayor's Office. I love living in Seattle. Iusually don't mind the bridge goign up an ddown. It is a few moments to look at the water, simply stop and breathe. I remember when there were fewer buildings and it was a different color.. tyhat is in the past.. I am older now - smarter now and write reviews. read more

As one of the busiest bridges in the world, Fremont Bridge is lovable and fun to watch in action from a distance...until it goes up (way, way up) and leaves you stranded, waiting in traffic, and angry. Hey, at least it's a fun shade of blue! read more

I've seen bridges before. Not as grand as Golden Gate or Sagamore Bridge, but it gets the job done. read more

What's not to love? My only complaint with this adorable, convenient bridge is that it seems to need to come up. A lot. And it takes a long time too! read more

I use this bridge daily during the week to get to work w/ one request: PLEASE DO NOT open the bridge during busy traffic hours (btwn 7-930am and 5-630pm). Think about how many HUNDREDS of people are delayed because one sail boat w/one or few leisurely persons on it has to get through. #justsaying read more

Moving bridges are nothing new to those of us who hail from Chicago, but this one is a particularly good one despite the bad paint job. Some drawbridges take a long time to go back down after being raised, but this one gets down...I mean this bridge gets DOWN. (fast.) read more

Wow, first review of a bridge! Anyway, according to SDOT, the bridge opens 35 times a day, making it one of the most busiest bridges in the world. It's also a mechanical piece of wonder, something that I will be studying in further detail of how they are built. Good for walking across the bridge if you're in the area, exploring the local Fremont culture and parks. read more

I bike across this lovely piece of engineering at least twice every weekday, usually over crew teams practicing through the Fremont cut. Apparently, it's the most active bridge in the US, meaning we're all waiting ever so often. No worries though - it's pretty quick and the views are awesome. Especially the vibrant sunrises and when Eastlake buildings look like they are on fire at sunset. So cool! read more

A cute and architecturally-interesting bridge to drive over if you're coming or going from the west side of Lake Union. The Fremont Bridge is the first of four city bascules to cross the Lake Washington Ship Canal (opened to the public in 1917). As it has a low clearance, it is said to open about 35 times a day, and is the most active bridge in America. read more

Really? Blue and orange?! So easy to make the accent color green. F-you Broncos and whoever approved the paint job.

A well constructed bridge. Beautiful. Easy entry and exit and seemingly well maintained. As soon as we entered the Fremont bridge we were immediately tickled knowing that we were that much closer to the Fremont troll! But don't get confused.....the troll is not under this bridge. read more

"Let's go to the Fremont Bridge," she said. "It is a cute little bistro that overlooks the calm waters of the ship canal," she added. I agreed, it sounded great. So we went down there and boy what a disappointment! It was not what I expected. First of all, no tables. Secondly, no wait staff. We tried to make ourselves comfortable on the metal grating but it was not easy! Bikers and joggers kept stepping/riding over us which did not make for a relaxing dinner environment. Car noise was deafening and there wasn't even WiFi. The Fremont Bridge sucks and we are never going there again for dinner! read more

Its not a grand bridge its kind of rusty and blue... and if you walk across you have to squeeze by the wall so the bikers cannot kill you. Really. And when it has to rise up, be mind-blown at how slowly and gingerly the whole process goes. But in the least this bridge is a important piece of Fremont right there. read more

I love this bridge. It is so blue and pretty with great views. Adds character to Seattle!

I never thought I would give a bridge 5 stars for making me stop to let a boat pass by but I am doing that. I think as bridges goes this is a very scenic and quick bridge opening when it occurs. I live very near here so I get stuck often when a boat needs to pass but that is part of life in the NW with all our marine traffic. I do always wonder when you approach the Fremont bridge from Ballard the SDOT has placed a overhead message sign stating warning "bridge opening ahead take alternate routes" Really? For those of us continuing south across that bridge the DOT suggests another route instead of waiting like 5 minutes? Driving around to University Bridge or backtracking to 99 to get on southbound on 99 isn't going to save you time. I find it a interesting sign placement to say the least. One other nice thing about this bridge is when heading southbound Rapunzel always lets her hair down for you. read more