The Center of the Universe

Welcome to the center of the universe… sort of. A group of scientists named it that 24 years ago in voice of reason that it couldn’t be proven or disproven. Regardless of it’s validity, you should come here because it’s the center of Fremont (or center enough), and there is food and drinks in every direction. All of it wonderful. If you’re coming here to visit as a tourist, walk up to the troll. Shop in Atlas, check out the Warby Parker shop, or the glass shop (a personal favorite nearby) where the glass transforms as light is shone through it. The signs are playful, my favorite being the directional sign for Rapunzel, but it’s placement in the middle of an intersection makes a bit of downer if you were planning to hang out. Instead walk by and feel the world spinning around you for just a moment instead of the other way around…
(Longer rant follows…)
Center of the Universe? It’s a plausible argument, however, if you compare it to other places.
Let’s begin with the world. It’s not on the equator, but it is pressing «towards» the middle of longitudinal lines, running from 0 to 180, at 122 degrees (47.6097° N, 122.3331° W is the exact number, though that’s for all of Seattle). Still, I’m not so sure with axial tilt that we aren’t still somehow near the center. I’m a designer, though, so please don’t trust my pseudoscience.
Well how about culturally? The Northwest is booming for craft ciders and beers, arguably amongst the best in the world, and Fremont is on of the most dense neighborhoods to find that culture. Seattle is home to Microsoft, Amazon, Starbuck, T-​Mobile, and Nintendo America. have you used some of those companies or their products? Grunge music arguably started and still lives here. A shout out to KEXP, Nirvana, and a million other musicians (Macklemore currently), and the instrument makers as well. Even further, this is quite the «city of literature.» It’s also the most educated, amongst the most accepting for LGBT (& polyamorous, and beyond) communities, and home to people from Japan, China, Ethiopia, and an incredible number beyond that. But it’s not New York or London. In fact, it’s not amongst the largest cities in the US or the world, but it culturally important nonetheless.
Seattle is also amongst few cities I know of that actually connect the urban with outdoors. In fact, comparing to Denver, we have it made. I drove in on I-​90W moving here and we drove through 1 of 3 national forests. There’s the Olympics, Cascades, Rainier, and an impressive array of peaks from here to portland. There’s rock climbing about 1 – 2 hours every direction too. Maybe most prominent however is the puget Sound, Elliot Bay, Lake Union, and Lake Washington. Water, snow, mountains, forests. It’s beautiful and you will struggle to disagree with that.
– References

Kinda lame… definitely not something you want to go out of your way for.

Need directions to the Milky Way? Don’t worry, it’s in that direction, just 60 light years away. Need directions to the Fremont Troll or Lenin Vladimir? Do not fret, it’s just down yonder. The Center of the Universe is a cute little addition to city and screams Fremont! If you don’t look closely, you might just miss it.
The Center of the Universe is in a middle of a crosswalk at Fremont Place and Fremont Ave. Snap a few quick pics because if you’re not fast enough, you’ll get stranded on the island and locals passing by on their cars will know you’re a tourist

Had delicious drinks and lunch at 9 million with the kids. Great neighborhood for exploring!

Meh… kind of underwhelming. As with the Lenin statue, I wouldn’t come all the way out here just for this attraction. It was cute, but not exactly easy to get a picture of (unless you want to be roadkill). Make a day of it by visiting the troll, brewery, Gas Works Park, etc.

It’s cool, it’s funky, it’s fun, and it’s totally Fremont. Honestly, with so much going on in this area, so many great places to eat, drink, fairs, markets, etc., it’s hard to not see it as on the money.

Only arrogant people in Fremont think this is worth being called the Center of the Universe (so most of them). Wallace, Idaho is also the Center of The Universe. The guidepost is rather pathetic marker for this claim. Fremont as a whole is an interesting place at times to visit but never worth stay to long.

The guidepost is interesting in its own way, pointing you to the various pieces of public art in Fremont — the so-​called Center of the Universe — as well as a few just-​for-​fun directions.
North Pole — 2,851 miles that way.
Milky Way — 69 light years this way.
Noogie — «Top of Head.» (Wow, is that dated. Do people give noogies any more?)
Take it in as part of the local flavor, but don’t take it too seriously.

Need directions to the Milky Way? Start here.

Portland’s Pioneer Square has a few more signs, but it is hard to argue that super quirky Fremont is truly The Center of The Universe. Any location that points to the Milky Way (69 light years), Atlantis (663 fathoms), and a Noogie («top of head») has to be centrally located. Let your Fremont visit begin here and emanate outwards, but beware the traffic that is constantly threatening to put a premature end to said visit. Long live Fremont!

Fremont makes me happy! Visit on Sundays for the market on 34^th, the troll on 35^th and the Lenin statue a block away on 36^th.
STAY OUT OF THE ROAD if you’re close to the sign, it’s a pretty congested area & a big blind spot from some directions.

This is a cool sign to see if you’re already in the area. It’s near a few other things like the Lenin statue or the Fremont troll.
Standing near this sign puts you supposedly at the Center of the Universe. :)
It’s a cool place to say you’ve been to. There are more signs like this that I’ve seen elsewhere so seeing it wasn’t as cool to me as it may have been to someone having not seen it before.
The sign is located in the middle of the street, but you’re not in danger if you’re standing on the island that it’s on. I like it. It’s a free Seattle attraction. :)

I remember the first time I was walking by this sign — I was greatly confused and actually stopped to read it very carefully. Then, I remember wondering if it was a legit sign. I’m so lame sometimes.
I spend a lot of time in Fremont. In fact, I think I spend way too much time in Fremont for a person that doesn’t work or live there. It’s a cool place and perhaps I am drawn there because it is the Center of the Universe.
Like others, I’ve seen tourists come precariously close to getting hit by cars while looking at the sign. If they would simply stop, the sign is on a island of concrete that is between two pedestrian lights and would allow them to oogle the sign with ease. You may as well stop, those lights are way too fast to get across both comfortably (I’m always running).
I love Fremont and this is one of the reasons why.

There may be no center of our universe, but there is one in Fremont. A colorful, picturesque sign. I read about it and it sounded cool and interesting. I was so busy seeing everything in Seattle that I completely forgot about it. Then one night we were walking drunkenly across the street in Fremont to another bar, when there it was! I stopped almost in the middle of the street to snap a picture, marveled at its awesomeness and carried on. This only makes me love Fremont more, which is very hard to do.

Why?
My friend and I were at the nearby Fremont Troll and I happened to see this on the Unilocal app. When I finally realized what we were looking for, it was too late. Not that it was a complete waste of time. We did come across a neat little pie place nearby (as in savory meat pies).
So I guess if signs are your thing, then well, here’s your sign!

This sign post is kind of funny and worth a look. It’s interesting to see the distance of various and random points from the area.

I have seen more tourists almost get murdered trying to cross 35^th at inappropriate times to get a photo with this sign than any other Fremont attraction. For the danger you provide to the tourists, and the pleasure you give to the residents and townies… we salute you… Center of the Universe Sign. Please continue being the «true north» of Fremont.

The cool thing about this is that not only do I live near here ! bu talso for visitors. it is very near the Fremont Troll! Two unique and smile– causing spots nearby. And they are free! All with views of our lovely lake and sky.

While I have yet to see any scientific evidence that this sign does, in fact, mark the center of the known universe, I have to give it props for adding a certain quirky character to the already charming neighborhood known as Freemont. The sign is also useful if you want to ensure you’re heading the right direction on your journey to the Louvr (only 9757 km to go!).

As you drive down (or walk/​bike) Fremont you might see a color sign with arrow in all directions. Do you want to know how far way the Milky way is? What about the local troll? Machu Picchu? Well you can find out right here at the Center of the Universe! This sign definatly adds to the quirkiness of Fremont neighborhood.