If you are visiting Seattle for the first time, like most tourists, you probably have Pike Place Market and the Space Needle at the top of your "to see" list. While it is certainly fun to catch a fish from the fishmongers at the Market or to visit the original Starbucks location across the way, there are other (and much stranger) places in the Emerald City worth seeing. Some of the weird things to see in Seattle are part of what give the city its unique Northwestern charm.
If you head north out of the main downtown Seattle area, you will cross the Aurora Bridge into Fremont, a quirky neighborhood. Underneath the bridge lurks the famous Fremont Troll, a must-see during your time in Seattle. Local folklore suggests that there have been troll sightings ever since the Aurora Bridge was constructed in 1932. In 1989, sculptor Steve Badanes led a team in building what is now one of the centerpieces of Fremont (in addition to the Lenin Statue within walking distance of the Troll). The Fremont Troll weighs approximately 2 tons and was constructed from rebar steel, wire and ferroconcrete. Don’t forget your camera so you can photograph the beast holding a crushed Volkswagen Bug in his grasp. Pose between his fingers and pretend he’s about to eat you; the creative photo possibilities are endless.
The Fremont Troll
North 36th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
fremont.com/fremonttroll.html
Considered one of Seattle’s top 10 weird destinations, according to the store website, Archie McPhee has some of the strangest attractions and items for sale you can find. Opened in 1983, Archie McPhee is billed as a “one stop shop for party supplies, crafts, costumes, miniatures, and the weirdest collection of toys and candy that you’ve ever seen.” Stop in its new Wallingford neighborhood location to take your picture with the 8 foot gladiator statue or have your fortune told by Cap’n Archie. Check out the odd items for sale such as bacon or pickle-flavored lip balm, the world’s largest underpants or a deluxe miracle Jesus action figure. Whatever random thing you could dream up, chances are, Archie McPhee has something similar to it. You may not need a unicorn code messenger bag, but you will have a fantastic time strolling through the store, enjoying all the weird and quirky items it offers.
Archie McPhee
1300 North 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206-297-0240
archiemcpheeseattle.com/index.html
Pike Place is known for flying fish, colorful people and out-of-the-ordinary shopping, but chances are you have not heard of the Wall of Gum located in Post Alley (between Pike and Union streets). Located underneath Pike Place Market, this brick wall has been scraped twice, but the gum keeps reappearing, so people gave up trying to clean it and declared it an attraction in 1999. The sticky mess originated in the early 1990s, when ticket holders, waiting to see TheatreSports at the Market Theatre, started sticking their gum on the wall and pushing pennies into the gum. Bring along your camera to make memories that stick. Don’t forget your chewing gum so you can leave your own mark on this weird Seattle attraction.
Pike Place Market Wall of Gum
Post Alley
(Between Pike Street and Union Street)
Seattle, WA 98101
