Bellevue

Bellevue Downtown Park is a 21-acre open space among the urban sprawl and continues to be a central part of the Bellevue community. Downtown Park is a great place for a casual stroll during the day or a planned picnic outside. The entire space is a beautifully landscaped circular lawn with a waterfall sculpture as its border. A wide dirt promenade circles the park next to the rushing water, interspersed with several benches. These sitting spots offer an excellent view of the downtown skyline.

Bellevue Botanical Garden is perhaps the most concentrated view of Pacific Northwest flora. The Garden is 53 acres of botanical beauty and is open daily from dusk to dawn. Admission is always free. Special places to visit include the decorative Rock Garden and seasonal Dahlia Display. The entire property is a masterpiece of landscaping and horticulture. Garden layouts ensure that something new is blooming every month of the year, offering several reasons to visit. Locals and tourists also have the opportunity to tour native plant species and learn a bit more about their environment.

Bellevue Square shopping mall has more than 200 retail locations. Lincoln Square is another distinct area filled with several cultural dining destinations. The third shopping area, Bellevue Place has some of the best places to stay the night, including the four-star Hyatt Regency Bellevue. This part of town is especially festive during the holiday season. Snowflake Lane is a popular attraction that runs throughout December. This family fun celebration is outside the Bellevue Square shopping mall, where the street is alive with glittering lights, electronic animations, and always falling snow.

Bellevue Arts Museum hosts an impressive display of artworks from regional and international artists. It’s located among the bustling streets of the Bellevue downtown district, only a few blocks away from Downtown Park. The museum has several large permanent installations hanging from the ceiling and draped across the walls. But primarily, BAM features rotating exhibits that display masterful art pieces. The museum also gives visitors a glimpse at the artistic process with behind-the-scenes looks at how the art was created. On the first Friday of each month, admission is free.

Meydenbauer Bay Park is not only a hidden gem of natural space on the shores of Lake Washington. This area was once the landing site for ferries running from Seattle. This historic ferry spot was pivotal in the development of Bellevue. Meydenbauer Bay Park is a popular place to swim in the summer months when the water is warm enough and lifeguards are on duty. The park is beautifully landscaped, with a tiered walkway that leads down to the water. The park also has a unique walkway that leads out to the middle of Meydenbauer Bay, presenting a panoramic view of Lake Washington.