Top 9 Things to Do in Bellevue: Culture, Food, and the Outdoors

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Just two and a half hours south of the Canadian border Bellevue, Washingtonwas in its heyday. With blue glass towers and tree-lined campuses, tech and retail giants like Microsoft and Eddie Bauer moved in, creating a “boom suburb” in what was once a drive-in bedroom neighborhood in East Seattle.

Located between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, Bellevue is an affluent community that offers a unique blend of culture, fine dining, and stunning natural beauty in the Evergreen State.

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These nine things to do in Bellevue, WA, highlight why this thriving city is an ideal weekend getaway for residents of Greater Vancouver.

Explore Bellevue Botanical Gardens

The 21-hectare Bellevue Botanical Gardens is a verdant gem that’s free to the public. Open year-round, the gardens are divided into a variety of artificial landscapes, including rock, aquatic and perennial gardens, restored woodlands and natural wetlands, all maintained by staff and volunteers. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the converted mid-century modern Shorts House, then stroll along the fern-lined Lost Meadow Trail to the Gorge Suspension Bridge.

Walk or bike along the lake to lake trail

Bellevue’s 16-kilometer Lake to Lake Trail winds through the city, connecting Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington via trails and city-paved walking and biking routes. Bellevue Botanical Gardens and nine city parks, including Mercer Marsh Nature Park, the largest remaining wetland on Lake Washington. Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for great blue herons and more than 170 species of wildlife in this urban marsh.

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Stop for shopping in Old Bellevue

Bellevue’s historic shopping district is Old Main, a traditional and charming high street filled with independent boutiques and restaurants. Historic institutions include Fran’s ChocolateWe have been making handmade chocolate since 1982. Casa Arayathe first vegetarian Thai restaurant that opened in the Northwest in 1987.

From Old Main, it’s a 10-minute walk to Meydenbauer Bay Park, with its sandy beach and pier, offering views of Lake Washington. The downtown Bellevue park is a great place to people-watch and enjoy a shadow play beneath Piloti, a massive public art piece made from more than 6,000 white aluminum panels riveted together to form towering tree-like columns.

Woodinville Wine Tasting

Located 30 minutes north of Bellevue, it is home to more than 130 wineries from across the state. Woodinville Wine Country Washington’s wine country. The region’s wineries, restaurants and tasting rooms are spread across four districts in the Sammamish Valley. Enjoy a local-style lunch at the Barking Frog, then sit down to a Bordeaux-style blend from DeLille Cellars or family-owned Sparkman Cellars. Woodinville has more wines over 90 years old than any other wine region in the world.

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Visit Gilman Village in Issaquah

Just 15 minutes east of Bellevue on Highway 90, you’ll find the stunning alpine town of Issaquah. Gilman VillageThis collection of brightly coloured wooden houses were relocated from in and around the community, which is home to charming independent boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

Stroll along the boardwalk and sip a hot cup of coffee from Issaquah Coffee Company in celebration of the Village’s 50th anniversary, while stopping to admire botanicals at The Arium Shop, modern homewares at the Studio Den, and other attractions in the Village.

Say hello to Jakob Two Trees

Issaquah has a giant troll living in it. Standing more than 15 feet tall, Jacob the Twin Tree towers over pedestrians along the fully accessible Mount Rainier Trail near the Issaquah Community Center. Made entirely of recycled wood materials, Jacob is part of Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo’s “Trolls of the Northwest: Trail of the Bird King” project, which features six giant handmade troll sculptures located in Washington state and Portland, Oregon. Fun fact: Jacob was the first troll to wear a ponytail, and his hair is surrounded by a braided cedar band gifted by the Snoqualmie tribe.

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Go paragliding at Tiger Mountain

The coastal mountains surrounding Bellevue are some of the best paragliding destinations in the Pacific Northwest. With two paragliding launches and steady thermals, Tiger Mountain is the perfect place to fly like a bird year-round. Several local companies offer tandem flights, thrilling half-day adventures at two thousand feet in the air with unparalleled views of Mount Rainier, Lake Sammamish, and Puget Sound.

Visit Snoqualmie Falls

The mighty waters of the Snoqualmie River tumble down to form Snoqualmie Falls, a 280-foot-high waterfall 30 minutes east of Bellevue. Fans of the 1990s TV series Twin Peaks will recognize the falls, which added to the mysterious majesty of the show. You can see the falls from the upper observation deck, or you can hike (some of the trails are steep) from the lower observation deck to the river to see the falls.

After taking in the views, enjoy lunch or coffee at the historic Salish Lodge. Originally built in 1916 as an eight-room inn owned by the Snoqualmie Indian tribe, the lodge offers waterfall views and a restaurant that serves hearty meals, including homemade biscuits topped with Paradise Honey (nectar from the lodge’s own beehives).

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Travel the World One Bite at a Time in Bellevue

Bellevue’s diversity is reflected in its dazzling array of dining options, from Asian hot pot to Spanish tapas and fresh Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Worth the thirty minute wait for the freshly prepared saffron and seafood paella Castile at Bellevue SquareThe kitchen specializes in Spanish cuisine, prepared by owner and head chef Clara Gutierrez Carroll. Flatbreads baked in the wood-burning oven are topped with everything from broad beans to chorizo ​​and pickled grapes, while tapas favorites like croquettes, empanadas and grilled sardines are served on plates.

Smooth white wood walls Monaca Winery All imported from Tulum, this downtown Bellevue restaurant offers an innovative menu of Mexican-inspired creations — think guacamole with compressed watermelon or duck confit — that pair well with the more than 100 premium tequilas in stock.

Indian restaurateur Zorawar Kalra’s culinary empire opens its first U.S. location Award-winning Farzi Café Located in downtown Bellevue. The colorful room complements the bright flavors of cocktails like the Apple Formintini and dishes like the smoky Masala Guava Bubble Shots, Double Butter Dal Mahani and Telicherry Beef Tacos.

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In the evening, you can enjoy a stirred or shaken craft cocktail Civility and turmoil at the W Hotel. In the bar’s clubby atmosphere, you can try the spirit Sazzy Baby or the signature bourbon-based Civil Unrest.

Bellevue accommodation

For the perfect balance between luxurious comfort and active wellness, choose Club Hotel BellevueThis 66-room boutique hotel is part of the private athletic and social Bellevue Club, which features 250,000 square feet of health, recreation and fitness facilities. Hotel stays include a club membership with full access to its fitness classes, tennis and basketball courts, running track, pool and weight room. Enjoy dinner at one of the three restaurants or a wellness treatment at the club spa.

The writer was a guest of Visit Bellevue and Visit Issaquah.

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