Close by to the bustling Seattle, and not far from the edge of Lake Washington, Bellevue is a much smaller, and much more tranquil city in comparison, and with the area being surrounded by luscious forests, it makes the perfect place for a vacation!
Whether it’s the beaches, amazing museums, or the numerous great walks that can be found in and around Bellevue, there is something for everyone in this great city, and there are plenty of tourist attractions for you to discover during your time here too.
So, if you’re looking for some of the best tourist attractions to visit whilst in Bellevue, then this guide will point you in the right direction, and I’m sure that after reading this guide, you’ll be booking your trip to Bellevue as soon as you possibly can!
One of the best things about Bellevue as a city is that there is always an opportunity to escape the concrete jungle of the city, and the downtown park is one of the best ways to do so.
Located right at the heart of the city, it’s perfect for a casual walk and an afternoon out of the bustling life of the city.
In the center of the park is a memorial dedicated to the veterans of World War I, which was built in 1926, which means that this park has been a part of the city for nearly an entire century!
As well as the memorial, there’s also a play area built for children to use, as well as a duck pond, and plenty of grass for all of your pickup sports games, or even for a picnic during the warmer months.
So, for those who are looking to stretch their legs and want some isolation from the business of the city, this park in the center of it all is the perfect place to escape to!
If you’re looking to brighten up your walks with some color, then there is certainly no better way to do so than with a walk through Bellevue’s Botanical Garden, and since it’s definitely something that everyone should visit during their time in Bellevue, then why not use it to start your day off the right way?
With the garden covering 53 acres of land, these botanical gardens contain everything from woodlands to wetlands, and some of the most beautiful cultivated gardens you have ever seen.
Whether you simply want to walk through the garden peacefully at your own pace, or attend one of the many nature classes, this botanical garden is perfect for those looking for a relaxing walk!
With an acronym like BAM, then you know that it’s going to be a cool place to visit, and there’s absolutely no doubt that this incredible museum certainly lives up to its acronym.
With plenty of art here on display for you to enjoy and take in, it makes for a great rainy day activity that anyone can enjoy.
Viewing the exhibitions isn’t the only thing you can get up to at this museum though, as you’re also able to learn more about the art here, whether it’s local or global by joining the daily tour, get creative yourself by taking one of the fun art media lessons, or attend one of the fancy events they put on here!
When you’re planning a vacation as a family, it can sometimes be difficult to find appropriate activities for everyone to enjoy, all whilst trying to stick to a strict budget.
Thankfully, a visit to the Mercer Slough Nature Park is the perfect place to visit with all of the family, and the free afternoon nature walk that takes place every Sunday is certainly a fantastic way to enjoy yourself on a budget.
That’s not the only thing there is to do at Mercer Slough Nature Park though, as you can go on canoe tours, or even pay the blueberry farm a visit, and they’ll even let you pick fruit during harvest season too!
Although everyone seems to shop online these days anyway, almost nothing comes close to that feeling of going on a little shopping spree, and if you’re something of a shopaholic yourself, then a visit to the amazing Bellevue Square should certainly be on your to-do list during your visit to this great city.
With over 200 different stores for you to browse and shop in, there is something for everyone here, ranging from Tiffany’s, all the way to LEGO, so everyone can get their retail therapy fix!
There are also a number of restaurants here too, which means that you can easily spend the entire day here without having to leave until you’re all spent.
Since it’s so close to Lake Washington, it would almost be rude not to experience some of the lake’s natural beauty during your visit to Bellevue, and in our opinion, the best way to do so is definitely worth a visit to Meydenbauer Beach Park.
Over a century ago, this incredible beach park was nothing more than a docking site for a ferry that would transport people between Bellevue and Seattle.
Nowadays, Meydenbauer Beach Park is the perfect attraction to visit for people who are looking to experience the true beauty of Washington’s nature.
With trails, playgrounds, an incredible beach, and even places to fish, the park is perfect for all of the family to enjoy.
If you plan on visiting Bellevue with your children, then it’s the perfect excuse to visit KidsQuest Children’s museum, which although designed for children, is also stupidly fun for adults too.
For those who have a slightly childish streak, this is an absolute must (of course you can only go with your own children though).
Of course, it’s entertaining for the children too, but you’d be lying if you said that getting to experiment with a number of different science projects doesn’t sound fun at all, and of course, the museum knows this, because every so often, there are adults-only nights held there, so you don’t even need to bring your child with you to go and have fun!
Okay, we get that a convention center isn’t usually at the top of the list of things to visit during a trip to a city so full of incredible attractions like Bellevue is, but the convention center here is often home to a number of amazing events.
Whether it’s performances or seminars, there is nearly always something going on at the Meydenbauer center, which means that you should definitely check their schedule to see if there is anything interesting going on during your trip to Bellevue, as you might just find an event that you’d like to attend.
From ballet to Bollywood, the Meydenbauer Center is home to everything, and if you’re looking for the perfect excuse to get out for the evening, then pay the Meydenbauer center a visit!
Fancy yourself as something of an adrenaline junkie?
Then the Bellevue Zip Tour is a great way to explore the city’s forest areas through an entirely new perspective, plus you can walk across some of the bridges too, all while learning more about this amazing city.
Even if you’ve never ziplined before, then this is a great place to start, although it might not be for those who are scared of heights.
Another great place to witness the beauty of Lake Washington for yourself, you can relax on the beach and take in the incredible views of Seattle’s skyline and it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, there’s always something for you to do here.
In the colder months, you can canoe or kayak, whilst the summer will allow you to sunbathe and swim in the water comfortably!
There’s also a playground for kids to explore, and plenty of spots to go fishing too, which means that Chism’s beach park is the perfect family destination to visit, especially if you want to get away from the city for the day.
Summary
As you can see, there is loads to see and do in Bellevue, which is exactly why so many people choose to visit this incredible city, because not only do you get to enjoy all of the usual city attractions, but there are also a number of ways to get out into nature too!
We hope that this guide to the amazing city of Bellevue, Washington has helped you to decide on where your next vacation will be, and hopefully you manage to fit some of these attractions into your itinerary!
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
