King County, Washington · Puget Sound
Bellevue
Bellevue is the Eastside city that grew its own skyline, its own arts scene, and a restaurant row that owes nothing to Seattle.
POPULATION
151,854
INCORPORATED
1953
FROM SEATTLE
30 min east
COUNTY
King
ON THE WATER
Lake Washington
KNOWN FOR
Tech hub and arts
Bellevue, Washington is the largest city on the Lake Washington Eastside and the second-largest city in King County, 8 miles east of downtown Seattle across Lake Washington. The skyline has grown dramatically since 2010, as Amazon, Google, and a cluster of tech and life sciences companies moved or expanded major operations here. Bellevue had 151,854 residents as of the 2020 census and is now a genuinely international city: roughly 40 percent of residents are foreign-born, and the downtown restaurant scene reflects that directly.
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is one of the finest free botanical gardens in the Pacific Northwest, with 53 acres of display gardens, wetlands, and restored woodlands including the Yao Japanese Garden. Downtown Park is a 21-acre urban oasis one block from Bellevue Square, built around a canal, a formal garden, and a 1,200-foot curved pedestrian walkway. Meydenbauer Beach Park on Lake Washington offers a sandy beach and kayak access inside the city limits.
For families, KidsQuest Children’s Museum has operated in the downtown core since 2005. The Bellevue Arts Museum hosts one of the largest outdoor arts fairs in the Pacific Northwest each July, with more than 350 artists across the full range of craft and design media. Old Bellevue’s Main Street district offers independent boutiques, wine bars, and cafes on walkable blocks that predate the tech boom.
Getting Here
Bellevue sits 8 miles east of downtown Seattle. The fastest connection now is Sound Transit’s 2 Line light rail, which opened across Lake Washington on March 28, 2026 and links downtown Seattle directly to the Bellevue Downtown Station, with onward service to Redmond. By car, State Route 520 or Interstate 90 reach downtown Bellevue in about 15 to 20 minutes without traffic, though both corridors clog during commute hours. From SeaTac Airport, Interstate 405 north takes about 30 minutes. From Renton, Interstate 405 north takes about 15 minutes. Regional buses also serve downtown, though some routes are being restructured around the new light rail. Bellevue has ample paid parking in the downtown core.
Things to Do
Parks
Bellevue Botanical Garden
The Bellevue Botanical Garden covers 53 acres of free, open-daily gardens in the heart of Bellevue. Display gardens include dahlias, fuchsias, and a water-wise garden. The Yao Japanese Garden is a standout section worth a dedicated visit. In November the garden hosts GardenD'Lights, one of the most popular holiday light events in the region.
Parks
Bellevue Downtown Park
Bellevue Downtown Park is a 21-acre urban park one block from Bellevue Square, built around a 240-foot canal, a formal garden, and a 1,200-foot curved walkway with views back toward the city. Free and open year-round. Farmers Market runs here on Thursdays through the summer.
Family
KidsQuest Children's Museum
KidsQuest opened in Factoria in 2005 and moved to its downtown Bellevue home in 2017, offering hands-on exhibits in art, science, and building for children under 10. It sits at 1116 108th Ave NE, next to the Bellevue Library and a few blocks from Bellevue Square. Admission required; timed entry available.
Arts
Bellevue Arts Fair
The Bellevue Arts Museum closed to the public in September 2024 amid financial trouble, and its Steven Holl-designed building near Bellevue Square is being sold. The institution lives on through the Bellevue Arts Fair, the long-running outdoor festival it still manages each July, which brings hundreds of artists to downtown. Watch for news on the museum's future as it reorganizes.
Shopping
Old Bellevue Main Street
Old Bellevue's Main Street runs parallel to 108th Ave NE and holds some of Bellevue's best independent boutiques, wine bars, and cafes on blocks that predate the tech boom skyline. It's walkable, unhurried, and notably distinct from the mall-centric north end of downtown.
Water
Meydenbauer Beach Park
Meydenbauer Beach Park sits directly on Lake Washington's eastern shore, with a sandy beach, a swimming area, and a kayak launch inside the city limits. The park was rebuilt from the ground up in 2019 and is one of Bellevue's best summer destinations. Lifeguards on duty in summer.
Culture
Crossroads Neighborhood
The Crossroads neighborhood in east Bellevue is where the international character of the city shows up most clearly. Crossroads International Park features a giant outdoor chess set and is the venue for the Bellevue Strawberry Festival each June. The surrounding blocks hold a concentration of Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, and East African restaurants.
Recreation
Bellevue Zip Tour
The Bellevue Zip Tour, now run as Bellevue Adventures, operates seven zip lines ranging from 78 to 458 feet long in Eastgate Park, plus two suspension bridges. Open to ages 8 and up. Reservations required. Located on the southeast side of Bellevue, 15 minutes from downtown.
“Forty percent of Bellevue residents are foreign-born, which shows up most clearly in the food.”
Explore Washington State
Where to Stay
Hyatt Regency Bellevue
Full-service hotel in the heart of downtown Bellevue, connected to the Bellevue Collection via covered walkway. Floor-to-ceiling windows, multiple restaurants, and easy walking access to Bellevue Arts Museum and Downtown Park.
Reserve at Hyatt.comWestin Bellevue
Upscale hotel in downtown Bellevue with a rooftop pool and spa. Close to Bellevue Square and the light rail station. Strong choice for business travelers who need the downtown core.
Book at Marriott.comResidence Inn Bellevue
Marriott extended-stay with full kitchenettes in every suite. A practical choice for multi-day visits or families. Located close to the 520 corridor with straightforward access to Seattle.
Book at Marriott.comFind a Cabin Near Bellevue
Find a Cabin Near Bellevue
Food & Drink
Din Tai Fung at Bellevue Square is one of the most consistently praised restaurants in the region, known for its xiao long bao dumplings. Expect a wait on weekends. The Third Culture Coffee on Bellevue Way is a local standout with East African and Pacific Northwest coffee influences. El Gaucho Bellevue anchors the upscale end of the downtown dining scene with tableside preparations and a deep wine list. The Crossroads neighborhood in east Bellevue hosts a concentration of Korean, Vietnamese, and East Asian restaurants that rival anything in the Seattle metro.
Festivals & Events
June
Bellevue Strawberry Festival
Annual two-day festival at Crossroads International Park with more than 100 craft, food, and business vendors, fresh strawberry shortcake, live entertainment, a classic auto show, and family activities. Typically held the last weekend of June.
July
Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend
One of the largest outdoor arts fairs in the Pacific Northwest, hosted by the Bellevue Arts Museum. More than 350 artists exhibit and sell handcrafted works across 20 or more mediums on July 24 to 26, 2026. Accompanied by live performances, food trucks, and hands-on programming.
November
GardenD'Lights at Bellevue Botanical Garden
Annual holiday light display at the Bellevue Botanical Garden featuring more than 500,000 lights arranged as giant insects, flowers, and garden creatures throughout the 53-acre grounds. Runs from late November through early January.
Day Trips
Kirkland is 15 minutes north on I-405, with a walkable waterfront and the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail. Renton is 15 minutes south on I-405, with Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and the Cedar River Trail. Issaquah and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park are 20 minutes east via I-90. Seattle is 20 to 30 minutes west via SR-520 or I-90.
Planning Your Visit
Summer is the best season for Bellevue, with the Bellevue Arts Fair in late July, warm weather for Meydenbauer Beach, and the Strawberry Festival in late June. The Bellevue Botanical Garden peaks in late spring for tulips and early summer for roses and dahlias, then offers the GardenD’Lights holiday display in November. Bellevue is walkable in the downtown core but requires a car or rideshare to reach Crossroads, Factoria, or Eastgate. Paid parking in the downtown core is readily available compared to Seattle.
More Bellevue on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bellevue Washington known for?
Bellevue is known as the heart of the Eastside tech corridor, home to major Amazon and Google operations. It is also known for the Bellevue Botanical Garden, a free 53-acre garden with one of the best holiday light displays in Washington, and the Bellevue Arts Fair, one of the largest outdoor arts events in the Pacific Northwest each July.
Is Bellevue Washington worth visiting?
Bellevue is worth visiting for the Bellevue Botanical Garden, walkable Old Bellevue, and Meydenbauer Beach Park on Lake Washington. The dining scene, especially in the Crossroads neighborhood, is among the most diverse in the region. It makes a practical and affordable base compared to Seattle for visitors to the greater Puget Sound area.
How do you get to Bellevue Washington?
Bellevue is 8 miles east of downtown Seattle via State Route 520 or Interstate 90, typically 20 to 30 minutes by car without traffic. The quickest car-free option is Sound Transit’s 2 Line light rail, which connects downtown Seattle to the Bellevue Downtown Station across Lake Washington. From SeaTac Airport, Interstate 405 north takes about 30 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Bellevue?
Summer brings the Bellevue Arts Fair in late July and the Strawberry Festival in late June, plus warm weather for Meydenbauer Beach. Spring is excellent for the Bellevue Botanical Garden as tulips and roses peak. November through early January, GardenD’Lights at the botanical garden is a highlight of the winter season.
How many people live in Bellevue Washington?
Bellevue had 151,854 residents as of the 2020 census, making it the second-largest city in King County and one of the largest cities in Washington State. It is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the Pacific Northwest, with roughly 40 percent of residents foreign-born.
What is Old Bellevue?
Old Bellevue refers to the historic Main Street district along 108th Ave NE, predating the city’s tech-era growth. The area holds independently owned boutiques, wine bars, and cafes on walkable blocks, distinct in character from the mall-centric north end of downtown. It is the most comfortable neighborhood for a slow afternoon walk.