Sitting just east of Seattle, Bellevue is famous for its open green spaces, trendy shops, and high-end restaurants.There are tons of fun things to do in Bellevue, too, with hikes, mountain bike trails, and beaches galore.
Let’s look at all of the best things to do in Bellevue, a gem of Washington state!
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Table of Contents
- 1. Take a Stroll Through Meydenbauer Bay Park
- 2. Bum on The Beach at Idylwood Park
- 3. Visit one of Bellevue’s Museums—Best Rainy Day Thing To Do in Bellevue
- 4. Get the Adrenaline Pumping on a Zip Line Tour
- 5. Take in The Views at Marymoor Park
- 6. Pick Berries at Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm
- 7. Rent a Kayak at Lake Sammamish State Park—Our Fav Thing To Do in Bellevue
- 8. Wander Old Bellvue’s Main Street
- 9. Stop in For a Pint at Bellevue Brewing Company
- 10. Reconnect With Nature at Bellevue Botanical Garden
- 11. Take a Tour of Kelsey Creek Farm Park
- 12. Hit The Trails at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
- 13. Catch an Event
- 14. Have a Picnic at Bellevue Downtown Park
- 15. Go Mountain Biking at Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park
- 16. Take a Dip at Madrona Beach
- 17. Relax at Washington Park Arboretum
- 18. Hike Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
- 19. Head Into Seattle
- 20. Enjoy a Leisurely Hike at Franklin Falls
- 21. Take in The Beauty of Snoqualmie Falls—Best Outdoorsy Thing To Do in Bellevue
- 22. Visit Some of The Tallest Waterfalls in The Area: Twin Falls
1. Take a Stroll Through Meydenbauer Bay Park
Bellevue’s newest beach park, Meydenbauer Bay Park, is a wonderful place for a morning stroll.
It’s the perfect spot to visit with children—it has a viewing terrace of the beautiful shoreline and lots of facilities designed for education.
This is a great spot to put your kayak or SUP board in as well. Bring your own or rent from the REI boathouse on site.
2. Bum on The Beach at Idylwood Park
Spanning over 17 acres, Idylwood Park sits on the beautiful Lake Sammamish, with plenty of room for swimming and recreation.
There’s a small boat ramp from which people can take to the water. Also, find the opportunity to go fishing from the pier or use the picnic tables.
RELATED: 19 Killer Beaches in Seattle, Washington for Adventure
3. Visit one of Bellevue’s Museums—Best Rainy Day Thing To Do in Bellevue
If you get hit with a rainy day, one of the best things to do in Bellvue is to visit one of the museums. There are quite a few options, so no matter what your interests, you’re sure to find something entertaining.
Art lovers can peruse the collection at Bellvue Art Museum, families can hit up the KidsQuest Children’s Museum, and history buffs can visit the Museum of History and Industry.
4. Get the Adrenaline Pumping on a Zip Line Tour
Get the adrenaline pumping on Bellevue’s zip line adventure. Bellevue Zip Tour is a seven-segment zip line tour with two suspension bridges located in an old Maple and Douglas Fir forest in Bellevue.
As you zoom from tree to tree, you can take in views of Mt. Baker and Glacier peak. Note that this tour is only available seasonally from April to October.
5. Take in The Views at Marymoor Park
Marymoor is the most popular park in King County, sprawling over 640 acres and visited by over three million people yearly. So you know it’s got to be one of the best things to do in Bellevue!
Marymoor Park has ample open space in Bellevue and has become a community area, with space for playing baseball, soccer, or cricket, places for birdwatching, and glorious vistas over Lake Sammamish.
If you’re looking for somewhere near Bellevue to enjoy the fresh air, Marymoor Park is for you!
6. Pick Berries at Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm
Washington is known for its tasty apple harvests, but for something a little different, why not pick your own blueberries?
The Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm sits right inside the city and features lush grounds with fresh produce and its very own lake. The serene surroundings offer a relaxing ambiance for picking berries, which you can do seasonally from July to September.
7. Rent a Kayak at Lake Sammamish State Park—Our Fav Thing To Do in Bellevue
The ideal beach day location in Bellevue, the 531-acre Lake Sammamish State Park, has two beautiful lakefront beaches where you can catch the sun or take a dip—Tibbitts and Sunset Beach.
At Tibbetts Beach, you can rent out water sports equipment, including stand-up paddleboards and kayaks or just lounge on the beach (this is the quieter one of the two!)
Also, in the state park, you’ll find trails spanning through wetland and deciduous forest. Look out for blue herons and bald eagles, which call the park home. Take to the trails on foot, or bring your bikes.
READ MORE: Exploring Lake Sammamish
8. Wander Old Bellvue’s Main Street
It’s true that there are tons of outdoorsy things to do in Bellvue, but don’t neglect charming Old Bellvue’s Main Street.
This urban attraction is home to some pretty great not so hidden gems, including specialty coffee shops, high-end boutiques, and unique gift shops.
Of course, there are also plenty of bars and restaurants in this area once you’re ready for a bite to eat.
9. Stop in For a Pint at Bellevue Brewing Company
For an extra tasty pint, stop into Bellevue Brewing Company. There are quite a few breweries in town, but this one is our favorite.
The brews take inspiration from Washington’s natural offerings, and their philosophy is to respect the natural resources and land. Oh, and the beer tastes really good, too.
10. Reconnect With Nature at Bellevue Botanical Garden
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is another beautiful green space in the city, a 53-acre oasis. Walk through the fuschia and rhododendron gardens, learn about the unique flowers, or admire the spring courtyard.
There are a couple of trails that you can take through all of the gardens, including the Tateuchi Loop Trail and the Lost Meadow Trail.
RELATED: The 19 Best Parks in Seattle For Adventure
11. Take a Tour of Kelsey Creek Farm Park
The Kelsey Creek Farm Park is a 150-acre area that’s part farm and part park. There are walking trails through forests, two historic barns, and tons of farm animals on display.
The farm is located right in the city center, so you can spend a few hours looking at the animals and then hike back to Main Street via the Lake to Lake Trial.
12. Hit The Trails at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
If you fancy a fun hike near Bellevue, the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is your place!
It has a whopping 35 miles of trails that span through wetlands and mature second-growth forests and has lots of lookouts with immense views of Lake Sammamish, Seattle, and the Cascades.
Hikes include the Coal Creek Falls Loop, which takes in some gorgeous waterfalls, the Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail with immense views over the park, and the De Leo Wall Trail, a generally easy trail with some steep climbs.
13. Catch an Event
No matter what time of year you visit, one of the best things to do in Bellvue is to catch an event.
From arts and craft festivals and live music to winter parades and summer farmers markets, there’s always something going on in Bellvue. Check out some of the upcoming events to see what’s going on during your trip.
14. Have a Picnic at Bellevue Downtown Park
Bellvue Downtown Park is an aptly named urban park with some great views of the Bellvue skyline and Mount Rainier peaking out in the distance.
The park features a half-mile promenade, a playground, and plenty of shady trees and grassy space—perfect for a picnic! There are also restrooms and picnic tables available.
15. Go Mountain Biking at Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park
Located on the Issaquah Plateau amid the glorious Pacific Northwest Forest, Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park is the ultimate place to visit if you want to try the sport!
Here, you’ll find cross-country trails, freeride trails, and jump lines, with a range of circuits for beginners, intermediates, and advanced.
Even if you have no mountain biking experience, you’ll be welcome at Duthie – although it’s recommended to stick to the easy trails at first (Bootcamp is perfect for beginners!).
16. Take a Dip at Madrona Beach
Sitting on the shores of Lake Washington, Madrona Beach is quite grassy, but it’s a fantastic swimming spot, with lifeguards in the summer months. Plus, it’s very scenic, with excellent views of Mount Rainier.
It backs onto Madrona Park, and there’s a free parking lot here.While this spot is just over the bridge, you’ll be looking over the lake AT Bellevue!
17. Relax at Washington Park Arboretum
Also on the shores of Lake Washington, the Washington Park Arboretum, with a vast array of plants from different climates, is managed by the City of Seattle and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens.
It is a fantastic place for an afternoon walk, and you’ll likely learn a thing or two about horticulture while you’re here!
Most of the arboretum is free, but the Japanese Garden, which is in the southern part of the Arboretum, has a small entrance fee. With oriental plants and decorations, this is a beautiful part of the gardens and is well worth adding to your trip.
18. Hike Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
Distance: 5.3 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,459 ft
Other important info:
- Leashed dogs are allowed
- There is no fee for this trail
If you’re looking for some adventure around Bellevue, head to Rattlesnake Ledge Trail. This 5.3-mile out and back hike is rated moderate, with plenty of up and downhills.
However, once you reach the top, you’ll see it’s all worth it. There’s an incredible lake view from the top!
One drawback of this hike is that it can be hectic, so it’s best to go early in the morning or in the off-season if you want to tackle it.
RELATED: 25 EPIC Hikes in Washington to Tackle
19. Head Into Seattle
You may be coming from this way, but if you haven’t already done so, you’ve got to visit Seattle! It’s only a 15-minute drive away, and you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of outdoor activities and urban attractions.
Because it’s so close, you can easily make this a day trip and then return to the quiet charm of Bellvue after you’ve had enough of the big city.
READ MORE: BEST Things To Do In Seattle
20. Enjoy a Leisurely Hike at Franklin Falls
Distance: 2 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 354 ft
Other important info:
- Dogs are allowed
- A Northwest Forest Pass is required
- Open year-round, but seasonal road closures may occur
For a more leisurely hike, head to Franklin Falls. This is just a two-mile round trip from the parking lot, and you’ll be able to enjoy a dramatic view of the crashing falls at the end – win-win!
The falls themselves drop over three tiers, with a total of 135 feet, but you can only see the last tier from the base. Still, they’re a beautiful sight to behold, and if it’s a hot day, you can also take a dip in the plunge pool.
If you’re visiting in the winter, you might have to access it from a different trailhead.
READ MORE: Franklin Falls Hike: What You Need to Know!
21. Take in The Beauty of Snoqualmie Falls—Best Outdoorsy Thing To Do in Bellevue
Among the most popular tourist attractions in Washington, Snoqualmie Falls drop 270 feet. There are two observation decks, upper and lower, so you can take in the beauty of Snoqualmie from all angles!
They’re also very accessible—the distance between the parking lot and the falls is only 200 feet, and it’s wheelchair accessible. The parking lot is free, so you can take a picnic here and enjoy your day around the waterfall!
READ MORE: Snoqualmie Falls Hike: What You Need to Know!
22. Visit Some of The Tallest Waterfalls in The Area: Twin Falls
Distance: 2.5 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 616 ft
Other important info:
- Dogs are allowed
- A Discover Pass is required
One of the tallest waterfalls in the area, Twin Falls, actually comprises three sections: two drops of 45 feet, another 30 feet upstream fall, and a third that is a 135 feet fall.
There are multiple viewpoints where you can see the falls from different perspectives. You can see Twin Falls independently or explore them as you walk around Olallie State Park and the other Snoqualmie River waterfalls!
READ MORE: Hiking Twin Falls Trail: What You Need to Know!
There are many things to do in Bellevue, from natural phenomena to some of Washington’s best waterfalls. The city sits just a stone’s throw from Seattle but boasts an impressive array of attractions in its own right.
Whether you’re into swimming, mountain biking, hiking, or just like to admire beautiful nature, Bellevue has something for you!
We hope this post helped you plan your trip to Bellevue, Washington! Before you go, don’t forget to check out other great places to visit around Seattle.
