Top 12 Things To Do In Bellevue, Washington - Updated 2024

things to do in bellevue
Ibrahim
Ibrahim 
Updated
| 5 min read

With wonderful family locations, great outdoor scenery and activities, and a bustling city life, Bellevue has something for everyone. The town is located east of Seattle, with Lake Washington separating the two cities. For avid outdoor enthusiasts, this place offers a quick fix. Admire the gift of nature at Downtown Park, which features a waterfall and gardens. Northwest plants adorn Bellevue Botanical Garden. For family getaways, the children can have fun at KidsQuest Children’s Museum. You can also check out other museums that pique your interest. And after a long day, you can dance the night away at Lucky Strike Bellevue. Make the best of your vacation with these top things to do in Bellevue, Washington.

1. Go on a historical hike on Coal Creek Natural Area

Coal Creek Falls 04067
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Walter Siegmund used under CC BY 2.5

Once dotted with mining villages that have since been reclaimed by mother nature, this hiking trail is a fascinating place to visit. The second-growth forest is thick with trees and has a creek, both providing habitat for wildlife in the area. Have more fun by trying to find traces of the early coal industry! You can find an old mine shaft and little bits of concrete peeking through the undergrowth that were once foundations for railroad turntables.

The 4.5-mile (7.24-kilometer) trail takes approximately 2.6 hours to complete but can be stretched to a full day if you decide to take Primrose Trail and Forest Drive Trail, which are connected.

Coal Creek Natural Area

Address: Coal Creek Pkwy SE, Bellevue, WA 98006, USA

Website: Coal Creek Natural Area

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free entrance

Visited this place?

2. Enjoy a performance at Meydenbauer Center Theatre

Meydenbauer Center
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SuddenFrost used under CC0

Enjoy a good show at this professional performing arts theatre. This 410-seat, proscenium-style theater hosts a variety of performances and production, including dance performances, cultural arts, and even arts education. The Meydenbauer Center has been around for 25 years and hosts over 250 events with nearly 150,000 guests annually. The theater is also near the Meydenbauer Convention Center where events and meetings are also held.

Prior to going to the theater, you can check out which performances are showing and book the tickets right on their website!

Meydenbauer Center Theatre

Address: 11100 Northeast 6th Street, Bellevue, WA, USA

Website: Meydenbauer Center Theatre

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Visited this place?

3. Spend time alone in the beautiful Bellevue Botanical Garden

Top things to do in Bellevue, Washington
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user BlueCanoe used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This beautiful botanical garden has so much in store for you, from spending some serene time in the stunning environment to exploring the wildlife. The 53-acre (21.4-hectare) property was established in 1992 and welcomes over 300,000 locals and tourists every year. It comprises wetlands, meadows, woodlands, and rolling hills, radiating seasonally rotating elegance. The heart of the spot is the nature trail, Wild Side, leading to a ravine area with a bridge to stand and take incredible shots of God-given wonders. Other popular spaces to check out in Bellevue Botanical Garden include Alpine Rock Garden, Yao Garden, and Northwest Perennial Alliance Border.

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Address: 12001 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005, United States

Website: Bellevue Botanical Garden

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 7pm

Price: free

Visited this place?

4. Enjoy picnicking at Wilburton Hill Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Whether you are vacationing alone or with family, you can enjoy a world of recreational opportunities in the 105.5-acre (42.7-hectare) Wilburton Hill Park. It is the largest upland park in Bellevue with the sole aim of preserving the city’s natural area. Spend some time learning about the northwest plants that beautify the park’s botanical garden before heading to the massive recreational area. Do some workout with the provided equipment. The gym tools are positioned close to the children’s playground so that parents can keep a close eye on their young ones. You can also take advantage of the picnic facilities, basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields, and more.

Wilburton Hill Park

Address: 12400 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005, United States

Website: Wilburton Hill Park

Opening hours: 6:30am - 8:30pm (daily)

Visited this place?

5. Unwind at Downtown Park

Bellevue downtown park Jan 2014
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sam.meyer.marton used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Aside from being a wonder to behold, the strategic location of Downtown Park in downtown Bellevue, makes it ideal for enjoying the outdoors while admiring the city’s skyline. The place comprises a round, 21-acre (8.5-hectare) green spot with a moat and trekking routes along its edges. Enjoy fantastic vistas of Mount Rainier as you unwind in the sizable picnic area. Let the kids have fun in the play area as you admire the beauty of the gardens. Also, strolling down the 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) promenade, flanked by shady trees from both sides, leads you to an enchanting waterfall. Downtown Park is also a popular spot for community events.

Downtown Park

Address: 10201 NE 4th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States

Website: Downtown Park

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)

Visited this place?

6. Learn about Bellevue's heritage at Eastside Heritage Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Bellevue c. 1970.

Posted by Eastside Heritage Center on Monday, August 17, 2015

Learn more about the heritage of this region with a visit to this institution. It houses the most extensive collection of archival items, photos, and artifacts of Washington and East King County. Eastside Heritage Center was founded in 2001 and currently holds over 30,000 historical materials from the 1880s to date. The establishment features books, exhibits, presentations, and organizes educational events to connect locals with the organizations, places, and people that help make the community.

Eastside Heritage Center

Address: 11660 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005, United States

Website: Eastside Heritage Center

Opening hours: Tue: 10am - 4pm; Thu - Sat: 10am - 2pm

Price: free

Visited this place?

7. Let the kids have fun at KidsQuest Children's Museum

KidsQuest Children's Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SuddenFrost used under CC0

Give your kids the experience of a lifetime with a visit to KidsQuest Children’s Museum. Learning through playing is the main aim of KidsQuest, and it focuses on the major disciplines, which are math, art, engineering, science, and technology. It offers over 650 programs yearly, including concerts, free art fairs, science workshops for the whole family, summer camps, lessons, and even holiday programs. The museum features a model from the city’s past rural life to today’s advancements with kid-sized trees and buildings, all for your young ones to enjoy. With amazing water features, reading nooks, an art studio, and more to explore and enjoy on-site, it will be an unforgettable encounter.

KidsQuest Children's Museum

Address: 1116 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States

Website: KidsQuest Children’s Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 9:30am - 5pm

Price: Up to 13 USD

Visited this place?

8. Hang out at night at Lucky Strike Bellevue

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Lucky Strike Bellevue on Thursday, September 16, 2021

Whether you want to dance the night away with some hand-crafted cocktails, bowl, or play at an arcade after a long day exploring the city, Lucky Strike Bellevue is the perfect spot. The nightclub is situated in the bustling Lincoln Square, and it is the most popular nightspot in the city. The vintage-inspired interior with modern touches makes the atmosphere inviting. Hit one of the two dance halls, which blazes all night with top DJ hits, or check out the famous arcade game room and the 16-lane premium bowling area. They also serve delicious American food, and you can hold private parties in the deluxe lounge.

Lucky Strike Bellevue

Address: 700 Bellevue Way NE Suite #250, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States

Website: Lucky Strike Bellevue

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 12am; Fri: 11:30am - 2am; Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 11:59pm

Visited this place?

9. Admire creative artifacts at Bellevue Arts Museum

Discover the creative side of this region and more in Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM), situated in the city’s heart. The venue features designs, craft, and arts, from jewelry masterpieces to a picturesque sculpture made by skilled designers, makers, and artists from the Pacific Northwest. BAM highlights publications, programs, and exhibitions to engage the community and enhance the visitors’ appreciation for visual culture. The institution usually gives free admission on the first Friday of every month, though temporarily put to a stop with the pay-what-you-can scheme being implemented. You can also enjoy some presentations and lectures when you visit.

Bellevue Arts Museum

Address: 510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States

Website: Bellevue Arts Museum

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed from Mon - Thu)

Price: Pay-What-You-Can Admission

Visited this place?

10. Relish huge portions of delicious cuisines at Black Bottle

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Curing our “Monkey Barrel”cocktail to come… !

Posted by Black Bottle postern on Friday, July 16, 2021

Enjoy American food varieties, small plates, and a wide range of curated wines at this beautiful tavern. The interior is airy and lovely, with rustic charms and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the nice Bellevue Street. It’s also spacious, which makes it perfect for large group dining or a romantic date. Every dish offered in this eatery is made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Order some pork belly, lamb meatballs, or spiced shrimp, and relish them with a drink from the full bar. With great features like reasonable prices, large portions, and professional service, you will definitely have a wonderful dining experience.

Black Bottle

Address: 919 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States

Website: Black Bottle

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 3pm - 9pm

Visited this place?

11. Spend a fun day at Newcastle Beach Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Spend a day of recreation and excitement alone, with your partner, or with your family in this gorgeous park, overlooking Lake Washington. It’s the largest beach park in the city, and it highlights a lot of opportunities to have fun. Appreciate the beautiful wildlife along the 0.75-mile (1.2-kilometer) nature trail, unwind on the sandy beaches, take a dip off the dock, or even cast your bait for some big catches. You can also allow the kids to play on the stunning playground before heading to one of the flat, green picnic areas. One of these picnic areas comes with barbecue facilities and a shelter for your convenience.

Newcastle Beach Park

Address: 4400 Lake Washington Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98006, United States

Website: Newcastle Beach Park

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

Visited this place?

12. Tee off with other experts at Bellevue Golf Course

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

LEAP into Spring with this Premier Offer... Mention this post and receive a FREE sleeve of Golf Balls (Titleist TruSoft,...

Posted by Bellevue Golf Course on Saturday, February 29, 2020

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, wonderful tee-off moments await you at the premium Bellevue Golf Course. This place was established in 1968, and it is an 18-hole, par 71 golf course. The upper-class spot highlights five sets of tee boxes that are suitable for any skill level, and the distance between the tee boxes and greens are convenient. With its subtle slopes, strategic bunkering, doglegs, slight variations in elevation, and a range of holes with tree-lined fairways, a unique golfing experience awaits you. Other highlights include golf lessons, a pro shop, private bookings, 48 golf cars, and much more.

Bellevue Golf Course

Address: 5500 140th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005, United States

Website: Bellevue Golf Course

Opening hours: 6am - 7:30pm (daily)

Price: Up to 36 USD

Visited this place?

Enjoy a grand time in Bellevue

Whether you’re looking to escape the everyday stress of life or looking for a new level of big city experience, you can’t beat this location. The city’s beautiful landscapes, stocked-up museums, nightlife spots, and more will be ready to give you an extraordinary experience. With all these incredible things to do in Bellevue, Washington, you will surely enjoy your well-deserved vacation.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Ibrahim is a passionate writer with a keen interest in traveling. He not only travels to discover the world but also himself. And when it comes to writing, Ibrahim loves to keep it simple with a...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Bellevue
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.