If you’re looking for a fun family day out, you can visit Bellevue, Washington. This picturesque city is a pleasant walk from downtown Seattle, and it offers many parks and outdoor activities. Listed below are some places to check out: Bellevue Downtown Park, Meydenbauer Bay Park, Mercer Slough, and Mercer Botanical Gardens.
Meydenbauer Bay Park
There are a variety of outdoor activities at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Bay Park. The park features meandering waterways with a variety of plant life. There are also two piers where visitors can take a relaxing walk along the waterfront.
The park features a viewing terrace, a beach house, a boathouse, a playground, and a PPV launch. The park also offers a swimming area with lifeguards on duty from late June through early September. In addition, the park includes a new playground with natural elements.
If you love nature, there is a great outdoor park just minutes from Bellevue’s downtown area. Meydenbauer Bay Park is located along Lake Washington and features paved walking and biking paths, a playground, and restrooms. In the summer, you can also rent a kayak or canoe.
The park also has a swimming area and a 400-foot pedestrian pier. It is also near a beach house where swimmers can use restrooms and change. The park has a wide variety of outdoor activities to suit all ages and tastes.
Bellevue has many great restaurants and cafes that serve a variety of cuisine. The Carmine’s Italian Restaurant offers decadent pasta dishes while John Howie Steak serves a variety of tender meats. The Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar offers a scrumptious seafood menu. Another great reason to visit Bellevue is the National Forest nearby. There are hundreds of hiking trails to choose from.
Mercer Slough
Mercer Slough is a beautiful marshland located in the city of Bellevue, Washington. It has a peaceful atmosphere and offers views of downtown Bellevue. It has canoeing and kayaking trails, making it an ideal destination for fresh air and solitude.
Located in southern Bellevue, Mercer Slough Nature Park offers visitors the chance to explore 320 acres of wetlands and five miles of hiking trails. A partnership between the City of Bellevue Parks Department and Pacific Science Center, the park provides education and hands-on activities year-round. Mercer Slough is also a part of Washington Hometown, a community-led effort to map natural and cultural sites across the state. Its trail system is constantly being updated by the community and visitors.
There are several free and inexpensive ways to explore the Mercer Slough Park. There is a nature center on the east side of the park that hosts tours and offers free information. The center is wheelchair accessible and has ample parking for up to 22 vehicles. A free guided nature walk is offered every Saturday at 2:00 PM.
Mercer Slough is a beautiful, 320-acre wetland with an array of plants and trees. There are shaded pathways and distinctive wooden boardwalks. There are three main trails that wind through the park, including the Bellefields Loop Trail and the Heritage Loop Trail. The Periphery Trail is four miles long and includes a canoe-friendly 2.6-mile Water Trail.
Mercer Botanical Gardens
If you are looking for an outdoor vacation that’s full of beauty, you can’t go wrong with Bellevue, Washington. This city is home to an array of museums and attractions, as well as great landscapes. From hiking and biking trails to golf courses and botanical gardens, Bellevue is sure to provide you with an incredible vacation. If you’re not a nature lover, there are plenty of options for you to enjoy your time in the city.
There are also plenty of attractions in Bellevue geared towards children. There’s the KidsQuest Children’s Museum, which features interactive exhibits and a huge outdoor area. KidsQuest is a wonderful place to bring children and their families, since it focuses on STEM subjects.
If you’d prefer to spend more time outdoors, you can visit Lake Hills Greenbelt, a wetland corridor in Bellevue. It features three miles of trails and community gardens. During the summer, you can even rent kayaks and canoes to go out and enjoy the beauty of nature.
The city’s green spaces are brimming with fall foliage. The Bellevue Botanical Garden is located near downtown and offers 53 acres of meadows, woodlands, and wetlands to explore. You can also go hiking along the Lake to Lake Greenway Trail, a trail that links Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington. It winds through boggy wetlands and towering forests, as well as historic farms.
Bellevue Arts Museum
Bellevue, Washington, is home to many cultural institutions. Whether you’re looking for a great museum for art lovers, or you’re looking for a relaxing day outdoors, Bellevue has something for you. The city has over 90 miles of hiking and biking trails. Many of them are paved and great for exercise without the hassle of traffic. Hikers can enjoy miles of trails through its immersive natural areas, while bikers will enjoy paved trails and long-distance rides, including the 63-mile Lake Washington loop.
If you’re looking for an art experience, visit the Bellevue Arts Museum, commonly referred to as the BAM. This museum has a large collection of works by local and national artists. In addition to viewing the works of art, the museum also hosts educational workshops. Admission is free.
Kids will love the museum’s interactive exhibits, as well as its outdoor space. This place is ideal for families with children of all ages. There are plenty of activities to keep them occupied, from crafts to games. The museum also features a cafe for refreshments.
In addition to the Bellevue Arts Museum, the city has an endless amount of shopping and dining options. The city also boasts one of the largest shopping centers in the Pacific Northwest, the Bellevue Collection. With over 200 shops and 50 restaurants, it’s a shopper’s paradise. It also has free parking.
Tavern Hall
The Lazy Dog Café at Tavern Hall is a roomy, laid-back hangout with a wide beer selection, shuffleboard tables, and TVs. On weekends, the restaurant hosts a Sunday brunch. Locals and tourists alike will love the casual atmosphere and friendly service.
You can order food to go from Tavern Hall via Uber Eats, though delivery isn’t available everywhere in Bellevue. To place your order, simply download the app or visit their website. You can even check out the menu online. Ordering ahead of time will help you plan your dining plans better.
Tavern Hall is a new beer hall that could draw diners from the Seattle area. The new restaurant offers an exclusive newsletter and specials for those who sign up. Located at the former Munchbar space in downtown Bellevue, Tavern Hall offers a relaxed, fun atmosphere. The food is simple, American pub fare with a twist. Menu items include burgers, pizza, and chicken and waffles. There is also a wide selection of craft beers and craft cocktails.
Tavern Hall offers happy hour everyday from 3 to 6 p.m., and another one from 10 p.m. until closing time. The restaurant is rated four stars on TripAdvisor.com, putting it among the top restaurants in Bellevue.
