Bellevue
- For other places with the same name, see Bellevue (disambiguation).
Bellevue is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington state, and often considered a satellite or suburb of Seattle. Bellevue had a population of 150,000 in 2021.
Bellevue is perhaps the most ritzy district of the Seattle metro area, mainly due to the presence of Microsoft at nearby Redmond and other tech companies occupying the downtown office towers. It also results in neighborhoods mostly comprising families or retirees with large houses and excellent vistas of the water for the lucky few; which reflects on many of the family-friendly attractions especially parks. It is generally considered more pleasant and safer here than in Seattle proper. On the flip side however, the experience is somewhat blander than the latter due to a smaller variety of sightseeing options, although the shopping experience is said to be better here.
Local information
[edit]- Bellevue City Council website
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. To get to Bellevue, take eastbound State Route 518 and continue straight towards Interstate 405.
By train
[edit]Amtrak provides service to Seattle's King Street Station. To get to Bellevue, take Sound Transit Express bus route 550 (see #By bus), which stops just around the corner from the station, on 4th Avenue South.
The Link Light Rail from Seattle is being extended into Bellevue, but completion is not expected until 2025.
By car
[edit]
State Route (SR) 520[dead link] connects Bellevue to Seattle, via the Evergreen Point floating bridge (world's largest floating bridge) on Lake Washington. The bridge is tolled, hence less busier than Interstate 90. SR-520 serves as the northern border between Bellevue and Kirkland between the shores of Lake Washington and Interstate 405.- The more modern and capacious
Interstate 90 (I-90) provides another route from Seattle across Lake Washington, via Mercer Island. For Bellevue, exit to Bellevue Way SE or Interstate 405. 
Interstate 405 (I-405) is the outer loop of Interstate 5 that runs from Lynnwood to Tukwila (and the airport), through Bellevue. Rush hour traffic can be very daunting: expect a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from each end of the freeway to Bellevue.
By bus
[edit]- From Kenmore and Kirkland, take route 234 and 235, respectively.
- Route 271 passes through Bellevue on its way between University District in Seattle and Issaquah.
- RapidRide Line B terminates at Bellevue from Redmond and Kirkland
Express Bus fare is $2.75 per trip within King County and $3.75 to go into Snohomish or Pierce Counties.
- From Snohomish County, route 532 operates during rush hour from Everett Station and Route 535 Monday to Saturday from Lynnwood
- Route 550 runs frequently between Downtown Seattle and Downtown Bellevue via Mercer Island.
- During the rush hour, Route 556 goes towards Issaquah via Bellevue from Northgate and the U District (University of Washington) in Seattle
- Route 560 runs every half hour between Westwood Town Center in West Seattle via downtown Bellevue, Renton, SeaTac Airport, Burien.
- Route 566 Redmond, Bellevue, Renton, Kent and Auburn on SR-167, I-405 & SR-520.
Intercity bus services
[edit]- Wheatland Express, (bus stop) Novilhos Brazilian Steak House at Factoria Mall, 12405 SE 38th Street, Bellevue, ☏ +1 509 334-2200, toll-free: +1-800-334-2207. Every Friday, the Weekend Express takes you from Pullman (where Washington State University is at), Ellensburg (Central Washington University) and Moscow (University of Idaho) to Seattle, and the other way around every Sunday. A special service is also deployed during the holiday season. Journeys take more than 6 hours. Next local stop is at Westfield Southcenter Mall (by Nordstroms) in Tukwila. $99 one way (weekend express), $210 one way (vacation service).
- Wenatchee Valley Shuttle (Flixbus), Shell Station @ 3670 150th Ave SE, Bellevue (east of Eastgate Plaza at 150th Ave SE & SE 38th St), ☏ +1 509-293-5773. They operate several daily departures to Wenatchee and Peshastin in Eastern Washington from Sea-Tac and Bellevue. From Wenatchee they continue east towards Spokane Airport via Ephrata, Quincy, Moses Lake and Ritzville. They also have another local stop at the North Bend Premium Outlets in North Bend, at the clock tower. No scheduled stops in Issaquah. Check with them regarding local door to door pick-up or drop-off. $62.50 one-way, $125 roundtrip Seattle to Wenatchee.
- Greyhound, Amtrak and most other ground transport services to Vancouver BC; Portland, Bellingham, Spokane and other parts of the state are available in Downtown Seattle and at the airport.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Bellevue
Bellevue has reliable transportation access to Seattle and the Puget Sound area.
For trips outside of the core city, you'll probably want a car.
By public transit
[edit]- King County Metro, ☏ +1 206-553-3000. Operates bus, streetcar, and monorail routes in King County. Communities within the county served by this operator's routes include Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, North Bend, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Tukwila, Vashon Island, White Center, and Woodinville.
- Almost every King County Metro and Sound Transit bus that runs through Bellevue stops at the 1 Bellevue Transit Center on 6th Street between 108th Ave NE & 110th Ave NE in Downtown Bellevue. Bike lockers are available for rental during regular business hours.
- Some of its useful routes are:
- Route 221 runs from Bellevue Transit Center to Redmond
- Route 226 from Bellevue Transit Center to Eastgate Park & Ride, via Crossroads Mall and Lake Hills Park
- Route 240 travels south from Bellevue Transit Center and passes Factoria before continuing to Renton.
- Route 271 continues from Bellevue TC to Bellevue College, via Kelsey Creek Park & Wilburton Hill Park to Bellevue College before continuing to Issaquah.
- RapidRide Line B operates frequently to Redmond, with numerous stops along NE 8th St and turns left at Crossroads Mall.
- Sound Transit, toll-free: +1-888-889-6368. Has regional public transit routes including Sounder trains, Link light rail, and express bus in King County (e.g. Bellevue, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Seattle), Snohomish County (e.g. Everett, Lynnwood), and Pierce County (e.g. Puyallup, Tacoma). From Bellevue they operate:
- Link Light Rail Line 2 from Bellefields Nature Park in South Bellevue to Redmond Technology Center via downtown Bellevue (along 12th Ave SE & 10th NE) and Overlake.
(See above under "Getting in" for a list of Sound Transit bus routes serving Bellevue). Construction is underway to extend Link Line 2 into downtown Seattle and SODO via I-90 from South Bellevue.
See
[edit]Nestled between two lakes, Bellevue is blessed with high terrain that offers beautiful natural vistas at its parks and a chance to unwind into natural habitats.
- 1 Downtown Park, 10201 NE 4th St, ☏ +1 425-452-6914. Daily 6AM-11PM. A lush city park for unwinding between or after work, or a family time. Various playground for different ages, cascading waterfall in a circular loop with an adjacent path, and activities year-round in the circle.
- 2 Lake Hills Greenbelt, 15416 SE 16th St, ☏ +1 425-452-6885. Extensive park with a promise to see wildlife at its wetlands. Open space containing two lakes, blueberry farm (open summer only) and seasonal produce stand, and multiple walk paths. It is located along the Lake-to-Lake trail that connects Lake Washington with Lake Sammamish on the west and east, respectively.
- 3 Kelsey Creek Farm, 410 130th Pl SE, ☏ +1 425-452-7688. Barn: daily 9:30AM-3:30PM, park: dawn to dusk. Meadows with trails and barns with farm animals.
- 4 Bellevue Botanical Gardens, 12001 Main St, ☏ +1 425-452-2750. Daily dawn-dusk. A must-see, especially the Garden d'Lights in the winter with extended hours until 21:30. Free and free parking, though some events and classes charge for admission (Garden d'Lights charges $5 for admission and an extra $5 for on-site parking, with free parking at the nearby Wilburton Hill park).
- 5 Newcastle Beach Park, 4400 Lake Washington Blvd SE, ☏ +1 425-452-6914. A beach playground park, one of the few places where you can dunk in Lake Washington on a hot day.
Do
[edit]- 1 Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (from I-90: take Exit 13 and drive south on Lakemont Blvd SE for 3.1 miles; look for the entrance to the Red Town Trailhead on the left side of the road). Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (CMRWP) is a more than 3000-acre park with 36 miles of hiking trails (12 miles suitable for equestrian use). It showcases a variety of natural features from forests and waterfalls to meadows and cliffs. There are four primary trailheads, each offering a different experience. Free.
- 2 KidsQuest Museum, 1116 108th Ave NE (2 blocks north of Bellevue Transit Center), ☏ +1 425-637-8100. Tu-Th 9AM-5PM, F 9AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, open 9AM-5PM most Mondays when local schools are closed. Museums for kids with curiosity, opportunities for hands-on learning abound. $12.
- 3 Lincoln Square Cinemas, 700 Bellevue Way NE (third floor of Lincoln Square North, two blocks west of Bellevue Transit Center), ☏ +1 425-450-9100, 1118@cinemark.com. Movie theater with many first-run films from both the US and Asia. $13 adults, $9 children (1-11) and seniors (62+).
- 4 Mercer Slough Park. Daily 10AM-4PM. Natural undisturbed wetland park with multiple trails. Some activities include boating to Lake Washington and blueberry picking along the Heritage Loop Trail.
- 5 Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th St (one block east of Bellevue Transit Center). Has a convention center and a theater, with frequent live performances of music and theater
- 6 Resonance at Soma Towers, 288 106th Avenue NE, Suite 203, ☏ +1 425-443-2585, info@resonance.events. Venue for classical music and comedy shows.
- 7 Lucky Strike, 700 Bellevue Way NE (second floor of Lincoln Square North, two blocks west of Bellevue Transit Center), ☏ +1 425-453-5137. Su-Th 11:30AM-midnight, F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa 11AM-2AM. Bowling alley, video arcade, and night club.
Buy
[edit]If you want to find something luxurious that Seattle doesn't offer, chances are Bellevue might have it (i.e. the only Neiman Marcus in the metro area)
- 1 Bellevue Square, 575 Bellevue Square, ☏ +1 425-454-8096. M-Sa 9:30AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-7PM. The flagship mall of the city, with department stores and clothing lines galore. Food options are mainly concentrated in the "Lodge" building on Bellevue Way, and Lincoln Square which is connected to it by a skybridge.
- 2 Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 NE 8th St, ☏ +1 425-644-1111. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 7AM-6PM. A 'cheaper' and livelier mall than Bellevue Square, with more options of food, live music and some eccentric shops with several arranged weekly meetups. Best option if visiting as a family.
- 3 The Shops at the Bravern, 11111 NE 8th St, ☏ +1 425-456-8795. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su noon-6PM. European-inspired shopping destination with upscale retailers (the likes of Hermes & Louis Vuitton) & restaurants.
Eat
[edit]Bellevue contains a whole lot more Chinese & Japanese restaurants than Seattle. You may also have better luck finding Indian dishes here, where its tech workers would typically flock for lunch.
Due to the nature of the district however, prices tend to be a tad more expensive than Seattle.
| This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | up to $12 |
| Mid-range | $12-$21 |
| Splurge | more than $21 |
Budget
[edit]- 1 MOD Pizza, 317 Bellevue Way NE and 14309 NE 20th St, ☏ +1 425-455-0141, +1 425-214-9903. Su-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F Sa 10:30AM-11PM. A pizza joint where you can pick your own ingredients and quickly baked in wooden ovens. Various lemonade flavors for the drink. Pizza: medium $9, large $11, salads $5.
- 2 Cafe Bollywood, 102B Bellevue Way NE, ☏ +1 425-641-9997. Su 1-9PM; lunch: Tu-F 11AM-3PM, Sa noon-3PM; dinner: Tu-Th 4:30PM-midnight, F Sa 4:30PM-2AM. Cheap yet delicious Indian food, with the combos and biryani being the best seller. Combos $10-12, individual dishes $5-12 (in 8 or 16oz).
- 3 Pho Ever, 12015 NE 8th St, ☏ +1 425-455-0439. Daily 11AM-9PM. If you are peckish for a Vietnamese fix, this is where you can get it cheaply. Pho $8-12, other dishes $9-14.
- 4 Sukhothai, 15045 Bel-Red Rd, ☏ +1 425-401-0823. Tu-F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su noon-9PM. Perhaps the most vegetarian-friendly restaurant of the bunch, with its lunch buffets and on-the-menu items at best containing fish for meats. $9-14.
- 5 Foodshion, 707 148th Ave NE, ☏ +1 425-505-2270. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-10:30PM, Su noon-9:30PM. Cavernous restaurant offering Chinese delicacies and some Japanese, plus karaoke bar. Lunch specials $9-12, other entrees $11-15.
- 6 Broiler Bay, 10636 Main St. 11AM-8PM. Casual restaurant with burgers, fries, and shakes
Mid-range
[edit]- 7 Din Tai Fung, 700 Bellevue Way NE, ☏ +1 425 698-1095. M-F 11AM-10PM, Sa Su 10AM-10PM. Home of the world renowned xiao long bao (soup in dumpling) complemented with dim sum and Taiwanese fares. $8-22.
- 8 Facing East, 1075 Bellevue Way NE (from I-405, take exit 13b west onto NE 8th; turn right on Bellevue Way: the restaurant is in a strip-mall immediately on the left), ☏ +1 425-688-2986. Tu-Th 11:30AM-3PM, 5-9PM; F-Su 11:30AM-3PM, 5-10PM. A cheaper variety of Taiwanese food, specializing in street or night market dishes, bubble tea and sweet desserts. $7-15.
- 9 Gilbert's on Main (Gilbert's Main Street Bagel), 10024 Main St, ☏ +1 425-455-5650. M-F 7AM-3PM, Sa Su 8AM-3PM. Serves excellent breakfasts & deli sandwiches, wide assortment of bagel choices, and great coffee. Omelettes & specials $19, pancakes $9-20, micro omelettes & pancakes $9.
- 10 Top Gun, 12450 SE 38th St, ☏ +1 425-641-3386. M-F 11AM-midnight, Sa Su 10AM-midnight. Chinese restaurant meant for communal enjoyment; delicious dim sum, noodles, and a la carte Cantonese dishes. $9-17.
Splurge
[edit]- 11 Daniel's Broiler, 10500 NE 8th - 21st floor, ☏ +1 425-462-4662. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: Su- Th 5-10PM, F Sa 5-11PM. Located on the 21st floor of the Bank of America Building, with spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains and Lake Washington available from every table. Serves traditional steak & seafood dishes, exclusively uses USDA Prime Beef. Steaks $21-40.
- 12 Ishoni, 10630 NE 8th St, ☏ +1 425-455-0898. M-Sa 5:30PM-10:30PM. High quality beef (or the premium wagyu) or pork flame-grilled by yourself, which leaves a melting taste. A5 wagyu rib eye at $90 being the most favorite. Due to the small restaurant, reservations are highly recommended at least two days before & limited to 60 minutes per seating. Meats $5-10, wagyu beef $12. A meal would typically cost $20 per person due to its relatively small portion..
- 13 Wild Ginger, 508 Bellevue Way NE, ☏ +1 425-495-8889. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Fragrant exotic dishes primarily from Southeast Asia and seafood. Mains: lunch $12-22, dinner $15-28.
- 14 Fogo de Chão, 440 Bellevue Way NE, ☏ +1 425-450-4004. Lunch M-F 11AM-2PM; dinner M-Th 4:30-10PM; F 4:30-10:30PM; Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM; Su 11:30AM-9PM. For those with a humongous appetite. All you can eat meat (including prime ribs & fillet mignon!) carved tableside, plus Market Table (fruits & salads, cured meats & cheeses, antipasti) and feiojada bar (rice with black beans stew & beef or pork) All-you-can-eat meat lunch $35 (weekday) $37 (weekend), dinner $52; market table & feiojada only: $15 (weekday lunch), $26 (other times).
Drink
[edit]- 1 Bellevue Brewing, 12190 NE District Way (NE District Way & 112th Pl NE), ☏ +1 425-497-8686, contact@bellevuebrewing.com. M-Th Sa 11:30-10PM; F 11:30-11PM; Su 11AM-9PM. Bellevue's first local brewery. Happy hour 3-6PM daily.
- 2 JOEY Bellevue, 800 Bellevue Way NE, Suite 118 (1st floor), ☏ +1 425-637-1117. Su-Th 11AM-midnight; F Sa 11AM-1AM. A decent restaurant and bar.
- 3 Black Bottle, 919 Bellevue Way NE, ☏ +1 425-223-5143. Su-Th 3-11PM, F Sa 3PM-midnight. Large collection of wine, a couple drafts, and tapas. Wine from $40, beer $6.50, cocktails $7-12, tapas $7-12.
- 4 Bake's Place Bar & Bistro, 155 108th Avenue NE (Columbia West Building on 108th Ave NE & NE 2nd St), ☏ +1 425-454-2778, chris@bakesplacebellevue.com. M 3-9PM, Tu-Th 3-10:30PM, F 3PM-midnight, Sa 5PM-midnight. Bar and restaurant with live music (usually jazz, blues, classic rock, etc) five nights a week. $20 Fridays and Saturdays, free otherwise.
Sleep
[edit]| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | below $100 |
| Mid-range | $100-$150 |
| Splurge | above $150 |
As Bellevue mainly houses business & industrial meetings, a few hotel rooms may be sold out on some weekdays; the cheapest prices are actually easier to be found on weekends, with prices half of those of weekdays!
Due to the generally cheaper price than Seattle, travelers can make Bellevue as an alternative place to stay, and head down to Seattle using public transportation or a car.
Budget
[edit]- 1 Courtyard Seattle Bellevue/Redmond, 14615 NE 29th Pl, ☏ +1 425-869-5300, toll-free: +1-800-321-2211, fax: +1 425-883-9122. Located just off the 520 freeway. Within the heart of the Microsoft Main Campus. From $90 per night.
- 2 Extended Stay America, 11400 Main St, ☏ +1 425-453-8186. Suites with fully-equipped kitchen. Offers self-laundry and complimentary grab and go breakfast. Allows pets. From $85 per night.
- 3 Fairfield Inn Seattle Bellevue, 14595 NE 29th Pl, ☏ +1 425-869-6548, fax: +1 425-881-2861. A budget accommodation just a short walk from the Microsoft campus. Colorful small rooms, but free breakfast & WiFi makes up the experience. From $100 per night.
- 4 Hotel 116, 625 116th Ave NE, ☏ +1 425-455-9444. Basic business hotel just a five-minute walk from the Meydenbauer center. It may feel like a motel on the outside, but the lobby is chic & the rooms are spacious. Rooms have free WiFi and free buffet breakfast. Free shuttle within 5-mile radius. From $95 per night.
- 5 Red Lion Hotel, 11211 Main St, ☏ +1 425-455-5240. Two blocks away from downtown. Adequate rooms with free WiFi. A few open spaces & gardens at the hotel's inner circle. Free shuttle service within 3 miles from hotel. From $85 per night.
- 6 Days Inn, 3241 156th Ave SE, ☏ +1 425-643-6644. Simple hotel with small rooms & free breakfast. From $80 per night.
Mid-range
[edit]- 7 Courtyard Seattle - Bellevue/Downtown, 11010 NE 8th St, ☏ +1 425-454-5888, fax: +1 425-455-5880. A moderately priced hotel that is the closest to the Meydenbauer Convention Center. Some rooms offer whirlpool and ironing. Free WiFi at all places, restaurant and Starbucks on-site. From $100 per night.
- 8 Hampton Inn & Suites, 11405 NE 2nd Pl, ☏ +1 425-453-4100. Modern and spacious rooms.peppered with a couple of suites. From $125 per night.
- 9 Hotel Bellevue, 11200 SE 6th St, ☏ +1 425-454-4424, toll-free: +1-800-579-1110. Combination of suites and large deluxe rooms, with extensive fitness and dining facilities belonging to the Bellevue Club property. From $135 per night.
- 10 Hilton Bellevue, 300 112th Ave SE, ☏ +1 425-455-1300. Cavernous rooms with dedicated executive level. On-demand omelettes & buffet for breakfast or Starbucks coffee & pastries at the lobby for something light. From $125 per night.
- 11 Residence Inn Seattle Bellevue, 605 114th Ave SE, ☏ +1 425-637-8500, fax: +1 425-885-9260. The most luxurious of the Marriott chain hotels in the area. All-suites with personalized & warm service, free WiFi and breakfast. Roomy lobby with 24-hour minimart. Leisure-friendly with swimming pool, social nights, and Xbox lounge. From $130 per night.
- 12 Embassy Suites, 3225 158th Ave SE, ☏ +1 425-644-2500. All-suite hotel, spacious rooms with shades of white interior. Complimentary breakfast & happy hour. From $140 per night.
- 13 Larkspur Landing Bellevue, 15805 S.E. 37th St, ☏ +1 425-373-1212, toll-free: +1-877-527-5778, fax: +1 425-373-1500, bellevuell@larkspurhotels.com. Rooms have FeatherBorne Beds and full kitchens. Laundry facility, fitness room, grocery shopping. From $115 per night.
- 14 Silver Cloud Inn, 10621 NE 12th St, ☏ +1 425-637-7000. Mid-range hotel just four blocks away from Bellevue Square. Moderately spacious rooms offering large TV, complemented with free breakfast, laundry, WiFi, and shuttle within 2 miles. From $115 per night.
Splurge
[edit]- 15 Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way NE, ☏ +1 425-462-1234. The 382-room hotel offers views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges and is a part of the Bellevue Collection, a major regional shopping destination.
- 16 The Westin, 600 Bellevue Way NE, ☏ +1 425-638-1000, toll-free: +1-800-937-8461. Luxurious option right across Bellevue Square on the busiest streets of the city. Rooms with multiple options of views and all can sleep at least 4. Amenities include spa & trademark fitness studio, lounge & bar with Friday night live music. From $190 per night.
- 17 La Residence Suites, 475 100th Ave NE, ☏ +1 425-455-1475. All suite hotel only a block from Bellevue Square. Rooms are old but have fully equipped kitchen. Wine nights on Wednesdays and free bike rentals for strolling. From $150 per night.
- 18 W Bellevue, 10455 NE 5th St, ☏ +1 425-709-9000. Sleek hotel with eccentric decor around. Party at the noisy bar or sink into quietness in the library. From $200 per night.
Go next
[edit]- Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest
- Visit the Microsoft campus at Redmond.
- Mercer Island for breathtaking vistas of Lake Washington and opulent houses.
- In the Eastside, Kirkland hosts beautiful parks and a couple cheaper options, while Issaquah is a stone's throw away from multiple hiking trails.
- The Mountains to Sound Greenway continues into the Cascade Mountains.
| Routes through Bellevue |
| Seattle ← Mercer Island ← | W  E |
→ Issaquah → Spokane |
| Lynnwood ← Kirkland ← | N  S |
→ Renton → Tukwila |
Ends at  ← Seattle ← |
W  E |
→ Redmond → END |