The Top Attractions in Bellevue for Locals and Tourists
Bellevue, Washington sits between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish and offers more than 320 acres of wetland parkland at Mercer Slough alone, a 53-acre free botanical garden, and a 200-plus-store shopping district at The Bellevue Collection. Since March 2026, it's also a 25-minute light rail ride from downtown Seattle via the 2 Line.
Attraction | Type | Key Stat | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Bellevue Botanical Garden | Garden | 53 acres, open dawn to dusk daily | Free |
Downtown Bellevue Park | Urban park | 21 acres with a canal and 1,200-foot promenade | Free |
Mercer Slough Nature Park | Wetland park | 320 acres, 7-plus miles of trails, Lake Washington's largest wetland | Free |
Meydenbauer Bay Park | Waterfront park | 7 acres, quarter-mile of shoreline, 420-foot pier (2019 expansion) | Free; kayak rentals extra |
The Bellevue Collection | Shopping and dining | 200-plus stores, 50-plus restaurants, 12,000 free parking spaces | Free to browse |
Crossroads Bellevue | Shopping and dining | 60-plus stores, 30 international restaurants, weekly farmers market | Free to browse |
Acreage and facility figures are drawn from City of Bellevue parks pages, Wikipedia, and current venue websites for The Bellevue Collection and Crossroads Bellevue.
Thinking about calling one of these neighborhoods home? See the Bellevue neighborhood guide or browse current Bellevue listings.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Bellevue Botanical Garden
The Bellevue Botanical Garden covers 53 acres of cultivated gardens, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands, including the Yao Garden, honoring Bellevue's sister city relationship with Yao, Japan. Admission is free, and the garden is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Downtown Bellevue Park
Downtown Bellevue Park is a 21-acre urban park one block from Bellevue Square, built around a canal and a roughly 1,200-foot curved promenade, with a pond that becomes a seasonal ice rink in winter. The park hosts a Thursday farmers market through the summer and is free and open year-round.
Mercer Slough Nature Park
At 320 acres, Mercer Slough Nature Park is Lake Washington's largest remaining wetland and one of Bellevue's largest parks, with more than 7 miles of boardwalk, soft-surface, and paved trails. The park includes an Environmental Education Center, a seasonal U-pick blueberry farm, and a 2.6-mile canoe route through the slough itself.
Meydenbauer Bay Park
Meydenbauer Bay Park is a 7-acre waterfront park with a quarter mile of Lake Washington shoreline, reopened in 2019 after an expansion that added a 420-foot floating pedestrian pier, a beach house, and a kayak launch. Seasonal kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals are available through the on-site boathouse.
Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
Bellevue Arts Fair (formerly Bellevue Arts Museum)
The Bellevue Arts Museum closed permanently in September 2024 amid financial difficulties, and its Steven Holl-designed building near Bellevue Square has since been sold to KidsQuest Children's Museum. The museum's legacy continues through the Bellevue Arts Fair, a juried outdoor craft fair the organization has run since 1947, held each July in downtown Bellevue alongside the Bellevue Downtown Arts Market.
Meydenbauer Center
Meydenbauer Center is Bellevue's convention and performing arts venue in the heart of downtown, hosting theatrical productions, conventions, and business conferences throughout the year.
Looking for a home close to Bellevue's downtown arts and dining scene? Contact Roy Towse to talk through neighborhood options.
Shopping and Dining
The Bellevue Collection
The Bellevue Collection, comprising Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and Bellevue Place, offers more than 200 retail stores, over 50 restaurants, and 12,000 free parking spaces connected by skybridges. Bellevue Square first opened in 1946 and remains anchored by Macy's and Nordstrom.
Crossroads Bellevue
Crossroads Bellevue is a community-oriented shopping center with more than 60 stores, roughly 30 international restaurants, an 8-screen cinema, and a weekly farmers market on Tuesdays from May through October, alongside regular live music and community events.
Lake Washington
Bellevue's Lake Washington shoreline offers boating, kayaking, and swimming access at waterfront parks including Meydenbauer Bay Park and Chism Beach Park, with marina facilities supporting day-to-day water recreation for residents.
Getting Around Bellevue
Since March 2026, Sound Transit's 2 Line light rail connects downtown Seattle to Bellevue Downtown Station in about 25 minutes, crossing Lake Washington on the I-90 floating bridge and putting Bellevue's parks, shopping, and restaurant core within a short walk of the station.
About Your Bellevue Real Estate Expert
Roy Towse is the founding and managing broker behind Roy Towse at Compass, based in Sammamish, Washington, with more than 20 years of experience across the Eastside market, including Bellevue. He has surpassed $1 billion in career sales and has been the top-producing broker for total sales in Sammamish for ten consecutive years. If Bellevue's parks, dining, and downtown access are part of what's drawing you to the area, Roy can help match that lifestyle to the right neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bellevue Arts Museum still open?
No. The Bellevue Arts Museum closed permanently in September 2024, and its building has been sold to KidsQuest Children's Museum. The organization's Bellevue Arts Fair, a juried outdoor craft fair running since 1947, continues each July in downtown Bellevue.
What is the biggest park in Bellevue?
Mercer Slough Nature Park, at 320 acres, is one of Bellevue's largest parks and the largest remaining wetland on Lake Washington, with more than 7 miles of trails.
Is the Bellevue Botanical Garden free?
Yes. The 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden is free to visit and open daily from dawn to dusk.
Can you get from Seattle to Bellevue by light rail?
Yes. Since March 2026, Sound Transit's 2 Line runs from downtown Seattle to Bellevue Downtown Station in about 25 minutes, crossing Lake Washington on the I-90 floating bridge.
