This Beautiful City In Washington Is the Pacific Northwest’s Best Kept Secret
You already know that candy spot the place a visit feels polished and easy however nonetheless outdoorsy and spontaneous?
That was Bellevue.
I anticipated “good.” I didn’t count on to spend mornings zipping by new-growth bushes, afternoons cruising previous waterfront mansions on a whisper-quiet boat, and evenings hopping between skyline views and comfortable neighborhood patios with out ever feeling burdened or rushed.
However that is precisely how our lengthy weekend went down and why I believe Bellevue is essentially the most “have-it-all” metropolis break within the Pacific Northwest proper now.
Why Bellevue Works (Even If You’re “Not A Metropolis Individual”)
Bellevue has major-city power! World-class eating, slick motels, and glossy purchasing await, but it surely additionally enables you to vanish into parks, lakes, and leafy trails in minutes.
One second you’re grabbing a latte; the subsequent you’re biking subsequent to a blueberry farm or kayaking a quiet slough with turtles popping up subsequent to your paddle.
It’s clear, it’s simple, and summer season right here is ideal.
We primarily based ourselves at The Bellevue Collection, a trio of properties (Bellevue Sq., Lincoln Sq., and Bellevue Place) linked by skybridges.
Let me translate… film theaters, VR arenas, eating places, and each of our motels had been a weather-proof stroll aside. No logistics math, no Ubers for brief hops. Simply wander.
@traveloffpath The Bellevue Assortment Is THE Place To Keep when visiting Bellevue!
The place We Stayed: W Bellevue vs. The Westin
We cut up the keep to check vibes, however by no means even needed to cross a avenue due to the skybridge connections!
We beloved each stays, however should you’re questioning which one you want extra here’s what we thought:
- W Bellevue — Younger, buzzy power with enjoyable public areas. We arrived early, dropped our luggage, and actually went upstairs to catch a film whereas the room completed—then walked again by way of skybridge to examine in. In the event you like a trendy scene with an amazing bar program, that is your transfer.
- The Westin Bellevue — Nonetheless central, however calmer and enterprise/family-friendly. Massive home windows, comfortable beds, a simple dwelling base steps from parks and Outdated Bellevue’s restaurant patios. Each motels connect with the identical skybridge community, so you’ll be able to roam the Assortment with out stepping exterior.
@traveloffpath Superb stays in Bellevue! . #WBellevue #WestinBellevue #Bellevue #BellevueWA #DowntownBellevue ♬ Roomtour – Deoone
The Adrenaline Morning I Didn’t See Coming
We kicked day two off with Bellevue Adventures’ Zipline Tour—seven traces and two suspension bridges strung by a maple and Douglas-fir cover.
Guides saved it playful (suppose foolish challenges like launching backward or eyes-closed), however the course is legit: as much as 80 toes up and zippers so long as 458 toes.
It’s a blast, beginner-friendly, and solely about 10 minutes from downtown.
Professional tip: E book an early slot on a transparent day: cooler temps, softer mild, and also you’re again in time for lunch.
@traveloffpath Superb morning out with Bellevue Adventures! @Visit_Bellevue ♬ Riptide – Vance Joy
The Lunch That Received Our Entire Journey
I don’t say this flippantly: Rascals Public House served our favourite meal in Bellevue.
We met the house owners (immediately likable, clearly proud), heard the backstory behind the Rascal Burger, and crushed a plate of Mac & Cheese Croquettes that ought to include a warning label for being so good.
In the event you like beer, order the home Rascals Lager – Scuttlebutt, and don’t skip the Blended Berry Margarita.
Rascal’s was type of consolation meals with soul that makes you need to return the subsequent day. And the subsequent. And the subsequent…
We want we might have eaten right here once more, however we might already deliberate out the remainder of our meals for the journey! Once we make our method again to Bellevue, you’d higher imagine this would be the first place we go for a chew!
Peak “Metropolis-In-Nature” Second: Kayaking The Slough
Grabbing a double kayak from Best Kayak Rentals at Enatai Seashore Park, we paddled into the slough and promptly misplaced observe of time (and our rental window… oops). Turtles, herons, and a degree of calm I didn’t count on inside metropolis limits.
It’s the best approach to really feel such as you escaped with out going anyplace. Leases are walk-up; present hours are posted here.
Professional tip: Set a timer so that you don’t pay the “I used to be having an excessive amount of enjoyable” charge. We bought so into it, we ended up being about 2 hours late turning our kayak again in! 🫣
@traveloffpath In the event you’re in Bellevue it’s a must to get on the water!
Drinks, Desserts & A Skyline Brunch You’ll Brag About
- Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi (Thirty first flooring) — Bellevue’s most photogenic brunch. We sat within the clouds with Lake Washington and Seattle within the distance; the Hen & Waffles and Avocado Cristino had been standouts. In the event you’re celebrating something, that is the place you do it. Reserve forward.
- Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar — Dinner was stable, however dessert is the transfer. Order the Ardour Fruit Panna Cotta and the Crème Brûlée, and thank me later. Each are staples on the menu for a cause.
- 520 Bar & Grill (Outdated Bellevue) — Our favourite patio hangout. Simple stroll by way of Bellevue Downtown Park (which actually feels a little bit European on summer season evenings). Pleasant locals, nice “we reside right here and by no means need to go away” power.
- Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub — Traditional fish & chips + a Guinness. Low-key, central, and a brief skybridge stroll from the motels.
@traveloffpath Brunch on high of the world at Ascend! #bellevue #ascendsteakandsushi ♬ Put Your Head On My Shoulder – Paul Anka
Our Surprising Obsession: Free E-Bikes For Lodge Company
Staying at participating downtown hotels?
You might be able to borrow complimentary e-bikes with the town’s BikeHop program. We used them to attach parks, the Bellevue Botanical Backyard, Kelsey Creek Park, and Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm (sure, you’ll be able to U-pick in season).
The bikes are comfortable, have pedal-assist as much as 20 mph, and include locks and helmets, making it painless to weave nature stops into your metropolis day.
What we beloved most: selecting sun-warm blueberries, then having a picnic in one other park minutes later. That “city-to-nature” flip is Bellevue in a nutshell.
@traveloffpath Bellevue’s BikeHop program was considered one of our surprising obsessions on our latest go to to the Pacific Northwest’s Greatest-Saved Secret! (Bellevue) #bellevue ♬ Glide – NEIKED & Portugal. The Man
A Step Again In Time
One of the surprising highlights of our journey was stumbling into Omega Photo, a neighborhood movie digital camera retailer that immediately gave us all of the nostalgic vibes. Some buddies of ours at all times journey with a movie digital camera, and we beloved the thought of bringing one alongside to seize our journey in a extra intentional method.
As a substitute of heading into Seattle to hunt one down (the place our buddies bought theirs), we found Omega Photograph was only some minutes from our resort. Even higher? We grabbed a free trip utilizing the Bellevue Bellhop program (sure, you’ll be able to truly get free rides round city, undoubtedly reap the benefits of that!).
Once we walked in, we actually had no clue what we had been on the lookout for, however the proprietor was superior. He patiently walked us by totally different choices, confirmed us some actually cool vintage cameras, and helped us select the proper point-and-shoot for our journey.
We ended up hanging on the market for about an hour simply chatting. Everybody working there was so pleasant and enthusiastic about images. Strolling out with that little movie digital camera felt like the most effective type of memento, and we will’t wait to see how the pictures end up as soon as the roll is developed.
In the event you’ve ever considered going again to the great ol’ days and capturing your journey on movie, Omega Photograph is 100% definitely worth the cease.
Techy Enjoyable Break: VR Sport Evening
Throughout from the theater inside Lincoln Sq., MIRRA is a social VR area with immersive, game-show–fashion play, 8K panoramic screens, shareable bites, and handcrafted cocktails.
It’s a fusion of a bar night time and a digital playground.
We had been only a crew of two… and we crushed it, beating out greater teams with nimble-squad technique and possibly a little bit newbie’s luck 🤘. The employees was so cheery and on level, they made us really feel like champs even earlier than we received.
@traveloffpath Unbelievable night time out in Bellevue at MIRRA!
Day Journey That’s Value It: Seattle’s New Waterfront
Our final morning, we traded brunch-view selfies for one thing surprising: a guided history hike led by Global Family Travels by the Coal Creek Trails, the place the forest hides the remnants of a coal‑mining city.
This 3.5‑mile “Path By means of Time” uncovered outdated mine shaft entrances, logging and mining artifacts, and interpretive indicators that convey Bellevue’s Nineteenth-century industrial roots vividly to life.
As we hiked, our information spoke of rail traces and firm cities all beneath a cover of towering Douglas-firs and mild chicken songs.
After our morning hike, we continued to Seattle’s new Waterfront Park.
The transformation is large: new connections from Pike Place Market all the way down to the water by way of Overlook Stroll and a rising promenade with piers, playgrounds, and views for days.
In the event you’ve been to Seattle earlier than this new addition, you understand what a ache it was to get all the way down to the waterfront. Effectively, now it’s lastly simple (and beautiful) to entry the waterfront.
Lunch tip: Ivar’s on the water for traditional chowder and tales from the oldsters who helped make the brand new waterfront occur.
@traveloffpath What an effective way to spend our final day in Bellevue! A guided historical past hike and a tour of the brand new Seattle waterfront with World Household Travels!
♬ Sweet Disposition (a moment, a love) – Lost Frequencies & The Temper Trap
The Good Farewell: Silent Cruising On Lake Washington
We capped our journey with Bellevue Lake Cruises on a Duffy electrical boat gliding previous shoreline estates (together with a sure tech icon’s place), sipping wine, and absorbing that final golden hour.
Electrical means peaceable music and dialog with out engine roar, and also you get a completely totally different really feel for the town from the water.
This was the proper approach to finish our journey, with chill conversations about all our experiences and excellent climate out on the water.
@traveloffpath The right ship off from Bellevue with Bellevue Lake Cruises! #bellevue ♬ son original – Electro Anthology
Sensible Bits (So Your Journey Feels As Simple As Ours)
- Base your self at The Bellevue Collection. The skybridges imply weather-proof entry to motels, eating, theaters, bars, and MIRRA, plus fast walks to Downtown Park and Outdated Bellevue.
- Borrow a BikeHop e-bike in case your resort participates; it’s essentially the most enjoyable approach to join parks and neighborhoods.
- Zip within the morning, paddle within the afternoon. E book Bellevue Adventures early, then hit Greatest Kayak Leases at Enatai or Meydenbauer later when the sunshine will get fairly.
- Don’t skip dessert at Seastar or brunch views at Ascend. Reserve forward for weekends.
- Alaska Lounge at SEA: In the event you’re flying dwelling late, day passes are bought when capability permits. Go to the North Satellite tv for pc lounge for the massive home windows—on clear days, you’ll be able to see Mt. Rainier.
Backside Line
Bellevue stunned us. It’s polished with out being pretentious, outdoorsy with out the logistics, and genuinely pleasant. We left with blueberry fingers, new VR bragging rights, and a plan to come back again for extra lake time.
If you would like a simple win for a getaway or “metropolis break that also looks like trip,” put Bellevue on the high of your record!
And for a recap on the highest issues to do and different necessities, use ‘The Bellevue Stability‘ instrument beneath:
Polished & Playful
Rascals Public Home
The journey’s greatest meal. Consolation-food-with-soul, from the signature burger to Mac & Cheese Croquettes. A must-visit.
Skyline Views & Patios
Brunch within the clouds at Ascend, unbelievable desserts at Seastar, or a relaxed patio vibe at 520 Bar & Grill.
Omega Photograph
A nostalgic journey to a neighborhood movie digital camera retailer. The pleasant house owners will show you how to discover a classic digital camera to seize your journey in a novel method.
MIRRA Social VR
A high-energy VR area that looks like a recreation present blended with a bar night time. Good for a enjoyable, techy break.
Bellevue Bellhop
A free trip service round downtown. Use it to hop between eating places, parks, and retailers effortlessly.
Open air & Spontaneous
Zipline Tour
Seven ziplines by a Douglas-fir cover simply 10 minutes from downtown. An adrenaline morning that is beginner-friendly.
Kayaking The Slough
Hire a kayak at Enatai Seashore Park and paddle a peaceable waterway. See turtles, herons, and discover a stunning degree of calm inside metropolis limits.
Free E-Bikes
Many downtown motels supply complimentary e-bikes by way of the BikeHop program. The easiest way to attach parks, farms, and gardens.
Blueberry Farm & Gardens
Use the e-bikes to go to the Bellevue Botanical Backyard (free!) and the Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm for U-pick berries in season.
Seattle Waterfront Day Journey
Jump over to Seattle to hike the Coal Creek path and discover the remodeled Waterfront Park with its new piers and promenades.
Plan Your Easy Journey
The place to Keep
W Bellevue: Younger, buzzy power with trendy public areas.
The Westin: Calmer, family-friendly, and a traditional dwelling base. Each are linked by weatherproof skybridges to eating and purchasing.
Professional Tip: Base at Bellevue Assortment
The skybridge community connects motels, eating places, theaters, and extra. No want for Ubers for brief hops—simply wander.
Flying Dwelling?
If flying Alaska, take a look at the North Satellite tv for pc lounge at SEA for large home windows and potential views of Mt. Rainier.
For Celebrations
E book brunch at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi. The Thirty first-floor view of Lake Washington and Seattle is the place you go for particular events.
**Journey Off Path was a visitor of Go to Bellevue, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by internet hosting a few of our lodging and points of interest. Our opinions, suggestions, and options stay our personal.**
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