Bellevue

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For other places with the same name, see Bellevue (disambiguation).

Bellevue is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington state, just across Lake Washington from Seattle. Bellevue had a population of 150,000 in 2021, making it the largest city on the Eastside of King County.

The Bellevue cityscape

Bellevue is perhaps the most ritzy part of the Seattle metro area, mainly due to the presence of Microsoft at nearby Redmond and other tech companies occupying the downtown office towers. The dense downtown has much of the region's upscale and luxury retail. It also has many neighborhoods comprised of large houses, and excellent vistas of the water for the lucky few. It is generally considered more pleasant and safe than Seattle, if blander, though the influx of international tech workers has led to a vibrant Chinese community.

Local information

Get in

Bellevue has reliable transportation access to Seattle and the Puget Sound area.

By plane

The nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. To get to Bellevue, take eastbound State Route 518 and continue straight towards Interstate 405.

By car

  • State Route (SR) 520[dead link]Category:Articles with dead external links connects Bellevue to Seattle, via the Evergreen Point floating bridge (the world's largest floating bridge) on Lake Washington. SR-520 serves as the northern border between Bellevue and Kirkland between the shores of Lake Washington and Interstate 405. The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is tolled; see details below.
  • The 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 daunting: expect a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from each end of the freeway to Bellevue.

There are tolls for the SR-520 floating bridge and the express lanes of I-405, with rates that vary by time of day and traffic levels. There are no toll booths. If the vehicle has a "Good to Go" sticker on the windshield, the toll is deducted from a prepaid account. Otherwise, transponders take a picture of the license plates, front and back, and mail the bill to the registered owner.

By train

By bus

Almost every King County Metro and Sound Transit bus that runs through Bellevue stops at the 47.6155-122.19516 Bellevue Transit CenterCategory:Has map markers on 6th Street between 108th Ave NE & 110th Ave NE in Downtown Bellevue. The other transit center is 47.5804-122.15227 Eastgate Park & RideCategory:Has map markers on 142nd Pl SE & SE Southgate off of I-90 may be closer to where you are staying. Bike lockers are available for rental during regular business hours.

Intercity bus services

  • Wheatland ExpressCategory:Has map markers, (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 ShuttleCategory:Has map markers (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.

Get around

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Map of Bellevue

For trips outside of the core city, you'll probably want a car.

By public transit

King County Metro operates local bus routes. Some 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.

See

the Bellevue Botanical Garden
  • 47.6092-122.1791 Bellevue Botanical GardensCategory:Has map markers, 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). Bellevue Botanical Garden on Wikipedia Bellevue Botanical Garden (Q4883922) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • 47.6043-122.164162 Kelsey Creek FarmCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.62083-122.195913 KidsQuest MuseumCategory:Has map markers, 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. KidsQuest Children's Museum on Wikipedia KidsQuest Children's Museum (Q6404885) on Wikidata OSM directions

Do

Parks

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.

  • 47.5208-122.0915 Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland ParkCategory:Has map markers (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. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park on Wikipedia Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (Q5176041) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • 47.61244-122.20426 Downtown ParkCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.60362-122.138387 Lake Hills GreenbeltCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.58349-122.186348 Mercer Slough ParkCategory:Has map markers. 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. OSM directions
  • 47.56545-122.189059 Newcastle Beach ParkCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions

Buy

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)

  • 47.6156-122.2041 Bellevue SquareCategory:Has map markers, 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. Bellevue Square on Wikipedia Bellevue Square (Q4883961) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • 47.61875-122.129742 Crossroads BellevueCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61695-122.192463 The Shops at the BravernCategory:Has map markers, 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. The Shops at the Bravern (Q68361283) on Wikidata OSM directions

Eat

Bellevue contains a whole lot more Chinese and 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 more expensive than Seattle and quality is uneven.

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budgetup to $12
Mid-range$12-$21
Splurgemore than $21

Budget

  • 47.61339-122.20181 MOD PizzaCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61141-122.200962 Cafe BollywoodCategory:Has map markers, 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). OSM directions
  • 47.61696-122.179143 Pho EverCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.62723-122.138034 SukhothaiCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61629-122.143495 FoodshionCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61052-122.197666 Broiler BayCategory:Has map markers, 10636 Main St. 11AM-8PM. Casual restaurant with burgers, fries, and shakes OSM directions

Mid-range

  • 47.61704-122.200577 Din Tai FungCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61973-122.202288 Facing EastCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61042-122.204919 Gilbert's on MainCategory:Has map markers (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. OSM directions
  • 47.57796-122.1723710 Top GunCategory:Has map markers, 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 à la carte Cantonese dishes. $9-17. OSM directions

Splurge

  • 47.6177-122.2000311 Daniel's BroilerCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61764-122.1976312 IshoniCategory:Has map markers, 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.. OSM directions
  • 47.61513-122.201113 Wild GingerCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61453-122.2011914 Fogo de ChãoCategory:Has map markers, 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). OSM directions

Drink

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budgetbelow $100
Mid-range$100-$150
Splurgeabove $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

Mid-range

Splurge

  • 47.61867-122.2008915 Hyatt Regency BellevueCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61588-122.2005216 The WestinCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61472-122.2071517 La Residence SuitesCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions
  • 47.61531-122.2003818 W BellevueCategory:Has map markers, 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. OSM directions

Go next

  • 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
Category:Has routebox


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