Bellevue - city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States

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 edge city of Seattle. Bellevue has a population of 150,000.

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 may actually be more pleasant and safer to walk here than in Seattle proper. On the flip side however, the experience is somewhat blander than the latter due to a lower variety of sightseeing options, although the shopping experience is said to be better here.

Get in

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 train

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.

By car

• State Route (SR) 520 (dead link: January 2023) connects Bellevue to Seattle, via the Evergreen Point 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. Keep in mind that rush hour traffic can be very daunting: expect a 45 minute to 1 hour drive from both ends of the freeway to Bellevue.

By bus

Almost every King County Metro and Sound Transit bus that runs through Bellevue stops at the Bellevue Transit Center 📍 located on 6th Street between 108th Ave NE & 110th Ave NE in Downtown Bellevue. Bike lockers are available for rental during regular business hours.

King County Metro

• 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

Sound Transit

• 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.
• During the rush hour, Routes 555 and 556 goes to Bellevue from Northgate and the U District (University of Washington) in Seattle
• Route 560 runs every half hour between SeaTac Airport and Downtown Bellevue through Renton. Express Bus fare is $2.75 per trip within King County and $3.75 to go into Snohomish or Pierce Counties.

Intercity bus services

• Wheatland Express, (bus stop) Novilhos Brazilian Steak House at Factoria Mall, 12405 SE 38th Street, Bellevue, +1 509 334-2200. 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. $99.00 one way (weekend express), $210.00 one way (vacation service)
• Flixbus (operated by Wenatchee Valley Shuttle), (bus stop) Eastgate Plaza Shell/Jackson Store @ 3670 150th Ave SE (SW of Eastgate Plaza at 150th Ave SE & SE 36th, off of I-90 at Exit 11B), +1 509 293-5773. Operates several daily departures to Wenatchee and Peshastin in Eastern Washington from Bellevue. $45 one-way, $85 roundtrip 2018-01-02
• 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

Bellevue has reliable transportation access to Seattle and the Puget Sound area. For intra-city service, the King County Metro is the only thing available.

• King County Metro offers local bus service. 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.

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

See

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.

• Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE, 47.6156°, -122.201°, +1 425 519-0770, info@bellevuearts.org. Tu-Su 11AM-6PM. Art museum with fine craft and design exhibitions. Free on the first Friday of the month with extended hours until 8PM. $10/adult, $8/concession, $5/teen, $25/family
• Downtown Park, 10201 NE 4th St, 47.61244°, -122.2042°, +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. 2018-01-10
• Lake Hills Greenbelt, 15416 SE 16th St, 47.60362°, -122.13838°, +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. 2018-01-24
• Kelsey Creek Farm, 410 130th Pl SE, 47.6043°, -122.16416°, +1 425 452-7688. Barn: daily 9:30AM-3:30PM, park: dawn to dusk. Meadows with trails and barns with farm animals 2018-01-10
• Bellevue Botanical Gardens, 12001 Main St, 47.6092°, -122.179°, +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)
• Newcastle Beach Park, 4400 Lake Washington Blvd SE, 47.56545°, -122.18905°, +1 425 452-6914. A beach playground park, one of the few places where you can dunk in Lake Washington on a hot day. 2018-01-10

Do

• Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 47.5208°, -122.091°. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (CMRWP) is an over- 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
• KidsQuest Museum, 1116 108th Ave NE (2 blocks north of Bellevue Transit Center), 47.62083°, -122.19591°, +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 2018-01-10
• Lincoln Square Cinemas, 700 Bellevue Way NE (third floor of Lincoln Square North, two blocks west of Bellevue Transit Center), 47.61671°, -122.20072°, +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+)
• Mercer Slough Park, 47.58349°, -122.18634°. 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 2018-01-10
• Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th St (one block east of Bellevue Transit Center), 47.6159°, -122.19195°. Has a convention center and a theater, with frequent live performances of music and theater
• Resonance at Soma Towers, 288 106th Avenue NE, Suite 203, 47.61289°, -122.19865°, +1 425-443-2585, info@resonance.events. Venue for classical music and comedy shows. 2020-02-27
• Lucky Strike, 700 Bellevue Way NE (Second floor of Lincoln Square North, two blocks west of Bellevue Transit Center), 47.61674°, -122.20086°, +1 425-453-5137. Su-Th 11:30AM-midnight, F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa 11AM-2AM. Bowling alley, video arcade, and night club. 2020-02-27

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)

• Bellevue Square, 575 Bellevue Square, 47.6156°, -122.204°, +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. 2018-11-14
• Crossroads Bellevue, 15600 NE 8th St, 47.61875°, -122.12974°, +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. 2018-01-09
• The Shops at the Bravern, 11111 NE 8th St, 47.61695°, -122.19246°, +1 425 456-8795. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su nooh-6PM. European-inspired shopping destination with upscale retailers (the likes of Hermes & Louis Vuitton) & restaurants. 2018-01-09

Eat

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. Budget: up to $12, mid-range: $12-$21, splurge: more than $21 (meal for one + soft drink).

Budget

• MOD Pizza, 317 Bellevue Way NE and 14309 NE 20th St, 47.61339°, -122.2018°, +1 425 455-0141 or +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 2018-01-10
• Cafe Bollywood, 102B Bellevue Way NE, 47.61141°, -122.20096°, +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) 2018-01-10
• Pho Ever, 12015 NE 8th St, 47.61696°, -122.17914°, +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 2018-01-10
• Sukhothai, 15045 Bel-Red Rd, 47.62723°, -122.13803°, +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 2018-01-10
• Foodshion, 707 148th Ave NE, 47.61629°, -122.14349°, +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 2018-01-11
• Broiler Bay, 10636 Main St, 47.61052°, -122.19766°. 11AM-8PM. Casual restaurant with burgers, fries, and shakes 2020-02-27

Mid-range

• Din Tai Fung, 700 Bellevue Way NE, 47.61704°, -122.20057°, +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 2018-01-10
• 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), 47.61973°, -122.20228°, +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
• Gilbert's on Main (Gilbert's Main Street Bagel), 10024 Main St, 47.61042°, -122.20491°, +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
• Top Gun, 12450 SE 38th St, 47.57796°, -122.17237°, +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

• Daniel's Broiler, 10500 NE 8th - 21st floor, 47.6177°, -122.20003°, +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
• Ishoni, 10630 NE 8th St, 47.61764°, -122.19763°, +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. 2018-01-10
• Maggianos, 10455 NE 8th St, 47.61732°, -122.20063°, +1 425 519-6476. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 11AM-10PM. Array of Italian fare and expensive steaks, accompanied with hospitable service. Lunch $11-22, dinner $16-35
• Wild Ginger, 508 Bellevue Way NE, 47.61513°, -122.2011°, +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 2018-01-10
• Fogo de Chão, 440 Bellevue Way NE, 47.61453°, -122.20119°, +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) AYCE meat lunch $35 (weekday) $37 (weekend), dinner $52; market table & feiojada only: $15 (weekday lunch), $26 (other times) 2018-01-11

Drink

• Bellevue Brewing, 1820 130th Ave NE (in Bel-Red), +1 425 497-8686, contact@bellevuebrewing.com. Tu-Sa 11:30-10PM. Bellevue's first local brewery. Happy hour 3-6PM daily. 2021-11-27
• Joey's. A decent restaurant and bar.
• 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 2018-01-10
• Bake's Place Bar & Bistro, 155 108th Avenue NE (two blocks south of Bellevue Transit Center), 47.6118°, -122.19692°, +1 425-454-2778, chris@bakesplacebellevue.com. M 3PM-9PM, Tu-Th 3PM-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 2020-02-27

Sleep

Budget: below $100, mid-range: $100-$150, splurge: above $150 (standard double room).

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

• Courtyard Seattle Bellevue/Redmond, 14615 NE 29th Pl, 47.63405°, -122.14724°, +1 425 869-5300. Located just off the 520 freeway. Within the heart of the Microsoft Main Campus. From $90 per night
• Extended Stay America, 11400 Main St, 47.61077°, -122.18733°, +1 425 453-8186. Suites with fully-equipped kitchen. Offers self-laundry and complimentary grab and go breakfast. Allows pets. From $85 per night 2018-01-23
• Fairfield Inn Seattle Bellevue, 14595 NE 29th Pl, 47.63481°, -122.14674°, +1 425 869-6548. 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
• Hotel 116, 625 116th Ave NE, 47.61604°, -122.18649°, +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 2018-01-24
• Red Lion Hotel, 11211 Main St, 47.60928°, -122.18989°, +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 2018-01-23
• Days Inn, 3241 156th Ave SE, 47.58152°, -122.13656°, +1 425 643-6644. Simple hotel with small rooms & free breakfast. From $80 per night 2018-01-24

Mid-range

• Courtyard Seattle - Bellevue/Downtown, 11010 NE 8th St, 47.61782°, -122.19278°, +1 425 454-5888. A moderately priced hotel that is the closest to the Meydenbauer Convention Center. Some rooms offer whirlpool and ironing. Free WiFi at all places, house a restaurant & a 24-hour Starbucks. From $100 per night
• Hampton Inn & Suites, 11405 NE 2nd Pl, 47.6115°, -122.18605°, +1 425 453-4100. Modern and spacious rooms.peppered with a couple of suites. From $125 per night 2018-01-24
• Hotel Bellevue, 11200 SE 6th St, 47.60556°, -122.18967°, +1 425 454-4424. Combination of suites and large deluxe rooms, with extensive fitness and dining facilities belonging to the Bellevue Club property. From $135 per night 2018-01-24
• Hilton Bellevue, 300 112th Ave SE, 47.60722°, -122.18928°, +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 2018-01-23
• Residence Inn Seattle Bellevue, 605 114th Ave SE, 47.60412°, -122.18641°, +1 425 637-8500. 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
• Embassy Suites, 3225 158th Ave SE, 47.58104°, -122.13389°, +1 425 644-2500. All-suite hotel, spacious rooms with shades of white interior. Complimentary breakfast & happy hour. From $140 per night 2018-01-24
• Larkspur Landing Bellevue, 15805 S.E. 37th St, 47.575390°, -122.129772°, +1 425 373-1212, bellevuell@larkspurhotels.com. Rooms have FeatherBorne Beds and full kitchens. Laundry facility, fitness room, grocery shopping. From $115 per night 2015-07-30
• Silver Cloud Inn, 10621 NE 12th St, 47.62063°, -122.19754°, +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 2018-01-24

Splurge

• Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way NE, 47.61867°, -122.20089°, +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.
• The Westin, 600 Bellevue Way NE, 47.61588°, -122.20052°, +1 425 638-1000. 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 2018-01-24
• La Residence Suites, 475 100th Ave NE, 47.61472°, -122.20715°, +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 2018-01-24
• W Bellevue, 10455 NE 5th St, 47.61531°, -122.20038°, +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 2018-01-24

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.