Discover Bellevue through its green spaces: wetlands, landscaped gardens, public waterfront access, city parks with distinctive features, and a farm each offer a different focus. When choosing what to do, consider whether you’re most interested in trails and habitats, gardens, Lake Washington, an inclusive playground, or farm animals. Each place offers a different focus for planning your stay.
Wetlands and Trails
Mercer Slough Nature Park covers 329 acres and offers opportunities for walking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Mercer Slough is the largest remaining wetland on Lake Washington. Boardwalks and gravel-surfaced trails provide access to this urban wetland. Lewis Creek Park offers a different focus: wetlands, meadows, and forest are accessible via boardwalks and soft-surface trails. When choosing between the two parks, Mercer Slough stands out for its size and the three activities mentioned; Lewis Creek is notable for its varied habitats and the trails described.
Garden Visit and Getting There
Bellevue Botanical Garden covers 53 acres of landscaped gardens, restored woodland, and natural wetlands. The Tateuchi Loop Trail is the main path through the garden. Admission is free, and the garden is open daily year-round, including holidays, from sunrise to sunset. This gives your visit a clear timeframe without requiring you to budget for admission.
If you’re traveling by bus, the shortest connection runs from Bellevue Transit Center on bus No. 271 to the 116th Ave SE & SE 1st St stop. From there, it’s a 0.5-mile walk to the garden. Routes and schedules can change, so check the current schedule before you travel.
Waterfront and City Park
Meydenbauer Bay Park provides public access to the Lake Washington waterfront. Its features include a curved pedestrian pier and a boat launch for boats that are hand-launched. The park combines waterfront access with two specific features that shape your visit.
Bellevue Downtown Park offers a 21-acre green oasis in the heart of Bellevue. A 240-foot-wide waterfall cascades into a reflecting pool. The park is also home to Inspiration Playground: it features interactive elements, is designed to be inclusive, and is suitable for children with different abilities and their caregivers. The waterfall and playground offer different experiences, so your choice depends on whether you want to focus on the park’s design or its inclusive play features.
Farm Animals and History
Kelsey Creek Community Park covers 150 acres of woodland, meadows, and wetlands in the heart of Bellevue. Kelsey Creek Farm offers educational programs about farm animals and the chance to see real farm animals. The animals can be viewed daily year-round from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guided farm tours take place on weekdays and last about 45 minutes each. The annual Sheep Shearing takes place on the last Saturday in April; if you’re traveling around that time, it’s worth checking the latest event details. The barns at Kelsey Creek Community Park also have a historic connection: they’re listed in the State Heritage Barn Register.
Wilburton Hill Park brings together other nature and history themes. It’s located on the site of a logging town from around the turn of the 20th century and features a botanical garden with native Pacific Northwest plants. The trail at Wilburton Hill Park is also an important link in the Lake to Lake Trail and Greenway System. In Bellevue, you can choose among garden landscapes, wetlands, waterfront access, farm animals, and a park with historical significance, rather than planning every experience the same way.
Discover more destinations: Sammamish, Kenmore, Baring, Kirkland, Skykomish, Seatac, Redmond, Newcastle.
For the main travel overview: King.
