Discover Bellevue’s Gardens, Wetlands and Parks

Discover Bellevue through its diverse landscapes and experiences: landscaped gardens and restored woodlands, wetlands, waterfront access, and parks with distinctive features. You’ll also find farm animals and insights into the area’s history. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, you can start by considering which of these sides of the destination you’d like to shape your stay.

Gardens and Trails at Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue Botanical Garden covers 53 acres of landscaped gardens, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands. Its main trail is the Tateuchi Loop Trail, which lets you explore the garden and landscape areas along a central route. Admission is free, and the garden is open every day, year-round, including holidays, from sunrise to sunset.

The shortest bus connection from Bellevue Transit Center is bus No. 271 to the 116th Ave SE & SE 1st St stop. From there, it’s a 0.5-mile walk to the garden. Check the route and schedule before you travel, as both may change.

Wetlands and a Variety of Trails

Mercer Slough is the largest remaining wetland on Lake Washington. The 329-acre Mercer Slough Nature Park offers opportunities for walking, cycling, and wildlife watching. Boardwalks and gravel trails provide access through this urban wetland. Several activities and the distinctive landscape are the main draws here.

Lewis Creek Park features a different mix of habitats: wetlands, meadows, and forest, accessible via boardwalks and soft-surface trails.

Waterfront, Waterfall and Play Areas

Meydenbauer Bay Park provides public access to the Lake Washington shoreline. Its features include a curved pedestrian pier and a hand-launch boat ramp. At Bellevue Downtown Park, a 240-foot-wide waterfall cascading into a reflecting pool makes a striking focal point. The park is a 21-acre green oasis in the heart of Bellevue.

Downtown Park is also home to Inspiration Playground. Its interactive features are designed to be inclusive and suitable for children with different abilities and their caregivers. This gives families a specific point of reference when choosing park experiences; the statement applies to this playground, not to all of the city’s offerings.

Farm Animals and History Around Kelsey Creek

Kelsey Creek Community Park encompasses 150 acres of forest, meadows, and wetlands in the heart of Bellevue. The park’s barns are listed on the State Heritage Barn Register. At Kelsey Creek Farm, learning about farm animals goes hand in hand with the chance to see real farm animals. The farm animals can be viewed every day year-round from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On weekdays, the farm offers guided farm tours, each lasting about 45 minutes. Sheep Shearing is an annual event held on the last Saturday in April.

Wilburton Hill Park also combines nature and history: it sits on the site of a logging town dating to around the turn of the 20th century. A botanical garden showcases native plants of the Pacific Northwest. The trail through the park is an important link in the Lake to Lake Trail and Greenway System. Here, local history, native plants, and a role in the trail system come together.

Plan Your Stay Around What Matters to You

The places described here offer different highlights: garden trails and wetlands, waterfront and park design, or farm animals and local history. If you’re searching for a vacation rental in Bellevue, your personal interests can be a starting point. Consider which experiences you’d like to focus on, then choose a specific place to stay based on its own location and features.

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