Seattle, WA

I flew to Seattle but stayed in Bellevue — I loved its walkable streets, great food, and outdoor escapes

Published

1 year ago

December 17, 2024

I flew to Seattle but stayed in Bellevue — I loved its walkable streets, great food, and outdoor escapes

As my flight approached Seattle, I eagerly peered out of my window seat, hoping to see Mount Rainier’s majestic glory. The mountain hid in the clouds, typical of the local weather. I couldn’t wait to land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and catch a rideshare to Bellevue, where I’d stay for a few days. I planned to eat at the local restaurants, taste local wine, kayak, zipline, and go sightseeing around town.

Arriving in Bellevue

Bellevue Botanical Garden

The traffic leaving the airport was heavy, and I wasn’t surprised — over four million people live in the Seattle metro. However, I was relieved to notice a slower pace once I got into Bellevue.

During the 30-minute drive from the airport, my friendly rideshare driver told me that Bellevue is a safe place to visit and that I would enjoy walking around town with my friends. He also revealed that it’s home to a few big tech companies. I subtly picked up on the tech scene when I saw multiple brands of electric cars, like Tesla, driving on the streets.

I was dropped off at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside. The lobby was gorgeous, the staff was kind, and I was thrilled to have a fantastic suite overlooking Lake Washington.

Dinner and drinks in Old Bellevue

Dinner at Monsoon Bellevue / Drinks at Browne Family Vineyards Tasting Room

I freshened up and headed out to meet with my friends and walk around town. After window shopping along the way, we decided to grab a glass of wine at the Browne Family Vineyards Tasting Room, which serves local wine from Walla Walla. One of my favorite things about visiting places is trying the local wine, and a sparkling glass of their brut rosé was refreshing after a long day of travel.

We headed next door to Monsoon Bellevue, a Vietnamese restaurant, for dinner. The lighting was dimmed, and the aromas inside were warm and inviting. My tastebuds sang as I savored authentic vermicelli dishes, spring rolls, flank steak, and the best flan I’ve ever had. I left wishing there was a Monsoon Bellevue in my hometown.

Planning tip: If you decide not to walk or drive while exploring Bellevue, take the BellHop. It is a free shuttle servicing Old Main, the Spring District, and downtown Bellevue.

A kayak tour that shows off the area’s best views

Kayaking around Lake Washington in Bellevue

The following day, we drove to Meydenbauer Bay Park to kayak around Lake Washington. While driving there, I learned that Bellevue has over 100 city parks.

My friends and I rented gear from the REI Boathouse and took a guided tour to look for turtles, seabirds, and other wildlife. We also hoped to see Mount Rainier, but it was hidden in the haze. On a clear day, kayaking around the lake lets you see the Issaquah Alps, Cascade Mountains, and Mount Rainier.

After paddling, we walked to Gilberts on Old Main Street for brunch. Their apple, walnut, and gorgonzola salad hit the spot, and I appreciated the outdoor patio. We did more window shopping and found a cute boutique chocolate shop called Fran’s. I bought delicious chocolate-covered salted caramels to bring home to my husband.

Soar through the canopy on a ziplining adventure

Suspension bridge / Ashlee getting ready to zipline

Rainforests are the best place for ziplining; Bellevue Zip Tours leans into that opportunity. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, the park has seven ziplines and two suspension bridges where you can fly through the Douglas fir and bigleaf maple trees like Tarzan.

We did the two-hour tour, which took us through the entire course. The two guides were patient, kind, and motivating. It was a blast! I would have never thought a place like this existed near a major city like Seattle.

A tranquil escape for nature lovers

Exploring the Bellevue Botanical Garden / Suspension bridge

On the last afternoon of the trip, we visited the Bellevue Botanical Garden. It’s one of the city’s top attractions, attracting over 400,000 visitors annually. As soon as I entered, I was awed by a hummingbird collecting nectar from a giant trumpet flower.

The garden has over 3,000 varieties of plants and an incredible swinging bridge. It’s a beautiful place to visit all year round. If you visit during December, you can see its spectacular holiday light display.

Planning tip: The garden is free for the public and open from dawn until dusk.

Ending the trip at a charming local tavern

Aerial Bellevue cityscape at sunset — Bellevue cityscape at sunset

After touring the garden, we returned to our hotel to freshen up and then walked to Black Bottle Tavern. There, we shared family-style dishes with a rustic twist, like blistered shishito peppers, bacon lemon scallops, and malbec demi-glazed beef short ribs.

We concluded the night by indulging in their lemon curd ricotta cake with a lavender crust over a cup of coffee. It was the best way to end the day before walking back to the hotel to rest after the epic adventures.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Seahawks Injury Updates: Status of trio of DBs

Published

4 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks Injury Updates: Status of trio of DBs

There were Seattle Seahawks injury updates on Friday regarding three defensive backs coming out of the Hawks’ overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.

Seahawks’ Derick Hall suspended one game for stepping on player

Here’s a look at the updates, as well as insight from head coach Mike Macdonald and additional information from ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler.

• The biggest concern for the Seahawks coming out of the game is safety Coby Bryant, who has a knee injury. Macdonald said in a press conference Friday that Bryant would “get imaged,” meaning undergo an MRI. Fowler reported on social media that, per sources, Bryant is “expected to miss ‘some time’ based on initial tests.”

• Cornerback Riq Woolen has a knee concern of his own, but Fowler reported that it’s “not considered serious” and that, per a source, Woolen “more so got ‘banged up.’”

• Versatile defensive back Nick Emmanwori was evaluated for a concussion late in Thursday’s game, but Macdonald said he cleared concussion protocol.

The Seahawks improved to 12-3 with their win over the Rams, giving them a one-game lead over Los Angeles for both first place in the NFC West and the No. 1 seed to the postseason out of the NFC. The Seahawks also clinched a playoff spot with the dramatic comeback victory.

The next Seahawks game will be at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28 on the road against the Carolina Panthers (7-7). Radio coverage on Seattle Sports will begin at 7 a.m. that day with the pregame show.

More Seattle Seahawks coverage

• Macdonald explains Seahawks’ game-winning 2-point decision
• Brock Huard: The reason Sam Darnold was able to beat Rams
• Where Seahawks’ No. 1 seed odds stand after epic win
• Stacy Rost: Seahawks dramatically flip script to beat Rams
• Anatomy of a comeback: How Seattle Seahawks stunned Rams

Follow @BrentStecker

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Seattle, WA

Seattle brings losing streak into game against San Jose

Published

17 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Seattle brings losing streak into game against San Jose

Seattle Kraken (12-14-6, in the Pacific Division) vs. San Jose Sharks (17-15-3, in the Pacific Division)

San Jose, California; Saturday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Seattle Kraken look to end a four-game losing streak with a victory over the San Jose Sharks.

San Jose is 17-15-3 overall and 4-4-2 against the Pacific Division. The Sharks have conceded 117 goals while scoring 104 for a -13 scoring differential.

Seattle is 12-14-6 overall with a 5-4-0 record in Pacific Division play. The Kraken have a -20 scoring differential, with 79 total goals scored and 99 conceded.

The matchup Saturday is the third time these teams square off this season. The Kraken won 4-1 in the last meeting. Jaden Schwartz led the Kraken with two goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: William Eklund has eight goals and 14 assists for the Sharks. Tyler Toffoli has five goals and five assists over the past 10 games.

Vince Dunn has five goals and 14 assists for the Kraken. Chandler Stephenson has four goals and three assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sharks: 5-5-0, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.9 assists, 2.9 penalties and 5.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.

Kraken: 1-9-0, averaging 2.2 goals, 4.1 assists, 3.9 penalties and 9.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Sharks: None listed.

Kraken: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Seattle, WA

Roster Moves: Seattle Seahawks activate Young off IR

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Roster Moves: Seattle Seahawks activate Young off IR

The Seattle Seahawks activated wide receiver Dareke Young from injured reserve and elevated running back Cam Akers and offensive tackle Amari Knight off the practice squad Thursday ahead of their pivotal primetime showdown against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field.

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Young, 26, has missed Seattle’s past eight games with a quadricep injury. The fourth-year pro is a key special teams member for the Seahawks and was on the field for over 50% of the team’s special teams snaps in each of the six games he’s played this season. He has seven tackles and 10 kickoff returns for 322 yards. He also has two receptions for 48 yards.

Akers, 26, would be making his Seahawks debut against his former team if he gets into Thursday’s game. He played in three games for the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season and totaled 19 yards on five carries.

A sixth-year pro, Akers spent three-plus seasons with the Rams after they selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Florida State. Akers’ best season with Los Angeles came in 2022 when he rushed for career highs of 786 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 2,044 yards and 13 TDs on the ground in 56 career NFL games.

Knight, 24, provides the Seahawks with some depth at tackle with starting left tackle Charles Cross ruled out for Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury. Veteran backup Josh Jones is getting the start in place of Cross.

Knight went undrafted out of UCF and made his pro debut in Seattle’s Week 4 win over Arizona.

The Seahawks face the Rams on Thursday night at 5:15 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 2 p.m. with the pregame show on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle sports app.

Seattle Seahawks coverage

• Breaking down everything at stake in Seahawks-Rams showdown
• Seattle Seahawks rule out LT Charles Cross for showdown vs Rams
• How Seattle Seahawks and L.A. Rams stack up in NFL power rankings
• Do Rams have Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s number?
• Huard: Shaheed will be X-factor for Seattle Seahawks’ stretch run

Follow @ZacHereth

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