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

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

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

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

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

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

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.