Neighborhood Highlights
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Dazzled by dahlias? Tantalized by trails? The Bellevue Botanical Garden will become a haven for you, right in the heart of the city. Within its 53 acres are smaller gardens, each with its own character. Explore the Fuchsia Garden and the Rhododendron Glen. Learn about conservation in the Waterwise Garden and Native Discovery Garden. In-person and online classes are offered which appeal to gardeners of all levels and those who simply wish to enjoy nature. With the help of gifted instructors try painting, learn about bees, or practice mindfulness with forest bathing.
Woodinville Wine Country
Discover a place in the pastoral Sammamish River Valley where wine lovers from around the world gather to taste renowned Washington State wines. While the state’s largest vineyards are located far east in the Yakima Valley and Walla Walla, beautiful Woodinville offers tastes and sips from more than 130 Washington wineries. Enjoy restaurants, food trucks, parks, concerts, and the 10-plus mile Sammamish River Trail for bicycling, walking, and running. Salut!
Bellevue Square
For more than 65 years Bellevue Square has held the #1 spot for upscale Bellevue shopping. In a city where fashion ranges from Gore-Tex jackets to designer evening gowns, that’s saying something! With over 200 retail stores, restaurants, entertainment options, and an indoor kiddie play area, there’s a reason more than 22 million shoppers visit each year.
A Brief History of Bellevue
Originally home to the Coast Salish tribe, the Puget Sound area, including Bellevue, was woodland where the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Native American peoples hunted and fished. Europeans began settling in the area in the 1800s and named the location Bellevue for “beautiful view” in French.
At that time, settlers began to mine the land and log Bellevue’s forests, transforming the area into a farming community. In 1940, the Lake Washington Floating Bridge was completed, connecting Bellevue to Seattle. New businesses emerged, and new residents came to call Bellevue and additional towns on the Eastside home.
The City of Bellevue was incorporated in 1953 and started annexing adjoining areas. Once considered a suburb of Seattle, today Bellevue is known as a sophisticated city in its own right and a center for technology and retail.
