2024 Bellevue Visitors Guide
Bellevue is three miles east of Seattle, between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, and approximately ten miles west of the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It truly does live up to the French meaning of its name, “beautiful view”. Once a bedroom community, this cosmopolitan city in Washington now holds the distinctions of being the fifth-largest city in the state and the fifteenth wealthiest by per capita income.
The census of 2000 reported 112,344 people residing in the city. In 2003, the Census Bureau estimated the city had a total population of 112,344. The racial makeup of the city was 74.33% White, 1.99% African American, 0.32% Native American, 17.39% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 2.54% from other races, and 3.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.32% of the population.
The median income for a household in the city was $62,338, and the median income for a family was $76,868. The per capita income for the city was $36,905.
Bellevue Attractions
Ming’s Asian Gallery is a combination art gallery and antique furniture shop. The gallery represents 5,000 years of history and tradition which takes visitors on a journey through the Imperial Dynasties of Japan, China, Korea, Myanmar, Cambodia, Tibet, Thailand, and Nepal. From historical treasures to accents, Ming’s offers a collection of unique antiques, fine furniture, mineral carvings, porcelains, netsuke, snuff bottles, paintings, textiles, Peking glass, jade and so much more. Cultural exhibitions, lectures, and symposiums are presented throughout the calendar year. The Bellevue Arts Museum is the Pacific Northwest’s center for the exploration of the fine art of craft and design. The museum places an emphasis on regional craft artists as part of the national and international conversation on fine craft and design. Established in September 1992, the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art houses more than 3000 dolls on display as well as for sale.
Kelsey Creek Park is a 150-acre forest and wetland habitat. The park features numerous hiking and jogging trails. Kelsey Creek Farm is located within the park and is home to a variety of different farm animals, including ponies, pigs, goats, and sheep. The farm features several children’s recreational programs, such as pony care classes and farm experience tours.
Wilburton Hill Park is a botanical wonderland. The garden is several gardens rolled into one. The Yao Japanese Garden is a marvel of simplicity. The Alpine Garden features high-altitude plant life and the Waterwise Garden is a more practical affair, offering numerous tips and suggestions to the amateur gardener.
Bellevue Recreation & Leisure
If you enjoy the outdoors, the city can offer you a bounty of parks, walking trails, and learning centers. Columbus maintains 61 parks and 3 golf courses. The Chattahoochee RiverWalk is a 15-mile park stretching from Uptown to the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning. F.D. Roosevelt State Park is located on Pine Mountain and is a 10,000-acre park deeply rooted in the historical area. Oxbow Meadows is a place where nature can be itself. It has walking trails, a learning center, and various insect and animal displays.
Professional sports fans are not forgotten. The Columbus Area is home to three professional sports teams. The Columbus Cottonmouths (ice hockey), the Columbus Catfish (baseball – an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers), and the Chattahoochee Valley Vipers (indoor football).
Bellevue WA Arts
The Bellevue Chamber Chorus performs music of various styles from all musical periods. Each fall the Chorus presents its Master Composer Series, which features the great works of many of the familiar and also lesser-known composers from early music periods through the 21st century. A very popular “POPS” concert is offered in March showcasing everything from Swing to Jazz to Broadway hits. In late May/early June the Chorus performs historical and contemporary music from different countries as part of its annual Music From Around the World Series.
The Bellevue Philharmonic offers approximately twenty diverse concerts each year including the July 4th performance as part of the Bellevue Downtown Family 4th Celebration, as well as an educational outreach program called “Sound Adventures in Schools.”
Bellevue Dining
The selection of places to dine in Bellevue grows more international each year, offering a wide range of choices to satisfy every mood and taste. Tosoni’s offers candlelight dining with a view of owner/chef Walter Walcher in his open kitchen. A menu favorite that comes highly recommended is the Garlic Lamb. Vegetarian options include pasta and exquisite dishes with wild mushrooms. Saigon City serves up the best Pho on the Eastside, and the assortment of stir-fried dishes is a great place to start if you have never had Vietnamese before. Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar is a great place to enjoy seafood, poultry, steaks, and pasta. Pogacha turns out wonderful Pogacha Bread and tantalizing pizzas including their famous wood-oven-baked pizzas. The Bis on Main menu mixes French, Italian, and Southern American flavors. Thick sandwiches, gumbo, crab cakes, Linguine with shrimp, Crispy Garlic Chicken, and Filet Mignon.
Communities
Bellevue has over 21 neighborhoods including Bellevue Square (Bel Square), Bellewood East, Bridle Trails, Bridle Trails, Clyde Hill, Cougar Mountain, Crossroads, Downtown Park, East Lake Hills, Eastgate, Factoria, Forest Ridge Living, Hunts Point, Lakemont Lifestyle, Medina, Mercer Island, Newport, Northeast Bellevue, Northwest Bellevue, Sammamish, Somerset, Vuemont And Sky Mountain, West Bellevue, West Lake Hills, Wilburton, Woodbridge, Woodridge, and Yarrow Point.
Somerset
Somerset features incredible views west of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline. It stretches between State Route 520 and Interstate 90 and includes beautiful view homes, many of which were built in the 1960s.
Medina
Medina is an upscale neighborhood located on the west side of Bellevue along the eastern shores of Lake Washington to either side of the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Most of the houses were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. There are large, beautiful estate homes, located close to Bellevue shopping with excellent schools. Medina is the only city in which no businesses are allowed; it is strictly residential. Overlake Golf and Country Club is located here, in the heart of Medina, as is Fairweather Park, Medina South Park, and Medina Beach Park.
Clyde Hil
Clyde Hill features large-view homes and great Seattle access via State Route 520. Amenities include wonderful schools, nearby Medina’s Overlake Golf and Country Club, and Clyde Beach Park to the south, on the shores of Meydenbauer Bay.
Lake Hills
The Lake Hills / Crossroads area is known for its shopping center and retailers. It features entry to mid-level housing with some beautiful eastern views towards the Cascade Mountains in somewhat smaller homes. Many homes were built in or after the 1960s.
Downtown Bellevue
Downtown is quickly becoming Bellevue’s fastest-growing “neighborhood.” Today, downtown is home to more than 1,800 households. The city estimates that more than 15,000 condominiums and apartments, housing more than 22,500 people, could eventually be built in downtown over the coming years. This move towards a more urban setting is due to the increasing number of high-tech companies that have located here.