Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Bellevue, WA, From the Sea to the Sky

I could see our hotel from here — but when you’re paragliding during an adventure-focused weekend in Bellevue, Washington, you can see a lot of things. Bellevue may be just a short drive from Seattle across Lake Washington, but it’s carving out its own identity: an eco-friendly city with just as much access to dining and shopping as it has to breathtaking nature.

As a Pacific Northwest native who just returned home from seven-plus years living the expat life in Budapest, this exciting Bellevue excursion was the perfect opportunity for me to rediscover home. (Some call Bellevue the ideal base camp for exploring Washington State, after all.) Whether you’re a first-time or repeat visitor — or you’re revisiting your old stomping grounds, like I was — Bellevue’s activities from the sky to the sea are an unforgettable gateway to both adventure and leisure in the Pacific Northwest.

Things to do in Bellevue for outdoor enthusiasts

Hike around the Coal Creek Natural Area

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Washington’s forests hold secrets for those willing to seek them out, and the Coal Creek hike is one nice option (Bellevue has over 73 trails and over 100 parks). This well-groomed trail takes you past pieces of Washington’s industrial history, with remnants of a once-booming mine.

My group’s guide from the ethical travel company Global Family Travels spoke with enthusiasm about nature and compassion for all who were tied to the land. As we moved through the lush greenery — always sticking together, as there are bear and mountain lion sightings — the hike fondly reminded me of elementary school field trips where we’d look at flora and fauna along state park trails. Except this time, we were also looking at coal mine shafts and overgrown railroad tracks. By the end of the tour, I’d learned about a piece of Washington’s coal mining history, and how the past still affects recovery efforts today.

Coal Creek Natural Area: Coal Creek Parkway, Bellevue, WA 98006

Explore the city and its trails on an e-bike

BikeHop is an e-bike rental service that currently partners with three hotels in the Bellevue area — Courtyard Seattle Bellevue/Downtown, Hyatt Regency Bellevue, and InterContinental Seattle Bellevue — to provide guests with complimentary access to wheels. On my e-bike excursion, following the forest trails with towering evergreens growing on all sides, it was easy to forget we were in a city. Although we took a nature route (there are trails that take you to the lakes or past the Bellevue Botanical Garden, among other places), the bikes are also suited for a city adventure, like exploring the cute shops and cafes of Downtown Bellevue. Download the Bellevue Bike Map for guidance on where to go.

BikeHop: 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, Washington 98004

Things to do in Bellevue for adrenaline seekers

Take to the skies in a seaplane

Photo: Denae Mcgaha

The airplane-hangar-turned-office belonging to Northwest Seaplanes was my group’s first stop on our seaplane tour. Our cheerful yellow seaplane seated six, plus our captain, and after a brief safety orientation, we were on our way. It was one of those rare Northwest days where the sun is strong and the winds are fair — perfect sightseeing conditions.

Once airborne, our pilot (retired after 30 years of flying United) served as both navigator and tour guide. Stories came through our headsets as he pointed out the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, the Bellevue skyline, Bill Gates’ compound, and more. I found myself tearing up as I took in my home from above. Everything from the snow-capped mountains to the sparkling Puget Sound reminded me why the area draws over 40 million visitors a year. It reminded me how lucky I am to call this place home.

Northwest Seaplanes: 860 W Perimeter Rd #5346, Renton, WA 98057

Get your thrills paragliding

Photo: Denae Mcgaha

Just a 20-minute drive from Bellevue, Issaquah’s Poo Poo Point has some of the top conditions for paragliding in the whole US. This makes it a huge draw for paragliders and schools like Northwest Paragliding. Anticipation built during our quick shuttle ride to the top of Tiger Mountain, where we found one of the most breathtaking vistas of the trip so far. Blazing sun, blue skies dotted with colorful chutes, and a steady breeze made for perfect conditions.

Our guides’ enthusiasm was infectious, and after a brief orientation and some paperwork, it was time to get strapped in. Somehow, the nerves didn’t hit until I was standing at the edge. But feeling the tug on my hip harness as the parachute billowed with air, I knew there was no going back. With my instructor in my ear, I started to run forward. One step, two steps, three steps — before I knew it, there wasn’t any ground left. We were flying. After a peaceful flight, instructors and other students waited at the landing site, with shade and ice-cold water at the ready.

To pair with our high-flying adventure in Issaquah, we stopped at the Well and Table to replenish our strength. This woman-owned restaurant is farm-to-table in the truest sense, crafting meals with the freshest of fresh ingredients.

Northwest Paragliding: 475 Front St S, Issaquah, WA 98027

Things to do in Bellevue for leisure lovers

Spend a day wine-tasting in Woodinville

Photo: Denae Mcgaha

With over 200 new wineries in Washington opening over the past decade, the state’s wine scene is booming, and Bellevue is the perfect gateway for a day trip to wine country. Neighboring Woodinville is a once-rural town now leaning into wine and whiskey tourism.

One winery that takes its heritage seriously is Chateau Ste. Michelle, which can trace its roots back to the repeal of Prohibition. In the century since, it’s left its mark on the wine world (it’s the largest single producer of Riesling in the world, after all). Book a spot in the tasting room to sample any of the winery’s signature wines, or upgrade for the Somm’s Table experience: a five-flight tasting with Washington-sourced pairings, introduced by the chef herself. As we tasted our way through the five wines, our sommelier wove stories and history into each glass.

Latta Wines was our next stop for a deep dive into more undiscovered tastes of Washington. Latta is the ongoing result of a love affair with unique Washington varietals, and each small production bottle has a story behind it. As we sat beneath the soaring ceilings of Latta’s Woodinville tasting room (it also has a location in Seattle), the tasting menu we enjoyed showed off the best of the state.

Chateau Ste. Michelle: 14111 NE 145th St, Woodinville, WA 98072
Latta Wines: 14200 NE 145th St, Woodinville, WA 98072

Embark on a quintessential lake cruise

Photo: Michael J Magee/Shutterstock

Summer in Bellevue is synonymous with lake life, so after a deliciously flavorful meal at the Michelin-recommended Jiang Nan, we pulled into Meydenbauer Bay. The bay was buzzing with stand-up paddleboarders, boaters, and the like, but our Duffy boat eased out of the marina silently — thanks to the eco-friendly design that has it running on golf cart batteries.

Our guide took us past some of Washington’s most coveted real estate (including Bill Gates’ compound). We even spied a real T. rex skeleton on display in one house’s floor-to-ceiling windows. With bald eagles swooping to catch their dinner in front of a backdrop of Mt. Rainier, it’s hard for the Bellevue Lake Cruise to get more quintessentially Washingtonian. With the right weather and the right company, this pleasure cruise on Lake Washington is the perfect way to sit back, relax, and see Bellevue from the shoreline.

Bellevue Lake Cruise: Meydenbauer Bay Park 2 99th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004

Shop, dine, repeat at Bellevue Square

Photo: Colleen Michaels/Shutterstock

With over 200 shops and restaurants, Bellevue Square is one of the largest shopping centers in Washington State. You can transition seamlessly from daytime to evening by grabbing dinner at one of the many restaurants or heading downstairs to the speakeasy-esque cocktail bar Civility and Unrest for a nightcap.

Bellevue Square: 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004

Where to eat and drink in Bellevue

Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi

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One night, after welcome cocktails at the stylish W Hotel, we crossed Bellevue Square to arrive at the evening’s main event: dinner at Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi. An elevator ride 31 floors up delivered us to stunning views of Pacific Northwest vistas, from Mount Rainier to Lake Washington and a blanket of evergreens on all sides — a reminder that even though Bellevue is a city, nature really isn’t far away at all.

Dining privately in the Vertigo room afforded us floor-to-ceiling window views, but all tables at Ascend have some visual access to the Pacific Northwest’s stunning scenery. Everything about Ascend’s menu is indulgent, from the melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu to the lusciously crafted sushi and the top-shelf curated drinks list. Just make sure to save room for dessert.

Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi: 10400 NE 4th St Ste 3100, Bellevue, WA 98004

Bellevue Brewing Company

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Washington’s geography makes it heaven-on-earth for craft brewers, and Bellevue Brewing Company wasted no time in bringing that to Bellevue. As Bellevue’s first locally owned craft brewery, Bellevue Brewing Company is an anchor in Bellevue’s Spring District, the city’s trendy urban core. Snag a seat on the patio to drink with a view of the brewers in action, or drink indoors among the art gallery that shows the history of brewing in the area. Either way, make sure to explore the brewery’s food as well as its drinks — all of the gastropub dining options are bursting with flavor.

Bellevue Brewing Company: 12190 NE District Wy, Bellevue, WA 98005

Monsoon Bellevue

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This Vietnamese staple on Bellevue’s tree-lined Old Main Street is one of the reasons the street is known as a dining destination. The sunny venue serves Vietnamese flavors influenced by the Pacific Northwest. Monsoon’s dishes are bright, fresh, and popping with color (I’m still thinking about how its phở was the most flavorful I’ve ever had). Afterward, pop by Matcha Magic across the street for a sweet treat or neighboring Browne Wines

for a digestif.

Monsoon Bellevue: 10245 Main St Unit 103, Bellevue, WA 98004

Cantina Monarca

Photo: Denae Mcgaha

For our farewell dinner, we headed back to Bellevue Square. This time, instead of heading 31 floors up, we walked straight into Cantina Monarca, popular for elevated Mexican dining. As we settled into our booth among jungle greenery and stucco-washed walls, it almost seemed like we were in a resort in Tulum instead of the heart of downtown Bellevue.

The food menu features a long list of gourmet tacos, grilled meat and seafood, and specialty plates like duck carnitas for two, but it’s the drinks menu that really stands out. As a tequila lounge, Cantina Monarca has an extensive spirits list, plus plenty of creative cocktails. Ordering the margarita flight was the perfect solution to decision paralysis.

Cantina Monarca: 504 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Where to stay in Bellevue

Photo: Denae Mcgaha

Being so close to Seattle, it makes sense that Bellevue has a wide range of accommodation options, from hotel chains to boutique hotels and inns. For a wellness-centered stay, though, there’s one standout choice: Bellevue Club Hotel.

Downstairs is the Bellevue Club, a labyrinthine collection of everything you could need for an athletic outing: 250,000-plus square feet of pristine facilities, including tennis and pickleball courts, an Olympic-sized pool, a full gym, a spa and saunas, childcare facilities, and more.

It was easy to transition from the hotel’s group wellness classes (I tried Yin yoga, although the spin class was tempting, as well) back to relaxing in my room — after grabbing a recovery smoothie at the hotel’s cafe, The Market, of course. (The hotel also has two restaurants on site, Splash and Polaris, plus a lobby bar called Cosmos.) My spacious room featured a luscious king-sized bed that served as the perfect retreat after a workout in the hotel or a day spent adventuring around Bellevue.

Bellevue Club Hotel: 11200 SE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Getting to and around Bellevue

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Bellevue is a 20-minute drive from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), meaning any private transfer or rideshare can get you there in no time. As for getting around Bellevue, the city has created its own free public transportation: as part of Bellevue’s eco-friendly initiatives (the city has pledged to be carbon-neutral by 2050), you can get around town using the BellHop Rideshare. All you have to do to access this free, on-demand, and 100 percent electric rideshare is download the app. Depending on your destination, you can also hop on Line 2 of the low-cost Light Rail, which runs through downtown Bellevue.

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