The Best Parks in Bellevue

Bellevue has more park land per resident than any other major Washington city, and almost none of it is the postcard-famous kind. That's a feature. Here are the parks we send visitors to first.

Downtown Park — for the loop

The half-mile crushed-granite promenade around Downtown Park is the city's living room. Go at 5:30pm on a clear evening and you'll see strollers, dog walkers, tower-residents on a break, and high schoolers learning to skateboard on the lawn.

Bellevue Botanical Garden — for the slow walk

Free year-round, world-class in spring rhododendron season, and the Garden d'Lights display in December is a genuine event. Bring a friend who likes to look at plants for slightly too long.

Mercer Slough — for the canoe

A 320-acre wetland in the middle of the city. The Visitor Center loans paddles in summer; the boardwalk is open year-round. Best at low evening light when the herons come out.

Kelsey Creek Farm — for the kids

Real working farm with sheep, goats, ponies, and a barn. Free, open daily, parking fills by 10am on summer Saturdays.

Wilburton Hill Park — for the trees

Connects to the Bellevue Botanical Garden via a forest trail most people miss. Big leaf maples, soft duff underfoot, no crowds.

Meydenbauer Beach Park — for the swim

Small, sheltered cove on Lake Washington with a lifeguarded swim area in summer and the city's best dock for a sit.

Newcastle Beach Park — for the lake day

Bigger than Meydenbauer, with a real beach, a long pier, and grills. The right park for a full Saturday with a cooler.

A weekend stack

One easy weekend route: coffee at a downtown café, a Downtown Park loop, lunch in Old Bellevue, a long afternoon at the Botanical Garden, dinner in Bel-Red.

Browse every Bellevue park in our directory.