The beautiful views of Bellevue
The city's name, Bellevue, comes from the French phrase for "beautiful view", and when you arrive, you'll see why. It's often thought of as a large suburb of Seattle due to its proximity, but it's distinctly different. Awash with lively neighborhoods, magnificent outdoor space, high end shopping and dining and a wealth of cultural attractions, Bellevue really does have it all. Quench your thirst for adventure in the picturesque mountains during the day and then return to your comfortable Bellevue vacation rental and the nightlife of the city in the evening.
An exciting cultural scene in Bellevue
Bellevue's got a thriving art scene, with countless galleries, public sculptures, and theater productions. The best introduction is at the Bellevue Arts Museum, which brings together extraordinary work from local and international artists. None of the Bellevue vacation rentals are far from the intimate Meydenbauer Center whose theater hosts year-round productions of dance and musicals. The art scene is hard to miss, with over 100 public pieces of work dotting the downtown landscape. Music lovers should visit the Resonance at Soma Towers which feature jazz, classical and bluegrass musicians every month.
Kayak one day, ski the next
There are few places in the world that offer such a range of outdoor activities. From your Bellevue vacation rental, you've got the great outdoors right at your doorstep. You can jump on kayaks to glide down through the rivers one day and clip on your ski boots to race down the snowy pistes the next. If you love to cycle, no problem. You'll find a ton of mountain biking trails nearby to challenge even the most experienced of bikers. For something a little tamer, take a walk through the sweeping acres of Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Book a Bellevue vacation rental any time of year
Though summer marks the high season in the city, it's not always the best time to visit. With a cooler temperature and fewer crowds packing the streets, spring and fall can be a wonderful time to visit. The temperature is still warm enough for hiking and kayaking and the famous North Pacific fall foliage bursts into color. Winters are typically cold and drizzly, but don't let this stop you staying in one of the Bellevue vacation rentals. You can spend your days exploring the museums and galleries and warm up at night at one of the excellent eateries.
Acres of pristine wilderness to explore
Just a short drive from your Bellevue vacation rental is the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which offers well over 3,000 acres of pristine wilderness park, with miles of hiking and equestrian trails to discover. The diverse habitats made up of meadows, forests and river supports a long list of wildlife species. Bird lovers will be particularly taken by the ruby-crowned kinglets, hairy woodpeckers and American robins, not to mention the sharp-shinned and red-tailed hawks. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your binoculars and head off with your guide to this spectacular destination.
Transportation to and around Bellevue
The nearest airport is in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), located 12.4 mi (20 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could also fly into Seattle, WA (LKE-Lake Union Seaplane Base), which is 6.5 mi (10.4 km) away.