Bellevue: 4 Days of Budget-Friendly Fun

City adventures on a budget in Bellevue.

21 June 2023

For those looking to experience the Seattle metropolitan area without breaking the bank, Bellevue offers a wide range of budget-friendly options. Start by exploring the Bellevue Botanical Garden and Kelsey Creek Farm, both admission-free attractions. For affordable food options, head to Crossroads Mall or the International District for diverse cuisine at affordable prices.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Exploring Downtown

Check into Hotel 116, a budget-friendly hotel close to downtown Bellevue.
Visit Bellevue Arts Museum, a contemporary art museum located in the heart of downtown.
Walk around Bellevue Downtown Park, a 21-acre park with green space and a manmade waterfall.
Check out Bellevue Square, a shopping mall with high-end stores and restaurants.
Eat dinner at Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar, a seafood restaurant with a modern atmosphere.

Day 2

Lake Washington Adventure

Drive to Lake Washington and rent a paddleboard or kayak from Northwest Paddle Surfers for a scenic workout.
Have a picnic lunch at Newcastle Beach Park, a public park on the lake with swimming areas.
Visit Mercer Slough Nature Park, a 320-acre wetland park with hiking trails and wildlife viewing.
Take a tour of the Bellevue Brewing Company and taste some of their small-batch brews.
Head back to downtown for dinner at Lot No. 3, a gastropub with an extensive whiskey list.

Day 3

Art and Culture

Visit the Bellevue Botanical Garden, a serene 53-acre garden with nature trails and floral displays.
Check out the Meydenbauer Center, a state-of-the-art conference and event center with rotating exhibits.
Tour the KidsQuest Children's Museum, a hands-on learning experience for kids with exhibits focused on science, technology, and art.
Eat lunch at Din Tai Fung, a famous Taiwanese chain with dumplings and noodle dishes.
End the day at the Village Theatre, a professional theatre with performances ranging from Broadway-style musicals to contemporary plays.

Day 4

Lake Sammamish State Park

Drive to Lake Sammamish State Park, a 512-acre park with swimming, wildlife viewing, and picnic areas.
Hike the East Lake Sammamish Trail, a 11-mile trail that connects the park to other nearby parks and communities.
Rent a bicycle from Gregg's Cycles and explore the park's bike trails.
Eat lunch at Sunset Alehouse, a casual pub with classic American dishes and local beers on tap.
Head back to Hotel 116 for a rest before departing.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Bellevue by plane is to fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and take a taxi or rental car to Bellevue.

Car

Driving is a convenient way to get to Bellevue, as there are major highways connecting the city to other parts of the region. From Seattle, take Interstate 90 East to reach Bellevue.

Train

Unfortunately, there is no train station in Bellevue so traveling by train is not an option.

Boat

While there is no direct way to get to Bellevue by boat, there are a few options available. One can take a ferry to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton and then drive to Bellevue or rent a boat and dock it at one of the area marinas before driving or taking a taxi to Bellevue.

Bus

Taking a Greyhound bus to Seattle and then transferring to a local bus or taking a taxi or rental car to Bellevue is the best way to get there by bus.