When I moved to Washington to work at Amazon in 2024, I actually lived in Bellevue. Most people don’t even know Bellevue exists until they work for a tech company out here. It’s like Seattle’s little-known sibling — cleaner, safer, way more polished.
Bellevue is essentially a residential and office building hub. Every major tech company has a heavy presence here — Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook etc. It’s where people with families prefer to live over Seattle. The streets are pristine, there’s barely any drug or homelessness problems, and honestly a completely different vibe compared to just across Lake Washington.
But here’s what’s changed since I lived here — the light rail now connects Bellevue directly to Seattle in 2026. This is HUGE. Before, you had to drive or take a bus across the I-90 floating bridge, which could be a pain during rush hour (>1 hour). Now Bellevue is becoming way more competitive as a base for visiting the Seattle area. You should seriously consider staying here instead of downtown Seattle and hop on the lightrail for a ~15-30 mins ride to Seattle instead. Check out my Seattle guide for what to do once you get there.
Here’s a Google Maps of the locations mentioned in this post:
Is Bellevue Worth Visiting?
It is worth spending a day in Bellevue at maximum or using it as a base for you to visit Seattle. The Seattlites will say Bellevue is very artificial and boring, which I can see why, however there are some hidden spots I think are genuinely worth a trip down if you want to escape from the chaos in Downtown Seattle.
- Families looking for a safer, cleaner environment than downtown Seattle
- People who prefer modern, polished environments over urban grit
- Budget-conscious travelers who want better value hotels than Seattle (sometimes)
That said, if you’re looking for nightlife, music venues, Pike Place Market vibes, or that classic Pacific Northwest grunge aesthetic — yeah, you’ll want to spend your time in Seattle instead. Bellevue is more about beautiful residential neighborhoods, modern malls, and that corporate tech hub energy.
When to Visit Bellevue, Washington, and How Many Days Should You Spend Here
The best time to visit Bellevue is summer (June through September). The weather is gorgeous — sunny, not too hot, perfect for walking around the waterfront. Plus, the Pacific Northwest is famous for its long summer days, so you get these amazing golden hour sunsets that stretch forever.
If you visit in any of the other months — the weather can be foggy, rainy, and downright dramatic year-round. It’s moody as hell but can be pretty beautiful if you’re into that atmospheric vibe. Also winter can be gray and drizzly, but if you don’t mind that (and honestly, it’s part of the PNW charm), you’ll find way fewer tourists.
- 1 day is enough for your to checkout Seattle’s little sibling.
Again, I’d honestly recommend staying in Bellevue for at least a few nights and using it as your base if you visit this region. The hotels are often nicer and sometimes cheaper than Seattle, and now that you can hop on the light rail, it’s super convenient.
How to Get Around Bellevue
Getting around Bellevue is honestly pretty straightforward, since its a small town, especially if you stick to the downtown core. Just walk around (totally doable) or call an uber. If you opt to drive to Seattle, you can enjoy the beautiful views on the I-90 floating bridge that connects Bellevue to Seattle. It is actually super scenic — you’re driving across Lake Washington with mountain views on both sides. It’s one of those routes where even your daily commute feels a bit special.
Downtown Bellevue is super walkable. All the malls — Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place, Lincoln Square — are basically connected, and there are tons of restaurants and bars within walking distance. I used to walk from my apartment to the office, grab lunch at one of the malls, and explore the area on foot without any issues.
That said, if you want to explore places like Meydenbauer Bay or the residential neighborhoods, having a car is useful.
Top Things to Do in Bellevue
Meydenbauer Bay - The Best Nature Spot
Okay, let me just say this upfront — Meydenbauer Bay is hands down the best place in Bellevue. The waterfront is absolutely beautiful, and you can really marvel at what tech money can buy. We’re talking luxury yachts, stunning waterfront homes, and some seriously impressive real estate.
The boardwalk is perfect for a sunset walk. The views of Lake Washington, the sailboats, the dramatic Pacific Northwest skies — it’s all incredibly scenic. Always my top-pick in Bellevue. The atmosphere is peaceful, family-friendly, and just… polished. Very Bellevue.
There’s also Meydenbauer Bay Park right there, which has a playground and green lawns if you’re traveling with kids. Talk about the tech dream life!
Pro tip: Visit during golden hour or sunset. The light hitting the water with those moody Pacific Northwest clouds? Chef’s kiss.
Downtown Bellevue - Modern Polished Malls and Restaurants
Downtown Bellevue is where you’ll spend most of your time if you’re staying in the area. It’s anchored by several massive malls — Bellevue Square being the main one. We’re talking high-end retailers, dramatic architecture, and some seriously impressive skylights.
Bellevue Square has this vaulted skylight ceiling that’s genuinely impressive — way more architectural than your average mall. It’s worth walking through just to see how polished everything is compared to Seattle.
What I appreciate about Downtown Bellevue is that it’s clean and safe compared to Seattle’s. There are also tons of restaurants and bars scattered throughout the area. It’s not as diverse or gritty as Seattle’s food scene, but you’ll find plenty of solid options, from upscale dining to casual spots.
Skyrise Amazon Office Buildings - Snap a Photo at the Top Floor
Okay, so this one comes with a caveat — you need someone who works at Amazon to escort you up. But if you know someone, visiting one of the skyrise office buildings like Amazon Sonic is absolutely worth it. This is where I used to work, and let me tell you, the views from the top floor are INSANE.
You get panoramic views of Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains, and the Seattle skyline all at once. On a clear day, you can see Mount Rainier in the distance, which is just… wow. The building itself is super modern and well-designed, with tons of natural light and collaborative spaces.
There’s also a coffee shop on one of the upper floors with mountain views through massive floor-to-ceiling windows. I used to grab coffee there and just stare at the mountains while pretending to be productive. My guess is that everyone on this floor was pretending to be working.
Clyde Hill Residential Neighborhood - Take an Evening Stroll
One of my favorite things to do in Bellevue was taking a run or evening stroll through the Clyde Hill residential neighborhood. This is where you really get to see the Bellevue skyline from a different perspective. Also this is like a rich residential area, motivated me to work hard.
This is the kind of neighborhood that makes you understand why people with families choose Bellevue over Seattle. At night, the downtown skyline lights up in the distance, and the contrast between the peaceful residential area and the glowing high-rises is really striking.
It was pretty safe to run around this area and no one was stopping me so, if you have the chance, do it.
Top Restaurants to Eat in Bellevue
Red Dogg Bellevue - Auto Beer Dispenser
Okay, so Red Dogg is was just beside my apartment in Bellevue when I was living there. They have this self-service beer dispenser system where you get a card, pour your own beer from many choices, and get charged based on exactly how much you drink. It’s such a unique experience — you can sample different beers without committing to a full pint.
The vibe inside is modern and casual, with playful neon signage like “Let’s Make Pour Decisions” — very Instagram-friendly. The food is pretty solid, bar food like pizza and burgers. But this was one of the spots I visited a lot.
BurgerMaster
BurgerMaster is a Bellevue institution — a classic drive-in restaurant that’s been around forever. It’s one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to mid-century America, especially when you visit at twilight and the whole place is lit up.
The burgers are good — nothing fancy, just honest American drive-in food done right. But what makes BurgerMaster special is the atmosphere. You can eat in your car - which is quite unique to US, cannot be found in Singapore. It’s especially atmospheric at dusk when the neon signs light up.
Broiler Bay Burgers - No Frills Delicious Burgers
If you want a no-frills, straightforward burger experience, Broiler Bay is your spot. This is a classic charbroiled hamburger joint located in one of Bellevue’s older commercial districts — nothing fancy, just quality burgers done the old-fashioned way.
I used to come here more than I like to admit because it was close to my office and the burgers were a good deal (something like $10). It was very no-frills with lots of high-schoolers grabbing lunch here.
Final Thoughts
Bellevue is the polished, safer alternative to Seattle that most people don’t even consider visiting. I get it, it really is more of a upscale residential town than Seattle. However it does have good range of things to do, such as Lucky Strike, a bowling alley in Bellevue Square.
If you have a day to spend, make a day trip over to Bellevue from Seattle via the Lightrail. Or just stay in Bellevue and travel to Seattle instead. It’s perfect for families and anyone who wants a more relaxed Pacific Northwest experience without sacrificing convenience. Plus, the food scene is better than people think.
Bellevue is its own thing — clean, modern, and unapologetically corporate. And honestly? Sometimes that’s kinda cool.