Discover Why Bellevue, Washington, is the Ideal Family Destination

If you think a trip to the Pacific Northwest means a visit to Seattle, you’ll miss out on one of the best-kept secrets in Washington. Bellevue, Seattle’s neighbor ( a quick trip across the bridge over Lake Washington), may not be the first city that comes to mind when you plan a trip to Washington, but for families of all kinds, it certainly should be.

Bellevue embodies the spirit of the Pacific Northwest alongside the sophisticated tech community that has been quietly growing there for decades. But unlike its neighbor, Seattle, known as much for its music scene and coffee culture as its iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, Bellevue offers a different take on the region — one that makes it perfect for families.

© Eugenia Lazaris

The city prides itself on safety and cleanliness, and despite the massive number of employees working every day at companies like Amazon and T-Mobile, the streets are calm and easy to maneuver, whether driving, cycling or walking. There is also no end to things to do in town, from shopping the many stores of Bellevue Collection to taking in some art and culture at Bellevue Arts Museum to kayaking or taking a boat tour on Lake Washington. The lake is the perfect place to take in beautiful views of both Bellevue and Seattle while you check out some of the most expensive lakefront properties in the state.

One of the best perks you’ll find in Bellevue is the city’s complimentary BellHop transportation service. Sponsored by local companies like Amazon and Circuit in partnership with Visit Bellevue, this on-demand shuttle service operates daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on most days, with the exception of Friday and Saturday, when you can catch a ride anytime between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.  The vehicles are 100 percent electric and operate free of charge within a 6-mile radius, which covers all the best places to visit in the city. You’ll be able to get to KidsQuest Children’s Museum; Bellevue Downtown Park, where you can enjoy the wide-open space or one of the city’s many festivals and special events; and beautiful Bellevue Botanical Gardens, which also happens to be free to visit!

All you have to do to use the service is download the Circuit app and request a ride within the service area. Expect to wait up to 10 minutes for your ride, but you’ll appreciate the courtesy and savings.