Bellevue, French for “beautiful view”, offers plenty of beautiful landscape. Located just three miles east of Seattle, it lies between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. Bellevue is also just miles from the Cascade Mountains foothills.

Bellevue’s downtown is most easily found by taking I-405 Exit 13A and going west 0.6 mi.

A little History

In 1869, William Meydenbauer and Aaron Mercer settled in Bellevue. Other settlers followed and by 1890 Bellevue was an established logging and berry farming community. The Lake Washington Ship Canal opened in 1917 giving access to Puget Sound and bringing more business to the area including the American Pacific Whaling Fleet. Bellevue really began to boom in the 1940’s after the floating bridge was constructed across Lake Washington. Soon Bellevue Square was built in the downtown area, and business continued to take over the farming community. The city was incorporated in 1953. It wasn’t long until the central business district filled with skyscrapers and corporate offices. Today Bellevue is a center for new technology and high-tech industries.

More about Bellevue.

Bellevue has a population of around 120,000 and has been one of the fastest growing cities in Washington State. Before the floating bridges were built Bellevue was a rather small surburban city because the access to Bellevue from Seattle was by ferry or the rather long trip around Lake Washington. Tthe floating bridges across Lake Washington brought Bellevue from a long to a short commute to downtown Seattle and the city began to boom.

In recent years Bellevue has again become a lodger commute to Seattle because of busy bridges at rush hour. What is even more interesting is that Bellevue has gone from a Seattle suburb to a destination city with a growing skyline of skyscrapers and a fast growing downtown bisiness area.

Recommended Attractions

Antiques
See listed antiques below
Gift Shops
See listed gift shops below
Attractions
Bellevue Square This upscale shopping center is known as the premier shopping mall of the Northwest. Bellevue Square has over 200 stores and restaurants. Located at NE 8^th St. and Bellevue Way NE. For more information visit their website: http://www.bellevuesquare.com/index.php	The Bellevue Botanical Gardens Beautifully maintained, 36-acres full of display gardens, woodlands, meadows and wetlands. Special features include a Japanese Garden honoring the Yao, Bellevue sister city in Japan, an Alpine Rock Garden and a Waterwise Garden. 12001 Main St in Wilburton Hill Park (425)452-2750 http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/index.html
Museums
Bellevue Art Museum The Bellevue Art Museum is now located across the street from Bellevue Square in it’s own building designed by famous architect Steve Holl. The changing exhibits usually feature regional artists. The Museum also offers performances, workshops and classes. Its mission is to be the Northwest’s center for the fine art of craft and design 510 Bellevue Way (425)519-0770 http://www.bellevueart.org/	Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art This one of a kind museum features over 1,200 dolls and other childhood memorabilia like teddy bears, toys, dollhouses, and miniatures. They teach the history and artistry of dolls. 1116 108th Ave. N.E. Bellevue, WA 98004 Phone: (425) 455-1116 http://www.dollart.com/
Kids Quest Children’s Museum Art, science and technology explorations for kids and their parents. 4091 Factoria Square Mall SE Bellevue, WA 98006 425-637-8100 http://www.kidsquestmuseum.org/
Parks & Gardens

Visitor Information
Bellevue Chamber of Commerce 10500 NE 8th St. #212 Bellevue, WA 98004 425-454-2464 Visit their web site. Bellevue Chamber -Tourism visitor information	City of Bellevue, Washington 450 110^th Avenue NE PO Box 90012 Bellevue, WA 98009 425-452-7228 http://www.bellevuewa.gov/

Listed Attractions

We have not necessarily visited nor recommend listed establishments

Antiques

Carol Rose Antiques – 425-450-9939

105 102^nd Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA 98004

JZ Rose – 425-452-5595 - http://www.jz-rose.com/

505 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004

Ming’s Asian Gallery – 425-462-4008

10217 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004

The Sophisticated Swine – 425-452-9300 - http://www.sophisticatedswine.com/

10230 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004

Art Galleries

Elements Gallery – 425-454-8242 - http://www.artguidenw.com/elements.htm

10500 NE 8^th Street #11, Bellevue, WA 98004

Martin Lawrence Galleries – 425-454-0222 - http://www.martinlawrence.com/index2.html

1023 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004

New Dimensions – 425-455-0607 - http://www.newdimensionsframe.com/

206 105^th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Gift Shops/ Specialty Shops

Arts West Unique Gifts – 425-746-0355 - http://www.artswestug.com/

3937 Factoria Mall SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

Common Folk Co. – 425-747-4100 - http://www.commonfolkco.com/

15622 NE 8^th Street Ste A-5, Bellevue, WA 98008

Fire Works Fine Crafts Gallery – 425-688-0933 - http://www.newdimensionsframe.com/

196 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004

Made in Washington – 425-454-6907 – http://www.madeinwashington.com/

190 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004

Golf

Bellevue Golf Course – 425-452-7250 - http://bellevuepgc.com/

5500 140^th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98005

Tam Oshanter Golf and Country Club (private) – 425-746-3855 – http://www.tamoshanter.net/

1313 183^rd Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98008

Museums

Parks/Gardens

Bellevue Botanical Gardens – 425-451-3755 – http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/

12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005

Quilting/Needlecrafts

Blockbutler Inc – 425-644-4242 – http://www.blockbutler.com/

1004 141^st Pl NE, Bellevue, WA 98007

Hilltop Yarn East – 425-452-1248 – http://www.hilltopyarneast.com/

10635 NE 8^th Street #104, Bellevue, WA 98004

Pacific Fabrics & Crafts – 425-747-3551

1645 140^th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005

Quilt Works Northwest – 425-453-6005 – http://www.quiltworksnw.com/

121A 107^th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Three Purls Knitwear – 425-443-6925 – http://www.purlstitchdesigns.com/

4947 163^rd Pl SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

Scrapbooking/Crafts

Bee’s Knees Scrapbooks – 425-614-2518 - Visit the web site

15100 SE 38^th Street, Bellevue, WA 98006

Crafty Touch – 425-941-9309

215 129^th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005

Paper Zone – 425-865-0950 - http://www.paperzone.com/

14330 NE 20^th Street, Bellevue, WA 98007

Theatres/Performing Arts

AMC Loews Factoria 8 – 425-641-3461 - http://www.amctheatres.com/

3505 Factoria Boulevard SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

Crossroads Cinema – 425-562-7230

1200 156^th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98007

Lincoln Square – 425-450-9100 - http://www.lincolnsquarecinemas.com/

700 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Tours/Charters

Wine/Spirits

George’s Wine Shoppe – 425-644-7723 - http://www.georgeswineshoppe.com/AboutUs.php

521 156^th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA 98007

LaCantina Wine Merchants – 425-455-4363 - http://www.lacantinawine.com/

826 102^nd Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Pete’s Wines Eastside – 425-454-1100 – http://www.peteswineshop.com/

134 105^th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Vino 100 Bellevue – 425-453-7881 – http://www.vino100bellevue.com/

700 Bellevue Way NE #110, Bellevue, WA 98004

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