Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue Botanical Garden is one of those places Eastside families take for granted because it's free, convenient, and always there — right up until out-of-town guests visit and immediately ask why they don't come here every week.

The garden covers 53 acres with a mix of curated themed areas — Japanese maple grove, perennial border, waterwise garden — connected by wide, paved paths that are fully stroller-friendly. The plant collection is genuinely impressive for a free municipal garden, with the rhododendron display in spring being particularly dramatic.

But for kids, there's one attraction that eclipses everything else: the suspension bridge. It spans a ravine in the eastern section of the garden, it sways noticeably when you walk, and every single child who crosses it immediately begins testing exactly how much they can make it sway. My 8-year-old has crossed it 40+ times across many visits and hasn't gotten bored yet.

The Lost Meadow Trail, accessible from the garden, adds a wilder hiking element that works for older kids and families who want more than a garden stroll. It's a 0.5-mile loop through native plant areas that feels distinctly different from the manicured garden sections.

The Garden d'Lights holiday festival (late November through January) transforms the garden into a light display with over 3 million lights in sculptural plant forms. It runs evenings only and has a nominal admission fee ($5-8). It's legitimately magical and one of the best winter family activities on the Eastside.

Practical notes: dogs are not allowed inside the garden. Parking is in the Main St garage (paid) or free on adjacent streets. No food on-site — bring a picnic or grab something from downtown Bellevue beforehand.