The Bellevue Botanical Garden is an urban oasis nestled in the Wilburton neighborhood of Bellevue. When you step into the gardens, you will be revitalized by the vibrancy and lushness of the plants and greenery. One of the most popular attractions in Bellevue, over 300,000 visitors flock to see the stunning display of flowers, plants, and lights every year. The Bellevue Botanical Garden was designed with care to represent the abundance of the Pacific Northwest. The designers curated fifty-three acres of gardens, forests, wetlands, and meadows to showcase the plants that thrive best in this region, giving viewers a chance to see the lovely foliage in all its glory.
Bellevue Botanical Garden need to know information
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is an accessible and affordable activity for everyone to enjoy! The Bellevue Botanical Garden Society and the City of Bellevue have worked hard to ensure that our visitors enjoy the beauty of the garden.
Location & contact
Address: 12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: (425) 452-2750
Website: https://bellevuebotanical.org
Admission cost & hours of operation
There is no cost of admission to enter the Bellevue Botanical Gardens. Access is free and visitors are encouraged to explore all areas of the garden. Although, most educational programming and some events do require a fee.
The garden is open from dawn to dusk, daily.
The Visitor Center hours are Monday – Saturday, 9 am-4 pm
Pets & Accessibility
Many people ask, “are dogs allowed in the Bellevue Botanical Gardens?”. Only service animals are allowed in the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Dogs and other pets, which aren’t service animals, are not allowed at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.
The park has paved trails, accessible parking in the garden’s parking lot, and accessible restrooms located in the Administration Building and in the Shorts House.
What is there to see at the Bellevue Botanical Garden?
There is so much to do and see at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. There are eleven gardens and 2 hiking trails throughout the 53-acre property. There is a strong emphasis on learning in the garden, and there are educational programs, tours, and events that take place there. Here is a list of the gardens and trails:
| Fuchsia Garden | The Ravine Experience | Yao Garden |
| Spring Courtyard and Tapestry Hedge | Rhododendron Glen & the Waterwise Garden | Shorts Ground Cover Garden |
| Rock Garden and Iris Rain Garden | Perennial Border | Native Discovery Garden |
| Tateuchi Loop Trail | Lost Meadow Trail | The Urban Meadow |
Yao Garden
The Ravine experience is where visitors can walk across the famous 150-foot ravine suspension bridge. The ravine suspension bridge is one of Bellevue’s most popular and photographed places because of its stunning visuals. There is a 1/3-mile trail that leads to the suspension bridge, but it is well worth it; when you’re suspended in the trees, you’ll completely forget you’re in Washington’s 5th largest city.
The Ravine Experience
One of the most popular gardens and beloved photo spot, the Yao Garden is a tranquil escape. The garden offers an authentic Pacific Rim experience and serves as the bridge between Bellevue and Bellevue’s sister city Yao, Japan. The garden features Japanese Maples, Azaleas, rhododendrons, viburnums, Japanese lanterns, and a beautiful Japanese-style teahouse.
Garden Tours
If you’re feeling a little intimidated by all there is to see, you can schedule a docent-led tour through the Bellevue Botanical Garden from April through October. The tours last from 1-1.5 hours and are tailored to fit your interests. It’s recommended that you schedule the tours at least two weeks prior. The tours are free, but a $5 donation per person is strongly encouraged.
Trillium Store Gift Shop
The Bellevue Botanical Garden has a lovely gift shop called the Trillium Store. The store has excellent finds and is a destination in itself. There are seasonal gifts and garden-inspired delights. There is a wide range of fabulous items such as garden and nature books, concrete garden art, hand-blown glass, scarves, soaps and lotions, botanical-themed cards, and jewelry.
Copper Kettle Coffee Bar
The Copper Kettle Coffee Bar is the garden’s haven where you can savor a cup of coffee (or other delicious beverages) while you enjoy the spectacular views. The coffees brewed there are organic and free trade, and they offer baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and free Wi-Fi!
Events at the Botanical Garden
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is home to some truly incredible events that bring visitors from everywhere. If you love nature and creativity, these events are for you.
Arts in the Garden
August 26-28, 2022- Experience Garden art, music, and food while you stroll through the gardens and woodlands. A wide variety of 3-D art is on display and is available for purchase.
Garden d’Lights
One of the most beloved holiday activities in the region, the Garden d’Lights never ceases to amaze. The festive winter wonderland activity features millions of sparkling lights artistically crafted into whimsical displays of butterflies, birds, flowers, and plants. This year, Garden d’Lights 2022 will run from Saturday, November 26 –to Saturday, December 31, 2022.
