Bellevue, Washington, has evolved from Seattle’s refined Eastside neighbor into a vibrant destination with its own pulse. In 2024, the city welcomed 2.2 million overnight visitors and generated $1.9 billion in economic impact, its strongest tourism year to date. Once known as a business hub for tech giants, Bellevue is now a perfectly placed urban escape tucked between the water and the mountains, where access to nature meets stylish city energy. With brand-new hotels, enhanced transportation options, more than 80 new restaurants, and exciting new excursions and tours, Bellevue is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing vacation destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
New in Town: Fresh Experiences for All to Enjoy
Downtown Bellevue has become a hub for dining, entertainment, shopping, and the arts, with a wave of exciting new openings as proof. Cruise Lake Washington on the newly launched Bellevue Lake Cruises, paddle from the sparkling Meydenbauer Bay Park & Boathouse’s recently completed outdoor recreation area, or test your skills at the first-of-its-kind Mirra VR Gaming Pub. Sip local pours at the just-opened Browne Family Vineyards tasting room in the charming ‘Old Bellevue’ district, grab a pint at the city’s first Bellevue Brewing Company, or spend the day exploring the shops and public art installations throughout the city center. Beyond downtown, Bellevue offers easy access to Seattle’s top attractions and nearby mountain towns like Issaquah and Snoqualmie — ideal for day trips, waterfalls, and hiking. The city is also proudly inclusive and accessible: the recently completed Bellevue Adventures Park offers an ADA accessible zipline and challenge course, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden features wheelchair-friendly trails and sensory-friendly programming. Summer lights up with festivals and outdoor events, from the return of the Marymoor Live outdoor concerts series and Downtown Movies in the Park, to the Bellevue Arts Festival weekend, and PRIDE events like the annual Paws & Pride parade.
Raising the Bar: Bellevue’s Hotel Scene Heats Up
In December 2024, Bellevue welcomed the first InterContinental Hotel in the Pacific Northwest, ushering in a new level of sophistication in the city’s hospitality scene. Looking ahead, the momentum continues with the highly anticipated opening of the SOMM Hotel & Spa, an Autograph Collection property set to debut in Summer 2025 in Woodinville Wine Country — famously known as the gateway to Washington wine country with over 130 wineries, located just 12 miles from Downtown Bellevue. These openings mark the latest evolution in Bellevue’s transformation from a business travel hub into a leisure destination offering a dynamic range of lifestyle-focused accommodations. Today, visitors have ample options to choose from, including the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, The Westin Bellevue, and W Bellevue - all three connected by skybridges within the iconic Bellevue Collection shopping and entertainment district, plus an AC Hotel in the heart of downtown and the iconic Bellevue Club Hotel for wellness escapes.
Bellevue Bites Back: New Culinary Capital
Bellevue is quickly earning its place on the national food map, transforming into a true culinary capital of the Pacific Northwest. With 81 new restaurants opened in less than five years, the city is a magnet for culinary talent and elevated dining experiences. In just the half mile that makes up Bellevue’s Downtown, you can find five James Beard luminaries, like Jun Takai, Jason Wilson, John Howie, and Kaoru Chang, who are elevating the scene with everything from refined omakase to inventive Japanese-Italian fusion. Michelin-recognized Jiang Nan Restaurant at The Shops at The Braven adds even more polish, while Top Chef winner and Bellevue’s culinary ambassador, Shota Nakajima, and the newly launched Bites of Bellevue walking food tours, voted one of the top 10 walking food tours in the country, bring fresh energy and creativity to the table with immersive dining moments. Beyond fine dining, Bellevue is a ‘majority minority’ city where more than 50 languages are spoken. The city celebrates its global roots through a tapestry of international cuisine, from the Crossroads district’s 30+ multicultural eateries to Banaras, an Indian restaurant highlighting cuisine from the ancient city of Varanasi and recently named the No. 3 Best New Restaurant in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. Wine lovers are equally at home here, thanks to award-winning programs at Bis on Main, Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi - offering the best views in the city from its jaw-dropping dining room on the 31st floor, and Daniel’s Broiler - all esteemed winners of the Wine Spectator ‘Best Of’ Award.
Seamless and Sustainable: New Transportation Options and Carbon Free by 2040 Plan
Exploring Bellevue is now smoother, sleeker, and greener than ever. In early 2025, the city supercharged the BellHop — its free, all-electric, on-demand rideshare service — with stylish new EV Kias and a broader reach, making it even easier to zip around town sustainably. Prefer two wheels? Hop on The BikeHop, Bellevue’s free e-bike rental program, or take to the water on the new zero-emission Bellevue Lake Cruises. Getting here is just as easy thanks to the city’s flat-rate Bellevue Airport Shuttle from SEA Airport. And soon, the highly anticipated East Link Light Rail will connect Downtown Bellevue to Seattle and the airport in a matter of minutes — no car (or carbon guilt) required. These forward-thinking upgrades reflect the growing demand for conscious travel and highlight Bellevue’s bold goal to go fully carbon-free by 2040.
With its craveable experiences, inclusive spirit, and unbeatable access to nature, Bellevue is the perfect basecamp for travelers seeking style, serenity, and a warm welcome in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. For more information and to stay up to date on the latest news, please visit: www.visitbellevuewa.com.
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About Visit Bellevue:
Visit Bellevue Washington (VBW) is Bellevue’s official Destination Management Organization (DMMO), representing the city’s hotels, the Meydenbauer Convention Center, and the Bellevue hospitality community, and is funded by the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). A safe, walkable, and easily accessible city, Bellevue provides a vibrant fusion of welcoming hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, lively culture, outdoor recreation, and world-class shopping. Surrounded by pristine natural beauty with big-city amenities, Bellevue offers a wide variety of entertainment experiences and is home to innovative global corporations. Follow Visit Bellevue on social media @visitbellevue and join the conversation.
Media Contact: Diamond PR
