Imagine yourself surrounded by towering trees, lush greenery, and the feeling of a soft breeze caressing your face. Wonderful, right? But this scenario can be hard to imagine when you live in an urban with skyscrapers all around. If you’re looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of LA or another California metro area, you may want to set your sights on Bellevue. Despite its economic prowess as a business hub, it still offers abundant hiking trails, golf courses, chill campsites, and other outdoor fun you’re looking for. And you’re planning to call it your home, here are the most enjoyable activities you should look forward to!
Take the Bellevue Zip Tour
Ziplines are not for the faint of heart. But if it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, this is your chance. The tour takes you high up over 80 feet and launches you at speeds of 35 mph over some of Bellevue’s most spectacular sceneries, such as Mt. Baker and Douglas fir forests. Not only that, but you also get to tread two short hikes and across several bridges to get to the release zone. Offering an unforgettable experience, it’s no wonder why this trip tops this list.
Explore Mercer Slough Nature Park
Ready for a unique adventure? Visit and tour 320 acres of the Mercer Slough Nature Park. With almost eight miles of trail, you’ll discover plenty of things as the place is home to more than 200 bird species, deer, beavers, snakes, and lots of fish. In addition to diverse wildlife, there’s also a nature center with dozens of interesting exhibits. You’re wrong to think that walking and sightseeing are all there is to Mercer Slough. Visitors can also rent small canoes to brave the two-mile-long water trail. But if you just want to chill, the place offers plenty of shades to enjoy a picnic with your family.
Paddle at Lake Sammamish
If you find the water trail at Mercer Slough a bit underwhelming for your taste, you should head over to Lake Sammamish. This big puddle offers various activities to get your blood rushing and make you feel young again. Feeling adventurous? Try kayaking out on the lake. It’s usually best to paddle during sunset when it’s not too hot, and the parting rays of sunshine paint an indelible memory across the Washington sky! Don’t trust the idea of braving deep waters? You could always enjoy sunbathing or fishing on the lake’s clear shores.
Go on a Trip with the Cascade Trekking Company
If you’re new to the hiking scene, you might want the Cascade Trekking Company to guide you. This group of mountaineering experts offers private bag packing trips through some of Bellevue’s breathtaking trails. They also teach you survival basics along the journey, so it’s a great way to pick up new skills. See, hiking in the mountains with fresh air and being immersed in nature is a unique way to experience nature at an intimate level. But of course, prepare your knees, and entire body as the hike requires high physical strength, endurance, and courage.
Visit Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm
Too tired to climb mountains? Too busy to learn kayaking? Too scared to ride a zipline? No worries! This farm at Larsen Lake provides a relaxing opportunity without compromising your definition of a fun day. When it’s fruit picking season, the owners will provide you with a bucket, and you can collect and feast on some of the best blueberries raised in the entire Pacific Northwest! Everything sold here is fresh untouched by GMOs. With so much greenery, the atmosphere is very relaxed so that you can enjoy your snacks in peace.
Explore the Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Nothing’s more invigorating than the sight of different shades of flowers and plants. And this is the reason why you must pay a visit to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens during your free time. The area spans over 36 acres of land filled with diverse flora, from daises to fuchsias to foxgloves. You can also go on a guided tour around the grounds and learn more about the history of plants. It’s not really the most intense way to have fun, but it’s undoubtedly one of the best methods to take your mind off the stress at work.
Moving to Bellevue
Bellevue might just be Washington’s greatest city after Seattle. There’s no shortage of activities, and all the attractions don’t disappoint. However, just like the Emerald City, things can get quite expensive here.
If it’s not within your means to enjoy Bellevue because of financial constraints, you might want to consider Everett. It’s a modest city located 30 minutes up north. The best things about living in Everett WA include affordable housing, lots of job opportunities, and of course, still maintaining access to most things discussed above.