Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Bellevue

"As the iconic tower that defines Seattle’s skyline, the Space Needle (*400 Broad St; spaceneedle.com) is a go-to for world-class views—all the more so since a stunning renovation in summer 2018. Experience the sensation of floating above the city on the open-air observation deck, and dare to look down through the rotating glass floor on the lower deck. Steel your nerve for altitude adjustment at Atmos, the Space Needle’s glass-floor wine bar in the sky."

"Experience one of the top Seattle family attractions by taking an elevator up 605 feet to enjoy the incredible view. Hot of an extensive renovation, visitors can also now experience the world’s first rotating glass floor!. On a recent visit with 5 children (not all mine), we found that the kids all especially enjoyed the interactive touch screen activities."

"Another view in Seattle that’s hard to top is the one from Sky City—the rotating restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. Sure, it’s got a slightly touristy twinge to it, but where else are you going to get a complete 360-degree view of the city, lakes and Puget Sound?"

"The Olympic Sculpture Park is free and open to the public year-round, positioned at the edge of Elliott Bay. Some of its more remarkable sculptures are the Eye Benches and a glass bridge titled Seattle Cloud Cover. Many Seattle residents and tourists come to the park to wander the day away and photograph or admire the installations."

"The serene park is also a top destination for photography in Seattle. Apart from providing lovely greenscapes with sculptures in the background, the view of Elliot Bay and Puget Sound is stunning from here. You can also see Mount Rainier beyond the Puget Sound in clear weather."

"The Olympic Sculpture Park encompasses nine acres near the downtown waterfront. It's one of the largest green spaces in the downtown vicinity, and several eye-catching sculptures adorn the area. The Seattle Art Museum, a mile to the south, administers the park."

"Hard to beat on a sunny spring day, this former military installation has been transformed into a wild coastal park, laced with walking trails and offering glimpses of the Olympic mountains across the water. Discovery Park wasn’t inaugurated until 1973 and the American military only left the area in 2012. It's the largest green space in the city, with 534 acres of forest, meadows, sand dunes and beaches, providing a welcome escape for locals and a vital corridor for wildlife."

"Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest city park with 534 acres of forests, meadows, sand dunes, and beaches. Located around 5 miles from downtown, it’s a tranquil space to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and admire magnificent views of Puget Sound, as well as the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges. Explore 9 miles of walking trails, admire art at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, and keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles fishing along the water."

"If you want a little bit of everything in a day spent at the beach then you should head to Discovery Park. This park has it all, hiking, beaches, and a whole lot more. Plus its one of the best beaches on the sound and the lighthouse is pretty dang cool."

"Army Corps of Engineers, the busiest set of locks in the United States allows water traffic to travel between the tidal waters Puget Sound and the Lake Washington Ship Canal. This waterway passes through Seattle’s inland freshwater lakes, via Lake Washington, Portage Bay, Lake Union and Salmon Bay, where it meets Puget Sound. The locks have permanently changed Seattle, lowering the water level on Lake Washington and Lake Union by 2.7 metres, giving rise to many miles of new land on the lakefronts."

"Seattle shimmers like an impressionist painting on sunny days at the Hiram M Chittenden Locks. Here, the fresh waters of Lake Washington and Lake Union drop 22ft into saltwater Puget Sound. You can stand inches..."

"There's no doubt—there's something intriguing and eerie about seeing two bodies of water, right next to each, at different levels."

"This little park at the northern edge of West Seattle offers clear views of the downtown skyline over Elliott Bay. A post shared by Amanda Rasch (@amanda_rasch) on May 20, 2018 at 2:47pm PDT"

"To get downtown from Belltown, hop on a southbound Route 1, 2, 3, or 4 bus from the intersection of 3rd Ave. and Vine St. Exit at 3rd Ave. and Union St. Day 2: South Lake Union and Ballard"

"Outside Quality Athletics in Pioneer Square is sort of a fast-casual hub of sorts, with this smash burger-focused spot joining forces with popular fried chicken purveyor Cookie’s Country Chicken and the pizza pop-up Trophy. The burgers here are no-frills, but well crafted (and cost less than $5). Open for takeout and limited onsite seating."

"Guy at counter was very pleasant and very good customer service!!. He sold me two dozen doughnuts one box for my mom and kids the other for me and my clie..."

"45th St. (between North Meridian and North Burke avenues), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the sushi bar, Japanese and Mexican spot four stars out of 301 reviews."

"Ask any Seattleite where the best vegan Indian eats are and, if they can provide an answer, they'll point you toward Chutneys Queen Anne. Imagine your favorite local Indian restaur..."

"Three examples: they give 1 percent of their sales away to charities, they host culinary classes for Seattle Public Schools, and they buy the cookies they use to make their Scout Mint ice cream directly from local girl scouts. The menu includes both standard and unorthodox flavors (Earl Grey, anyone?), and 90 percent of the ingredients come from the Pacific Northwest. There are non-dairy options."

"With eight locations in the Seattle area, Molly Moon’s is a popular, local stop. Sustainably minded, they keep things local by partnering with nearby farmers and producers. Not only are 90% of their ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, but everything in their shop is 100% compostable."

"Tango serves up Tapas and Spanish meals, but be sure to save room for dessert from Molly Moon’s Ice Cream. Molly Moon’s hosts 4 locations around the greater Seattle area."

"The Fremont Troll is a huge art sculpture set (rather creepily) beneath the Aurora Bridge in Seattle's hip and trendy Fremont neighborhood. A sprawling and unique piece inspired by "Three Billy Goats Gruff," a Scandinavian tale, this strange-looking attraction has been the subject of many photographs. After some point-and-shoot beneath the bridge, stroll the nearby streets of Fremont to glimpse at its brimming coffee houses, vintage stores, antique shops, pubs and fashion boutiques."

"In 1990 the Fremont Arts Council commissioned a piece of public art for space below the north end of the George Washington Memorial Bridge, as it had become a haunt for antisocial activity. Their pick, by a team of four local artists, was the Fremont Troll, a now iconic sculpture, 5.5 metres tall and composed of 6 tons of reinforced concrete. As a witty touch the troll holds an actual Volkswagen Beetle in its left hand, as if it has just snatched it from the road."