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The long days of summer have finally arrived. Bellevue, Washington is ready for the season with some of the best outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Whatever your idea of summer fun is, you’ll find it here. If you’re hanging out with friends, co-workers or just looking for some good family friendly activities, you’ll love being in our big, beautiful backyard.
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Do you enjoy street fairs and festivals? Crazy about outdoor music? There are some events taking place this summer that you just can’t miss, like the annual Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend!
One of the Pacific Northwest’s largest and most celebrated festivals of its kind – Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend takes place in downtown Bellevue the last weekend of July each year.
And the Arts Fair Weekend is just one example of Bellevue’s outdoor festivals and fun. Be sure and check out the Bellevue Strawberry Festival Saturday to Sunday, June 24 -25th, with free outdoor music and activities for the kids. If you’re here over the 4th of July, Bellevue Family Fourth, offers a full day of activities, music, food and a spectacular fireworks display in the newly renovated Bellevue Downtown Park. Live at Lunch outdoor music and entertainment, will have you tapping your feet while enjoying some delicious food truck fare over the lunch hour. Vintage Sale and Arts in the Garden at Bellevue Botanical Garden is a great way to shop for some beautiful vintage pieces and other gorgeous art while wandering the spectacular gardens. All proceeds benefit the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society’s (BBGS) educational programs for children and adults.
And a Bellevue summer isn’t complete without a trip to Bellevue Farmer’s Market. Enjoy the fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade pastries,food trucks and live music throughout the summer and well into fall. If you can’t make the Bellevue Farmer’s Market on a Thursday, the Crossroads Bellevue Farmer’s Market is another great spot to shop from local farmers, growers and makers on Tuesdays during the summer months.
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Love the water? You’ve come to the right place. Jump in, cool off and discover all there is to do at our beaches and waterside parks.
If watersports are a passion of yours, you can rent a canoe for a day or a few hours at many of our beaches. Or just dive in and take a dip on a sunny afternoon. We love picking up a kayak at Enatai Beach Park, paddle boards at the downtown Kirkland Marina, or even a boat or jetski for the day from Woodmark Waterfront Adventures.
And don’t miss some of our favorite water events. The Round the Rock Stand Up Paddle Board Race is a 13-mile endurance race from Newcastle Beach Park on Lake Washington. For family fun, check out Parkadilly at Lake Sammamish State Park. Enjoy live entertainment from the stage and kid-focused interactive activities. If you feel like venturing out toward Seattle, the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival is a favorite. It features a variety of different wooden vessels and events are on both land and water including music, demonstrations, children’s activities and more.
Of course, a Pacific Northwest summer is not complete without Seafair, a celebration featuring watersports events that take place all over the Seattle area throughout the summer.
Calling all foodiesImage may be NSFW.
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For outdoor-loving foodies, Bellevue has some of the best patio restaurants in the region. 99 Park, 520 Bar and Grill, Local Burger, Daniel’s Broiler, and Bellevue Brewing Company are just a few of the many spots where you can enjoy a side of fresh Northwest air and sunshine. Sit under the stars with a great meal and sip a glass of award winning Washington wine at Bis on Main. One of our favorites? The crispy garlic chicken paired with a local chardonnay from Columbia Valley. Leaning more toward classic comfort food and cocktails? Check out Lot No. 3 and grab a table outside. Try the bacon cheeseburger with crispy fried onions, lettuce, tomato, house pickles, ‘secret sauce’ and bistro fries.
Bake’s Place in downtown Bellevue features a stunning outdoor patio with games in the summer like giant Jenga and Cornhole. not to mention live entertainment from local musicians. Serving fresh, delicious cuisine and handcrafted cocktails, it needs to be at the top of your list.
Whatever you love most about the outdoors, your best vacation memories are waiting to be made right here, in Bellevue Washington.
Written by – Tami Rogers
Photo Credits – Top to Bottom: Newcastle Beach Park Volleyball via Brian D. Casey, Bellevue Arts Museum’s BAM ARTSfair via Miquel Edwards Photography, SUP Racers via Round the Rock SUP Race, Patio Dining via Lot No. 3
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