Bellevue Botanical Garden spans over 53 acres of gardens, woodlands and wetlands. While you might envision glasshouses and conservatories filled with plants, that’s not quite what you’ll find at Bellevue Botanical Garden. Most of the grounds are open and accessed by trails winding between gardens, making this a great place to stroll and a fine alternative to the local trails. Gardens are defined by theme such as the Alpine Rock Garden (alpine plants), gardens dedicated to fuchsias and rhododendrons, ferns and dahlias.


Near the entrance is also the Yao Japanese Garden, which is a serene space in honor of Bellevue’s sister city Yao, Japan.

Beyond the inherent beauty of the Garden, there are two facts that set this attraction apart from other area attractions—one, it is free to visit! Two, it is open all year round. No matter the season, Bellevue Botanical Garden has special events and displays to enjoy, from docent-led tours through the gardens during the spring, summer and fall, to Garden d’Lights, the annual Christmas lights display.

Location
Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street
Bellevue, WA 98005
425-452-2750425-452-2750425-452-2750425-452-2750

Hours

• Daily from dawn to dusk.
• The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except during Garden d’Lights, when it stays open later.

Why You Should Go

• Admission is free!
• Parking is free too!
• Open all year round.
• Special events at the Garden include plant sales, summer concerts, art exhibitions.
• Each year, the Garden hosts a Mother’s Day Social.
• During the holidays, the Garden hosts Garden d’Lights, one of the area’s Christmas light displays.

• Trails through the Garden are an ideal break from the city and the grounds are one of the most attractive green spaces in the area.

Garden d’Lights

Garden d’Lights generally takes place at the Garden from just after Thanksgiving until right after the New Year. Like other Christmas light displays in the area, visitors will find both animated and static light displays. Unlike the other displays, though, Garden d’Lights focuses less on Christmas scenes and more on botanical scenes, which makes it unique and stunningly beautiful. Wander among giant blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies! It’s a refreshing burst of nature in the middle of winter in the Northwest, too!

Membership

While admission is free, visitors who especially love the Bellevue Botanical Garden can become members and offer a bit of extra support. Membership is quite reasonable at $30 for a year or $50 for two years (as of 2014). With it you get: one free ticket to Garden d’Lights, discounts at selected local nurseries, 10% off the Trillium Store at the Garden, discounts on some classes at the Garden, a bi-monthly newsletter, free admission to other AHS gardens, and invitations to special members events.

How to Get There

The Bellevue Botanical Garden will be under construction until Fall 2014. To get to the main entrance during construction:

• Take I-405 to the NE 8^th Street exit.
• Head east on NE 8^th (to the left if you’re coming from the north, and to the right if you’re coming from the south).
• Turn right on 124^th Avenue NE and go 0.5 miles to the Wilburton Hill Park entrance.
• Signs will lead you from there.
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