Attractions East of Seattle:
Bellevue Arts Museum
510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 | 425-519-0770
With its unique focus on art, craft and design, BAM connects people of all ages with extraordinary works by Northwest artists while bringing national and international exhibitions to the community. Rather than permanent collections, the museum hosts a variety of rotating exhibitions and features an extensive selection of classes and workshops.
Bellevue Arts Museum ARTSfair
NE 8th Street and Bellevue Way, Bellevue, WA | 425-519-0770
One of the nation's top 100 festivals, the BAM ARTSfair attracts over 330,000 enthusiastic visitors every year to view the works over more than 300 independent artists. Categories include metalwork, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, wearables, and more.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005 | 425-452-2750
This 53-acre urban refuge features cultivated gardens, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands. The living collections showcase plants that thrive in the Pacific Northwest. Specialty gardens include Dahlia Garden, Fuchsia Garden, Alpine Rock Garden, and more. Nature's beauty at its best!
Cougar Mountain Zoo
19525 SE 54th Street, Issaquah, WA 98027 | 425-391-5508
Bengal tigers, Siberian Reindeer, Ringtailed Lemurs - you'll find all these and more at the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah. Although much smaller than traditional zoos, this 8-acre family-owned zoo features a select variety of animal exhibits, as well as a Wildlife Tracks Library, Magnani Nature Gallery, photo tours, workshops, and more.
Garden d'Lights
12001 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98005 | 425-452-6844
The enormously popular Garden d'Lights festival features over a half million lights which transform the Bellevue Botanical Garden into a blossoming winter wonderland. Every December, over 150,000 people enjoy this dazzling holiday display.
Issaquah Paddle Sports
2000 NW Sammamish Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027 | 425-891-5039
Get out on the lake this weekend with a kayak, SUP, or pedal boat from Issaquah Paddle Sports. Renting by the hour or by the day (kayaks only) on beautiful lake Sammamish, they also offer snacks and wetsuit rentals. Kayak lessons and classes are available for beginners, as well as guided tours for those looking for a little more from their kayaking experience.
Issaquah Salmon Days Festival
155 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, WA 98027 | 425-392-0661
The Pacific Northwest's premier fish festival, Issaquah Salmon Days takes place every year in early October, offering great food, entertainment, arts and crafts, a Grande Parade, and much more. Celebrate the return of the salmon with this weekend of non-stop activities!
Lake Sammamish
Whether you come for the fishing, or waterskiing is more your thing, one thing is certain - Lake Sammamish packs quite a punch when it comes to summertime activities. This 8-mile long lake located east of Seattle is a popular spot for all sorts of water sports, including jet-skiing, boating, kayaking, swimming, and much more. The north end of the lake even offers a public slalom course for waterskiing.
Mercer Slough Nature Park
1625 118th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98005 | 425-452-2565
Mercer Slough Nature Park offers over 320 acres of wildlife habitat, agriculture, and freshwater wetland ecosystems. The park features more than 7 miles of walking trails in Lake Washington's largest remaining wetland, and a unique canoe trail that meanders through the park. Free guided nature walks are offered every Saturday afternoon.
Northwest Railway Museum
38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 | 425-888-3030
All aboard, railroad enthusiasts! The town of Snoqualmie celebrates its origins as a railroad and logging town with the Snoqualmie Depot museum that has been restored to its turn of the century grandeur and is presented as an operating train station. The museum is home to a wide range of historic railroad artifacts and hosts guided tours.
