One more place to enjoy near Bellevue in Washington
The Bellevue Botanical Garden spans 53 acres of cultivated gardens, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands in the heart of Bellevue, Washington. Opened in 1992 through a partnership between the City of Bellevue and the nonprofit Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, the garden has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier horticultural destinations. Visitors from across the region come to experience the garden’s diverse plant collections, themed display gardens, and award-winning seasonal events that draw more than 400,000 visitors annually. The garden is a living showcase of plants that thrive in the unique climate of the Pacific Northwest, blending native species with ornamentals from around the world in a peaceful escape just minutes from downtown Bellevue.
The garden traces its origins to the 1991 donation of the Shorts family property by Cal and Harriet Shorts, longtime Bellevue residents who cultivated their private garden on the site for decades. The official opening followed in 1992, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society was established the same year to coordinate fundraising and volunteer support. One of the garden’s most beloved features is the Yao Garden, a one-acre traditional Japanese stroll garden designed by renowned designer Sadao Yamamoto and opened in 2003. This culturally significant space features a koi pond, stone lanterns, a teahouse shelter, and meticulously pruned Japanese maples that create carefully framed views at each turn along the winding paths.
Another highlight is the Ravine Experience, which opened in 2014 and features a dramatic 150-foot suspension bridge that carries visitors through the canopy of a deep forested ravine. Walking suspended among towering Douglas firs and Western red cedars rising over 100 feet overhead gives visitors a unique perspective on native woodland ecology. The garden’s Perennial Border stretches nearly 200 feet and showcases a constantly changing display of flowering perennials, ornamental grasses, and shrubs designed to provide color from spring through fall, with midsummer being particularly spectacular when lilies, echinacea, and Russian sage burst into full bloom.
The garden’s Native Discovery Trail winds through preserved second-growth forest, demonstrating how Northwest natives like vine maples, sword ferns, and Oregon grape can be incorporated into residential landscapes. A restored wetland area along the trail is active with frogs and dragonflies during warmer months, and the path connects to the broader Lake to Lake Trail network for extended exploration. The Waterwise Garden demonstrates sustainable gardening practices with drought-tolerant plants from Mediterranean climates, educating visitors about water conservation and responsible landscaping suited to the region’s dry summer conditions. Admission to the garden is free, and it is open daily from dawn to dusk.
The best time to visit is during late spring and summer, from May through August, when the perennial border and waterwise garden are at their most colorful and the weather is typically sunny with daytime highs in the 70s and low 80s. Autumn brings a spectacular transformation to the Japanese maples, which turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold beginning in October. Spring rewards visitors with thousands of bulbs emerging in March and April, including daffodils, tulips, and camas lilies that create carpets of color throughout the display beds. December is a uniquely magical time when the annual Garden d’Lights festival transforms the grounds with over half a million LED lights arranged into elaborate botanical sculptures recreating flowers, shrubs, birds, and cascading waterfalls. This popular holiday tradition, launched in 1995, frequently sells out on weekend evenings, so visitors should plan to purchase timed entry tickets in advance.