To the south lie industrial areas and the less appealing suburbs of Renton, Kent and Auburn. The Seattle area goes on for miles in all directions and has a full complement of cultural, recreational, and transportation amenities. Local geography and policy have restrained growth to a degree, but have also aggravated the traffic and congestion problems at Lake Washington crossings towards the east and along most north-south corridors. From its origins as a center of the forest products industry and as a gateway to Alaska and the Yukon to the north, Seattle has become an important regional center with banking, high-tech companies, and consumer products.
It retains its original character as a bustling seaport while also exuding an intelligence and sophistication commensurate with its prominent role in the knowledge economy. Some of the largest employers include Microsoft in Redmond to the northeast , Amazon. The economy is robust although the aerospace and technology sectors make it more cyclical than that of other large cities. Cost of living and particularly housing have risen substantially in recent years.
And the long stretches of cloudy days and rainy periods can be a significant downside. In general, the area represents the usual big-city tradeoffs—excellent cultural and educational resources, plenty to do and plenty of variety in exchange for high costs and crowding—but with the additional elements of natural beauty and climate to consider. Along the edge of Puget Sound, the area is hilly and heavily forested where not completely built up.
The Cascade Range rises to the east with 14,foot Mount Rainier to the southeast and the Olympic Mountains rise across the Sound to the west. The climate is mild and moist, the result of prevailing westerly winds off the Pacific and the shielding effect of the Cascade Range. Steady marine air keeps winters comparatively warm and summers cool. Temperature extremes are moderate and usually of short duration.
Normal summers have fewer than 3 days above 90 degrees. Summer nights are invariably cool. Daily winter highs are almost always above freezing.
Winters are wet but as Seattle lies on the leeward side of the Olympic Mountains, the annual total of 36 inches makes it drier than many cities in the East and Midwest. Long stretches of cloudy days and rainy periods tend to occur in all seasons except summer. Seattle is far enough north to get winter snow, about 9 inches per year, but it seldom remains more than 2 days. Thunderstorms and severe weather are rare. Recent job growth is Positive. Bellevue jobs have increased by 2.
More Economy. More Voting Stats. Since , it has had a population growth of Learn More The National Average is All the economic growth does mean that housing and living are at a premium here. The Bellevue School District frequently is ranked among the top districts in the nation. In addition, a comprehensive Spanish-language immersion program, a focus on advanced placement courses, a dual-language elementary school that teaches in both English and Mandarin, and a widely diverse student population mean that your kids are practically guaranteed the opportunity to receive a first-class education.
In addition, Bellevue prides itself on the amount of outdoor recreational opportunities it offers. From miles and miles of hiking trails to biking and local camping spots, if you love to spend time outdoors, Bellevue is the place to be.
Bellevue also has plenty of outdoor festivals and celebrations to keep you occupied all year long. The outdoor life in Bellevue is so great we had to talk about it twice. Situated on Lake Washington, Bellevue has plenty of water-related activities as well. Plenty of public beaches and water access give you opportunities for swimming, kayaking, boating, and skiing. And, if you like something different, the ocean is only a few hours away. If staying inside is more your thing, Bellevue has something for everyone.
Theaters , dance , museums , and even an award-winning library system provide plenty of recreation for the more cultural and cerebral-minded. Related Article: Bellevue Attractions. For those who have money to spend, Bellevue is a shopping destination unlike no other. Bellevue is technically part of the Seattle Metropolitan Area, and Seattle is basically just a short hop away.
Discovering a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant is thrilling, but there are numerous fun restaurants in Bellevue that also boast the best cuisine money can buy. One such example is the Sugar Factory, which has gained a lot of popularity due to celebrity influencers making appearances there. Where else can you feast upon chicken and waffles and then wash it down with a cheeseburger bacon milkshake? Such high-calorie escapades are just a typical Tuesday at the Sugar Factory.
Each winter, the Belle Square Mall hosts Snowflake Lane, which is a massive scale celebration of winter and the Christmas season. As peaceful as Bellevue can be in certain pockets, there are probably going to be times that you just want to get out of the Bellevue city limits.
And also hopping on I, which Bellevue provides easy access to. Heading over to Eastern Washington gives you access to the beauty of Wenatchee, Snoqualmie Pass, and so many more places that can give you a change of pace when you need it. While most areas have seen a substantial increase in population density seemingly overnight, the population of Bellevue has grown at a sustainable pace over the past 10 years. Though Bellevue isn't lacking in natural attractions, perhaps the most concentrated view of Pacific Northwest flora can be found in the 53 acres encompassing the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
This urban display of botanical beauty is on Main Street and is open daily from dusk to dawn. Admission is always free. But the entire property is a masterpiece of landscaping and horticulture. Garden layouts ensure that something new is blooming every month of the year, offering several reasons to visit.
Locals and tourists also have the opportunity to tour native plant species and learn a bit more about their environment. Besides simply walking among the many gardens and displays, the best way to use this natural space is by participating in the classes and tours the garden provides throughout the year. The garden is home to a few events each year, including a special Garden d' Lights that occurs every winter. This festive event features over a half-million lights carefully placed throughout the area.
Mercer Slough Nature Park. Mercer Slough Nature Park is Bellevue's largest city park and contains over acres to wander throughout the year. The park has more than seven miles of trails that explore the surrounding wetland environment. Mercer Slough Nature Park also hosts an on-site blueberry farm, which sells seasonal produce. These two park attractions are accessible with a connecting hiking trail. Besides the wetland scenery, perhaps Mercer Slough's biggest tourist attraction is the collaborative Environmental Education Center hosted by the city of Bellevue and the Pacific Science Center.
This hands-on facility provides classes, programs, and exhibits to enrich a Mercer Slough sightseeing experience. The Meydenbauer Beach Park is not only a hidden gem of natural space in Bellevue, it also serves as a significant point in the city's history.
Located on Meydenbauer Bay, on the shores of Lake Washington King County's largest freshwater lake , this area was once the landing site for ferries running from Seattle. This historic ferry spot was pivotal in the development of Bellevue. Nowadays, the Meydenbauer Beach Park is tucked away in a residential neighborhood. It provides a place for locals and tourists to get some sand between their toes or spread out the blanket for a picnic. Meydenbauer Beach Park is also a popular place to swim in the summer months when the water is warm enough and lifeguards are on duty.
The park is beautifully landscaped, with a tiered walkway that leads down to the water. Here, a modern playground entices younger members of the family. The park also has a unique walkway that leads out to the middle of Meydenbauer Bay, presenting a panoramic view of Lake Washington. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park offers a wild space to explore less than 10 miles southeast of Bellevue.
This wild environment encompasses over 3, acres and over 35 miles of maintained trails. Mountain bikes aren't allowed at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, but some trails support horse riding. Many of the trails lead to stunning views of Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Mountains.
This narrow park and valley adjoin the two public spaces, collectively known as the Issaquah Alps , and provide more than 15, acres of forest to explore. The KidsQuest Children's Museum is every child's dream come true. This family-friendly play space features a two-story Atrium Climber for kids to climb in, on, and around, plus eight other interactive exhibits designed to encourage development in children.
Focusing on the key areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, the KidsQuest Children's Museum isn't about sitting down at a desk and writing on the blackboard.
Instead, this educational institution focuses on hands-on interaction with the different moving parts of life. KidsQuest is specifically designed for children ages and features more than programs offered throughout the year. Available programming includes summer camps and whole-family science workshops.
The Bellevue Collection is three distinct shopping areas in the Bellevue downtown district. These shopping areas provide a dense concentration of shopping, dining, and overnight accommodations. Alongside unique and name-brand shopping opportunities, the Bellevue Collection also offers seasonal events that draw a crowd. The Bellevue Collection includes the Bellevue Square shopping mall with more than retail locations.
Lincoln Square is another distinct area filled with several cultural dining destinations. The third shopping area, Bellevue Place has some of the best places to stay the night, including the four-star Hyatt Regency Bellevue.
The Bellevue Collection hosts everything you need in a few blocks to keep yourself busy for many long weekends. This part of town is especially festive during the holiday season. This family fun celebration is outside the Bellevue Square shopping mall, where the street is alive with glittering lights, electronic animations, and always falling snow.
Lake Sammamish. While Lake Sammamish may seem like a puddle compared to the far-spreading waters of Lake Washington to the west, this body of water provides important recreational opportunities for Bellevue residents and its connected communities. On the north end of Lake Sammamish, Marymoor Park is connected to the city of Redmond and provides awesome outdoor concerts throughout the year. A public water-skiing slalom course is also on the north end of the lake.
0コメント