Best Time to Go
Just minutes from the urban delights of Seattle sits Bellevue. Scheduling a visit to Bellevue is ideally based on what you want to do in this well-sited city, which provides easy access to an amazing array of outdoor activities. If you are in the area to ski, obviously you’ll want to come from late fall through March. If whitewater rafting brings you to Bellevue then summer is ideal. If you want to hike on Friday and catch the Seattle Mariners on Sunday then plan accordingly.

Average Weather
Like most of the Pacific Northwest, Bellevue, Washington, gets a good bit of rain. Expect the most precipitation during November, December, and January; over five inches per month falls during the holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. January and December are the chilly times with average daytime highs of 45 degrees and lows averaging 36 degrees. It’s warmest in July and August with highs in the mid 70s and lows in the mid 50s. It’s also driest in July, the only month averaging less than an inch of rainfall.

Transportation
While a few passenger planes do serve King County International Airport, you’ll find flights and ground transportation plentiful via Sea-Tac Airport in nearby Seattle. King County’s Metro Service buses arrive and depart from the Sea-Tac Airport baggage claim area near door number 6. While there is fairly comprehensive bus service with special services pulled into play to provide transport to major area sporting events, to really enjoy Bellevue you’ll want to rent a car. Almost all the major rental companies have outlets in the area.

In-Season Costs
Bellevue is a great way to gain access to Seattle and the entire Puget Sound area without spending an arm and a leg. You’ll find that you can land rooms in the $60-70 range throughout the year. If you are in the area for business travel or prefer an upscale chain hotel, Bellevue is where the prices dip below Seattle’s while still giving you easy access to the city. Assume that you’ll spend between $120 and $150 for an expensive room. Dining choices abound. You can easily find a gourmet establishment for a $50 blow-out, but a nice meal without wine is closer to the $20 range in most area eateries. You’ll also find outlets of all the familiar chains in the area.

Day Trips
Seattle is Bellevue’s next-door neighbor making it easy to enjoy the Emerald City’s sights. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, is a great day out for nature lovers; it’s easily one of the most beautiful zoos in the USA. Point Defiance Zoo is located inside of a state park. The Cascade Mountains and Lake Washington are also worthy day trips for the outdoor lovers. Skiing, golf, river raft, and tube trips are all available within forty-five minutes of Bellevue.