Discover Bellevue
25 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Bellevue Botanical Garden offers varied subjects: seasonal flower beds, tranquil Yao/Japanese Garden with pond and wooden structures, a suspension bridge, wetlands and wooded trails — all close to downtown. Best light is early morning or late afternoon for soft directional light and reflections. Free entry; parking onsite can fill on weekends—weekday mornings and off-season are quieter. Paths are well-marked and mostly accessible; bring macro and wide lenses for variety.
Meydenbauer Pier View Point
Small waterfront viewpoint on Lake Washington offering framed views of the Bellevue shoreline, Seattle skyline across the water, and dramatic sunsets. Easy public access from downtown Bellevue with waterfront boardwalks and nearby parking; wheelchair accessible. Best at golden hour and blue hour for reflections and colors; clear winter days can reveal distant peaks. No entry fee; expect more people at weekend evenings.
Newcastle Beach Park
Small Lake Washington beach with a pier, grassy bluff, and shoreline curves offering reflections, skyline and occasional Mount Rainier views. Best at sunrise for glassy water and at sunset for colorful skies; summer weekends get busy. Easy parking and restrooms at the lot off Lake Washington Blvd SE; paved paths and grassy shooting perches make equipment access simple. No entry fee—bring bug spray in warm months.
Enatai Beach Park
Small waterfront park on Lake Washington with pebble beach, driftwood, and open views across to Seattle/Bellevue and distant Olympic peaks. Best for golden-hour lake reflections, sunset color, and low-tide foreground detail. Easy access from 108th Ave SE; small free parking lot and roadside spots. No entry fee; popular with locals so weekdays or early mornings are quieter. Expect breeze and changing light — bring layers.
Newcastle Beach
Small lakeside park on Lake Washington with rocky shoreline, driftwood, and framed views toward Mercer Island and distant Seattle peaks. Ideal for sunrise/sunset reflections, long exposures on calm water, and intimate shoreline compositions. Free entry with a small parking lot; easiest on weekdays or early morning. Light varies: warm golden hours and clear winter days for crisp mountain light; summer evenings for vibrant sunsets.
Sunset Ravine Trail Start Point
Wooded ravine with a meandering creek, moss-covered logs, fern-filled slopes and canopy gaps that produce dramatic light shafts — ideal for intimate forest and stream scenes. Best at golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) when side light sculpts texture; after rain for saturated greens and reflective water. Trailhead parking available near Sunset Ravine Trail in Bellevue; no entry fee. Trail is moderate with uneven surfaces and some stairs — good hiking shoes; expect dog walkers and locals on a
Burrows Landing
Small public dock on Lake Washington with intimate foreground rocks and direct views across the water to Seattle’s skyline — excellent for sunset citylights, reflections, kayak launch shots, and moody long-exposure waterscapes. Best at golden hour and after dusk for skyline lights. Limited/no formal parking at the dead-end street; expect a short walk over uneven rock to reach the water. No facilities — carry gear in a daypack. Quiet residential vibe; respect neighbors and private property.
Coal Creek Natural Area
Mossy second-growth forest, a cascading stream and small waterfalls in a ravine — great for intimate landscape and nature shots. Photograph seasonal wildflowers, lichen-covered logs, and remnants of old coal-mine infrastructure. Best light is golden hour and soft overcast for even tones; spring and fall offer peak color. Trails are moderate with boardwalks and stairs; free parking at the Coal Creek Parkway trailhead. Weekday mornings are quiet; no entry fee or permits for casual photography.
Wilburton Hill Park
Wooded hilltop park adjacent to Bellevue Botanical Garden offering forest trails, a small babbling brook with a pedestrian bridge, manicured gardens, playgrounds and open sports fields. Best at golden hour or overcast for even forest light; weekday mornings reduce crowds. Ample parking, restrooms and some accessible paths; steep, rooty trails limit wheel access. No entry fee; respect garden rules (no dogs in botanical areas).
Clyde Beach Park
Small bayside park on Meydenbauer Bay offering a sandy swimming beach, boathouse/pier, meadow and playground. Ideal for intimate waterscapes, sunset reflections, and low-key portrait sessions with waterfront backdrops. Visit at sunrise or golden hour for warm side-lighting; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Small lot plus street parking; walkable from downtown Bellevue. No entry fee; easy short trails and lawn access make gear transport simple.
"Orchard octopus" art object
Large, whimsical octopus sculpture in a public plaza famed for dramatic night illumination. Photographers will find strong shapes, textures and colorful LED lighting after dusk; daytime shots emphasize form and surrounding urban context. Easily accessible on foot or by transit, free public access with nearby street and garage parking. Best visited at blue hour for lights, or daytime for crisp detail; generally no entry fee.
Kelsey Creek Park
Kelsey Creek Park combines pastoral farm scenes, wooded trails, a creek with small crossings, open lawns and a playground — ideal for family, nature and documentary shots. Best at golden hour or soft overcast for even light; weekdays or early mornings avoid crowds. Accessible parking at 130th Pl SE; farm areas may have restricted access during programs. Dog-friendly on leash; bring telephoto for birds and a wide lens for barns and landscapes.
Sculpture "Root"
Root (2009) is a large cast-bronze, painted root-form sculpture set in Bellevue’s civic plaza—great for close-up texture studies and wide-angle compositions that contrast organic forms against glassy office towers. Easy, public access at 450 110th Ave NE with no entry fee; short walk from Bellevue Transit Center and nearby parking garages. Best light: golden hour for warmth and long shadows; overcast for even detail in bronze and paint. Weekday mornings are quieter for unobstructed shots. Fully,
Bellevue Hidden Waterfall Park Lunch Spot
Small urban pocket park with a tucked-away stream and manmade waterfall — great for intimate waterscape and urban-nature contrast shots. Easy walking access from Bellevue Square (no fee). Best light: early morning or late afternoon golden hour for warm side lighting; shaded midday softens highlights but may need higher ISO. Paths are paved and compact — accessible but limited shoot space. Weekdays (early AM) offer the fewest people; parking nearby at commercial lots or street meters.
"Endless celebration" sculpture
A large cast-bronze figurative sculpture (installed 2005) in a downtown Bellevue plaza — great for texture, form and environmental portraits. Best visited at golden hour or blue hour when side light brings out bronze patina and casts dramatic shadows. Public, wheelchair-accessible plaza with no entry fee; street and mall parking nearby (Bellevue Square). Weekday mornings are quieter for unobstructed shots.
252 Bellevue Way Northeast
Central Bellevue streetscape and nearby mixed-use buildings offering clean modern architecture, reflective glass facades, and lively pedestrian scenes. Good for urban composition, architectural details, and evening skyline shots with Bellevue Square and high-rises visible. Best at golden hour and after sunset for blue hour reflections; weekday mornings are calmer. Easy public transit access and paid street/garage parking nearby; no entry requirements. Accessible sidewalks and plazas; expect busy
Floral mural
A large, bright floral mural covering a street-facing wall in downtown Bellevue—excellent for color studies, wide-angle urban scenes, and detail shots of paint texture. Best at golden hour for warm directional light or on overcast days for even color saturation; evenings offer dramatic artificial-light contrasts. Street-level, public art with no entry fees; parking available in nearby Bellevue Square garages. Weekday mornings are quieter. The mural contrasts with modern glass architecture, and a
9817 Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
Shoreline stretch on Lake Washington Boulevard NE offering lake vistas, boating activity, and framed views of Bellevue and Seattle skyline across the water. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and reflections; sunsets can produce dramatic colors. Easy street parking and sidewalks; wheelchair-accessible in spots but bring a tripod for low-light. Weekday mornings are quieter. No formal entry fees—observe private property signs. Good for combining waterscape, urban skyline and commuter-bo
Viewpoint Park
Small hilltop park with sweeping northwest views across Lake Washington to the Seattle skyline and Olympic Mountains — excellent for skyline, sunset and mountain-lake compositions. Easy street parking; no entry fee; wheelchair-accessible paths. Best light at sunrise and golden-hour sunset on clear days; weekdays and off-season are quieter. Visibility depends on air quality and weather; bring layers for wind.
Newcastle Beach Park Playground
Small waterfront park in Bellevue with a colorful playground, sandy shore and sweeping views across Lake Washington to Seattle. Photograph playful kids vs. skyline silhouettes, shoreline textures and reflections at golden hour. Easy access from Bellevue streets; free parking nearby, wheelchair-friendly paths. Best light at sunrise/sunset; weekdays are quieter.
Eastside Heritage Center
Small campus of preserved historic buildings, period interiors and gardened grounds offering intimate architectural detail and community-event scenes. Best light is golden hour or soft overcast for even textures; weekday mornings are quieter. On-site parking and ADA paths; interiors may require museum hours or staff permission. Great for documenting local heritage, vintage signage, porches, and candid community use.
Newport Hills Park
Small neighborhood park with rolling lawns, wooded trails and vantage points over Bellevue suburbs — good for sunrise/sunset skies, seasonal foliage and relaxed community scenes. Easy, free access with on-street and small lot parking; paved and soft-surface trails are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. Best light at golden hour; weekdays are quieter.
Forest Hill Neighborhood Park
Small neighborhood park with mature trees, grassy clearings and winding paths—good for intimate nature and seasonal-light shots. No entry fee; limited on-street parking. Best visits at golden hour or after light rain for rich colors and reflections. Weekday mornings are quiet; be respectful of locals and dogs. Trails are short and mostly flat, wheelchair accessible in parts.
KidsQuest Children's Museum
Compact, colorful children’s museum with themed play zones, hands-on exhibits and an outdoor play area — rich for candid portraits, detail shots of textures/toys, and environmental portraits of kids at play. Best visited weekday mornings at opening for lower crowds and soft indoor light; late afternoon brings harsher interior contrast. Limited on-site parking and small footprint — check admission rules and staff policy on photographing children and obtain parental consent.
Metal fountain
Modern metal fountain in a Bellevue urban plaza — good for abstract metal textures, reflective surfaces and water motion against nearby glass towers. Public, wheelchair‑accessible plaza with paid parking/garages nearby (Bellevue Square/Lincoln Square). No entry fee; fountain operation can be intermittent, so check condition before visiting. Best shots at golden hour or after dark when plaza lights and building reflections add contrast; weekdays are quieter.