What’s New in Bellevue: Car-Free Travel, New Attractions and Connected Pacific Northwest Adventures

New transportation, hospitality, dining, and outdoor experiences make Bellevue a more seamless Pacific Northwest home base

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bellevue, WA makes it easier than ever for travelers to experience the Pacific Northwest without a car, with new transportation and recreation options connecting visitors from arrival to outdoor adventures. The expanded Bellevue Airport & Cruise Shuttle, new Ride Bellevue bike program, and new Bellevue Light Rail Shuttle connect visitors to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Seattle’s cruise terminals, downtown Bellevue, waterfront parks, shopping, forested trails, and regional attractions. Together, the services create a more seamless journey from arrival through departure while improving access to some of Bellevue’s top visitor experiences.

“Bellevue is experiencing an exciting new chapter of growth. As our city continues to welcome transformative investments, from new hospitality and dining to expanded mobility and visitor experiences, we’re making it easier than ever for travelers to discover Bellevue,” said Brad Jones, executive director of Visit Bellevue. “Visitors can arrive with confidence knowing they can explore a vibrant downtown, immerse themselves in iconic Pacific Northwest nature, and connect to the greater region through one seamless destination.”

New Car-Free Travel Options

Bellevue's expanded visitor transportation network is designed to simplify every stage of a trip, from arrival to departure. The network includes:

• Bellevue Airport & Cruise Shuttle: Provides scheduled transportation between Bellevue hotels, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and the Port of Seattle's cruise terminals. Bellevue hotels are also introducing cruise-focused amenities and packages.
• Bellevue Light Rail Shuttle: Sponsored by Amazon, this new pilot program makes the last mile from light rail seamless with free, electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz shuttles. Riders arriving at Sound Transit’s Bellevue Downtown Station simply tell the driver where they are headed and are taken directly to their desired hotel, restaurant, shop, attraction, or other destination within the BellHop service area, rather than following a fixed shuttle route. No app, reservation, or fare is required.
• Ride Bellevue: Through partnerships with Ridy and The Line Bike Experience, Ride Bellevue gives visitors access to smart e-bikes at participating hotels, as well as premium gravel and mountain bikes for more ambitious adventures. Ride Bellevue makes it easy to experience some of the Pacific Northwest's most scenic rides without bringing your own bike.
• BellHop: Bellevue’s complimentary, on-demand electric Kia EV9 shuttles connect visitors with destinations throughout downtown Bellevue.

Hotels, Dining, and Experiences Coming to Bellevue

Bellevue is entering a new era of growth, with major hospitality, dining, wellness, entertainment, and outdoor recreation developments expanding the city’s appeal to visitors.

• Nobu Bellevue and Nobu Bellevue Residences: Nobu Hospitality is bringing its globally recognized luxury lifestyle brand to Downtown Bellevue with a future Nobu restaurant anticipated to open in 2027 and the rebranding of two luxury residential towers as Nobu Bellevue Residences. The mixed-use development spans a full city block and will introduce branded public spaces, signature residential services, curated retail, dining and hospitality experiences.
• The Emily Hotel: Also expected in 2027, The Emily Hotel will add a new upscale hospitality offering to Bellevue’s growing downtown, further expanding the city’s portfolio of elevated stays for leisure, business and group travelers.
• New Signature Winter Festival: A new February festival will bring light, art and seasonal programming to the heart of Bellevue, adding a fresh winter travel moment for visitors seeking culture, dining and walkable downtown experiences.
• Willie Burton’s: Planned for Bellevue’s emerging Wilburton district, Willie Burton’s will introduce a new food hall experience from Seattle entrepreneur Marcus Lalario of Sugar Shack Unlimited, featuring local chefs, community gathering spaces and outdoor programming alongside Eastrail.
• Wilburton Trestle and Eastrail: Just steps from Wilburton’s growing dining and public-space district, the historic Wilburton Trestle is being transformed into one of the most iconic sections of the 42-mile Eastrail. The restored 1904 railroad trestle will give cyclists and pedestrians elevated views while connecting Bellevue to a growing regional trail network.

Bellevue as a Pacific Northwest Basecamp

Bellevue pairs a walkable downtown with easy access to nature, regional attractions and outdoor adventure, making it a convenient home base for exploring the greater Pacific Northwest. Known as the City in a Park, Bellevue offers more than 100 parks and public spaces, 14 miles of Lake Washington shoreline and forested trails just minutes from hotels, restaurants and shopping.

With Sound Transit’s 2 Line Crosslake Connection, visitors can more easily connect Bellevue with iconic Seattle attractions, professional sports venues, regional trails, Woodinville Wine Country, mountain recreation and waterfront adventures. At the end of the day, travelers can return to Bellevue’s hotels, dining, parks and relaxed urban settings, all from one connected home base.

See the latest news releases from Visit Bellevue at www.visitbellevue.com/media/newsroom/

About Visit Bellevue

Visit Bellevue Washington (VBW) is the city’s official destination management organization (DMO), representing Bellevue’s hotels, Meydenbauer Convention Center, and the broader hospitality community. Funded by the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), VBW leads destination storytelling and visitor experience development for one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dynamic cities. Located just 17 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue offers rare proximity to world-class urban experiences and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Named a USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Award winner for Best Summer Travel Destinations and a finalist in Parade and Steller’s America’s Favorite Small Towns awards, Bellevue continues to earn national recognition as a walkable, elevated basecamp for travelers seeking the unexpected. With a vibrant waterfront, direct access to trails, lakes, and mountains, and a thriving culinary and cultural scene, Bellevue invites visitors to follow @VisitBellevue to see where wonder leads.