Very beautiful place very recommended to have a picnic here…read more Pretty a lot of people at summer, but very beautiful view

A Hidden Gem on the East Side - Breathtaking, Peaceful, and Perfect for All Ages…read more Meydenbauer Bay Park is honestly one of my absolute favorite parks in the entire East Side of Washington. The lakefront views are simply stunning, framed by gorgeous multi-million dollar homes that add to the serene, upscale feel of the area. It's a family-friendly haven, often filled with friendly ducks, children playing, and people enjoying the water. Whether you're into paddle boarding, boating, swimming, or just relaxing by the water, the park offers a wide range of activities--complete with clean shower and bathing facilities that make it incredibly convenient. I've often imagined hosting a wedding or special event here because the setting is just that beautiful, though I'm not sure if it's officially allowed. Regardless, this park holds a special place in my heart, and I will definitely be coming back again and again. It's a true gem that offers both peaceful retreat and vibrant recreation--perfect for all ages.

Think of this as a YMCA but bigger and better. First, the pool is bigger than the one in Newcastle…read moreand there's a hot tub kitty corner of the pool. They have nice dining options - quick deli and fancier restaurant called Splash. They have a few workout spots and outdoor tennis courts.

This is a review of the meeting rooms and catering food served during the events…read more Let me start off by saying this venue is not perfect. It has lots of room for improvement - some of which I will get into the details later. BUT! Compared to some of the other venues in this area, they are above average. Due to the nature of my job, I have been to several meeting/ball/conference rooms at various hotels all around the world. I participate in a monthly training at Bellevue Club, so even though I am not a member there, I get to use some of their facilities and catering food. They offer several types of lunch options. Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean, and American. The food quality tbh is just okay. But okay is okay! It is what is expected of food like this that is prepared for 200+ guests. I am not sure if they make their own desserts or not but I do enjoy their desserts more often than their lunch offerings. For example, Apple Tart (as pictured) was quite good! It was very sweet but the nutty flavors from the pecans and cinnamon balanced it out. I just wish that the food quality is more consistent. Some months, we get meats that are just way over cooked. Some months they come out near perfect. They have several meeting/conference rooms of different sizes and I have been in at least 4 different rooms. The room are clean and seats are comfortable enough. Projectors work and sound system is just fine as well. Zero complaints there. All the service employees I have interacted with have been very nice! I know there is a set minimum purchase for food/drinks to rent the room(s) but I do not remember the exact dollar amount. Based on memory, I did not think it was that expensive. Parking is free but they ask us to park at the Hilton parking lot, which is within 3 minutes walking distance. Just be careful - there are some designated parking spots owned by Diamond Parking. Do NOT park in these spots. You will be fined. I do not understand what Diamond Parking owns a certain number of spots inside of a hotel parking lot. Not cool! Bellevue Club also offers valet parking. I am not sure if this is only for the hotel guests though. I have not tried but I have interacted with the valet parking staff. They are all very nice and cool. That's about it! If you need to borrow a meeting room for 100+ people on the eastside, I can definitely recommend Bellevue Club.

Of course, it is a good pool in the middle of Kirkland huge park. It is great for everyone but we…read morelike coming here for their last open day because it is for dogs' day! It gets very busy. I don't know if there's a limit but it can get very crowded of people because sometimes the whole family comes along to watch their doggy swim :) It is very fun and inspiring having these kind of activities for dogs. They truly enjoy it with available tennis balls. Ours was in the water the whole time. They can use both pools (there's a small one on the other side of the planters). We also went into the baseball field where all dogs were allowed to run and chase balls. Just be sure that your furry one is friendly around other dogs and people. We all trust each other's. The whole family can come along and spend a good time by the park!

We went there for a swim field trip for my 10 year old child's class. I watched the lifeguards fail…read moreseveral kids from the swim test after they had swum the length of the pool nearly perfectly. They won't allow children to use goggles for the swim test or on the diving board which makes zero sense given that professional divers use goggles in the Olympics! Also, the swim schools around here have the kids use goggles as a mandatory requirement so of course the kids are used to using goggles to swim. I had many kids tell me how gaslit they felt today by being told that they couldn't swim when they quite literally had just swum the length of the pool. It was not a good experience for them and we had several kids upset and in tears over being told that they literally couldn't do what they had *just* done. The lifeguards were apparently upset about a rowdy group prior to us in the last few days and took it out on our kids needlessly. What an absolutely bizarre experience. Such a disappointment for them and us as parents who couldn't do anything to help them. My own kid is almost a graduate of the wave swim school in Juanita which means they can swim very well and even they were failed. The test is obviously way too hard if you're failing kids who have graduated a swim school. Just because you've had the same test forever doesn't mean it's good or valid.

BELLEVUE DOWNTOWN PARK @ BELLEVUE…read more Parking is available in any of the nearby garages for the closest walking distance to the park. I highly recommend parking in the Macy's garage or any of the garages near Nordstrom, as they're only about a five-minute walk and super convenient. Parking is free and generally easy to find, though the structures can sometimes close when they're completely full. Even then, there are plenty of other garages nearby that are still within a short and easy walking distance. I absolutely love downtown Bellevue, it's one of my favorite places to visit because of the great food, drinks, and overall atmosphere. Bellevue Downtown Park is amazing for so many reasons. The grass is very well maintained, making it perfect for picnics or a relaxing walk. There's a beautiful fountain, small ponds throughout the park, and you'll often see ducks swimming around (though probably not during the colder season). In the winter, there's an ice rink, and during the summer it's especially lively with events like food festivals and farmers markets. I would definitely recommend stopping by Bellevue Downtown Park, especially if you have some downtime before a reservation, it's a perfect spot to walk around and enjoy the area.

This park is always so vibrant and clean when I visit! The loop around the park is about 0.5 miles…read moreso I can see myself taking a run here. There is also a large playground with swinging benches. I also like how there's ice cream shops like salt & straw and Molly moons nearby!

I can't say enough good thing about Samena! Every department has shown such kindness, knowledge,…read moreand loyalty in all that they do. My children have been in the Preschool, Before & After school Care program, Summer Camps, & Swim lessons and they just can't get enough. Between all the events for the whole family, and the ones made just for us adults, there is always something for us to do there. Shout out to their Fitness Coordinator, Marianne. Her knowledge and patience through our personal training journey has been nothing but superb. Through multiple injuries, and a busy life, she helps me navigate what fits my needs best at every appointment. Thank you Samena for providing a safe 3rd place for our community!

We recently had a very concerning experience after visiting Samena. After using the hot tub, my…read moredaughter developed a rash that was later diagnosed by her doctor as hot tub folliculitis ("hot tub rash"). What initially seemed minor quickly escalated into a much more serious, full-body condition requiring an ER visit and follow-up care with a dermatologist. This has been an incredibly stressful and painful experience for our family, all stemming from what should have been a safe and well-maintained facility. I did contact management to report what happened. While they stated that their cleaning and maintenance procedures are within guidelines, that response was frustrating given the outcome and the severity of my daughter's condition. Proper sanitation of hot tubs is critical, and based on our experience, I would urge others to be cautious. Unfortunately, I can't recommend using the hot tub facilities here.

The Bellevue gardens is a pretty quiet and secluded little spot to relax and take in some nature…read more It's not a huge place, but it's big enough that you can spend an hour or two there, casually strolling about. No trouble with parking, and it is free to enter, so you really should stop by if you are nearby. It's worth it.

BOTANICAL GARDEN @ BELLEVUE…read more Parking is available right out front, which makes this place super accessible. There are also designated handicap parking spots. My friend and I visited on a Friday around 2 PM, and there were a few spots open, so getting in was really easy. I loved how simple everything was to navigate, there's even a map available when you enter. Entry and parking are both completely free, which is a huge plus. We walked along the trail and I'd recommend spending about 2-3 hours here if you want to take your time and fully enjoy it. We had to speed-run our visit because we had another errand afterward, but it was still incredibly beautiful. I highly recommend stopping by the bridge, it was very therapeutic and relaxing to walk across. There are plenty of benches and seating areas along the way, perfect for taking breaks or just soaking in nature. The quality of the space is amazing, with a wide variety of rocks, trees, and scenery that make the whole experience feel peaceful. There are also bathrooms located at the front, and you're never too far from other people, which made it feel comfortable and safe. Overall, I definitely recommend stopping by this place.

Very convenient passage down to Queen Anne Avenue from East hill. If you miss them, at Galer's end,…read moreheading east, Highland Avenue is the next through-way, but even that's a little tricky to find if you're north of queen Anne ave as there are so may twisty roads and hills. Ah, the days of exploration and happenstance before GPS. If exercise and cardio is your goal, I recommend these steps, up and down as many times to suit. It's nicely wooded and steps, literally, from 5 Spot if you're inclined to sabotage your health goals or simply earn your calories, well spent. Nice hand rails with several landings to catch your breath.

I am in no way affiliated w/ any store or websites mentioned in this review... Just new to Seattle…read more& wanted to share my "discovery". I have found the ultimate freebie walking/running/cardio workout... and it's like a living Super Mario Brothers game, complete w/ secret passageways & warp zones... plus grand views of Elliott Bay, Rainier, Baker & other distant peaks, depending on the weather. There are something like 120 stairways in Queen Anne. I just picked up a water-resistant map of these stairs at Queen Anne Books for $5 (poster also available, $10, not waterproof). It's helped me explore all the little nooks & crannies of my cool little 'hood & has definitely made getting out for a little cardio, rain or shine, way more fun. The map itself is mostly complete, though a few streets on the edges aren't labeled. Looking forward to filling in the blanks on my own on foot. The map & poster are also available at http://www.qahistory.org/stairs/map.htm You can also read about the Queen Anne Stairs in the following blogs/articles: (super cool, maps out a route w/ elevation gains, drops) http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=172255 http://blog.seattlepi.com/inqueenanne/archives/177381.asp http://www.queenanneview.com/2009/02/20/queen-anne-urban-hiker-maps-hidden-stairways/ http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-recreation-in-seattle/queen-anne-stair-map http://www.queenannebooks.com/map-oft-pedestrian-stairs-queen-anne

The Mercer slough is a lovely place to walk...if the temperature has consistently been under 45. Ya…read moreknow what a slough is? It's a swamp/marsh/wetland/mosquitoes-will-murder-you place. Overall it's a beautiful place to walk. The trails are well maintained and there are some great views. This area has a few different trails to choose from that appear to be mostly loops. It's close enough to the freeways that you get a good amount of traffic noise, but if you go early in the morning it's not too bad. The mosquitoes are most certainly the worst part of this area. Either way, I think it's great we're letting nature be nature.

Since moving back to the Far East (aka Eastside) I was worried about places to walk our…read morenot-so-dog-friendly dog. Admittedly, having Green Lake at our front door was both a blessing and curse. Now we live right across the street from Mercer Slough, and it's been great! Nature right at our front door without the crowds!!! If you walk/run the perimeter it's about a 10k. Inside you'll find trails that are great for just about everyone. Beware you may see garter snakes, but also the occasional otter, beaver, and rabbits too! It's also great for birdwatching. Parking is VERY limited, especially with sound transit light rail being built by Bellevue Way. There is a small parking lot off 118th Ave SE, and some parking along that road, but check the road signs. There is also an Environmental education center and event spaces available. Overall, I enjoy being able to just go across the street and walk my pooch without fear of being run over by bikers and skaters.

Indoor rock climbing wall (33 ft). Lots of fun with many different skill levels. Highly recommend…read morefor adults and children (6+). (There's also a zip line park)

Great place for a workout...I wish weekend hours started by 7 am. This is a Bellevue gem!read more

I worked with Tiana (Tatiana) on my flexibility and conditioning for contortion and aerial circus…read morearts. As a child, I received training in rhythmic gymnastics, in Moscow, Russia. Overall, after as few as about ten weekly sessions with Tiana, I see and feel a great improvement in my physical form. Tiana's system is one of whole-body conditioning, safely increasing range of motion, honing balance and body awareness, building strength and power for leaps and jumps, improving coordination for spins and acrobatic elements, with constant and meticulous attention to long, gorgeous, extended lines. From the moment I experienced her teaching for the first time, I knew that Tiana's school of International Rhythmic Gymnastics and Ballet (IRG Ballet, http://www.irgballet.com/) is the real deal. If you are looking for world class training in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics, you will have found it here. Tiana is genuinely, contagiously, passionate about this sport. She looks after and cares about each and every single one of her students very deeply. She is a tremendously experienced and talented coach who has worked with Olympic athletes. Meticulous attention to proper conditioning, warm-up, technique, form and alignment creates beauty while keeping the students safe and healthy. I can also see that the girls love Tiana very much, and love the sport. The class structure allows all ages (4 and up). The older girls mentor the younger ones, age 4 and up, and the younger girls can look up to the older, more experienced girls. This makes for such a wonderful community and environment for training together and improving! Do expect to come here and drill your self-discipline: you will be working very, very hard. Come here if you expect to see results and if you truly want to pursue the most graceful sport in the world, rhythmic gymnastics. You do not need to travel to Russia to be trained in the system that has made Russian and the Ukrainian athletes so successful in countless World Championships and the Olympics. Tiana also regularly brings instructors from the Ukraine and Russia, including recent Olympians, to train her athletes. In my opinion, she is the Greater Seattle Area's window to the world in terms of rhythmic gymnastics. I believe in Tiana's school and I believe that her athletes will achieve great results with their hard work, at the highest level of competition in the sport. I recommend this school! You can contact me directly at alina.cirque@gmail.com if you have any questions. - Alina

You can see that Tiana is a great fan of what she is doing. My both girls were going to her classes…read morefor about 2 years and I saw great progress. Especially my older daughter who was really rigid - now she can do tons of amazing things: splits, bridges, wheel, cobra, etc. Not to say that price is very affordable. I highly recommend this class.