Seattle’s Top 10 : The Eastside

by



  1. Floating Bridges

    Lake
    Washington’s famous floating bridges, Interstate 90 and State Route
    520, connect Seattle with Bellevue and the Eastside. Both highways
    resemble ordinary bridges except for the middle portions, which rest on
    the water’s surface above air-filled pontoons that support tons of
    traffic and concrete. Occasional windstorms push waves of water onto the
    road, creating back-ups for commuters.




    Floating bridges

  2. Kirkland

    Once
    a small rural town across Lake Washington, Kirkland has grown into a
    sprawling suburb with resident Microsoft executives and managers giving
    it a reputation for expensive real estate. It’s also known for a
    charming waterfront that offers great shopping and dining and fantastic
    beaches that provide views of Seattle and the Olympic Mountains.

  3. Old Bellevue

    Bellevue
    sometimes gets a bad rap from more city-slicked Seattleites. It’s a
    classic suburb, as well as one of the state’s largest cities. But there
    is an area that speaks of its former life as a small town. Head to Old
    Bellevue and its restored Main Street for the antidote to freeway
    interchanges and big box stores, especially if you like buying antiques.

  4. Eastside Wineries

    Tip
    your glass of red wine during a visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle,
    Washington state’s oldest winery. Their 87 acre wooded estate in
    Woodinville, 15-miles (24-km) north of Seattle, hosts tours and well
    attended summer concerts. It’s one of several outfits taking advantage
    of a climate that favors excellent grape varieties. Other producers of
    good quality wine include Columbia Crest, DeLille Cellars, and family
    owned and operated Facelli Winery.

    Chateau Ste. Michelle

    • 14111 NE 145th St, Woodinville




    A wine cellar

  5. The Gates Estate

    So
    many people wonder how and where one of the world’s richest men lives.
    Microsoft’s founder, Bill Gates, built his estate on Lake Washington’s
    eastern shore installing the latest technological advancements in modern
    living – high-end security systems, customized touch and voice
    controls, and luxurious entertainment facilities. The estate is not open
    to the public, naturally, but it’s visible from the water and touring
    boats occasionally cruise within sight from a considerable distance.

    • 1835 73rd Ave NE, Medina

  6. Crossroads Shopping Center

    This
    bustling shopping center is popular with Microsoft employees and
    vibrant ethnic groups, sometimes in traditional regalia. Free jazz,
    folk, and world music concerts on a professional stage and public art
    installations help make this a gathering place with personality.

    • 15600 NE 8th St

    • 425 644 1111

  7. Mercer Slough Nature Park

    This
    300 acre park on the grounds of the largest remaining wetland on Lake
    Washington has a 5-mile (8-km) network of trails and esplanades.
    Bird-watchers flock to the Slough to view 100 species; other wildlife
    includes coyote, beaver, and muskrat. Activities comprise canoeing and
    kayaking, guided nature walks, and u-pick blueberries during the summer
    season.

    • 2102 Bellevue Way SE, Bellevue

  8. Marymoor Park

    The
    county’s most popular park, located in Redmond, maintains soccer and
    baseball fields, a velodrome, and an off-leash dog-training field. Dogs
    are free to roam and splash in water, a practice seriously discouraged
    or outlawed everywhere else. Park trails connect with the Sam­mamish
    River Trail, a bike route that leads to popular wineries in Woodinville.

    • 6046 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond

  9. Luther Burbank Park

    Mercer
    Island is a small affluent community off Interstate 90 near Lake
    Washington’s eastern shore. The lovely waterfront park, on the
    northeastern tip of the island, offers boaters and visitors notable
    attractions such as tennis courts, a playground, and trails that lead to
    a swimming area and fishing dock. On summer Sunday afternoons, the park
    hosts free concerts in its amphitheater.

    • 2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island

  10. Dinner Train

    An
    engaging way to travel up the lake to the Washington State wineries
    between Renton and Woodinville is on this vintage train that presents
    dinner and shows. The cuisine and scenery combine for a great but brief
    taste of the golden age of rail travel. The Spirit of Washington departs
    from Renton.

    Spirit of Washington

    • 625 S 4th St (Renton)

    • 425 227 7245