Washington (206) 362-2366
Oregon (503) 252-8499
As you probably know already, Seattle is a wonderful city that has so much to offer. If you’re looking for things to do in the Seattle area, you might not get many suggestions outside of Seattle’s city limits. However, people who live and grew up in Bellevue, Washington—which is only about 10 miles from Seattle—know that this smaller, but vibrant city has a ton to offer when you’re looking for a fun activity to pass the time.
No matter if it’s winter or summer, Bellevue has a lot of options for seniors who are looking for ways to get out of the house. Looking for an outing with a family member or an in home caregiver? Consider your own Bellevue backyard! Here are five fun activities for seniors and their caregivers in Bellevue, Washington.
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year. No matter what time of year you go, something is always blooming! Admission is free and with 53 acres to cover, there’s a new area to explore every time you go. The Botanical Garden offers guided tours for visitors who want an in-depth look at the flora and fauna.
There are even indoor spaces for when the weather is a bit too cold to walk around outside.
If your loved one uses a wheelchair to get around or is living with limited mobility, Bellevue Botanical Garden has accessible parking spots and restrooms for those with limited mobility. Check out their Bellevue Botanical Garden’s Trail Accessibility Guide to learn which paths are best for wheelchairs and those who need assistance with walking, since some of the paths are sloped. No matter what part of the gardens you’re visiting, all of the gravel paths are ADA-compliant.
Have you always been a patron of the arts? If so, you won’t want to miss the Bellevue Arts Museum. Take a stroll through the BAM’s exhibits of international and regional artists and fill your afternoon with art. You won’t want to miss installations, like Object Permanence by Tihanyi and Sylwia Tur, which runs through May.
If you’re trying to save money, go to a free-admission day, or if you’re really passionate about art, book a private tour. Just being around creative energy could inspire you to try your own hand at a craft. Making art at home is a great way for seniors to destress. You might be an artist and not even know it! It’s never too late to start expressing yourself.
The Bellevue Downtown Park is a gorgeous, urban park that combines outdoor space with a spectacular view of the Bellevue skyline. There are numerous benches to sit on in the area, and a waterfall sculpture that runs around the edge of the green space. If you’re feeling up for a picnic in the park, grab a pizza at MOD Pizza just across the street. Being around kids can make you feel young and energized, so consider choosing a picnic spot close to Inspiration Park—the playground—to watch the young ones play.
You probably won’t be able to see whales in Bellevue, because it’s too far inland; however it’s only about a 30 minute drive to the Golden Gardens Park where whales are often spotted, especially during the summer months. If you’ve got your sea legs, you can even drive to Edmonds and board a boat that will take you to the best locations to spot orca whales, humpback whales and maybe even the elusive Minke whale.
Get all of your birthday and holiday shopping done early this year while you get some light exercise walking around the mall. Walking around the Bellevue Square mall is a great activity to do during the winter months that doesn’t cost money or require scheduling in advance. Next time you’re feeling a little spontaneous, consider heading to the mall.
If it always feels like everything you want to do is closed by the time your son or daughter gets off work, consider hiring someone from a senior care management team as a senior companion to take you out for a morning or afternoon adventure. Once you’re paired with a home care Seattle expert, you’ll be able to explore the Bellevue area more freely and on your own time.
