FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our most commonly asked questions are listed below. Please contact us if your question or concern is not addressed below.
Accessibility/Assisted Groups
- Accessible parking spots are available in the Garden parking lot.
- Accessible restrooms are located near the Trillium Store.
- The majority of pathways in the main Garden are covered with 3/8 minus gravel, which packs down and is considered an ADA-compliant material. Some of the trails within the Garden are sloped. See our Trail & Accessibility Guide for more information.
- We do not rent wheelchairs at the Garden. For your convenience, we list the following where you can rent a wheelchair:
- Bellevue Healthcare 425-451-2842
- Wheels For Feet 425-256-2882
- If you will be bringing senior citizens or people with limited mobility, note the following suggestions:
- The ratio of caregiver to your guests should be about 1:5. Stay with them to ensure their safety.
- Visitors should dress for the weather; non-skid shoes are recommended.
- Download a copy of our Trail & Accessibility Guide before visiting the Garden.
Directions
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is located at 12001 Main St., Bellevue, WA 98005. There are several ways to get here from I-405 & SR-520. We recommend consulting a navigation app to find the best route from your starting point.
General Directions:
From I-405, take exit 13A onto NE 4th St. and head east. Turn right on 120th Avenue. Go south approximately 1/2 mile to the stoplight at Main St. Turn left onto Main St. The Garden entrance is about three blocks up Main Street on the right.
King County Metro
To travel to the Garden by King County Metro bus, from the Bellevue Transit Center, take bus #271 and get off at the 116th Ave SE & SE 1st St stop. This is the closest bus stop to the Garden, and is a 1/2 mile walk from the bus stop to the Garden, and is uphill for the first 1/4 mile. Consult the King County Metro Trip Planner for exact routes and times.
Garden Guidelines
To make the Garden a safe place for people, plants, and wildlife, remember these rules:
- Dogs and other pets are not permitted anywhere on Garden grounds. Service animals are welcome. Leashed pets are allowed at nearby Wilburton Hill Park and on the Lake-to-Lake Trail.
- Bicycles, rollerblades, and skateboards are not allowed in the Garden. You can enjoy them in nearby Wilburton Hill Park.
- Stay on paths and lawns. Do not walk in plant beds.
- Do not disturb plant labels. Use our plant database for plant information.
- Do not disturb flowers, plants, fruits, or leaves so everyone can enjoy them.
- Drones are not allowed in the Bellevue Botanical Garden or any City of Bellevue park.
- Families and children are welcome in the Garden. However, this is not a typical park and we do not have a playground. The main Garden consists of carefully cultivated fragile plants so children are to be supervised at all times to ensure that they stay on pathways and lawns and do not enter plant beds or climb on rocks. A playground is available at nearby Wilburton Hill Park.
Hours & Admission
The Garden is open daily, including holidays, from dawn to dusk. The Visitor Center is currently closed. There is no fee to visit the Garden.
Large Groups
If you plan to bring a large group (more than ten) on a self-guided tour of the Garden, notify us by email or by calling (425) 452-2750. Please follow all Garden Guidelines.
If you have a large group arriving by van, bus or shuttle, please be aware that our parking lot cannot accommodate these large vehicles. See Parking below for more information.
Lost & Found
Found items should be brought to the Trillium Store. For lost items, contact the Garden Office at 425-452-2750 or email us. When emailing, include a description of the lost item and a photo if possible.
Parking
Free parking is available in the Garden parking lot, immediately adjacent to the Visitor Center and the Garden. When parking in the Garden lot, lock your vehicle and take all valuables with you. There is no bus parking onsite. Overflow parking is available at Wilburton Hill Park. From the Garden entrance, drive east approximately 1/4 mile and turn right into the Wilburton Hill Park entrance.
Large Vehicles
Our parking lot cannot accommodate buses, shuttles, or other large vehicles. Bus drivers are permitted to drop off their passengers at the Garden entrance and then proceed to Wilburton Hill Park to park. Drive east approximately 1/4 mile to bend in the road and turn right into that lot.
Pets
Service animals only are allowed in the Garden. Dogs and other pets are not permitted anywhere on Garden grounds. Leashed pets are welcome in nearby Wilburton Hill Park and on the Lake-to-Lake Trail.
Photography
For professional photography shoots and permit information, contact the Garden Office at 425-452-2750 or by email, or see our Photography Page.
Picnics
You may picnic in designated areas only. There are two picnic tables by the main entry, and tables on the Shorts House Patio that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not permit picnicking on the lawns. Wilburton Hill Park, just a 5 minute walk southeast of the Garden along the Lake-to-Lake Trail, has numerous picnic facilities for your convenience.
Refreshments – Coffee Cart at the Shorts House
Copper Kettle Coffee Bar provides coffee, tea, baked goods and light lunches in the Shorts House. Hours vary by season.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located near the Trillium Store. Visitors are welcome to use the restroom consistent with their gender identity or expression.
Trillium Store
The Trillium Store offers garden-themed gifts, perfect to remember your visit to the Garden. Hours vary by season.
Weddings & Private Parties
Weddings and other private parties are not permitted anywhere on Garden grounds. We do permit wedding photography, however. A photography permit is required. Contact the Garden Office at 425-452-2750 or by email if you are interested in wedding photography, or consult our Photography Page.
