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.

Everything is so overpriced. It was bad enough before shrinkflation…read more Quite snooty attitudes from staff as well. Not super impressed.

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.

A beautiful park in the heart of downtown Bellevue!…read more Love to see the community out and about enjoying this park. There's a paved walking path where people are taking a stroll, walking their dogs, or practicing Tai Chi if you happen to be there in the morning. With tons of green, there's also a good amount of people picnicking and frolicking. I love that there's a rim of water that lines the park. It really adds to the serene vibe and is home to plenty of cute ducks. Absolutely love this park! I almost always choose to walk through the park if the route I'm on permits it :)

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.

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.

This was a nice little find. We got here late as my sister had to take her son to this de's appt…read more By the time we got to Seattle, it was already 1 pm. Once the entire family met up, we climbed back into the car and headed to Bellevue. Not sur if it was due to the time. But we were surprised there was a lot of parking available. We spent a good 2-hrs here which included getting lost and finding other street entries into the botanical park from a school and from other busy street corner at the bottom of the park. Nice and shaded, quiet little creeks, plenty of seating for those that were inspired to journal, plenty of elderly people using this time to exercise and stretch. We enjoyed the different areas like the swinging bridge, the Japanese garden and even the little cafe they have there. Fairly priced items and plenty of tables to enjoy a refreshment and snack. By the time we were done, the gift shop was already closed. So I took the opportunity to drop a donation into the box instead.

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.

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