The waterfront is so beautiful! It's very peaceful and relaxing! Great place to just relax and…read moreenjoy nature! You can easily spend time here just walking along the water and taking in the views. It's a very peaceful place if you just need to go on a walk or clear your mind. I love how it's not packed and how clean it is. It feels calm and open, and it's a perfect spot to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

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.

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

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.

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!

Make sure you check the schedule online before going…read more(https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/parks/Recreation_and_Services/Aquatics/Peter_Kirk_Pool.htm) The hours on google aren't always accurate. It's $5 for each person regardless of age and regardless if you're swimming. The wading pool is nice for toddlers and small children though it is a bit small. I'm also taking down another star because of the worker here who wouldn't let my 3 year old use the bathroom after we left to the car and came back. I let him pee in the bushes next to the pool.

Great Park for everyone and anyone…read more The park is always well kept and properly maintained. If you're here to utilize the money of green space and just vibe out for a picnic or some quiet time with nature. Maybe here to utilize the playground area for the kids that includes a small splash pad. Or maybe you're here to utilize the bench's around the water and just enjoy a moment to yourself. Or maybe you're here to utilize the walking path around the park for a little exercise. There's often community events here. Overall a stellar park. It's close to much and just a great park.

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 :)

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.

I frequently visit Bellevue but never knew about this garden until lately. It's such a gem and…read moretranquil place to visit. The peaceful atmosphere is just so beautiful and relaxing I felt I was away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I even spotted deers! There's no admission fee. Washrooms are available. Parking is free.

Bellevue Botanical Garden is a beautiful place. And the fact that it is always free too! It's open…read moreevery day even holidays! To be a small botanical garden, there's a nice walking path and many, many beautiful flowers and plants to see. There are often local community events hosted here. Activities for the young to adults. They have classes that you can find and sign up for on their website as well. And the classes are affordable!! You may even see people taking wedding photos here because again it's beautiful. The park is ADA friendly. The path is dirt and pebbled but can be navigated with a wheelchair. There are bathrooms on site and a small shop. I have never purchased bulbs or plants from here but I know there is a big community around that. The coffee shop in the garden can get busy. But a benefit is we were able to charge my husband's wheelchair there on a visit. While the park is open every day, the coffee shop is not. Definitely this should be a spot for all locals. And not just a one time visit either.

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.

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.