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+1
The botanical gardens had to be one of our top highlights from our trip. It started with a 7 acre donation by the former owners, the Shorts, who lived on the grounds and through additional acquisitions by the city it evolved into the gardens of today.. The Shorts left behind their house, now converted into a coffee shop (and the only place open due to COVID), Rhododendron Grove (their favorite) and more. It’s amazing what they did. The Tateuichi Viewing Platform was an open air wooden structure that offered some protection from the cold but was a great spot to rest and take in the garden views. From here we made our way across a small babbling stream down towards a smaller viewing area over a pond being filled by a waterfall. Nearby was the gnome house (an old root cellar). You could make a small game or challenge by having your kids search for it (we walked by it twice) or even add to it by looking out for a sculptures randomly scattered about. Yao Garden was a beautiful Japanese inspired garden that demonstrated how a storm water detention site (per signage)can be incorporated invisibly. The other gardens of note were Rock, Fuchsia and the Perennial Border. The riot of the fall colors were so beautiful here and the huge variety of plants, flowers and trees offered a lot for the eye to see and enjoy. We did not get to make it to the ravine experience so will come back for the suspension bridge on the next visit. We’ll definitely wear more comfortable shoes then. Free admission and free parking.…
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Date of experience: October 2020
6 Helpful votes
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+1
Limited parking but you can find sun or shade here and lots of paths winding through interesting and beautiful plants.
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Date of experience: July 2020
1 Helpful vote
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OK, after hearing about this place for many years my expectations were rather high. Having reviewed Renton's Kubota Gardens, a few years ago, and having been to The Buchart Gardens, and VanDuesin Gardens up in British Columbia on several occasions, I expected a true delight. Not really. Pretty darn commercial, with restaurant, store etc. Honestly plants that I see walking around my neighborhood. Nothing special or spectacular, and yes we went there in season. If you live in a apartment or condo in downtown Bellevue it would be a nice little escape in city. Don't waste your time driving there otherwise.…
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Date of experience: August 2020
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Clean, quiet, and gorgeous gardens. We could have spent much more time here walking and photographing the plants and rabbits. Plenty of parking when we arrived, and the bathrooms are among the cleanest public bathrooms I've seen.
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Date of experience: July 2020
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+1
Beautiful. Hilly. Private. Classic Northwest plants. Green. Full bloom flowers in March! Romantic. Free. Must see if you are visiting Seattle.
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Date of experience: March 2020
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