Steps away from Meydenbauer Bay Park with stunning views of Lake Washington, is the Old Bellevue neighborhood, lovingly called "Old Main" or "Old Main Street."
Packed with family-friendly activities, lively brunches, enticing cocktail lounges and tasting rooms, beloved restaurants, boutique shops, specialty coffee, and much more, Old Main Street is the original town center of Bellevue.
Set within the bustling Bellevue downtown core near Bellevue Downtown Park, with a backdrop of glistening skyrises, the quaint charm of Old Main Street offers a piece of Bellevue history and is one of the many things to do in Bellevue.
The History of Old Main Street
It was the 1860s and Seattle was just dirt roads and scattered homes when Seattle baker William Meydenbauer crossed Lake Washington, and took claim to what is now Meydenbauer Bay Park.
Over the next century, this area transformed from a logging town to orchards and vegetable farms, to a town center that spread out from Main Street. In the first half of the 20th century, Main Street was the retail center of Bellevue before the city grew into its own urban core with a stunning skyline of its own.
Today, Old Main Street maintains its small-town appeal and is a popular activity for locals, business travelers, and visitors to enjoy leisurely days full of friendly interactions, al fresco dining, window shopping, and nightlife escapades. Along the way, you'll pass many locations where Bellevue's past is still visible in the modern landscape.
Directions to Bellevue's Old Main
Old Bellevue is located on the western part of Bellevue's Main Street, in a not-so-hidden part of the downtown core, just steps away from the waterfront at Meydenbauer Bay Park. The walkable neighborhood in the southeast downtown area is lined with boutique retail, restaurants, and small businesses, with many attractions to explore on foot.
Parking
Parking along the surface streets on Old Main fill up quickly depending on the season or time of day. There are two dedicated surface lots and multiple adjacent on-street parking sites at Bellevue Downtown Park providing free parking for visitors. Several Old Bellevue shops and restaurants offer validated parking for customers in adjacent surface lots and garages. There are over 30 on-street parking segments, offering free two hour parking throughout the area between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, except Sundays and holidays. Please be sure to check the marked wayfinding signage.
By car
Old Bellevue is just south of Bellevue Downtown Park and southeast of Meydenbauer Bay Park. From WA-520 E, take the 84th Ave NE exit in Medina and continue onto Lake Washington Blvd NW to Main Street. From I-90 E, take exit 9 and follow Bellevue Way SE to Main Street.
By BellHop
From Bellevue's downtown core, take BellHop, Bellevue's first 100% electric, on-demand free shuttle service to Old Main. Simply download the Circuit app, request a ride, and a sustainable shuttle will whisk you away to your set destination.
By Bike
Bike commutes and e-biking activities are very popular in the area, which means there are plenty of bike trails to choose from. Take the Main Street Bikeway, a part of the Lake to Lake Trail, to get to the shops and restaurants of Old Bellevue.
From Seattle, take the Sound Transit Express Bus Route 550 to get to the Bellevue Transit Center, which is a 5 minute walk from Old Main. From the Eastside (of Lake Washington and Seattle), take the East Link Extension's 2 Line light rail to the Bellevue Downtown Station or the East Main Station.
Things to do at Old Bellevue on Main Street
There's plenty to shop, sip, and taste! The Old Bellevue Merchants Association hosts various events throughout the year, including wine walks, Lunar New Year celebrations, Halloween, block parties, and more. Check their website for updates.
