Free Redmond Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Redmond trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Redmond
Redmond photo 2
Redmond photo 3
All photos

Redmond, Washington pairs Microsoft-era innovation with Sammamish Valley trails, Pacific Northwest scenery, local farms, museums and easy access to Seattle.

A Modern Eastside City

Redmond lies on Washington State’s Eastside, east of Lake Washington and around 16 miles from central Seattle. Best known internationally as the headquarters of Microsoft, it is more than a technology centre: the city combines planned urban districts, wooded neighbourhoods, restored wetlands and a working agricultural landscape in the Sammamish Valley. Its position between Bellevue, Seattle and the Cascade foothills makes it a practical base for exploring the wider Puget Sound region while retaining a quieter, suburban character.
Read more about Redmond

Green Space and Local Life

The city’s outdoor identity is especially evident at Marymoor Park, a large regional park beside the Sammamish River with sports fields, trails, climbing facilities, a community garden and spaces for concerts and festivals. The Sammamish River Trail links Redmond with neighbouring communities, while Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park offers a more rural setting with walking paths and farm animals. Downtown Redmond has restaurants, cafés, public art and the Redmond Central Connector, a landscaped route created along a former railway corridor.

Culture and Regional Connections

Redmond’s cultural life includes performances and exhibitions at the Meydenbauer Center and nearby Eastside institutions, alongside seasonal farmers’ markets and community events. Its diverse population is reflected in restaurants and specialist grocery shops serving cuisines from across Asia and beyond. Light rail, regional buses and the SR 520 corridor connect the city with Bellevue and Seattle, while nearby Lake Sammamish and the foothills broaden the range of landscapes accessible from the urban centre.

When is the best time to visit Redmond?

Best: June–August · 22–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January10150
February12120
March14110
April1790
May1980
June (best)2260
July (best)2540
August (best)2540
September2260
October18100
November12130
December9150

Getting to and around Redmond

How to get there

The principal gateway is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, around 25 miles south-west of Redmond, with the journey usually continuing by hire car, taxi, ride-hailing service or public transport. Regional access is also available from Seattle, Bellevue and other Eastside communities by King County Metro buses and Sound Transit services. Interstate 405 connects Redmond with Bellevue and the northern and southern suburbs, while State Route 520 crosses Lake Washington towards Seattle. Sound Transit’s 2 Line provides rail access between Redmond, Bellevue and the wider Seattle network, although visitors should check current connections and service patterns before travelling.

Transportation

Redmond is spread across a broad suburban area, so walking works best within downtown, Overlake and individual park or retail districts rather than between every attraction. Sound Transit’s 2 Line and regional buses serve key corridors, while King County Metro provides additional local connections. The Sammamish River Trail and other multi-use paths make cycling practical for leisure and some short journeys. Ride-hailing services and taxis are available, but a car can be useful for reaching farms, trailheads and attractions beyond the central districts. Traffic on SR 520 and I-405 can be heavy during weekday commuting periods.

Best attractions in Redmond

Redmond’s principal attractions combine substantial green space with the interests of a technology-oriented Eastside city. Marymoor Park is the largest draw, offering broad lawns, sports facilities, a climbing wall, trails, a community garden and a venue for major events beside the Sammamish River. The Sammamish River Trail provides an easy way to experience the valley landscape by foot or bicycle, while the Redmond Central Connector introduces public art and landscaped urban space through the centre. Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park gives families and visitors a glimpse of the area’s agricultural past, with walking paths and farm animals. Downtown Redmond brings together cafés, restaurants, shops and civic spaces, and the nearby Microsoft campus reflects the city’s global role in software, although much of it is a working private environment rather than a conventional tourist attraction. Lake Sammamish State Park, just outside Redmond in neighbouring Issaquah, offers beaches and water-based recreation rather than a city-centre sight.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Redmond

Redmond’s landmarks express its passage from agricultural settlement to technology centre. The Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, housed in a historic early twentieth-century school building, preserves a tangible link with the town’s civic and educational past. The Redmond Central Connector is a contemporary urban landmark, transforming a former railway corridor into a landscaped public route marked by artworks and gathering spaces. Marymoor Park, although primarily a recreation area, is a defining regional landscape whose open fields, wetlands and river frontage distinguish Redmond from a conventional office suburb. Microsoft’s Redmond campus is another powerful symbol of the city’s modern identity, though it functions mainly as a private workplace rather than a public monument. The Sammamish River and its trail form a natural landmark, recalling the waterways and valley agriculture that shaped the community before suburban expansion.

Show more landmarks

Explore Redmond on the map

Plan your Redmond trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Redmond

Redmond’s dining scene reflects the Eastside’s international population and strong technology economy rather than a single defining local cuisine. Downtown Redmond and the Overlake area contain a broad mix of restaurants, cafés, bakeries and casual eateries, with particularly strong representation from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese and other Asian traditions alongside American and Mediterranean cooking. The area around Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center retains a more established local setting, while commercial centres provide contemporary dining and specialist food shops. Seasonal produce from the Sammamish Valley appears at farmers’ markets and farm stands, linking the restaurant scene with the region’s agricultural history. Visitors will find everything from quick noodle and rice dishes to coffee, pastries, burgers and sit-down meals, while independent grocers can be useful for discovering unfamiliar ingredients and regional products.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Redmond

Redmond’s evening scene is relatively relaxed and suburban, centred on restaurants, breweries, wine bars and casual pubs rather than a dense nightclub district. Downtown Redmond and Old Town offer the greatest concentration of places for an evening drink or meal, while the Overlake area has additional bars associated with restaurants and hotels. Live music, community performances, cinema and seasonal events at larger venues and parks provide alternatives to drinking-focused nightlife, although schedules vary. The city’s proximity to Bellevue and Seattle gives visitors access to a much broader late-night scene, but returning by public transport requires checking the final connection carefully. Washington’s legal drinking age is 21, and visitors should carry accepted identification when purchasing alcohol; driving after drinking is illegal and ride-hailing or a designated driver is essential.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Redmond

Redmond’s evening scene is relatively relaxed and suburban, centred on restaurants, breweries, wine bars and casual pubs rather than a dense nightclub district. Downtown Redmond and Old Town offer the greatest concentration of places for an evening drink or meal, while the Overlake area has additional bars associated with restaurants and hotels. Live music, community performances, cinema and seasonal events at larger venues and parks provide alternatives to drinking-focused nightlife, although schedules vary. The city’s proximity to Bellevue and Seattle gives visitors access to a much broader late-night scene, but returning by public transport requires checking the final connection carefully. Washington’s legal drinking age is 21, and visitors should carry accepted identification when purchasing alcohol; driving after drinking is illegal and ride-hailing or a designated driver is essential.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Redmond

Shopping in Redmond is concentrated in modern commercial districts, neighbourhood centres and the Bella Bottega area rather than a historic market quarter. Downtown Redmond offers independent shops, cafés and everyday services along with the Redmond Central Connector, while larger retail centres provide clothing, electronics, books, beauty products and international groceries. Specialist Asian supermarkets and food shops reflect the city’s diverse population and are useful places to find ingredients, sweets and household products from across the Pacific Rim. Seasonal farmers’ markets and Sammamish Valley farm stands add locally grown fruit, vegetables, flowers and nursery plants to the retail mix, with dates and locations varying through the year. Visitors seeking crafts, antiques or a broader luxury selection may find more choice in nearby Bellevue or Seattle, whereas Redmond’s shopping character is practical, contemporary and closely connected with suburban life and local food production.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Redmond, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Redmond essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the US dollar (USD). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, shops, restaurants and attractions, although small markets, temporary stalls and some independent businesses may have different arrangements. Visa and Mastercard are commonly used, while American Express acceptance varies. ATMs are available in commercial districts, banks and shopping centres; international visitors should check whether their card issuer applies foreign-exchange or cash-withdrawal fees. In restaurants and bars, a service tip is normally added separately rather than included automatically, unless the establishment clearly states otherwise.
Safety
Redmond is a generally orderly suburban city, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate. Keep valuables out of sight in parked vehicles, take care with bags in busy retail areas and use well-lit routes after dark. Trails and parks can become quiet outside event periods, so visitors should remain aware of their surroundings and avoid isolated areas late at night. When cycling or walking, use marked crossings and trail etiquette, particularly near roads and shared paths. Weather can change quickly, and wet or slippery conditions are possible on wooded trails; check conditions before longer outdoor excursions.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 throughout Redmond and Washington State for police, fire or medical emergencies. Give the operator the precise street address or a clear landmark, particularly when calling from Marymoor Park, a trail or a large commercial campus. For urgent but non-life-threatening medical concerns, visitors can ask their accommodation or a local health provider about appropriate clinics or advice lines; emergency departments are available in the wider Eastside and Seattle area. Keep travel insurance details and any essential medication information accessible, and do not rely on a mobile signal being equally strong throughout parkland.
Do's and Don'ts
Do allow pedestrians and cyclists space on shared trails, obey crossing signals and follow posted park regulations. In restaurants, tipping around 15 to 20 per cent for satisfactory table service is customary, with the exact amount depending on service and circumstances. Alcohol purchase and consumption are restricted to people aged 21 or over, and impaired driving is illegal. Do not enter private Microsoft or other corporate property without permission, and respect the privacy of residential neighbourhoods. At parks, farms and cultural sites, follow signs concerning dogs, fires, waterways and protected habitats rather than assuming access is unrestricted.
Local Tips
Downtown Redmond is the easiest area for combining cafés, restaurants, public art and the Redmond Central Connector, while Marymoor Park rewards a separate half-day or longer visit. The Sammamish River Trail offers a low-gradient route towards neighbouring communities, but cyclists and walkers should share it considerately. The Sammamish Valley has a rural appearance despite its proximity to office districts, with farms, nurseries and seasonal produce stands whose opening patterns vary. For regional sightseeing, pair Redmond with Bellevue or Seattle rather than assuming every major attraction can be reached quickly by local bus.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haw-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see yah]
YesYep[yep]
NoNope[nohp]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez/no prob-lem]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[par-dun me/my bad]
How are you?How's it going?[hows it go-in]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[good. yoo?]
Do you speak English?You speak English?[yoo speak in-glish?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I dont get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I check out the menu?[can I chek out the menu?]
I don't eat meatI'm vegetarian[Im ve-ji-tear-ee-an]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCheck please[chek please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Leave me alone![leave mee a-lone]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops!]
Call a doctor!I need a doctor![I need a doc-tor!]
I'm lostI'm lost[Im lost]
I'm illI'm sick[Im sik]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[just brows-ing]
How much is it?What's the price?[whats the price?]
That's too expensiveToo pricey[too prye-see]
Can you lower the price?Can you give me a discount?[can yoo give me a dis-count?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[whats the time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[Its one]
Half past (10)Ten thirty[Ten thur-tee]
MorningMorning[mor-ning]
AfternoonAfternoon[af-ter-noon]
EveningEvening[ee-ven-ing]
YesterdayYesterday[yes-ter-day]
TodayToday[to-day]
TomorrowTomorrow[to-mor-row]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[siks]
7Seven[sev-en]
8Eight[ate]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wheres the]
What's the address?What's the address?[whats the address]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[can yoo show me on the map]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[whens the next bus]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[a ticket to]

History of Redmond

Coast Salish Homelands

The Redmond area lies within the traditional homelands of Coast Salish peoples, including communities connected with the Duwamish and Snoqualmie peoples. The Sammamish River, Lake Sammamish and nearby wetlands provided routes through the landscape as well as fish, plants and other resources. Indigenous presence long predates the American settlement that later gave the town its name, and contemporary place names and regional cultural institutions continue to reflect the enduring history of Native communities in the Puget Sound area.

Settlement and the McRedmond Name

Euro-American settlement increased in the late nineteenth century as homesteaders, loggers and farmers moved into the Sammamish Valley. Luke McRedmond, who arrived in the area during the 1870s, became closely associated with the developing settlement, which took the name Redmond. Its position near waterways and fertile valley land supported farming and trade, while access to the emerging transport network helped connect the community with Seattle and other settlements around Lake Washington.

Railways, Farming and Incorporation

The arrival of railway connections in the late nineteenth century strengthened Redmond’s role as a local agricultural and commercial centre. Orchards, dairies, berry farms and other agricultural enterprises shaped the Sammamish Valley, while shops and civic buildings developed around the town centre. Redmond was incorporated in 1912, giving the growing community a formal municipal structure. Some later neighbourhoods and roads still preserve traces of this transition from rural settlement to an established Eastside town.

From Rural Town to Seattle Suburb

During the twentieth century, improved roads, rising car ownership and the expansion of the Seattle metropolitan area transformed Redmond. Agricultural land increasingly stood beside housing, schools and commercial development, although parts of the Sammamish Valley remained in cultivation. The opening of major regional routes, including connections across Lake Washington, made commuting easier and accelerated suburban growth. Redmond’s local economy consequently broadened from farming and small-town trade to include offices, retail and services serving the expanding Eastside.

Microsoft and the Technology Era

Microsoft moved its headquarters from Bellevue to Redmond in 1986, a decision that helped make the city internationally associated with software and technology. The company’s expanding campus encouraged further investment, specialised employment and infrastructure across the Eastside, while other technology firms and professional businesses also established a presence nearby. Redmond’s contemporary identity reflects this economic transformation, but its parks, waterways, farmland and older civic areas remain important counterpoints to the corporate landscape.

Redmond in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Redmond

The closest cities to Redmond, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Washington
More of the region

Explore more of Washington

Explore Washington State: From the vibrant streets of Seattle to the tranquil beauty of the Olympic Peninsula, discover the diverse landscapes, culture, and adventures awaiting you.

Explore Washington
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Redmond, Washington

Discover Redmond like never before with Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more!

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and more
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Plan your perfect trip to Redmond, Washington with Evendo. Explore top attractions, book hotels and tours, and get local tips all in one free app!

  • History of Redmond and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Redmond, Washington – a city full of vibrant attractions, stunning landmarks, and delicious dining options. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo is your ultimate travel companion. With detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities, Evendo makes it easy to plan and organize your trip.

Explore famous landmarks like the Microsoft Visitor Center and Marymoor Park. Discover top attractions such as the Redmond Town Center for shopping and entertainment, or enjoy a serene walk at the Sammamish River Trail. Food enthusiasts will love dining at popular spots like Woodblock or Matts' Rotisserie & Oyster Lounge.

Evendo offers rich information on each location, including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, ensuring you make the most out of your Redmond adventure. Plus, you can easily book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. No more hassle of multiple bookings – everything is in one place!

With features like the history of Redmond, travel essentials, curated local tips, and an easy-to-use navigation system, Evendo ensures you experience the city like a local. The 'Near Me' feature allows you to find exciting places around you, no matter where you are. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free with no in-app purchases or hidden costs.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.