Downtown Redmond

Established by Luke McRedmond in 1870 as a logging and fishing town along the bank of the Sammamish Slough, the city of Redmond was originally called Salmonberg because of the over rich supply of fish in the area’s rivers and streams. With the building of a railroad, and the demand for more goods and services, Redmond soon began to expand. In 1980, Redmond was the fastest growing city in Washington. Today, with a population of nearly 50,000, it is one of Washington’s top 25 most affluent neighborhoods, as it is home to technology giants, Microsoft and Nintendo of America. Located 18 miles east of Seattle, minutes east of Kirkland, and north of Sammamish, Redmond is perfectly situated for residents to enjoy bountiful goods and services in a thriving suburb.

Redmond Town Center is officially the hub of commercial activity in downtown Redmond, and a premier shopping location on the eastside. Once a flailing golf course, in 1997 the city refurbished the land by building a wrap-around outdoor mall that currently plays host to over 100 shops and restaurants, and also offers lodging. Entertainment options include several movie theatres, and the Second Story repertory theatre for live performances. Over the holidays, RTC also hosts the award-winning Redmond Lights-a celebration of the diverse traditions of the holidays, offering food and entertainment from around the world. However, in addition to Redmond’s fresh commercial face, further down the tree-lined road you’ll run into a well-maintained historic business center. With many personally owned small businesses, old boot shops and bookstores, visitors can experience the city’s old soul. Victors Coffee house is also a special respite for locals.

Redmond is also known as the “bicycle capital of the northwest.” Not only are there over 20 miles of biking trails, including the Sammamish river trail that connects all the way to Ballard, the state’s only velodrome is located in Marymoor Park. Redmond Derby Days, an annual community festival held every July since 1939, is a 3-day festival with parade and entertainment surrounding a bike race around Lake Sammamish.

Being another lush eastside neighborhood, the city of Redmond boasts 23 developed public parks. Anderson Park is a historic park located off one of the city’s central intersections, with a large grassy lawn and wood lodging for picnics and celebrations. Large evergreens tower over the shaded park and playground, and you forget there is an active city just beyond its borders. Although not owned by the city, 550-acre Marymoor Park, located just off the north end of Lake Sammamish, is most frequented by Redmond residents. It is one of King County’s most popular parks, with features such as a large climbing rock, a model airplane flying range, softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, new turf soccer fields, and a large off-leash dog park. In recent years, the park has also become a premiere location for outdoor concerts, drawing big names such as Norah Jones, David Gray, and The Pretenders. Concert-goers can enjoy acoustic performances on a grassy lawn, while trying to spot the park’s historic windmills hidden amongst the flourishing landscape.