If you're visiting, check out these spots:

• F.W. Winters House and Bellevue Historical Society -- 2102 Bellevue Way S.E., 425-450-1046. Mexican-inspired home built in the 1920s, now on the National Register of Historic Places. Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

• Mercer Slough Nature Park -- Adjoining the F.W. Winters House. Offers 320 acres of farmland, peat bogs, wildlife habitat and nature trails.

• Bellevue Botanical Gardens and Wilburton Hill Park -- 12001 Main St. (just east and up Wilburton Hill from Bellevue City Hall), 425-452-2750. Adjoins Wilburton Hill Park. Considered by locals to be one of the Eastside's best-kept secrets, the gardens are a great place to stroll anytime. During the holidays through Dec. 31, gardens are lit up for "Garden D'Lights."

• Kelsey Creek Community Farm Park -- 13204 S.E. Eighth Place, 425-455-7688. Pleasant place to walk and view farm animals. Small play area for children.

• Bellevue Square -- Classy shopping mall located at Bellevue Way Northeast and Northeast Eighth Street. The square has free parking, but space is tight during the holidays. Think transit or car pool.

• Downtown Park -- South of Bellevue Square and just north of Main Street. Waterfall, circular walking path, picnic benches and playground equipment for small children. Small tented ice-skating rink is open during the holidays.

• Barnes & Noble Bookstore -- 626 106th Ave. N.E., 425-451-8463. Next to Starbucks, the bookstore has become a popular yet peaceful hangout for a cross-section of browsers and buyers, including night owls (open until midnight Friday and Saturday). The comfy chairs go fast on a rainy Sunday morning.

• Bellevue Aquatics Center -- 601 143rd Ave. N.E., 425-452-4444. Former Odle Junior High School and then King County Pool renovated and taken over by Bellevue Parks Department. Public swim plus numerous swimming and aquatics programs.

• Pancake Corral -- 1606 Bellevue Way S.E., 425-454-8888. Homey and casual, this 40-year-old restaurant featuring breakfast and lunch is a community fixture. Be prepared to wait in line for breakfast on the weekend.

• Gilbert's Main Street Deli -- 10024 Main St., 425-455-5650. One of Bellevue's small-business success stories, this artsy cafe with homemade bagels, muffins, cinnamon rolls and pizza has been part of Main Street's revival. Breakfast and lunch served, with dinner Friday and Saturday. Jazz some weekend nights.

• Spazzo Mediterranean Grill -- 10655 N.E. Fourth St., 425-454-8255. Offers lunch, dinner and a great view from the ninth floor of the Key Bank Building.

• Daniel's Broiler -- 10500 N.E. Eighth St., 425-462-4662. On the 21st floor of the Seafirst Building, Daniel's offers the highest public view in town, and stays open later than most places. Dinners served until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, bar open until 1 a.m.

• The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art -- 1116 108th Ave. N.E., 425-455-1116. The museum features "I Believe: The Tradition of Santa Claus," a tribute to Santa Claus through exhibition vignettes and discussing his origins. It runs through Jan. 11. Admission is $4-$6; children 4 and under are free. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m.