Redmond is weird. Not Portland-weird or Austin-weird, but more like "I have a $200 billion tech campus on one side and a literal goat farm on the other" weird. Honestly, if you’re just coming here to look at the Microsoft sign and leave, you’re doing it wrong. Most people treat this city as a bedroom community for Bellevue or a parking lot for Seattle commuters.
But there’s a specific energy here. It’s the "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest," and they take that title way too seriously. You’ll see people in $5,000 spandex suits racing around a velodrome while three miles away, someone is eating a meat pie and drinking a stout in a room that feels like 19th-century London.
Whether you’re stuck here for a work trip or you’re a local trying to find things to do in Redmond that don’t involve another grocery run, this is the ground-level reality of what’s actually worth your time in 2026.
The Marymoor Phenomenon (It’s Not Just a Park)
You can't talk about Redmond without Marymoor. Calling it a park is like calling the Pacific Ocean a "puddle." It’s 640 acres of chaos and calm.
If you have a dog, you’re basically legally obligated to go to the 40-acre off-leash area. It’s huge. It’s muddy. Your golden retriever will probably lose its mind with joy. But for the humans, the real draw is the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome. It is one of the few places in the country where you can watch track cycling in a literal bowl. In the summer, the "Friday Night Under the Lights" races are electric. It’s niche, it’s fast, and the community vibe is unbeatable.
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Why You Should Go in 2026
This year is a bit different. With the World Cup hype building up for the region, Redmond is leaning hard into its "Fútbol for All" initiative. You’ll find speaker series and prep events at the Aloft Seattle Redmond and City Hall, but the actual grass at Marymoor is where the local soccer soul lives.
Also, the 2026 concert lineup is already looking solid. We’ve got The Dead South coming in June and Alison Krauss in August. There is something about sitting on the grass at Marymoor Live with a local cider while the sun goes down behind the Douglas firs—it just feels like peak Washington.
The Tech Tourist Trap (and How to Avoid It)
Look, everyone wants to see the Microsoft Campus. It’s iconic. But the campus itself is basically a maze of office buildings where people drink free soda and write code. You can't just wander into Building 34 and ask for a tour.
The Microsoft Visitor Center in Building 92 is where you actually want to go. It’s free. It’s interactive. You can play with the latest Surface tech or see the "museum" section with the original Altair. It’s cool for about 45 minutes.
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The Pro Tip: If you want a tech vibe without the corporate gloss, head to DigiPen Institute of Technology. It’s one of the top game design schools in the world. Sometimes they have student showcases, and just being in the vicinity makes you feel like you've stepped into the "Silicon Valley" set.
Where to Actually Eat and Drink
Redmond’s food scene used to be... fine. Now, it’s actually great. You just have to know where to turn.
- Tipsy Cow Burger Bar: This place is a madhouse on weekends. Why? Because the "Rockstar" burger with pimento cheese is a religious experience. They source local beef, and the tap list is always rotating with heavy hitters from the area.
- Pint & Pie: Located on Leary Way, this spot is basically a portal to the UK. They serve savory meat pies. That’s the gimmick, and it works. Get the steak and ale pie. Don't overthink it.
- Postdoc Brewing: Tucked right next to the East entrance of Marymoor. It’s the unofficial headquarters for "I just finished a 20-mile bike ride and need a beer." It’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and their Cram Session coffee brown ale is legendary.
The Watershed: For When People Are Too Much
If the crowd at Redmond Town Center starts to feel like a beehive, get in your car and drive ten minutes to the Redmond Watershed Preserve.
It’s seven miles of trails through some of the densest, quietest woods in King County. Most people stick to the Sammamish River Trail because it’s paved and easy. The Watershed is for people who want to actually smell the cedar and maybe see a deer. It’s strictly for hikers, horses, and bikers (on specific trails), so you don't have to worry about getting mowed down by an electric scooter.
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The Shopping Pivot
Redmond Town Center is an outdoor mall. It has the usual suspects—Apple, REI, H&M. But the real reason to go is the community events. In 2026, the Redmond Saturday Market remains the oldest on the Eastside. It’s where you get the "big" flowers, the weird honey, and the handmade jewelry that actually looks good.
If you’re into the artsy side of things, the Together Center downtown often hosts exhibits, like the Senior Art Show running through February 2026. It’s a glimpse into the local soul that isn't dictated by a corporate brand.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Transport: If you're coming from Bellevue, take the 2 Line Light Rail. It's finally making life easier for those who hate the 520 bridge traffic.
- Timing: If you want to visit the Microsoft Visitor Center, remember it's a weekday-only gig. They are closed on weekends.
- Parking: At Marymoor, you have to pay $1 for parking. It’s the best dollar you’ll ever spend, but bring your card or have the app ready.
- Weather: It’s the PNW. Even in July, bring a light jacket. The temperature drops fast when the sun goes behind the trees in the Sammamish Valley.
Redmond isn't a city that screams for attention. It's subtle. It's a place where you can spend the morning looking at a prototype AI and the afternoon picking out organic kale while a cyclist zips by at 25 mph. It's a weird, high-tech, high-nature balance that somehow just works.
Next time you're looking for things to do in Redmond, skip the generic travel brochures. Go get a meat pie, watch a bike race in a giant wooden bowl, and then lose yourself in the Watershed woods. That's the real Redmond experience.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Marymoor Live 2026 schedule to grab tickets for summer shows before they sell out in May.
- Plan your Microsoft Visitor Center trip for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning to avoid the lunch rush and school groups.
- Download the Let's Roam app if you want a guided scavenger hunt through the Downtown Park area.