Redmond's location on the eastern edge of the Seattle metro area puts it within easy reach of both the city and the Cascade Mountains. Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington's most visited natural landmarks, is 20 minutes east on SR-202 — a 268-foot waterfall with a viewing platform and trail to the base. The nearby town of Snoqualmie has a historic railway depot that serves as a base for the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad excursion train.
Bellevue, directly west across Lake Sammamish, is a larger city with better restaurants, the Bellevue Arts Museum, and the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Seattle is 30-40 minutes by car or 45 minutes by light rail. Eastside Winery trail in Woodinville, about 20 minutes north, has over 100 wineries and tasting rooms concentrated in an industrial zone — an unusual setting that makes for a distinctive day out.