If you’re planning a trip to Leeds and want to plan some fun activities, you’re in the right place! We’re here with a list of 6 fun things to do in and around Leeds, so you can find the perfect activities for your trip, no matter how long you’re there. This city has so much to offer, from great food to fun activities, a fantastic nightlife and some of the best shopping, so we know you’ll have a wonderful time if you choose this as your city break location. We hope you take inspiration from our ideas and have an incredible time in this great city!
Tropical World
First up, if you’re a big fan of animals, then you’ve got to head to Tropical World. This is an indoor wildlife park with monkeys, reptiles, butterflies, crocodiles and so much more. You can meet the animals, learn about conservation and also then enjoy Roundhay park afterwards for a lovely day out! There is a cafe on site as well if you want everything in one place for the day, which does your classic breakfast and lunch foods, as well as catering to lots of different dietary requirements. It’s about a 15 minute drive outside of Leeds or you can easily hop on the bus too, with them running every 20 minutes! This is a great day out for people who love animals.
Visit The Museums
Next, if you want to make your trip educational, then visit the museums! There are so many fantastic museums to visit all across the city:
- Abbey House Museum – explore Victorian streets in this 19th century museum that is so interesting and great for a family day!
- Leeds Art Gallery – see incredible modern and contemporary art at Leeds Art Gallery, right in the heart of the city.
- Leeds City Museum – this museum is home to artefacts from all over the world and is completely free to enter!
- Leeds Industrial Museum – learn about the industries that helped to turn Leeds into the city it is, including an in-house cinema.
- Kirkstall Abbey – explore some of the best preserved Cistercian monasteries and learn about nearly 900 years of history.
There is so much to see and do when spending an afternoon exploring the museums in Leeds, although you may not be able to fit them all in one go!
Go Shopping!
If you’re looking for some retail therapy, Leeds is renowned for its fantastic shopping centres. The shopping centres Leeds based are all quite different, so you can find anything you’re looking for! Our personal favourite is Victoria Leeds, a luxury shopping centre in a breathtaking historic building with stunning architecture and stained glass features. It’s home to plenty of luxury shops, from jewellery to clothing and accessories, as well as more affordable options, so anyone can enjoy the day. It’s absolutely worth a visit, then you can head to the Boom Battle Bar afterwards to finish off the day of fun. It’s also home to fantastic restaurants, bars and cafes, so you can make sure that you stay well hydrated throughout the day, as shopping can be thirsty work!
Enjoy The Great Food!
If you’re a foodie, then you’re in for a treat in Leeds. It’s home to so many great restaurants, with many of the classic chains as well as fantastic independent restaurants. You can find places all over the city for a quick bite to eat, but we’re going to explore some of the best more formal restaurants the city has to offer.
First up is The Swine That Dines, which offers a down to earth take on fine dining in a relaxed space that you can just thoroughly enjoy. The menu is guided by seasonal ingredients yet one thing is consistent; the food always tastes impeccable. If you’re looking for a new food experience where we know you’ll fall in love with the food, this is the place to go.
Our next one is The Whitehall, a hidden gem that is another one of the best restaurants Leeds has to offer. With a luxury interior, high ceilings and an incredible menu, you really can’t go wrong. It’s a hybrid between modern British and European cuisines, bringing a new twist to classic flavours. The wine list is also great if you’re wanting to enjoy a glass.
For fans of Italian food, head to Stuzzi. You’ll get a really authentic yet refined feeling here, with a spacious dining room, exposed brick decor and a whole wall of wine. They take the charm of classic Italian dishes and elevate them to another level, with plenty of small plate options if you want to share, along with classic larger meals.
If you’re looking for Chinese comfort food, Wen’s is where you need to go. The menu reflects authentic Chinese home cooking, with the dining space also reflecting a relaxed homely atmosphere. From incredible dumplings through to an amazing stir-fried shredded pork dish, you’ll leave here with a full stomach and a smile on your face, that’s for sure!
Go On A Pub Crawl
For people looking to drink when they’re in Leeds, then the iconic Otley Run is a core part of the drinking culture in Leeds! It’s a long stretch of 17 pubs, from authentic pubs to fancier bars and also sports bars. You certainly won’t be alone when you’re doing the Otley Run, as groups of people from all over the country come to Leeds for this! It’s common for people to dress up, just to add to the ridiculous nature of visiting 17 pubs in one go. Of course, you can select the ones you want out of the 17 if you wanted to, for example if a dancy-bar isn’t top of your priority list, you can skip this one out to spend more time in the more authentic pubs.
Visit Kirkgate Market
Lastly we’ve got Kirkgate Market, which is a stunning indoor market packed full of fresh food, drinks, as well as stunning flowers and haberdashery. It’s full of character and a fantastic place to try new and different foods and overall to learn a bit about what Leeds has to offer. It’s smack bang in the middle of the city centre as well, so no matter your plans for the rest of the day, you can fit a quick visit in! You can spend ages walking around this market and enjoying the incredible street food and all the different vendors, so if this sounds like your kind of thing, then set a few hours aside! Banh and Mee is especially a highlight, we’d definitely recommend the Viet Style Chicken Curry!