Things to do in Leeds

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Leeds Travel Guide

Corn Exchange featuring street scenes and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Corn Exchange showing interior views and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Millennium Square featuring heritage architecture and street scenes

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Leeds must see attractions

1. University of Leeds

Renowned for its research and teaching, the University of Leeds is also set apart by its campus, which unites a variety of divergent architectural styles in a celebration of British architecture throughout the 20th century. Grouped on well-manicured lawns just outside the Leeds city center, it welcomes more than 30,000 students each year from a variety of backgrounds. The university was the first in the region to accept women, Catholics and other disadvantaged groups. Go on a walking tour of its many striking buildings and have a picnic on the grass, as you watch the students go past.

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2. First Direct Arena

When First Direct Arena opened in 2014, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John set a high bar for the quality of artists who would appear here. Since then, a huge variety of entertainers have come, from Drake and Miley Cyrus to championship boxing matches to beloved local acts such as the Kaiser Chiefs. Don’t miss any of the action in the arena’s fan-shaped configuration. It is unique in the U.K., with the rear seats only 230 feet (70 meters) from the stage, rather than the usual 330 feet (100 meters).

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3. Royal Armouries

The Royal Armouries Museum is a comprehensive museum that displays a vast collection of weaponry spread across six galleries. Explore the extensive galleries and find displays of arms and armor organized into intriguingly curated exhibitions. Check out over 2,500 objects in the Hall of Steel or learn about the art of warfare and the history of hunting. Catch a live demonstration of jousting at the Tiltyard.

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Royal Armouries featuring interior views as well as a small group of people

4. Roundhay Park

Roundhay Park is a public park with a wide diversity of environments and manicured gardens to discover. Find a selection of formal gardens, two picturesque lakes, a sports arena, a Greek-revival mansion and a collection of greenhouses that mimic different climates from around the world when you explore this 700 -acre (2.8-square-kilometer) park.

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Roundhay Park showing a fountain, a river or creek and a park

5. O2 Academy Leeds

One of the city’s most popular venues for music gigs, O2 Academy Leeds is based in the historic Coliseum. This iconic site has long been at the core of the city’s cultural events, having hosted political meetings, variety shows and a circus. Go to see some of your favorite groups and solo artists in this majestic arena.

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6. Leeds Grand Theatre

A historic venue in the heart of the city, the Leeds Grand Theatre offers an eclectic program of opera, ballet and musicals. Dating back to the late 19th century, the landmark stands out with its redbrick façade covered in Romanesque and Scottish baronial designs. Attend a performance in the majestic setting of the theater’s 1,550-seater auditorium.

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7. Temple Newsam House

Be transported to the days of the Tudors at the stunning Temple Newsam House. This heritage house has been restored to its former grandeur and displays the fascinating array of artifacts and period furnishings that once decorated the rooms of royals and nobles. The mansion is best known as the birthplace of Lord Darnley, the infamous husband of Mary, Queen of Scots.

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Temple Newsam House which includes interior views and chateau or palace

What to do in Leeds

Discover the most popular places to visit in Leeds

University of Leeds

4/5(21 reviews)

Late Victorian and award-winning brutalist and modernist architecture house the classes and students of Leeds’ namesake university, established in 1904.

First Direct Arena

4/5(21 reviews)

Its honeycombed exterior glowing like a beacon at night, Leeds’ modern music venue draws crowds nightly to its shows featuring local and international stars.

Headingley Stadium

Catch an event at Headingley Stadium during your trip to Headingley. Discover the area's lively bars and its entertainment choices.

Royal Armouries

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Discover the world of weaponry at this purpose-built museum, which contains the national collection of arms and armor from throughout the ages.

Roundhay Park

4.5/5(5 reviews)

One of the largest city parks in Europe has a huge expanse of parkland, woods, lakes, gardens and lush tropical glasshouses to explore and enjoy.

Harewood House

5/5(3 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Harewood House, a lovely green space in Leeds. Make time to visit the area's shops, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

O2 Academy Leeds

4/5(1 review)

If music is your religion, this impressive entertainment venue may become your place of worship; its Gothic façade even looks like a church.

Leeds Grand Theatre

4.5/5(2 reviews)

The Gothic features of this tiered theater make a glorious setting for the diverse array of plays, music gigs and stand-up acts that are performed on its stage.

Temple Newsam House

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Uncover 500 years of history at this magnificent Tudor-Jacobean country mansion that looks out upon a scenic estate and is filled with artifacts and decorative arts.

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Leeds

Leeds City Center

4.5/5(51 area reviews)

Explore the Victorian arcades, such as Grand Arcade, and shop at Trinity Leeds shopping centre. Discover cultural activities in Quarry Hill and Leeds Dock, and visit landmarks like Leeds Art Gallery and Royal Armouries Museum.

Leeds featuring street scenes and heritage architecture

Arena Quarter

If you're spending some time in Arena Quarter, Leeds Grand Theatre and O2 Academy Leeds are top sights worth seeing.

New Wortley

While New Wortley isn't home to many top sights, Canal Wharf and Hollywood Bowl are some notable places to visit nearby.

Leeds Dock

Shopping, restaurants, and waterfront views are just a few things travelers enjoy about Leeds Dock. Check out Royal Armouries or Pole Position Indoor Karting while you're exploring the area.