Exploring Fun Things to Do in Leeds: A Comprehensive Guide

Leeds isn’t just the biggest city in Yorkshire, it’s also the fifth-largest city in the UK. As a result, if you’re on the hunt for something to keep you entertained, you won’t have to look far – there’s an absolute boatload of fun things to do in Leeds (including a literal boat ride).

Leeds has a selection of museums, galleries, restaurants and shops… but what about other kinds of fun stuff? What does Leeds have to offer for when you want to let your hair down and have a ruddy good time?

In this guide, we’ll explore the fun things to do in Leeds, from the exciting to the silly. Let’s dive in (again, literally when it comes to one of the suggestions in this list).

Fun things to do in Leeds

When it comes to having fun in Leeds, the city is absolutely jam-packed with places where you can forget about the real world for a bit and have a great time.

1. A visit to Roundhay Park

Roundhay Park is a lovely place to visit, and will always be at the top of our list of recommendations for things to do in and around Leeds. But, with plenty of activities available, it’s also a great place to have fun. There are playgrounds for the kids, a skate park, sports facilities, lakes and streams (you can even fish here with a license), a land train and more.

2. Catch a show at Leeds Grand Theatre

Leeds Grand Theatre is a stunning Victorian-era theatre with almost 1,500 seats. It regularly hosts shows of all kinds, such as plays, musicals and comedians, so take a look at what’s hitting the stage soon so you can see a smash hit.

3. Make some new friends at Tropical World

Roundhay Park is also home to Tropical World, a fabulous small attraction that lets you experience different climates, environments and animals from around the world. From the humid rainforests to the prickly heat of the desert, you can get a great look at all sorts of animals, including crocodiles, snakes and primates. 

4. Cruise the canal

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a whopping 127 miles long and connects the two cities by a winding waterway. Hop aboard your very own canal boat and take a tour of the city to get some unique views of everything it has to offer. There’s a selection of cruises available, such as an evening fish and trip cruise, an afternoon tea cruise and even a cocktail cruise!

5. Have a hoot on the Leeds Owl Trail

Owls feature on the Leeds coat of arms, so the city has a long-standing history with this amazing bird of prey. To celebrate all things owl, there are 25 owl statues hidden around the city which only eagle-eyed (owl-eyed?) visitors can spot. You can download an owl trail map, which provides two routes so you can catch ‘em all.

6. Create your own gin

Definitely one for the adults, a gin creation class lets you get creative and put your tastebuds to the test. Blend your very own gin, using whatever unique flavours you like depending on what you enjoy. Then, bottle it up and create a bespoke label so you can take your gin home and enjoy it with your chosen mixer.

7. Play a round of the craziest crazy golf

Part cocktail bar, part crazy golf, Junkyard Golf Club in the city centre is lively, exciting and a hell of a lot of fun. The three nine-hole courses have an eclectic, neon theme, and will put the putting skills of even the most experienced golfer to the test. To help you forget about how bad you are at the golf, you could focus on the drinks instead, thanks to the huge selection of cocktails, beers and mocktails.

8. Enjoy a few drinks on Call Lane

If you’re in the mood for going out out in Leeds, you’ll no doubt find your way to Call Lane. Call Lane is home to pubs, tiki bars, American bars, a trendy speakeasy, cocktail bars, a Latin bar… we could go on. Call Lane is the go-to spot in Leeds for the ultimate pub crawl.

9. Beat the lock at an escape room

Grab some friends, family or co-workers and lock yourself in a room, purely with the aim of getting out again. But that’s the fun of an escape room! There are several escape rooms around Leeds, with difficulties to suit everyone from beginners to escape room veterans.

10. Have fun (and experience lots and lots of stress) watching Leeds United

Many Leeds locals are proud Leeds United supporters, as hard as that can be at times. But when the Whites are playing well, they’re as good as anyone out there, which means there’s a lot of fun to be had. So, grab yourself a shirt and a ticket and join more than 30,000 loyal fans at Elland Road for 90 minutes of fun (and the aforementioned stress).

11. See a flick at the Everyman Cinema

If you love to watch films on the big screen, you can’t get a better experience than at the Everyman in Leeds city centre. There are five screens showing all the latest blockbusters, but the difference here is the big, comfortable seats, ample leg room, tables and hot food that’s delivered right to your seat. There’s also a roof terrace and cocktail bar, so you can make a whole night of it.

12. Game until you can’t game anymore at Arcade Club

For the ultimate gaming experience, you definitely need to pay a visit to Arcade Club. Unlike traditional arcades, you pay a fee to get in and then the machines are all free, so you can play whatever you like without having to drop coin after coin. There’s also a nice selection of food and drinks, so you can spend hours and hours here playing retro and modern games until you can no longer feel your fingers.

13. Get in touch with your Viking side with axe-throwing

If you’ve ever had an inkling to do some pillaging or you want to know what it feels like to hurl an axe at a target to let your frustrations, Leeds is a great place to help make that happen. Axe throwing is a fun and exciting way to try something new – and of course, it’s perfectly safe. You can also enjoy some great food and drinks and make an afternoon of it. Who doesn’t love the sound of throwing some axes and then tucking into a bottomless brunch?

14. Master a backflip at a trampoline park

The older you get, the fewer opportunities you seem to have for jumping around and expelling a load of energy. But, at Jump Inc, you have the perfect chance to go crazy with 50,000 sq ft of trampolines, slides, obstacle courses, climbing walls, inflatables and more. It’s a great place to burn off some energy no matter how old you are.

15. Grab a bite to eat and catch a show at Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen

Make a night of it and have a rollicking good time at Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen. This intimate venue hosts regular gigs from all kinds of music genres and always lives up to expectations. You can also grab a delicious burger or pizza before the show and make a night of it.

16. Have a giggle at HiFi comedy club

Over the road from the famous Leeds Corn Exchange, every week the HiFi club hosts a comedy night, with various acts getting in front of a crowd to show their comedic skills. HiFi has hosted some of the UK’s biggest comedians, including Jason Manford, Sarah Millican and Joe Lycett. So head on down on a Saturday night to have a laugh.

17. See the drama unfold on the set of Emmerdale

Just to the north of the city is the Harewood Estate, a fabulous place to visit with regular events and tours. But, Harewood is also the perfect spot to visit for any soap fans, as it’s home to Emmerdale, the actual village used in the show. It’s not usually accessible to visitors unless you arrange a tour, and it’s so much fun seeing behind the scenes of some of TVs most iconic locations.

18. Have a blast at LaserZone

For something thrilling and fun, slip into a vest, grab a gun, and run around in the dark, ducking and diving into cover to shoot your mates, co-workers, family, kids… basically, whoever dares get in your way! Laser games have been a firm favourite for decades and it never gets old.

19. Go a little ape among the trees at Go Ape

For a little guaranteed fun, take a trip to Go Ape in Temple Newsam and traverse bridges, climb ladders and glide through the trees. It’s a fun family activity and perfect for team building.

20. Take part in some water sports at Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre

Whether you’re new to water sports or spend more time on the water than the local ducks, Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre has something for everyone. Take part in sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, peddle boats, windsurfing and more. If you prefer to stay on dry land, there’s also indoor caving and offroad biking.

Rent in Central Leeds with UNCLE

There are so many fun things to do in Leeds that you’ll never be stuck for a way to have a great time. The city is full of surprises with something new to see or do on every corner.

If you’re looking to call this fabulous city home, you can do so more simply, affordably and conveniently than ever before. Rent in Central Leeds with UNCLE to experience everything the city has to offer.