Leeds - do you know the city?

[PolkaDotShoes]

Got to come to Leeds for a work event at Leeds University but as it happens to be on a Friday I am going to stay until Sunday morning and see a bit of the city. Booking (and paying for) the hotel is up to me. I'll be arriving by train.

Hit me with suggestions for the best things to see and do, and recommendations for conveniently located budget hotels (I am surprised at how expensive accomdation seems in the city) - which Premier Inn (or a similar price point) is in / near to the most convenient / interesting place to stay.

I particularly like art, culture, history, heritage, independent shops and vegetarian food, but also to want to see the main sights of Leeds as have never been before and may never return.

The best premier Inns for the city centre are probably the arena and Whitehall road ones - the Whitehall road one is just next to the railway station too so handy for travel.

Maybe for daytime, the royal armouries (get the water taxi there) the art gallery, Leeds city museum.
For shops you want to look at the arcades, they tend to have more independent shops.

Maybe check if there's a show at one of the theatres? (Playhouse, Leeds grand, city varieties)

I live in Leeds but don't tend to go into the city centre much due to chronic illness but happy to find things out for you.

There's a very centrally located Easy Hotel, I think they're supposed to be cheap.

Bundobust is excellent for Indian vegetarian food.

Corn Exchange for independent shops. I think there's a bit of heritage stuff in the market next door as its one of the oldest markets and Marks and Spencer started as a stall there.

I go to Leeds for work and stay in the ibis styles arena hotel. It's within walking distance of the train station and the main shopping hub (trinity centre).

The queens hotel that is right at the station is a beautiful hotel also.

The market is great, interesting building, great street food arena in the back and I think they do historical tours.

The University has a self guided art tour through campus, lots of sculptures and nice gardens.

This Saturday the Belgrave Music Hall has a food event on.

There's also an interesting couple of galleries at the University that are open to the public and yes the grounds are great to explore, there's even a cemetery.

Oooh, me too OP - though not work, dropping DD at Uni, so I’m going to park myself here if you don’t mind.

Another vote for Bundobust (if you like Indian food) and corn exchange for independent shops.

I also like the ibis styles Leeds arena hotel for a cheap option.

The Travelodge near the train station has always been the cheapest we've found and is a newer build so nice and smart.

We're next there in October so watching the rest of the thread for suggestions of things to do with interest

My favourite museum ever is the Thackray Medical museum next to St James' hospital.
The Victorian arcades are beautiful and have lots of (expensive) independent shops
Leeds market
the Corn Exchange
Leeds art gallery
the Henry Moore institute (next to Leeds art gallery)
Leeds city museum
Leeds Industrial museum in Armley
Kirkstall Abbey and Abbey House museum
Roundhay Park and Tropical world

Tharavadu is on the same street as Bondobust and superior imo. Try their veggie thali or a paper masala dosa.

The markets, Corn Exchange and arcades, as previously mentioned, are nice to see but unless you want to shop won't entertain you for very long. I thought the street food in Kirkgate was a bit uninspiring tbh. The Corn Exchange is a fabulous building but there's very little actually in it.

I was really disappointed by the art gallery on our last visit.

The Northern brewery is nice.

There's an old subscription library which I've forgotten the name of but is nice for a look around. The staff are great.

Personally, I'd get a train out of the city on the Saturday - maybe to York or to Saltaire or Skipton.

The main sites of Leeds?

It's an interesting town with a Victorian heritage - you can see that in the architecture, especially the Leeds Museum, Town Hall.

I love Leeds Market - it really reminds me of spending time with my Gran when I was younger. The Corn Exchange is good.

There are also some interesting 'arcades' - some modern malls but just wondering through the shopping arcades is interesting.

Roundhay Park is nice. The Leeds Docks area is good for a walk round.

Of course, if you want real history, then it's a short train ride to York. But Leeds is a good modern place - it is definitely a place of contrasts though. The suburbs of Roundhay and Harehills are very close to each other, yet worlds apart.

Leeds is great! Your hotel might be expensive if it coincides with student moving in weekends?

art gallery is excellent and a beautiful cafe

the old covered markets with lots of posh shops for a wander

walk by canal/get a drink there