Leeds is one of the UK and Europe's foremost university cities, with a student population of over 100,000 10%+ of the population! concentrated on several higher educational facilities including the two main universities. This gives the city a young feel and lively buzz, and many bars, clubs and restaurants are geared towards students particularly in Headingley and North West Leeds, although if this isn't your scene the city has plenty to offer away from student life.
Leeds University
(http://www.leeds.ac.uk) 30,000 students - one of the most important and respected academic institutions in the uk, based around the city centre campus; also a major centre for research. one of the country's original 'redbrick' universities.
Leeds Metropolitan University
leeds met (http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk) 50,000 full and part-time students - more modern and larger with two main campuses, at headingley and in the civic quarter. rapidly expanding and improving, with major redevelopment planned in the civic quarter.
Leeds Languages
(http://www.leedslanguages...) 100 full-time & 60 part-time students - leeds city centre based language college, based on woodhouse square, with year-round english courses and evening classes in foreign languages.
Parks
Roundhay Park
Huge picturesque park with 2 lakes, café, flower gardens and walks. Right next to Tropical World, and the lovely formal Canal Gardens, be sure to visit them all in one day.
Hall Park
Some distance from central Leeds, has lovely Japanese Gardens and is accessible by bus.
Temple Newsam
Country mansion, wonderful parkland and rare breeds visitor farm excellent for kids - all within the city boundary!
Woodhouse Moor
The closest big park to central Leeds, between Leeds University and Hyde Park Corner. In summer months it is packed to bursting with students and other young people sunbathing and playing sports. There are large fields, small formal gardens and a skate park.
Whilst hardly tropical, Leeds has an unusually mild and sunny climate for northern England, protected from the worst and wettest weather by the Pennine Hills to the west ... this gives more than ample opportunity to explore the fantastic parks of one of Europe's greenest cities Leeds has the most green space in its city limits of any European city other than Vienna.
The Hollies Arboretum
Large botanical garden set in lush woodlands with a wonderful selection of plants.
Theatre & comedy
The Carriageworks
Home to the city's impressive range of amateur dramatic and musical groups, including the acclaimed Leeds Youth Opera (http://www.leedsyouthoper...)
City Varieties Music Hall
World famous and has even had Charlie Chaplin tread the boards. Home to a mix of shows.
Grand Theatre
Major shows often straight from the West End; also this is the home of the world famous and extraordinarily good Opera North who perform a wide repertoire of operas and operettas.
Seven
A new theatre and arts centre due to open soon on Harrogate Road in Chapel Allerton
West Yorkshire Playhouse
More adventurous and often performs world premiers and encourages local talent - well worth a visit. Lucky travellers may arrive in time for one of the themed, almost festival-style programmes.
Live music
Leeds Festival
Northern twin of the famous Reading festival. 3 days of live bands and stars from around the world play to 80,000 people every summer bank holiday weekend. You can camp over, or attend just one day. Tendency to be a bit riotous.
Leeds Irish Centre
Regular concerts from a variety of different types of musical acts.
Temple Newsam
Every year, Temple Newsam plays host to the UK's original Party in the Park pop extravaganza featuring big name chart stars of the minute. Opera in the Park is a massively popular outdoor festival of opera and songs from the shows, also at Temple Newsam.
Leeds University Refectory
Hosts a huge number of concerts from medium-large bands across the year. It is famously where the Who recorded their seminal live album Live at Leeds.
The Wardrobe
Famed for its diverse range of quality live music, including a strong jazz offer.
The city's music scene is burgeoning at the moment, and Leeds is a great place to see up-and-coming talent, with recently successful bands such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Kaiser Chiefs and Sunshine Underground. Leeds is home to many live performances from big-name stars, mostly at outdoor concerts. Millennium Square in the city centre regularly has gigs with a 7,000 capacity. Leeds is planning to build an indoor concert arena of around or possibly over 14,000 seats. See also: Clubs, for example The Cockpit and HiFi.
Leeds International Pianoforte Competition
One of the world's most prestigious piano contests, held every 3 years in the magnificent Victorian Town Hall, this event attracts the world's best piano players. Next due to be held 2012.
Cinema
Vue
Modern, well located 13-screen multiplex with huge screens.
Hyde Park Picture House
Another excellent independent cinema in the midst of the hot-bed of student habitation in the town. The cinema shows a mix of modern mainstream and art-cinema films as well as a formidable selection of classics. Lucky cinephiles may even experience the latter in conjunction with an introductory speech prepared for local film students. It retains many of its original features including gas lighting.
Cottage Road Cinema
Atmospheric old cinema near the centre of Headingley. Plenty to do afterwards as well.
Leeds holds two annual film festivals: the increasingly prestigious Leeds International Film Festival (http://www.leedsfilm.com) with its huge menu of different films and Leeds Young People's Film Festival (http://www.leedsfilm.com). Cinemas in surrounding areas include Odeon Leeds Bradford Thornbury: 7 miles (http://www.odeon.co.uk); Showcase Birstall: 6 miles (http://www.showcasecinema...); Vue, Kirkstall 2 miles (http://www.myvue.com) and Xscape Castleford 10 miles (http://www.xscape.co.uk).
Sport
John Charles Centre for Sport
International standard facilities for all four jumping disciplines: triple jump, long jump, high jump and pole vault. As well as an area for javelin throwing, an indoor throwing cage is available for discus and hammer. The centre also has its own specific weights area, designed specifically for use by athletes, dedicated to high performance and strength training. An eight lane all weather outdoor athletics track conforms to full International Association of Athletics Federations specifications. Six indoor tennis courts and six outdoor floodlit courts provide the ideal tennis environment either for the complete beginner or the established player. Leeds has a brand new 2007 50 metre pool and diving centre.
Rugby League
Best supported Rugby club in the UK League or Union. World Champions 2005, 2007 & 2012, Superleague Champions 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2011.
Rugby Union
Currently in the Guinness Premiership the top tier of English Rugby Union - Powergen Cup Winner 2004.
Xscape Castleford
Real snow indoor ski slopes with designer outlet, cinema and nightlife. Indoor real snow skiing, Ice climbing wall, cinema and restaurants!
There are plenty of leisure centres, gyms and swimming pools across the city, though unfortunately there won't be a public swimming pool in the city centre until the University one is completed. Major city centre fitness/leisure centres are deluxe Esporta, LA fitness and the ubiquitous Virgin Active. Some hotels have great leisure facilities or agreements with local centres for free access for guests.
Leeds United Football Club
Currently in the Championship the second tier of English League football,