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The City of Leeds is 22.7 square miles in size and touches the borders of Jefferson, Shelby, and Saint Clair counties of Alabama. It's 17 miles away from downtown Birmingham and has an estimated population of 12, 271 people according to 2021 Census data. Arguably the city's most famous son is the opinionated and witty former basketball player and sports TV personality Charles Barkley. Leeds Alabama has great weather with an average of 250 rain-free days a year. Though small, it has plenty to offer visitors and places to explore offering great recreational experiences.
Fish, Kayak, And Paddle Boat On Lake Purdy
The 1050-acre Lake Purdy water reservoir is the ideal destination for visitors looking to go kayaking, paddle boating, and fishing. The lake is surrounded by 7800 acres of lush woodland vegetation with trails for hiking and birding. Among the bird species sighted here include the wood thrush, flycatcher, eastern kingbird, yellow-throated and red-eyed vireos, woodpecker plus ducks, and geese. Fishing on Lake Purdy is free, but outside boats are not allowed to prevent water contamination. Boats have to be rented from authorized providers there like Lake Purdy Fishing. A shop that sells live and artificial baits and fishing equipment is available and opens from 6 am to 7:30 pm. Boat rentals are also available seven days a week.
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Motor Racing In Leeds Alabama
Barber Motorsports Park is 880 acres of multipurpose racing facility that also hosts the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. It has 2.38 miles of racing track that runs clockwise. Motor racing events hosted here are the Honda Indy Grand Prix, Barber Small Bore Biking, and the Moto America Superbikes at Alabama. The three-day Barber Vintage Festival showcasing vintage motorcycle racing is also held at Barber Motorsports Park and at times attracts over 80,000 visitors. The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum exhibiting over 1600 classic motorcycles, and a collection of over 50 Lotus Race cars dating back to the 1930s is also worth visiting.
Park tickets cost depends on the upcoming motoring events. To inquire about event tickets, visitors can call the park's office from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm at (877) 332-7804 or email them at tickets@zoommoto.com. The museum opens from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday to Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. Museum admission costs for adults are $16:50 plus taxes and children ages 4 to 12 years are charged $11 plus taxes, but entry is free for children under 3 years. Barber Motorsports Park's racing track also hosts the Porsche Driving Experience where Porsche enthusiasts race, test drive, or travel in the model of their choice. A Porsche Drive coach is available to offer the needed behind-the-wheel training.
Family Fun At Leeds Memorial Park
This rustic Leeds Memorial Park on the northern bank of the Little Cahaba River honors Leeds' war veterans including dead ones or those missing in action from past wars. It has a 1.5-mile walking track and playground equipment where children of varying ages play. The park has trees, flower gardens, flags, and monuments. Visitors can bring their pets and families for picnics or bonding here. There are tranquil sections at the park for relaxing in quietness. Admission to the park is free, but special events are charged by the City of Leeds which runs the memorial park.
Shopping At Leeds Alabama
At Bama Flea Mall and Antique Center over 400 dealers sell new, unique, and hard-to-find items to customers daily on 57,000 square feet of shopping space. Classic watches, Watkins products, used furniture, Fenton glass, antique McCoy pottery, Jadeite glassware, Hull pottery, jewelry, comic books, Chinaware, depression-era glass, sports memorabilia, toys stamps, games, porcelain, and coins, are among the items sold at the center. Local and international customers flock Bama Flea Mall and Antique Center to buy these affordable collectibles.
People with old or unused items can rent space at the center to sell them. Bama Flea Mall and Antique Center are open 7 days a week from 10 am to 6 pm. Visitors can also shop for modern items at The Outlet Shops of Grand River. Nike, Levi's, Michael Kors, Lids, LOFT Outlet, Polo, GUESS, Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, and Ralph Lauren have stores here. Outdoor lovers can buy outdoor equipment for camping, hiking, hunting fishing, archery, and biking at Bass Pro Shop in Leeds.
Learn Pottery At Earthborn Pottery
Tena Payne is the founder and owner of Earthborn Pottery Studios where with a team of artists they make clay utensils for restaurants. A self-taught ceramic artist, Payne started making clay dinnerware in 1997 after being commissioned by famed chef Chris Hastings, owner of the award-winning Hot and Hot Fish Club restaurant in Birmingham. The kitchen items are made from vitrified clay making them durable, abrasive resistant, and can withstand industrial dishwashing. They are also diverse and aesthetic. Some items made at Earthborn Pottery Studios include trays, bowls, bread servers, sushi trays and plates, mugs, jugs, and pitchers. Six weeks of thrown pottery lessons are offered at the studios at a cost of $250.
Enjoy The Finest Barbecues In Leeds Alabama
Rusty's Barbeque an award-winning restaurant in Leeds Alabama is famed for its pit-smoked barbeque, tasty desserts, and side dishes. It serves smoked turkey and sausage plates, pulled pork, fall of the bones ribs, hamburgers, chicken, brisket, rib tips, and vegetarian barbeque jackfruit. These are served with accompaniments like bread, French fries, sausages, collard greens, beans, and corn, macaroni. Soups, sandwiches, pies, salads, and meals for kids under 12 years are also on the menu plus beverages like tea and lemonade. The drive-through window is open from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm from Monday to Saturday. The dining room and take-out counter are open from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm from Monday to Saturday. Food orders are made here online or by calling 205-699-4766.
Other food joints in Leeds Alabama are: