Campus Must Dos
There is so much to do and see when visiting WSU Pullman and it’s hard to know where to start or how to fit it all into one trip. That’s where we come in!
Our team of Cougs is here to help bring direction to your visit by offering insight on a variety of campus must-dos, insider tips on how to do them, Pullman dining and activities, and ways to explore the entire Palouse region. We love sharing what makes WSU Pullman special and our mission is to ensure visitors have everything they need to make the most of their campus visit — before you even arrive!
Brelsford WSU Visitor Center: Start your visit with us! It’s no surprise that we want to see you on your campus visit but not only that, we can get you set up with all the essentials that will make the rest of your trip a smooth success such as parking, campus maps and additional details on desired sites and activities. Bonus — you can take a photo with our iconic 15-foot WSU letters outside or pose with our 2D Butch T. Cougar inside!
Compton Union Building (CUB): The CUB is the hub of campus and it’s always brimming with activity from students passing through between classes, grabbing lunch or snagging a spot to study. The CUB also features an art gallery and is home to both a variety of student services and our campus bookstore, The Bookie.
Holland-Terrell Libraries: We love to send visitors to the campus libraries (which are connected) and highlight some of the really fun and beautiful elements in addition to the vast array of books available inside. A definite must is venturing to the rooftop of Terrell Library which is a beautiful greenspace complete with a glass atrium that looks down into the library, benches, public art and a spectacular view of the Palouse.
Cougar Pride: Next up is The Cougar Pride statue! There’s just something about standing in front of an 11-foot bronze statue of a cougar that makes it clear you have arrived at WSU Pullman. It’s a classic Coug photo opportunity for first-time visitors and graduates celebrating their soon-to-be alumni status and located right outside Gesa Field, making it possible to take a stroll around the football stadium as well!
Bryan Hall Clock Tower: This is arguably WSU Pullman’s most recognizable structure on campus with beautiful architecture and sounds that make Cougs feel at home. The Bryan Hall Clock Tower is located right in the heart of campus, serving as an excellent metaphorical lighthouse for visitors – new and returning!
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art: Fondly called the Crimson Cube, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is a true campus treasure that’s beautiful inside and out. The museum features an interesting and diverse rotation of exhibits that make each visit a new experience. It’s open to the public and entry is free with a mission to serve not only the campus but residents of the Palouse and beyond.
Lewis Alumni Centre: There are many spaces on campus rich with history and the Lewis Alumni Centre is among them. The building was previously a barn, making for interesting architecture with unique character inside and out, including one of our favorites — the victory bell! The bell is rung after every home football game win and by celebrating graduates.
Student Recreation Center/Chinook Student Center: The Student Recreation Center and Chinook Student Center are the two main student fitness centers on campus and are a couple of go-to must-dos we recommend for prospective or incoming students. They’re filled with a variety of exercise and recreation amenities, particularly of note the climbing wall, sleeping pods and indoor swimming pool!
WSU Bear Center: You read that right! WSU Pullman has bears on campus and it’s pretty much a guarantee that we’ll tell you it’s a stop that can’t be missed (time of year dependent, of course). The WSU Bear Research, Education and Conservation Center is the only grizzly bear research facility of its kind at a university in the United States and it’s well worth a quick drive to see if they’re out and about!
Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe: Truly, no trip to WSU Pullman is complete without a scoop of ice cream and a tin of cheese from Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe. The on-campus ice cream shop is the store front to the WSU Creamery where the famous Cougar Gold cheese is made and packed into tin cans along with a variety of other Cougar Cheese flavors and tubs upon tubs of delicious ice cream — all with milk from WSU’s Knott Dairy Center. Rain or shine, there’s going to be a line and it’s absolutely worth the wait!
