The Best Places to Visit on UW Campus You Won't See on a Tour

 

 

There are so many small areas and places not many know about that a lot of people (including myself) love. There is only so much time for the campus tour and many places must be left out, so here are some neat places to see on campus OUTSIDE the tour!

For the techies

First things first, UW is great at implementing technology into learning. One of the biggest examples is at Studio Coe where students can enter Virtual Reality Work Stations among other amenities (like an audio recording/podcast space and access to Mac computers with the full Adobe suite). These workstations meld education and fun together seamlessly. Students can come in and interact with virtual reality on their own schedule as well as complete other multimedia projects. Studio Coe is one of the premier places on campus for everything creative and entertainment.

For students who have a creative flair for movies, the One Button Studio has you covered. The One Button Studio allows you to create video projects, practice thesis and dissertation defenses and just have a ton of fun with green screens. Coe Library has so many fun and helpful resources, make sure this one does not slip your mind.

Lastly in the vein of Studio Coe, is the coolest of cool: Coe Student Innovation Center (CSIC). This innovative space is a 2500 square-foot area that allows students access to state-of-the-art technology and fun. You can even 3D print something! Beyond that, there are spaces for laser engraving, sewing and textiles, vinyl cutting and crafting amongst other neat things. Any student can find something they are passionate about at CSIC.

 

For my historian enthuses

The future is great… but do you want to know something just as interesting? The past. The UW Geological Museum will provide you with knowledge of geology and geophysics. The Geological Museum is home to Big Al, the most complete Allosaurus fossil ever found and a 75-foot Apatosaurus skeleton!

From the campus tour, you may have seen a huge dinosaur (his name is Rexy), and Rexy is a full-sized T-Rex made of copper. Legend on campus has it that if you throw a pinecone into the Rexy's mouth during finals week, you’ll get an A on your final exams. Be sure to stop by and test your luck once you are on campus and stop in for some geological fun.

Beyond the Geological Museum, feel free to come to any of the numerous museums on campus! Some great spots include the University of Wyoming Art Museum, the Anthropology Museum, and the ever-popular American Heritage Center.

For when you just need a break

Learning is fun… right? But it can be exhausting. After a long day of classes and homework, you might just need to decompress. This is where Pete’s Game Room can help. Pete’s Game Room is located on the bottom floor of the Wyoming Union.

Included in the lower-level game room includes (but is not limited to) five 9’ pool tables, an air hockey table, a foosball table, a shuffleboard table and two Xbox Ones, amongst other things. Let’s just say you may not be bored for a while. Bring a friend, a group of friends or just yourself and enjoy some much-needed decompression.

Another must-see spot on UW campus is one that should most definitely be on your priority list. Williams Conservatory is a greenhouse on campus. Built in 1994, this space is free to students and members of the general public.

The Williams Conservatory houses hundreds of plants within 76 different plant families and more plants are added to the collection every year! If you are stressed from finals, need a break or just want to experience nature, this is definitely the place to go.

For those looking for EXTRA hidden treasures

Now I may just be a nerd when it comes to this, but I think the history of the UW campus is also so interesting. After walking around UW for the last few years, I found that there are many hidden areas on campus that tell so many stories. What I am about to tell you isn’t on any UW website nor will it be the first thing anyone would think of when it comes to the campus. but my note to you is to just look around.

Sprinkled around the campus are time capsules. There are benches and light posts that are dedicated to classes from the early 1910s and beyond. There are also stories and memorials for students and teachers dating all the way back to the early 1900s. Even the oldest buildings from the 1880s are still open. Who knows, you might not care about these things, but once you start to put some of these items in perspective, it opens the door to so much history.

The University of Wyoming houses many in-person amenities that create a well-rounded education for students. Whether you want to explore the past, dive into the future or have a great time in the present, UW offers must-see spots everywhere you look.