Don't just live here, have a life here

So there's your residence hall, the nearest dining center, and of course your classrooms. Those places, you'll be going to all the time because...well...that's why you're here.

But of course, you don't want to only go there. This is a big campus, and the whole town of Pullman is built around it; there are plenty of places you can go.

Once you get here, you'll figure out the basics pretty quickly. But just to get you started, here are a few spots to check out on campus and around town.

On campus

Here are a couple of the best campus places to go, see people, have fun, and get things done.

Some campus favorites

Ferdinand's

Stop in for a sundae, a shake, or an espresso between classes.

Ferdinand's creamery features unique, international award-winning Cougar Gold cheese and delicious ice cream, both made with milk from the University's own dairy.

On home game days when alumni are back in town, this is one of the most popular places on campus. Remember to take some Cougar Gold cheese home to your family — they'll love you for it.

The CUB

The CUB (officially, the Compton Union Building), located at the heart of campus, is your place to relax, study, eat, and play.

So...what's in there?

You'll find offices for student organizations, multicultural student centers, and meeting rooms on the upper two floors, along with the 13,800 square-foot ballroom. The main floor has roomy lounges, a food court, an auditorium/movie theater, an art gallery, and the Bookie (the student bookstore). The ground floor offers two banks, a postal center, the Cougar Card center, a nice restaurant, and a coffee house. Butch's Den and more student meeting rooms round out the building on the lower floor.

Some things you can do at the CUB

Get ready, this is a long list...

Entertain yourself with Wii and Playstation games on the 8 video game consoles in the Lair Lounge. Enjoy free movies in the auditorium. Eat at one of the 5 food court places. Get textbooks, Coug paraphernalia, and Starbuck's coffee at the Bookie. Watch sports or news or whatever on the TVs in the Lair. On game days, watch Cougar sports on a giant projection screen. Study by the fireplace in the quiet lounge. Sit down for a restaurant meal at Dupus Boomer's. Get coffee at Markel's or Carlita's. Eat seafood at the Sea Swiper. Visit the food court for subway sandwiches, frozen yogurt, or quick Mexican, Italian, or Chinese food. Use CUB wi-fi to check Facebook...do homework...access the library catalog...and anything else you want.

There's probably even more you could do there...but we can't list everything on this page, so you'll have to make sure you go there when you get here.

The Bookie

The Bookie — the student bookstore — sells textbooks, everyday books, and a whole lot more. You can pick up essentials like art supplies, computer software, and of course, your favorite pens, pencils, and notebooks. They also carry lots of Cougar merchandise and stuff you can use for your room. Grab some lunch or a Starbuck's espresso between classes at the Bookie Cafe.

The Bookie's formal name is the Students Book Corporation, and it is actually owned by the students of Washington State University (managed and operated by Barnes & Noble, but we can conveniently forget about that if you want). The capital stock is held in trust for the students of WSU; dividends are returned to the Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) and the student community.

Around town

One of the great things about Pullman is that it's easy to get around. If you have a car, great — but you can get to just about any place in town without one.

Most of our favorite off-campus places are only a 15-minute walk (or less) from WSU dorms and apartments. And Pullman has one of the best public transit systems in the nation — which WSU students ride free — so wherever you want to go, you can get there.

Food and coffee

If you love coffee (or just like studying at cafés), you're in luck: Pullman just might have more coffee places per capita than anyplace in the nation. You'll run across coffee stands all over campus, and all around town, too. And if it's good food you want, there's plenty of that, too.

Here are a few of our favorite coffee shops and restaurants.

The Daily Grind

A spacious downtown coffeehouse with a friendly atmosphere and (of course) delicious lattés, the Daily Grind is Pullman's most popular study location. It can also be a great place to hang out, chat, and play board games supplied by the management. Right next door is Licks Unlimited, a specialty ice cream place.

Café Moro

Located in the exact center of downtown Pullman (half a block from the Daily Grind), Café Moro is a great place for coffee, tea, and snacks, and is also a popular studying spot. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have live music performances.

Thomas Hammer Coffee

Located on Main Street, Thomas Hammer Coffee serves great coffee in a modern coffeehouse setting with big windows and lots of light. Thomas Hammer's coffee is roasted locally in eastern Washington (in Spokane, 90 miles from Pullman).

The Old European

This restaurant serves the best breakfast foods that European (and American) tradition can offer, from the pancakes, bacon, eggs, and omelets we all know and love to Swedish crepes, Danish aebelskivers, and more. It'll probably be the best breakfast you've ever had. A Pullman original, not to be missed.

Cougar Country

A Pullman icon; hamburgers and milkshakes from the Cougar Country drive-in have been a student tradition since the '70s. You're not really a Coug until you've been there.

Shopping

If you don't have a car, don't worry — most of the stores in Pullman (and even some in neighboring Moscow, ID) are an easy bus ride from campus.

+A few of Pullman's places to shop

Crimson and Gray

Textbooks, school supplies of all sorts, software, and a vast array of WSU merchandise.

Paper Pals

If you're into scrapbooking, stamping, and related crafts, this store is a little piece of heaven. They carry all the best and latest supplies, offer several classes a week, and have plenty of studio space for you to spread out and work on your projects.

Shopko

From boots to breath mints, lamps to linens, this is the place to find a little bit of everything. Great deals on supplies you need for apartment or dorm.

Ace Hardware

A great place to find all those little pieces, parts, and tools you didn't even know you needed.

Brused Books

Pullman's biggest and best independent bookstore. A huge selection of used books (and new), including rare collectibles.

Branch out to Moscow (Idaho)

Only eight miles away, Moscow, Idaho, is Pullman's unofficial twin city. Like Pullman, it's also a college town, home to the University of Idaho. The two towns are linked by the Chipman Trail, and Pullmanites often walk, rollerblade, and bike this scenic paved trail to Moscow.

Palouse Mall

This mall offers a great selection of big name stores, boutiques, a discount grocery store (WSU students often carpool here to stock up), and several restaurants.

Safari Pearl

Comic books, card games, board games, role-playing games, and a great costume shop all rolled into one. The gaming room hosts various role-playing and tabletop gaming groups. The costume shop is open year-round (and of course on Halloween!) and can even support theater productions.

Tri-State Outfitters

"Idaho's Most Interesting Store" is their tagline, and it might just be true. Tri-State sells sporting goods of all kinds, tools & hardware, custom brewing supplies, home products, kitchenware, and locally made products. And there's a huge selection of winter apparel (which you'll definitely need in Pullman).

Fitness and Outdoors

Fitness and outdoor fun start right here on campus at the Student Recreation Center and the Outdoor Recreation Center.

The Student Rec Center is one of the largest and best in the country and has phenomenal workout facilities. But you can also gather here with friends to watch the big screen TV in the comfy chairs, play a game or two of pool, or join a game of sand volleyball in the SRC Backyard. The climbing wall provides challenges for beginning and experienced rock climbers.

Pullman and the surrounding area are also full of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The Outdoor Recreation Center makes it easy to join in the fun. Sign up for an eco-adventure or rent all the gear you need for an adventure of your own.

A few of our favorite outdoor destinations

Chipman Trail

This biking/walking trail winds between Pullman and Moscow, Idaho (8 miles from Pullman) and connects to another biking/walking trail that runs from one end of Pullman to the other.

15 minute walk from campus

Boyer Park and Marina

Camping, picnicking, swimming, and boating on the Snake River.

19 miles from campus

Wawawai County Park

Picnicking, camping, and fishing at a shady, secluded park on the Snake River.

16 miles from campus

Kamiak Butte

Take the trail up the forested slopes to the top, where you'll enjoy a uniquely panoramic view of the Palouse. At the foot of the butte are a secluded campground, nature trails, and a shaded, grassy park with covered picnic pavilions and a great kids' playground.

14 miles from campus

49 Degrees North and Schweitzer Mountain

These ski resorts are two of the best among the many winter sport venues within a three-hour drive of Pullman.

Approx. 130 miles from campus