Our Campus
You don’t have to look far to find the perfect photo opportunity on the UNLV campus. Our gardens, trees, public art, and views of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip make for some seriously Instagram-worthy spots. Here are some of the best places to take photos on our campus.
UNLV Letters
There’s no better spot on campus to show off your school spirit than in front of the giant red 3-D UNLV letters located near the Alumni Amphitheater north of the Student Union. The letters feature programmable lights so they’re the perfect photo spot to celebrate your Rebel pride day or night.
Hospitality Hall view
Our campus is situated next door to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, and if you want a great photo of the glittering lights and neon, head to the fourth floor of Hospitality Hall. Be sure to go out on the balcony to catch some spectacular sunsets.
Rose Garden
A favorite graduation photo spot is the Lee Pascal Memorial Rose Garden, situated along the north end of the Academic Mall. The garden was donated by Las Vegas philanthropist Elaine Wynn as a memorial to her mother, Lee Pascal. The garden features scarlet-colored “Show Biz” roses, a variety symbolic of the Wynn family’s connection to Las Vegas’ gaming and entertainment industries.
The Flashlight
The most iconic piece of public art on the UNLV campus is The Flashlight, a steel sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen, located between Judy Bayley Theatre and Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. The 38-foot-tall sculpture depicts a giant flashlight turned upside down, playing off the role of flashlights in the performing arts (ushers using them to guide patrons to seats) - appropriate given its location by the arts buildings.
The Talisman
The Talisman is a metal sculpture, created by Kevin Robb in 1990, that stands outside the law school, near the clock tower. The letters “U-N-L-V” are hidden in the twisted metal. If you can spot them, you’re destined to be a Rebel.
Fabulous Oasis Mural
This bright, colorful mural is the perfect backdrop for a photo. The large mural is installed on the Arts Courtyard wall between the Artemus W. Ham Fine Arts Building and Archie C. Grant Hall. Fabulous Oasis explores the shared landscapes and environmental connections between the Mojave and Chihuahuan deserts, blending natural forms with architectural icons from both regions.
Tarkanian Monument
For a great game-day photo, check out the Jerry Tarkanian monument outside the Thomas & Mack Center. It honors the former head coach of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball team (1973 to 19920), who built the program into a national powerhouse. The 2,000-pound bronze statue honors his impact on the university and the sport. The statue depicts Tarkanian seated, leaning forward with his trademark towel in his mouth. The empty chair next to him invites reflection and photo opportunities.
The Cube
The Cube, located in the courtyard of the Thomas T. Beam Engineering Complex, was designed by civil engineering professor Moses Karakouzian in 2015. The gravity-defying cube balances on one vertex and its six sides represent the college’s engineering disciplines: civil, mechanical, computer science, entertainment, construction, and electrical.
Xeric garden
The Donald H. Baepler Xeric Garden with its paved pathways, benches, covered ramadas, and wooden bridges, is full of photo opps. The demonstration and display garden, located just outside the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, showcases how drought-tolerant plants like yucca, agave and creosote can be used to create attractive, water-wise landscapes suitable for the desert.