Things to Do in State College

The city's location in the middle of an agricultural region and the Allegheny Mountains gives it a small town feel, with big outdoor sports opportunities, and nothing like its name would lead you to believe. You won't have to go far to find world-class arts and theater, year-round freshwater angling, legendary ice cream and heart-stopping action on the gridiron. Head for the "smart town" in Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley, where there's plenty to do for the whole clan.

Country in the City

Dairy farms and cornfields share the turf around State College with Blue Ribbon trout streams, and mountain sports for every season and skill level. Take the kids dirt-biking on Bloody Skillet—31 miles of challenging rides—or the Snow Shoe Rail Trail with 20 miles of gentler beginner rides with great views from every rest stop. Snow skiers flock to Tussey Mountain, minutes from downtown, with a ski school for all ages, snow-tubing for the younger set and snowboarding for those tough-to-please teens and 'tweens. Hiking trails in the foothills are as easygoing as the one-hour, 1.5-mile Butterfly Trail Loop around a pond and monarch butterfly habitat. Nearby Black Moshannon, Sayers and Whipple lakes offer boat ramps and swimming.

Bluegrass, Books and Broadway

For half a century, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has filled the city and campus with juried art exhibits and Sidewalk Sales, and folk, rock, bluegrass, and musical theater on indoor and outdoor stages. Activities range from Bookfest, with storytelling and speakers, to 5K and 10K races, a Kids Fun Run, and a Young Artists Alley oil-chalk Street Painting Festival—everyone’s welcome. Penn State venues present Broadway shows, major symphony orchestras, international dance companies and children’s theater all year. The free-admission Palmer Museum of Art has 11 galleries, a sculpture garden, guided tours and regularly scheduled hands-on activities for young aspiring artists.

Go to College

Midnight cramming is behind you. Now you can dip into the rich offerings of Penn State, on the field and from the field during the fall. The Arboretum’s Lotus Pool has rare water lily plants cultivated from 800-year-old Chinese seeds found in a dry lake bed in Manchuria. Noon and 8 p.m. kickoffs for the football games typically feature themed activities, a rousing good time in the stands, and ticket packages that include pregame tailgate picnics at Medlar Field across from the stadium. State College is a college town—and there’s always something going on at Penn State, so check its calendar and order your PSU Visitor’s Guide and Fun Pass before you book your trip.

From Wienerschnitzel to Waffles

All that activity will make you hungry—glance around anywhere to find a decent pizza joint. But make a point of visiting the Berkey Creamery (119 Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building) at Penn State to sample its famous ice creams. Indoor and outdoor seating means you’ll always find a spot to taste-test the Creamery’s latest inventions. It’s been around for 150 years, teaching its secrets to local dairy manufacturers and industry superstars, such as Ben and Jerry’s, Baskin Robbins, Haagen-Dazs and Dairy Queen. The Original Waffle Shop (1229 N. Atherton St., State College) is a cash-only concern that dishes up traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch specials like the Nest Egg—home-fries, veggies and poached eggs—sandwiches and pigs-in-blankets. Herwig’s Austrian Bistro (132 W. College Ave., State College) brings it with classic bratwurst, wienerschnitzel, goulash, sachertorte and apple strudel. You'll find modest prices and large portions.

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