Interested in exploring Happy Valley? If so you are in luck! This blog post highlights some of the unique experiences that Happy has to offer. Including the areas of Philipsburg, Bellefonte, State College, Penns Valley, and Bald Eagle Valley.

Philipsburg

Founded in the late 18th century, “Wilderness City” was first a lumber and coal town near Moshannon Creek. Visitors looking for shopping, entertainment and a slice of history will find plenty to do.

If you like being on four wheels, going fast, and getting dirty, Philipsburg’s We Are Inn has an access to the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails. This 80-mile system features abandoned railroad beds and roads open to ATVs and UTVs, as well as walkers, bikers, snowmobilers, and equestrian riders. The system also connects to the Bloody Skillet Trail near Orviston. Membership is required to ride the trails at a cost of $20 per unit and can be purchased at ssrt.org or at a number of local locations. Each unit must also present a copy of state registration and insurance information.

For more thrills, grab some air at Slabtown Skate and Bike Park or the Philipsburg Pump Track near Slabtown Park.

If golfing is more your speed, hit the links at Philipsburg Elks Lodge & Country Club.

Philipsburg now has its very own brewery in Dead Canary Brewing Company along North Front Street, open Fridays and Saturdays. At its opening in October 2022, patrons got a look at the restored Hoffer Building.

There are plenty of local places to chow down, including the kitchen at Brown Dog Catering along East Pine Street.

Front Street is where shoppers will discover plenty of unique finds. Shindig Alley features high-end vintage furniture, with a focus on mid-century modern, as well as clothing and jewelry. Find more decor, furnishings, gifts and more at Thieves Market, Conklin’s Corner and Reflections of Sugar Hill.

In past years, the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation hosted guided walking tours during the holiday season. But visitors at any time of year can take their own walking tour with the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau’s guide to historic sites in Philipsburg.

The restored Rowland Theater originally opened in 1917 and has since been placed on the National Register of Historic Place. The building is now owned by Philipsburg Borough after major efforts by the community to save the historic location. The theater regularly screens movies and participates in film festivals and other events each year.

Bellefonte

Bellefonte’s 19th- and early 20th-century architecture is sure to turn heads to first-time visitors, but the county seat has seen a surge in new and revitalized businesses in the last several years.

Bellefonte offers a host of shops, from antique to chic. The Plaza Centre features a 30,000 square foot space including collectibles, vinyl, vintage clothing, arts and crafts, and much more. Victorian House Antiques offers plenty of its namesake, along with other valuables such as estate jewelry and coins. Belle Mercantile stocks plenty of good produced locally, from gifts and crafts to freshly baked bread. For more artisan creations, check out Art a la Carte and Smith & Front, the latter of which opened in the newly restored Gamble Mill.

Among the new shops in town is the women’s boutique By a Thread, which also operates Thread Baby, which opened along West High Street in 2022. Also be sure to check out Helen Foxx & Co. along South Allegheny Street.

Local Historia regularly offers guided tours and special programs throughout the year. You can also enjoy history and a cocktail at Big Spring Spirits during Local Historia’s “History Pub,” held each month.

The Bellefonte Art Museum, located in the historic Linn House (1810), sells and showcases works by local, national, and international artists. Its art registry helps to promote more than 165 local artists. A must-see is its Underground Railroad exhibit, “A Journey to Freedom.” The print gallery changes quarterly, meaning there is always something new to see.

Historic Bellefonte Inc. holds several events throughout the year that are local staples, including Victorian Christmas, the Historic Bellefonte Cruise in July, and the Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fair in August. From June through August, HBI hosts Saturday night movies at Talleyrand Park, sponsored by the Bellefonte Women’s Club.

Cap off a day in Bellefonte with one of the many craft beverage makers, such as Robin Hood Brewing Company, located just west of town along Zion Road. Within Bellefonte Borough, the new Axemann Brewery opened in the Titan Energy Park, along with Mad McIntosh Cidery. Along South Potter Street, find Good Intent Cider, which is known for its live music in the summertime.

State College

With ever-evolving dining, arts, and lodging, there is always something new to see in State College.

Find a bite to eat in one of the dozens of State College restaurants. There are the iconic spots such as The Corner Room, The Tavern, and Allen Street Grill. State College’s diversity also provides plenty of ethnic food, such as Cozy Thai Bistro, Juana’s (Venezuelan), Little Szechuan (Chinese), and Lupita’s (Mexican) at their new location at 312 W Beaver Ave.

There’s plenty to see at Penn State’s University Park campus. Take a stroll into campus from the South Allen Street gates past Old Main, built in 1929 in the federal-revival style and one of Penn State’s most recognizable landmarks. Traveling up the Pattee Mall will take visitors past Pattee and Paterno Libraries. Take a right on Curtin Road to visit the Palmer Museum of Art (soon to be moving to its new home next to the Arboretum, which is also well worth a visit in the warmer months). End at the Berkey Creamery for a scoop of ice cream now and a carton for the road.

State College’s downtown offers many unique, local shops such as the stationary and gift shop Nittany Quill. The ever-popular Webster’s Bookstore Cafe has an in-house coffee shop so you can sip and nibble while you browse. Douglas Albert Gallery has an impressive collection of fine art, including paintings, jewelry, glass, ceramics, and furnishings.

Catch a Friday night comedy show at the new Blue Brick Theatre, home of Happy Valley Improv. Over at the community-owned State Theatre, catch both local and nationally renowned artists, as well as movie screenings.

Of course, simply walking the beautiful downtown is a treat. The Downtown State College Art Walk is a self-guided tour of public murals, frescos, and sculptures. It will also help visitors take in a bit of State College’s history.

In the summer, catch a minor baseball game with the State College Spikes at Medlar Field. There are also year-round sports options at Penn State, in iconic venues like Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center, and the recently constructed Pegula Ice Arena.

Penns Valley

Penns Valley is a quieter corner of Centre County, with farmland, vineyards, and small towns extending from Potter Township, just east from State College, through the towns of Centre Hall and Millheim, to the very eastern tip of the county.

Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park, just off of Route 192, is a must-see attraction and a perfect place to bring the family. Take a 45-minute boat ride underground through the only Pennsylvania cave on the National Register of Historic Places. Guides will help point out the many notable geologic features along the 1,300-foot cave. Just be sure to pack an extra sweater. Penn’s Cave also offers a wildlife tour featuring North American native animals such as bison, longhorn cattle, wolves, bighorn sheep and mountain lions. Kids can also enjoy other activities, such as gemstone panning and a 4,800-square-foot maze.

Woodward Cave is another cavern just down the road that hosts public tours as well as on-site camping. Its size earned it the “The Big One,” and features one of the largest stalagmites in the region.

Millheim is a one-of-a-kind town and packs a big punch for its small size. It’s well worth the drive to experience the combination of arts, food, and music alongside the clatter of Amish buggy wheels. Elk Creek Café + Aleworks is known throughout the region for its farm-to-table menu and craft beers. Stop by Green Drake Gallery and Arts Center to check out the gallery or catch a live music show.

For history buffs, Aaronsburg is home to Penns Valley Area Historical Museum, prominently featuring the area’s textile and agricultural history.

Penns Valley is also home to two local wineries: Seven Mountains Wine Cellars in Spring Mills and Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery in Centre Hall. While in Centre Hall, take a walk through Rhoneymeade, featuring the 19th-century Rhone House and arboretum, both carefully tended for a peaceful and enjoyable visit.

Bald Eagle Valley

Bald Eagle Valley sits between Bald Eagle Mountain and the Allegheny, stretching for miles and is home to many small towns from Port Matilda in the southwest to Lock Haven in the Northeast.

Bald Eagle State Park hosts a 1,730-acre lake that is a popular spot for beach swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife spotting. Grill out at one of the picnic tables or rent a pavilion. Thanks to the work of the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation and its supporters, Soaring Eagle Wetland is a wheelchair-accessible and ADA-compliant trail with an accessible fishing platform, wildlife viewing from blinds, a covered pavilion, and informative signage. The Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis Viewing Area also offers accessible wildlife viewing.

Also at Bald Eagle State Park is the unique Nature Inn, a stunning full-service lodge and event center overlooking the lake. It’s LEED Gold Certified and was designed from the very start to be eco-friendly and represent the spirit of the state park system’s philosophy of human connection with nature. It offers visitors 16 rooms for overnight stays that come with a wide array of recreation choices like fishing poles and cross-country skis.

In nearby Howard, grab breakfast or lunch (and a loaf of homemade bread) from Kitchen Witch along Walnut Street.

Learn about the local ironworks history at Historic Curtin Village. The site features reconstructed ironworks that were in operation from 1820-1921, as well as the accompanying workers’ village. Guided tours are held on Sundays, but visitors can stop anytime to see the grounds for themselves.

If you’re traveling through Milesburg, it’s well worth a stop at The Crooked House, a life-size concrete sculpture of a historic house. The tilting house along Market Street was turned into a public piece of art by Benjamin Fehl, whose work preserved some of Milesburg historic character. While in town, grab a bite at Happy Dishes for a hearty meal like burgers, chicken and waffles, tacos, and seafood. Or grab a hoagie from Miller’s Hoagies, featuring a large sandwich menu, wings, and salads.

Explore more of our valleys at HappyValley.com!