Nittany Lion Inn Lobby 1 2024

The Nittany Lion Inn Reopens in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania

The Nittany Lion Inn, a joint partnership with Rockbridge and Scholar Hotels, celebrated its official reopening on Sept. 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Penn State University president Neeli Bendapudi, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau president Fritz Smith and Gary Brandeis, CEO of Scholar Hotels.

– by Ellie Aungst

The iconic Georgian colonial-style building, which originally opened in 1931, was completely refreshed with new restaurants and decor that melds a modern aesthetic with the building’s historic features.

The Nittany Lion Inn has long been a gathering place for major university events, from pre-game gatherings and post-win celebrations to weddings, corporate events, and reunions over its nearly 100-year iconic history.

The hotel’s lobby, guest rooms, meeting and public spaces have been reimagined, giving the property an understated, casual elegance. Dark wooden furniture and moldings along with wall colors, fabrics, and accents in shades of blue and white are offset by gleaming white marble, creating a distinctly Penn State aesthetic. There are 230 generously sized guest rooms boasting a sophisticated charm with amenities such as large flat-screen TVs and spacious private bathrooms featuring Amouage products. With over 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the Inn is now accepting inquiries for all corporate and social events handled by their seasoned team of professionals.

Several new eateries offer guests and visitors of The Nittany Lion Inn a choice of casual and fine dining options, including Lionne & 1855 Lounge, Dear Joe: Cafe and Bakery, and Triplett’s, which honors football player Wally Triplett. Triplett was one of the first Black football players at Penn State and, in 1946, he and his teammates adopted the unifying rallying cry “We Are Penn State!” when racially segregated schools refused to play the integrated Penn State team. The bar will be a casual gathering spot for lunch, dinner, and drinks, offering indoor and outdoor seating.

Lionne & 1855 Lounge is The Nittany Lion Inn’s new fine dining restaurant, serving cuisine created by Executive Chef Mirko Loeffler. An extensive wine list and thoughtfully crafted cocktails pair beautifully with elevated dishes such as a 30-day aged 16 oz. bone-in Rib eye steak, Arugula gnocchi, and the legendary Nittany Lion Inn Lobster bisque. Rounding out the food and beverage options is Dear Joe, which has a service counter as well as grab-and-go options that make it a great place to enjoy a light breakfast or pick up a salad or sandwich.

Harpers, the downtown clothing store specializing in fine clothing for nearly a century, will be opening in The Nittany Lion Inn and offer unique Penn State pieces and classic fashions, including exclusive branded apparel.

For more information and hotel reservations, visit www.nittanylioninn.com or call (814) 816-8500. Follow The Nittany Lion Inn on Instagram at @NittanyLionInn or Nittany Lion Inn on Facebook.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau publishes up-to-date event information at HappyValley.com/events