Alumni will say there are a few things that every student must do while at Penn State: climb Mount Nittany; take a photo at the Nittany Lion Shrine; enjoy a scoop of or more at the famous Berkey Creamery; spend a sunny day at Whipple Dam; or stroll through the Arboretum. As the official tourism promotion agency for Centre County, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) has plenty of inspiration for ways to enjoy the beautiful valleys and unique communities that comprise our big Happy Valley. Start by adding fall fun to your list at some of the county’s most popular farms and farm markets.

Fall fun on the farm

First stop: Way Fruit Farm, located just a few miles outside of State College on Route 550 (Halfmoon Valley Road). September and October weekends are busy with live music, crafts, food trucks, hayrides, pumpkin patch opening, professional pumpkin carving, and more. The full festival schedule is available at wayfruitfarm.com. [Be sure to check out Way Fruit Farm’s downtown State College market and café at 252 E. Calder Way.] Located on Route 45 West, Wasson Farm Market is another popular destination for students and student groups when the leaves change colors and the air gets cooler.

Wasson Farm’s annual fall fest takes place during the first three weekends in October. Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch, enjoy farm fresh ice cream and other fall treats, shop from local vendors, and more. Details are available on Wasson Farm Market’s Facebook page. Conveniently located off I-99 near Bellefonte, Rooted Farmstead is a flower farm with fields of beautiful blooms. Pick your own bouquets for that special someone or to add a pop of seasonal color to your dorm or apartment. In addition to a charming farm store, Rooted Farmstead on workshops and special events. Rooted Farmstead’s annual fall market is Saturday, Sept. 30. The event will feature a variety of food and local artisan vendors and more.

Year-round enjoyment

Historic Nittany Meadow Farm’s goat yoga sessions are a hit with all who participate. Classes fill up quickly, so check the farm’s website for announcements. Nittany Meadow Farm also offers opportunities to visit with its adorable mini Nubian goats. NMF will even bring the goats to you and your friends through its Goats2Go van! Located on Route 192 a few miles outside of Centre Hall, Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park is a must-see – by boat, of course.

The all-water cave tour provides adventure below ground, while the wildlife tour traverses Penn’s Cave’s grazing pastures, mountain trails, and forests to view North American wildlife. For more information about things to see and do, including great ideas to keep parents entertained, visit happyvalley.com or stop by the downtown State College Happy Valley Store and Visitor Center at 204 W. Beaver Ave. Lesley Kistner is Public Relations Director for The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.