Writer Michelle Joy of HarborsandHavens.com shares her experience in Happy Valley.

Before visiting Happy Valley, I had never stepped foot in Pennsylvania. It was one of the final four states I had left to see, and with its blend of history, nature, small towns, and agventures, central PA felt like the right spot to explore the Keystone State.

Because of FOMO and the incredibly long list of things I wanted to do, I decided on a week-long workcation in Happy Valley. Below are a few of the highlights that made me fall in love with this part of Pennsylvania.

Wandering the Arboretum at Penn State

The Arboretum at Penn State is a gem. Its proximity to State College makes it convenient for a walk in nature, and the botanical gardens, ponds, and meadows are absolutely beautiful. I took it easy wandering around the Pollinators’ Garden and watching the hummingbirds and chipmunks, but on a return visit, I would head out on one of the longer trails.

The Palmer Museum of Art is right next door, and I couldn’t believe both spots were free to visit!

Hiking the Bog Trail at Black Moshannon State Park

Before I arrived in Happy Valley, everyone told me I had to hike the Bog Trail at Black Moshannon State Park. I was a little confused because it looked like just a short little stroll, not much of an adventure. While it is short, the trail provides some of the best views of the dark water and wetlands, with all sorts of interesting flora growing around the boardwalk. It was definitely my favorite little spot in the park, and I can’t wait to come back and see it in another season.

Watching the sunset from Mount Nittany

The hike up Mount Nittany may be one of the most popular in the area, and it makes sense once you reach the top. From the Mike Lynch Overlook, you can see the entire town of State College and beyond — an especially stunning sight at sunset. The hike up is fairly short and steep, but once you get up there, you can follow loops around the ridgetop for different vantage points.

Riding a boat into Penn’s Cave

I’ve visited a few caves before, but never on a boat! Penn’s Cave is actually the only all-water cavern in the country with a farm-nature-wildlife park, so a cave tour here is a unique experience with adventures below ground and above ground. My favorite part was exiting the cave into the sunlight on a pond with wildlife grazing on the shore and then circling back into the dark cavern.

Walking around Bellefonte

Each town in the Happy Valley has its own charms, but I especially loved wandering around Bellefonte. From the antique shops lining downtown blocks to quiet neighborhood streets full of Victorian mansions converted into bed-and-breakfasts, the vibe here is historic and quaint. My favorite experiences were walking along the water at Talleyrand Park, having a drink at the speakeasy at Gamble Mill, and coworking from Bellefonte Springboard.

Trying all the ice cream

I wasn’t expecting to eat so much ice cream on a chilly fall trip. But after learning about all the farm-fresh options and hearing more than one friendly argument about who has the best flavors in town, I knew I needed to dig deeper into Happy Valley's ice cream culture. Comparing cones at the creameries was certainly a tough assignment, and there’s no way I can pick a favorite without coming back for more!

For the rest of my favorite things to do, check out this Happy Valley workcation guide!