What are the best birding areas in Happy Valley? This would have been a tough question to definitively answer a decade ago, but with the advent of Cornell University’s eBird, the process is simple. EBird keeps track of all submitted checklists and compiles the results by state, county, and local hotspots.

One thing that I love about Pennsylvania is its wealth of public hunting grounds. Happy Valley and the surrounding area have more than their fair share of the public land pie. Public land open to hunting includes state game lands that are managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and state forest lands, which are operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). DCNR also handles state parks, many of which are also open to hunting.

The streams in Happy Valley are legendary for their pristine water, and it doesn’t happen by accident. Clearwater Conservancy is dedicated to conserving and restoring our natural resources through land conservation, water resources stewardship, and environmental outreach across central Pennsylvania.

Happy Valley has many beautiful vistas, with the Allegheny Front to the north and several ridges running through the area. Several can be found with an easy drive to a parking lot, whereas some require some rubbernecking while driving, and still others can only be viewed after a challenging hike. What follows is not a complete list, but rather a taste of what is available.

Embark on underground adventures with three local cave tours at Woodward Cave, Lincoln Caverns and Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park. Each provides its own unique experience, amenities, and onsite activities the entire family can enjoy.

Happy Valley has its fair share of amazing golf courses – but did you know, the region is also seeing a local boom in popularity of disc golf? Played with a flying disc instead of clubs and golf balls, disc golf is soaring to new heights across the country – where the Professional Disc Golf Association estimates that between eight million and 12 million Americans have played disc golf and that over half a million play regularly.

Experience Meyer Dairy Farms and Nittany Valley Creamery, offering a delightful array of homemade ice cream flavors, fresh dairy products, and unique farm-to-table treats.

Whether you’re looking to explore the local brew scene after a day of cycling, you need a hearty breakfast to power a morning hike or you’re on the hunt for some picnic-perfect bites, Happy Valley’s local eateries, breweries, wineries, and more have you covered.

Adding camping to your 2024 bucket list? Happy Valley has camping options that are perfect for any kind of camping style — whether you want to rough it or try glamping.