Heading into Happy Valley for a football weekend? Make the most of your time in the area by not only cheering on your Nittany Lions, but also checking out some of the historic spots around the region.

The Arboretum at Penn State, located at Penn State’s University Park campus, is a special Happy Valley treasure. The H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, open year‑round from dawn until dusk, offer visitors ten acres of specialty gardens.

Strong Community Support Helped Local Businesses Survive Pandemic, Now They’re Ready for Visitors

The best traveling experiences are often made in spots locals love the most. Local love means a lot to these businesses who started up not long before the pandemic. Their dedication and creativity through that tough time made them fast favorites in Happy Valley. Make sure to add them to your list.

There’s something about the experience at Pine Grove Hall.

It could be the ambiance of the space, in a tastefully restored building that’s a nod to the heritage of the community it calls home, Pine Grove Mills. Inside, the decor is perfectly curated to transport visitors back to another era.

“If the last 18 months have highlighted anything, it’s the need for outdoor recreational opportunities,” says Troy Weston, partner and designer at 3twenty9 Design. Weston came up with the idea for The Bellefonte Outdoor Adventure Expo in 2019, and he says that the time has never been more perfect to find fun outside. “The expo highlights what’s best about Bellefonte and Centre County: beautiful and easily accessible natural assets, along with the vendors, nonprofits and businesses that specialize in outdoor and recreation-related products.”

Mark your calendar now for First Night State College on December 31, 2021. First Night is an alcohol-free celebration of the arts and New Year’s possibilities in downtown State College that’s been a fixture on the Centre County holiday calendar for over twenty years.

Friday in the ‘Fonte — a free summertime event which supports Bellefonte’s shopping, dining, craft beverage producers and more — is held on the last Friday of the month in May, June, July and September. As part of the Friday in the 'Fonte celebration in July, we’re bringing Bellefonte to life with colorful artwork created with chalk on High, Allegheny and Spring streets downtown. Squares will be designed by residents and families, as well as local businesses and organizations during this fundraiser that benefits Downtown Bellefonte Inc.!

Be sure to check out the 2021 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts online Image Exhibition Gallery. You will see a curated selection of works by artists ranging from photography to mixed media collage to hand-etched print. Amazing!

Happy Valley’s quaint, historic communities are pulling out all the stops to make the July 9-11 weekend one to remember. From festivals to fireworks, to new ways to experience art, music and more, gather your family or friends and head to your new happy place for a full slate of first-time events and weekend fun.