Just five minutes from Downtown State College, Boalsburg’s storybook village is steeped in history and brimming with small-town charm. Recognized as the Birthplace of Memorial Day in Pennsylvania, the welcoming little community offers visitors a blend of shopping and dining experiences against a backdrop of rich history in a picture-perfect setting.

Heading to Happy Valley for sports camps or tournaments, a Penn State Athletics event, or a college visit for a future Nittany Lion? State College offers a surprising mix of adventure, entertainment, and Instagram-worthy spots perfect for teens to enjoy.

When average employees take part in “team-building” exercises with their coworkers, they might participate in a scavenger hunt or trivia game. But at Appalachian Outdoors, you might end up ascending Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in the Americas, and at 22,837 feet, the second highest mountain in the world, after Everest. It’s also known, by the way, as “the mountain of death.”

In just two years, the Wilderness City Disc Golf Course in Philipsburg has established itself as a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike looking for a challenging yet approachable spot to tee off.

Native elk roamed Pennsylvania’s mountainsides before colonization. Moose and buffalo also inhabited the region. By the 1860s, only a few elk remained in Elk and Cameron counties. Hunting was unregulated then, and by the late 1870s, the last native eastern elk had been shot for food.

A new initiative is bringing together independent retailers across Central Pennsylvania to highlight the importance of shopping local. The first-ever Central PA Indie Retailer Week runs from March 31 through April 7 and encourages shoppers to visit at least three participating small businesses during the week.

The 18 wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries that comprise the Central PA Tasting Trail are well known for their award-winning array of locally produced craft beverages. These establishments serve up more than great flavor. Community centric mindsets and an array of entertainment, education and engagement offerings, are always on tap at Trail member locations. This article captures just a few.

Discover an exciting lineup of events at the Palmer Museum of Art this March! From engaging gallery talks and creative studio sessions to drop-in tours, yoga classes, and the Happy Valley Animation Festival, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss Art After Hours: Get in the Paint!—a unique celebration of art and basketball. Plan your visit today!

In 2023, I set out to hike in all 124 Pennsylvania State Parks. I began with day trips to state parks nearest my home in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Eventually, I expanded to weekend getaways that included multiple state park visits, often with my husband and five children.