Originally published by Suburban Life Magazine in Philadelphia, PA

From Penn State football to outdoor excursions, and from farm-to-table dining to first-rate shopping, Happy Valley offers the perfect backdrop for a memorable getaway.

Various local legends and theories pertain to the origin of the phrase Happy Valley, though nobody can say for sure how it came to be associated with Penn State University and the surrounding communities. Ed Stoddard believes there is a fairly simple reason why the name has stuck, and it begins with the residents who call the region home.

No matter what season it is, there is always something to keep you active and outdoors in Happy Valley. And from the Spring through the Fall–and even sometimes in the Winter–golfers flock to Happy Valley for some of the best golf in all of Pennsylvania.

Visiting Penn State for the first time (or the fifth) can be one of the most exciting experiences for an aspiring PSU student and their family, long-time football fans, or just lovers of a little adventure. You could spend well over a week exploring all that Happy Valley has to offer.

From the French pique-nique, picnic originally referred to a meal in which everyone contributed something, but evolved to mean dining outdoors or al fresco, especially in scenic surroundings. Picnicking options in Happy Valley come with beautiful views and options for extra fun or a little extra pizzazz. Here are our top picnicking picks in Happy Valley:

Eat, stay, and play at one-of-a-kind The We Are Inn in Philipsburg.

Looking for off‑campus student lodging in State College? The Retreat at State College offers something unique: a home away from home.

Want to make a Penn State visit even better? Add in a Penn State stay. Make the University’s iconic Penn Stater Hotel your home base for your next Happy Valley getaway. Here’s four reasons why.

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 daily from dawn until dusk, offer visitors ten acres of specialty gardens. Beyond the gardens lie fields and woodlands for hiking, biking, and observing wildlife. Admission is free.

Greg Guise puts a new meaning on the term ‘active retirement.’ After graduating from Penn State and working as a videographer in Detroit and then in Washington, D.C. for 40 years, he’s back in Happy Valley. And when I call him, he’s climbing Rattlesnake Mountain to install communications gear for the amateur radio community. It’s “just a way of giving back,” he says just before he drives out of cell phone range. When he calls back, he tells me just why community is so, so important. Read on.