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.

Happy Valley has a dynamic shopping scene, with one-of-a-kind finds to be discovered at shops throughout Centre County. You’ll want to spend a few days to shop them all, starting with these top picks:

Exciting things are happening at Ten Thousand Villages, located at 1341 South Atherton in State College. Their store, filled with fairly traded gifts, clothing, handbags, home décor, jewelry, accessories, art, organic coffee and chocolate, and much more, has expanded!

State College was just voted the number one college football town in the nation by ESPN, thanks in large part to our vibrant downtown filled with your favorite bars, restaurants, art and shops. This fall, shop those downtown shops for perfect gifts for your Penn State fans and you’ll be supporting your favorite downtown shops. Here’s how.

Ten Thousand Villages State College, located at 1341 South Atherton, hosts a world of fairly traded gifts, clothing, home décor, jewelry, accessories, art, organic coffee and chocolate and more.

Every good vintner knows the value of time: the age of a vine that produces the best vintage, the perfect time to pick the grapes, the optimum aging of a bottle. Mount Nittany Winery has not only mastered these things, but took what they learned and redeemed their time during COVID.

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.

Bringing State College’s downtown, and the world’s best cigars, into your own home. Your Cigar Den is operated by one of only 13 certified master tobacconists in the nation and promises that it can fit anyone, from novice to aficionado, with the perfect cigar.

A gift for that special someone from the Central PA Tasting Trail is an excellent way to brighten spirits this holiday season.