Many of us dream of wandering in the kind of charming, provincial communities we see on holiday cards at this time of year, but one needn’t travel overseas to London, Brussels, or Paris to make that vision a reality. While the “wilds” aspect of the PA Wilds gets much of the focus in our modern tourism industries, the storied towns that comprise the PA Wilds are just as worthy of a visit, offering guests the chance to unplug, reset and experience the holidays in places that welcome strangers and foster a genuine sense of community during the time of year that we crave it most.

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) culinary arts student Lucas Hackney has big plans for his future. The 17-year-old, who also attends Bellefonte Area High School, will follow his dream of owning his own field-to-fork restaurant one day by studying the culinary arts at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Maris operates Local Historia along with partner (and fellow school teacher ) Dustin Elder. Local Historia is an educational platform that focuses on “engaging content, walking tours, and other unique experiences,” including “History Pub” — an evening of cocktails and historical conversation at Big Springs Spirits, and an annual “Spooky Speakeasy,” with ghost stories at the Gamble Mill

In 2021, Megan Marcaurelle-Jones and her husband Cody moved to Bellefonte to open their very own cocktail bar. Their passion project, The Republic, is located on the first floor of the Gamble Mill, and Megan says that opening it has been “so rewarding.”

Big Spring Spirits Tasting Room Manager Lucy Rogers has been part of the wine scene in State College since 2003. She started at Harrison’s Wine Grill when it was at the Hilton Garden Inn, where she ran weekly wine tastings and wine classes, and moved on to Zola and catering management. When she heard about an opening at a brand new distillery in Bellefonte, she said without hesitation, “I’m on board.”

Looking for a destination for a couples weekend escape (or a dudes weekend or girls getaway)? The Gamble Mill in Bellefonte is what you’ve been looking for. The historic landmark has been beautifully renovated and turned into a one-stop destination for your next adventure. The Gamble Mill has four must-see spots in Bellefonte, all together in one place: the Inn and Suites, The Republic bar, Speakeasy and Creekside at the Gamble Mill.

Walkability makes for a fabulous visitor experience and contributes to how desirable a town or city is for residents. Just ask any beach town. There’s a reason the boardwalk is one of the most popular places at the shore: everything is right there.

Visitors will find this same benefit in Happy Valley’s best small towns, including State College, home to one of the most beautiful and walkable campuses in the country.

State College, PA – Central Pennsylvania Stories, a new anthology of 41 historical articles by local historian Ralph Seeley, has just arrived at Centre Furnace Mansion and is now available to the public. Published for the Centre County Historical Society by Mt. Nittany Press, the book’s varied stories cover Centre County and nearby locales from the 17th through 20th centuries.

Philipsburg’s Heritage Days

Philipsburg’s annual Heritage Days celebration was founded as a way to keep enthusiasm for local history alive.

In 1997, Philipsburg celebrated its bicentennial. The town came together to treat thousands of visitors to a week’s worth of events featuring reenactments, vendors, crafters, presentations, concerts, a parade, and fireworks, among other things.