The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau has plenty of inspiration for Penn State students interested in exploring and enjoying all corners of the county – the beautiful valleys and unique communities that comprise our big Happy Valley.

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.

Want a HappyValley adventure that takes you back in time, immersing you in the rich history of long ago, then meandering through a Shakespearean garden before ending up on a new footbridge where you can spot over 50 birds indigenous to the region? Head over the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum for an experience to remember.

Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) will begin welcoming visitors to state-owned historic sites and museums, including the Pennsylvania Military Museum, on Friday, April 30 with reduced hours of operation and limited capacity.

Expanding Arts, Gardens and Exhibits for 2021


This time last year, Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel was a flurry of holiday activities. There were candlelight tours, Gregorian chants, a Christkindl market and a British tea. But things are very different this year. “The short answer is that we’re closed,” says Bob Cameron, director of the museum. But, he says, they’ve made lemonade from this year’s lemons. “In many ways, it’s been a highly successful year.”

Happy Valley is full of breath-taking views, picturesque places and adventures waiting to be discovered. Why not combine them all into one scenic drive? Well that’s just what we did! Pick a nice sunny day or an evening where the sunset is glowing across the horizon and hop in your car, roll down the windows and take a drive through the scenic Raystown Lake Region and Happy Valley.

The first pizzeria in the United States opened in New York City in 1905. Today, there are more than 61,000 across the nation, making it fairly obvious that Americans have a love for pizza. Every day, 13 percent of the population eats some form of pizza, and we spend $38 billion annually satisfying our craving!

There is no shortage of cozy, local coffee shops for Happy Valley to enjoy. Whether you’re strolling the streets of downtown, dropping in on your way to work or sharing a leisurely Saturday morning with a friend, you’ll have plenty of cafes to choose from!

Visitors have a strong to desire to feel like a local and go home with a story or two. Sometimes a chain hotel experience isn’t exactly what they’re looking for when they are planning out where to stay and what to do. It is the people we meet and the unique experiences that make the trip great.