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.

Philipsburg Find a peaceful, historic getaway just minutes from Penn State in Philipsburg. Enjoy the annual Philipsburg Heritage Days, shop in their charming downtown or get outside with an excursion to Black Moshannon State Park.

Happy Valley is home to several of the most beautiful, challenging and fun mountain biking trails in Pennsylvania. From beginners to advanced cyclists, there is a trail for everyone to bike and more importantly, a reason for out-of-town cyclists to make Happy Valley their destination for their next cycling adventure.

Jason Browne wears a lot of hats. He owns four LLCs, is active in Rotary, performs for Happy Valley Improv, cohosts the Morning Getaway on 94.5 and is on the board of 3 Dots Downtown, which has won “Best Community Space'' every year since it opened in 2019.

Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson has roots in Happy Valley. Not only was he raised in Howard, spending his spare time helping his dad run a sporting goods store, but he graduated from Bald Eagle High School and then went on to graduate from Penn State University. But when you ask him, his roots go much deeper than that.

Coming back to Penn State for the weekend? Make the easy choice and book a room at one of Happy Valley Hotels’ four hotels. You’ll find a comfortable, modern living space that’s close to everything.

The Comfort Suites is the area’s only all‑suite hotel, and one of the top in the nation, while the Sleep Inn also provides all the features, benefits and amenities for those on a budget for less! Here’s what you need to know about Happy Valley’s top ranking hotels.

Discover Happy Valley’s Amish-made, cave-aged artisan cheese at Goot Essa. All of their cheese is made by hand, in small quantities, giving each one their individual attention.

Before moving to Happy Valley in 2019 — and becoming President and CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau — Fritz Smith served in leadership in tourism with Visit Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Over the years, his career took his family from New York City to Philadelphia to Baltimore to Washington, D.C. And when he and his wife Leslie decided on a move, he says that they were drawn to Happy Valley as a chance to slow down and enjoy a life that he says was “a bit less hectic, less expensive, less loud and dirty.”