Are you in the mood for a getaway that’s away from it all, but doesn’t require a long drive time, and is socially distant? Most importantly — and this is the biggest question — would seeing goats really top off your weekend? If you answered yes to these questions, Nittany Meadow Farm is the retreat that you’re looking for.

When Hector Cruz visited Happy Valley for the first time — visiting his daughter at Penn State — he didn’t know anyone. He says finding a place to eat was tricky. “Reading a review is just not the same as talking to someone about their favorite places to eat,” he says. “You can’t ask them questions or ask for recommendations.”

Eric Loop is the president of the board of directors of the Mount Nittany Conservancy, a public charity dedicated to conserving Mount Nittany in its natural state for the benefit of Happy Valley. For him, it was a natural next step after growing up in its shadow, hiking and camping on it all his life.

This April, Bob Cameron is writing a new chapter in his life. For the past seven years, he’s been the director of the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum in Boalsburg, keeping the stories of Happy Valley’s past alive and in living color. Over those years, he worked to revitalize the historic destination, working with more than 600-900 volunteers per year to implement projects ranging from miles of trails to a walking bridge to new gardens and arboriculture.

2022 will offer the opportunity for visitors and locals to re-engage with the dynamic, vibrant arts scene in Happy Valley as festivals prepare for an exciting year and museums and venues open their doors.

Here is a look at some of the arts and music opportunities in the coming year.

Whether you’re an art aficionado or a newcomer who’s just learning to appreciate the arts, Route 45 Getaways (R45G) is one event for which you’ll want to keep your ears and eyes open. Dates have yet to be set for 2022, but plans are already in the works after the smashing success of the inaugural event held in 2021.

RE Farm Café at Windswept Farm is a unique dining experience where you “can see our farm from your table,” says LLC Managing Member Duke Gastiger. The café itself is sustainably built, their chefs (called composers) spend time tending the vegetables as they are grown, and every food either comes from the farm itself, or from a tiny network of sustainable growers. The result? Reviewers gravitate to the word “amazing.”

A local’s guide to must-see agricultural destinations

Whether it’s trying a craft beverage, picking your own bucket of blooms, bringing home a basket of apples, or touring a cheese cave, Happy Valley Agventures destinations offer something that every visitor to the region can enjoy.

While it’s home to one of America’s best college towns, Happy Valley has plenty of family-friendly opportunities for fun and adventure. Here are three ideas to get you going.