The Arboretum at Penn State, located at Penn State’s University Park campus, is a special Happy Valley treasure. The H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, open daily from dawn until dusk, offer visitors ten acres of specialty gardens. Beyond the gardens lie fields and woodlands for hiking, biking, and observing wildlife. Admission is free.

Greg Guise puts a new meaning on the term ‘active retirement.’ After graduating from Penn State and working as a videographer in Detroit and then in Washington, D.C. for 40 years, he’s back in Happy Valley. And when I call him, he’s climbing Rattlesnake Mountain to install communications gear for the amateur radio community. It’s “just a way of giving back,” he says just before he drives out of cell phone range. When he calls back, he tells me just why community is so, so important. Read on.

In collaboration with students, artists, and student-curators, HUB-Robeson Galleries are hosting two student led exhibitions in the HUB-Robeson Center. The exhibitions, titled FRESH and Inside the Frames, exemplify the beauty of personhood and evoke powerful sentiments of self-identity and perception.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, joined by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, announced a formalized effort to elevate Happy Valley’s standing as a premier sports and entertainment destination through the creation of the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance.

Nestled within the secluded pine trees of Central Pennsylvania, Toftrees Golf Resort offers guests a unique experience with resort-like amenities in a peaceful, natural setting just minutes from downtown State College. With 102 guest rooms and suites, our State College, PA resort offers full-service amenities; a 4.5-star, 18-hole golf course; and a warm, welcoming staff. Our State College hotel looks forward to being your personal retreat in State College.

The Pennsylvania Military Museum cares for over 10,000 artifacts with the mission of preserving and teaching the military history, innovation, and sacrifice of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Located in Centre County, PA, the Museum is easily visited from major routes of travel and is accessible by public transportation.

Located in the village of Hublersburg, PA in Happy Valley’s picturesque Nittany Valley is the historic Hublersburg Inn. This cozy and popular dining spot is known for great food, artisan cocktails and craft beer. In fact, it has been a local favorite since opening its doors in1827, when it was built to accommodate travelers who were doing business with the former Hecla Furnace at a time when iron furnaces dotted the Centre County landscape.

The historic Centre Furnace Mansion is a beautifully restored and furnished 19th century iron master’s mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mansion and adjoiningFurnace Stackstand as a testament to two of the most important economic and developmental facets of Centre County history: the 18th century origins of the iron making industry and the 19th century founding of the Pennsylvania State University. The site features several acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, historic trees, and heirloom gardens and is a perfect venue for weddings, gatherings and meetings.

The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County has created a vibrant community for the arts serving families, artists, and patrons while making a positive social and economic impact on Happy Valley.