State College

370 articles

Our fair lady

Stay Here, Eat Here

Happy Valley is known for charming accommodations and delicious dishes, but it’s truly magical when you can find both in one spot. Here’s some of our top picks for places to stay … and eat in style.

Mary Szmolko Antique Festival2021

Make the Most of Your Happy Valley Weekend

Heading into Happy Valley for a football weekend? Make the most of your time in the area by not only cheering on your Nittany Lions, but also checking out some of the historic spots around the region.

Blonde girl holding largish pumpkin

The Arboretum at Penn State

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 year‑round from dawn until dusk, offer visitors ten acres of specialty gardens.

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New Favorites for Authentically-Local Spots for Shopping and Dining

Strong Community Support Helped Local Businesses Survive Pandemic, Now They’re Ready for Visitors

The best traveling experiences are often made in spots locals love the most. Local love means a lot to these businesses who started up not long before the pandemic. Their dedication and creativity through that tough time made them fast favorites in Happy Valley. Make sure to add them to your list.

HOMECOMING RP

A True Homecoming For Penn State

Penn State Homecoming is excited to once again safety celebrate with students, alumni, faculty and staff across the Penn State community.

Mimosa

The Best is Back with Gardens’ Brunch

Come Back to the Penn Stater for Iconic Penn State Eats

Happy Valley’s go-to Sunday brunch is back, and it’s just as good as you remember. With champagne and mimosas included with your meal, you can start out a lazy Happy Valley Sunday in a truly indulgent way. Reviewers on Google and Yelp agree: brunch at The Gardens at The Penn Stater is the iconic, delicious Penn State breakfast experience.

Hublersburg

Hublersburg Inn

A local favorite since 1827, the Hublersburg Inn serves spirited American cuisine in a unique, historic atmosphere. Since purchasing the Inn in 2007, Andi Heidt and her staff have transformed this local “watering hole” into one of the best destination restaurants in the Centre Region.

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Come Back, Your Favorite Restaurants are Waiting

“We like to think we have something for everybody,” says Curtis Shulman, Director of Operations at Hotel State College & Co., a Penn State alumni-run company that owns the Allen Street Grill, the Corner Room, Bill Pickle’s Tap Room, Chumley’s Cocktail Bar, the Basement Nightspot and Zeno’s Pub — all on one block a mere stone’s throw from Penn State’s Old Main.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau publishes up-to-date event information at HappyValley.com/events