Before visiting Happy Valley, I had never stepped foot in Pennsylvania. It was one of the final four states I had left to see, and with its blend of history, nature, small towns, and agventures, central PA felt like the right spot to explore the Keystone State.

In just two years, the Wilderness City Disc Golf Course in Philipsburg has established itself as a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike looking for a challenging yet approachable spot to tee off.

Native elk roamed Pennsylvania’s mountainsides before colonization. Moose and buffalo also inhabited the region. By the 1860s, only a few elk remained in Elk and Cameron counties. Hunting was unregulated then, and by the late 1870s, the last native eastern elk had been shot for food.

The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest is the premier event for craft beer lovers and Penn State fans. Held for the first time in 2024, the Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest took place on the field of Beaver Stadium at the Pennsylvania State University campus. These are hallowed grounds for any Penn State Football fan. This beer festival was a celebration of Pennsylvania breweries and other breweries with ties to Happy Valley, featuring 75 different craft beverage producers sampling their creations for the attendees.

Discover an exciting lineup of events at the Palmer Museum of Art this March! From engaging gallery talks and creative studio sessions to drop-in tours, yoga classes, and the Happy Valley Animation Festival, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss Art After Hours: Get in the Paint!—a unique celebration of art and basketball. Plan your visit today!

In 2023, I set out to hike in all 124 Pennsylvania State Parks. I began with day trips to state parks nearest my home in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Eventually, I expanded to weekend getaways that included multiple state park visits, often with my husband and five children.

IRONMAN has announced the results of its 2024 Athletes’ Choice Awards, highlighting the top-scoring events in a variety of categories based on athletes’ post-event surveys from all of last year’s IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races globally.

Nestled within the lush and scenic surroundings of The Arboretum at Penn State, the new Palmer Museum of Art offers a one-of-a-kind experience that seamlessly blends art, architecture, and nature. Home to the largest art collection between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this innovative museum is a must-visit destination in Happy Valley. With its state-of-the-art design and engaging exhibitions, the Palmer invites visitors to immerse themselves in creativity and discovery like never before.

If you find yourself exploring the beautiful countryside of Central Pennsylvania, make sure to stop by Nittany Valley Creamery—a hidden gem where fresh, farm-to-cone ice cream is the star of the show. Owned by the Glick family, this charming creamery opened its doors in 2022, bringing their passion for quality, local ingredients straight to your taste buds. The ice cream is crafted right on-site using milk from the family’s own herd of cows that graze on non-GMO feed, ensuring the freshest and most flavorful product.