Happy Valley is more than a destination for sports and scenery; it’s a culinary haven waiting to be discovered. From cozy cafes nestled in historic towns to innovative eateries pushing the boundaries of flavor, the region’s dining scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Visitors will find farm-to-table fare, artisan creations, and local flavors that celebrate the best of Pennsylvania’s bounty.

Looking for a place to eat, play, or stay while you are in Happy Valley? Add the best to your list! In November 2024, the third annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards recognized industry excellence in areas such as tourist attractions, events, and hospitality. These peer-nominated awards celebrate great venues and hospitality professionals in Happy Valley—here’s your chance to celebrate them too. Go visit!

It’s hard to top fall in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. As the leaves turn color on Mount Nittany, the students return to the campus (welcome back!), and we gear up for those magical football Saturdays, there is a sense of energy and adventure that is pure, unadulterated fun.

“There's nothing finer than quenching your thirst after a bike ride in Centre County, Pennsylvania,” Nathan Reigner said. He should know. Before Reigner took the reins as Pennsylvania’s first-ever director of outdoor recreation for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he was an assistant research professor in the College of Human Development at Penn State. And he really, really likes being outside in Happy Valley.

Boalsburg is just minutes from State College and Beaver Stadium, but the quaint village feels worlds away. Originally a traveler’s stop between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Boalsburg is one of the best places to uncover history in Central Pennsylvania, with the Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel, and Boalsburg Cemetery, which commemorates the village’s designation as the Birthplace of Memorial Day in Pennsylvania. It’s also a place for today, with can’t-miss events, brand-new venues, and favorite family destinations. Let’s spend the day!

Located in the heart of Central Pennsylvania, Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery is a family farm winery nestled on the side of Mount Nittany. The winery offers exceptional, locally produced wine from its 65-acre mountainside setting minutes from State College. Come visit the winery this fall to enjoy special events that show off the beautiful location and include great food and their famous wine.

RE Farm Café at Windswept Farm is a unique farm-to-table experience where you can see the farm from your seat at the table. The setting — nestled in a panoramic sweep of farmland — is just the beginning. The café itself is sustainably built, the 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.

Eric Rusnak is making his hometown of Philipsburg an even better place to live, work, and play. Get ready to delve into the heart of his efforts, exploring the impact of his work and the positive changes he's bringing to Happy Valley.

Luke Cimbala has been hyping local bands all his life. “When I was in high school, we would rent out the Boalsburg Fire Hall to put on a concert, and I would stuff flyers in everyone’s lockers,” he said. “It was a long time before social media, but still, it wasn’t hard to get the word out.”