Up on the south slope of Mount Nittany, back a single-lane road into the woods, I found a leafy oasis: Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery, one of the first wineries in Centre County.

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote that “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” That sentiment can certainly be felt in Happy Valley when the arrival of Penn State students, thousands of football fans, and the refreshingly cool weather brings a renewed energy and reasons to get out and explore! Here are some of our favorite family adventures coming up in the next few months.

Love going out to eat but hate navigating menus to find a place that suits everyone’s dietary needs? Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or nut-free, there are plenty of area restaurants that will meet your requirements. If an establishment’s main menu doesn’t list options that meet your needs, it may be worth a phone call. Some restaurants offer alternative menus for those with diet restrictions, but you may have to ask!

Visitors who travel to Happy Valley know that hotels and lodging fill up quickly during football season and special event weekends. It’s important to plan ahead, but it also helps to know all of the options that are available in State College and the surrounding areas. Centre County offers plenty of traditional hotels, bed and breakfasts, and lodges. Some of the lesser-known establishments offer breathtaking views and serene farm or forest settings.

Who doesn’t love eating outdoors? Whether you are at home on your back porch or on the patio at your favorite restaurant, nothing beats sitting outside in great weather enjoying a good meal. There are so many great restaurants across Happy Valley, and those bites are even better when you can take in all the sites and sounds of nature.

A local favorite since 1827, the Hublersburg Inn serves spirited American cuisine in a unique, historic atmosphere. Sourcing many ingredients locally, the Inn offers seasonal menus, creative cocktails, and local craft beer and was voted Best Sunday Brunch and Best Bloody Mary.

Philipsburg is distinctive in many ways: the town’s forefather, Hardman Philips, was exiled to “the wilderness town” after taking part in a duel in England. Before that, Hardman’s brothers, Henry and James, both of whom died young, “lured” settlers to the unimproved lands by good old-fashioned false advertising.

You may not think you have a sweet tooth—until you see the amazing desserts available in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. A rotating menu of fresh baked goods can be found throughout Happy Valley, but look away now if you’re definitely not interested in sampling a variety of sweet somethings.

Fall is my favorite season in Centre County, and I make no apologies for it. Football’s back, with all that comes with it: tailgating, grilling, seismic cheering at Beaver Stadium. Apples and pears and a beautiful array of root vegetables flood our farm markets in a final burst of harvest abundance. Sweaters and vests come out of storage as sweaty Summer slides into frosty Fall.