Happy Valley is best known for collegiate athletics–and no one in the country does that betterthan Penn State University. But the world-class athletic facilities also play host to tens ofthousands of sports families who descend upon the region for different tournaments.

Since the tournaments are regularly scheduled on weekends when the Nittany Lions are out oftown, it leaves many families looking for places to go and things to do around town. Whetheryou only have a few hours to kill on an afternoon,you’re in town with younger kids, or if youare just looking for the best takeout options for your hotel–we’ve got you covered.

As fall advances and weather hints at winter’s pending fury, it’s the perfect time to plan for indoor fun for families. Happy Valley venues offer a plethora of opportunities whether you’re a seasoned resident or a freshly transplanted family. Try that art class you’ve always wanted, indulge the hobby your little one keeps asking about, and plan some visits to a new venue. Here’s a quick list to get you started.

The changing colors of the leaves, the crisp fall air and Penn State football are just a few of the many reasons that there is nothing like fall in Happy Valley, PA. Across the region, many local establishments make the most of local agriculture to create harvest-time menus, featuring one-of-a-kind entrees and seasonal craft cocktails.

There’s only one place in the world where you can see John Cappelletti’s Heisman Trophy, or dozens of other once-in-a-lifetime items that memorialize great moments in Penn State Athletics history.

Located within Beaver Stadium, the Penn State All-Sports Museum offers an in-depth look at the rich tradition and history of the many achievements of Nittany Lion student-athletes. Penn State alumnus Ken Hickman returned to his alma mater in 2006 and has since served as director of the museum. He offered insights into what Penn Staters should keep an eye out for and details on the current World War II exhibit that’ll be on display for the next three years.

Anna from StuckOnTheGo.com recently visited for a #hosted trip to Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Anna was kind enough to share her first impressions of her trip with Dispatch.HappyValley.com. Read on!

Suppose for a moment a die-hard fly fisherman with a few blank squares to fill on his calendar were to tack a map of Pennsylvania on the wall, and then randomly throw a dart with intentions of fishing the nearest trout stream to the dart’s point of impact. If his aim were as true as a standard dart-board’s bullseye, his dart would land right around the middle of the state – smack dab in the heart of Happy Valley.

Central Pennsylvania’s State College is a truly happy place for avid anglers. It’s recognized as one of the Keystone State’s best trout fishing destinations with more than 216 miles of trout fishing waters. But trout is not all you can catch in the areas waterways, perch, catfish, and bass are also abundant. Whether you fly fish or cast a line from the shore, here are the places to drop a line in Centre County.

I slowly retrieved my gold spinning lure past a small boulder and through a deeper pocket on the small Centre County stream. My retrieve was pleasantly interrupted by a strike from an eager trout. After a brief battle, I brought the colorful trout to my boots and admired its chocolate and cherry spots.

Happy Valley Pennsylvania is full of special places. Some are man-made, some are natural, and some are a combination of the two. The Bog Trail at Black Moshannon State Park – one of my favorite places – falls into the latter category.