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.

Whether you are a local resident or an alum visiting for a weekend, everyone has their favorite spots to eat and drink in Happy Valley. Who hasn’t had a great time at Zeno’s, the Phyrst, Otto’s, or the dozens of other great places in State College?

Enjoying Happy Valley’s farm-fresh ice cream is a great way to cool off with a sweet treat (or two) when the summer heat kicks in. Check it these delicious options.

Though Happy Valley offers a magnificent variety of quality brick-and-mortar dining experiences, food trucks and farmer’s markets also have a place in providing quality, locally sourced options. In fact, these options have expanded dramatically over the last few years. With a wide variety of local produce and meats, food trucks and farmers markets provide residents and visitors with outdoor alternatives in Centre County.

What is your party hungry for? These Happy Valley cuisine-art establishments literally cater to their customers’ taste buds—whether that vision is large-scale hoe-down backyard barbecue, a long work lunch or a private sit-down menu tasting.

There is nothing like experiencing gameday in Happy Valley – the tailgating is second to none and Beaver Stadium is the most electric atmosphere in all of college football. But if you’re making the trip out to State College, why not make a long weekend out of your football trip?

When the air gets cooler, arts and entertainment opportunities heat up in Happy Valley’s state-of-the-art facilities for exhibits, concerts, theatre and dance, comedians and more. From Penn State venues to Downtown State College and Bellefonte, there’s something for all ages.

Dogs in a Pile is natural talent emerging from the tides of musically significant, sunny and seaside Asbury Park, New Jersey. The sounds-of-summer favorite has performed for sold-out crowds up and down the coast and at shows in more than 40 cities. Its effect on boardwalk visitors has inspired an in-demand hazy IPA and a rabid fanbase. Fans of Frank Zappa, prog rock, earworm showtunes and jam-band staples should take note.

Alumni will say there are a few things that every student must do while at Penn State: climb Mount Nittany; take a photo at the Nittany Lion Shrine; enjoy a scoop of or more at the famous Berkey Creamery; spend a sunny day at Whipple Dam; or stroll through the Arboretum. As the official tourism promotion agency for Centre County, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) has plenty of inspiration for ways to enjoy the beautiful valleys and unique communities that comprise our big Happy Valley. Start by adding fall fun to your list at some of the county’s most popular farms and farm markets.