When you walk into the Comfort Suites Near Penn State for the first time — you’ll feel something in the air. Although beautiful, it doesn’t have anything to do with the brand new renovations that were completed in 2020 in all common areas and private rooms of the property. Although performed with the utmost care, it doesn’t have anything to do with the extra precautions being taken to keep you safe as a visitor to Happy Valley during a pandemic

Dreaming of packing up that laptop and working from somewhere other than your kitchen table? You’re not alone. Many workers that have switched gears in 2020 and are now fully remote, whether by mandate or choice, are looking to find inspiration and a change of scenery. Bellefonte, a community tucked between the Appalachian Mountains and the rolling farmland of Central Pennsylvania, makes an ideal destination for those living the laptop life.

As our Happy Valley community moves forward, businesses and organizations are identifying and acting on lessons learned from operating during a pandemic -- an environment that was far from what anyone had expected or planned. Doing so is positioning Happy Valley for better days ahead.

Bringing State College’s downtown, and the world’s best cigars, into your own home. Your Cigar Den is operated by one of only 13 certified master tobacconists in the nation and promises that it can fit anyone, from novice to aficionado, with the perfect cigar.

Wide open spaces and soaring ceilings make Axemann Brewery a safe and inviting locale for enjoying some of Happy Valley’s best brews.

The 165-room Hyatt Place at the corner of Fraser and Beaver streets promises guests a stay in the heart of State College — perfect for those looking for access to culture and sports.

Hyatt Place is part of The Scholar Hotel Group family of hotels, which has promised to maintain rigorous cleanliness and hygiene standards.

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and community leaders had a hand in helping Centre County navigate the pandemic's economic challenges, be positioned for recovery.

For Federal Taphouse, the downtown State College restaurant known for its 100 beers on tap, the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing but a series of challenges — but all are obstacles that general manager Jessica Wargo and her team have been adept at overcoming, all to the benefit of the community that they love to serve.

Good Intent Cider, located just a short walk from downtown Bellefonte, gives visitors a cozy space to try and taste a plethora of ciders made with Pennsylvania apples. Offerings range from Happy Valley Gold, a rich and complex cider made using more than 30 varieties of Happy Valley-grown apples, to the award-winning Wickson, with its candy-esque tart appeal.