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Despite Pennsylvania having two major cities with wildly popular professional football teams, you have not witnessed team spirit until you have entered State College and met a Nittany Lions fan. Buried in the center of the state, State College is home to over 50,000 Pennsylvania State University students. If you have ever wondered what it was like to visit a town dedicated solely to one university, then get ready to visit this aptly nicknamed “Happy Valley.”
Wondering where to stay in State College in Pennsylvania? Of course, if you are planning a visit specifically for Pennsylvania State University, you will want to stay near campus. Walk around and enjoy all the different buildings and parks. If you can get tickets, catch the Nittany Lions football team in action at Beaver Stadium or the basketball team at the Bryce Jordan Center. Are sports not really your thing? Why not opt for a local museum visit? The Palmer Museum of Art is a small museum with works from all over the world and the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State attracts with a number of music, theater, and dance shows.
While you are near or on campus, check out any of the spirited eateries, such as the historic Penn State Berkey Creamery, which has been around since 1889, Faccia Luna, a local favorite for pizza, or Allen Street Grill with its iconic views of downtown. If you missed out on getting a ticket to one of the Nittany Lions game, there is no better place than Bill Pickle’s Tap Room to catch it. If you are planning to shop a lot while you are visiting, you may want to stay near the Nittany Mall. One of the great aspects to State College’s geographic location is its proximity to a number of outdoor attractions. Stay near any of these areas and get a taste of just how beautiful Pennsylvania’s nature can be.
Bald Eagle State Park has nearly 6,000 acres of forests and wetlands. Black Moshannon State Park surrounds a lake of the same name and is great for walking and biking. Do not miss the bog habitat while you are there. If you visit during the warmer months, take advantage of the various activities at the university-run Stone Valley Recreation Area. Another great place for swimming is Poe Valley State Park. In fall, the colorful foliage will make you want to walking in nature for hours. In the winter, check out any of the skiing options, including Tussey Mountain.
Overall, there are 102 hotels in State College, PA, starting at
If you are traveling internationally, you will probably fly into either the Pittsburgh International Airport or the Philadelphia International Airport. However, both are still quite a long way from State College, so you may want to fly locally. There are two airports close by. The closest is University Park Airport, which is only 15 minutes away. Most of its direct flights go to Northeastern and Midwestern cities. The next closest airport is Altoona-Blair County Airport. Although it is small, it might be good if you are flying from Williamsport, Baltimore, or Pittsburgh. It is an hour away, so you may want to book one of its nearby hotels depending on when your flight is.
