Happy Valley isn’t just the nickname for the physical environs surrounding Penn State. It’s a state of mind, a way of life.
In many ways, State College is a quintessential college town that hums with the energy of the campus. But the borough and its surrounding municipalities have their own distinct rhythms, thanks to a thriving business community, exceptional housing in safe, family-friendly neighborhoods, first-rate schools and healthcare, and highly engaged government agencies and civic organizations.
And, of course, there’s plenty to do in the area, whether you’re staying a day, a weekend, or permanently.
Take a stroll around downtown State College and explore the abundant shopping options, or enjoy a cocktail or dinner at one of the many great bars and restaurants that line College Avenue.
Like the great outdoors? Recreation options abound, from the area’s numerous hiking and biking trails to pristine natural locales including Bald Eagle State Park, Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park, Rothrock State Forest, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Tussey Mountain, and Mount Nittany Conservancy.
Sports lovers will find plenty to enjoy, whether you’re among the throngs cheering on the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium or taking in a State College Spikes game on a beautiful summer night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. And for arts and culture, you can’t go wrong with an exhibit at the Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County or a concert, play, or classic film at The State Theatre.
Meanwhile, the area hosts numerous special events throughout the year, among them the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts, and the Centre County Grange Fair, the only remaining tenting fair in the nation.
Considering all that, it’s no wonder why the region is routinely named one of the best places to live in the country.