What to do in State College

Whether you’re a newcomer to Happy Valley, or a looking for new ways to enjoy your weekends, we give you a guide to State College and the charm of the surrounding area.

Go Downtown

If you’re planning to be downtown, check out the performance and film schedule at The State Theatre on College Ave. The beautifully refurbished theatre is the hub of community theatre in State College, and offers exciting national acts, acclaimed independent films, family programming and a Live opera broadcast series. Upcoming shows include Proof by the State College Community Theatre October 11-13 & 18-21, Arlo Guthrie December 2, and Scrooge by the State College Community Theatre December 14-16. Call (814) 272-0606 or visit TheStateTheatre.org for scheduling and tickets. S

Shoppers will find a number of unique boutiques including hip women’s clothiers like Mr. Charles and Access, which offer a selection of clothing, shoes and accessories you won’t find at the mall. Adventurous shoppers will find very cool vintage treasures at Rag & Bone on Calder Way. The eclectic retro atmosphere makes clothes shopping even more fun.

For casual dining, visit The Corner Room, a State College tradition since 1926 and a great place to catch daily value menu items, such as the delicious all-you-can eat fried chicken on Wednesday nights. Fine dining downtown rivals the big cities thanks to Zola New World Bistro. The urban chic atmosphere includes outdoor seating in warmer months, and the seasonal menu is stocked with local foods. Tasting menus are available by advanced request. The Tavern offers the atmosphere of an 18th century inn and a photo history of State College adorning its walls. Traditional main courses are accompanied by a long list of ‘unlimited’ side dishes that will remind you of Sunday dinner at grandma’s.

On Campus

While walking through the beautiful 5,448 acres of academic and athletic history, be sure to visit the venerable Nittany Lion Shrine – the single most photographed site on campus. Don’t be surprised to see alumni of all ages standing in line for their opportunity to pose with the majestic lion! To learn about the full breadth of the Penn State athletic legacy, visit the Penn State Athletics All-Sports Museum. Set just outside of the legendary Beaver Stadium, the two-level, 10,000 sq. ft. facility offers rare archival images, floor-to-ceiling visuals, historic athletic equipment, and trophies such as the fabled Heisman Trophy.

Of course, no trip to campus is complete without visiting the famous Berkey Creamery. Operated by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, it is the largest creamery in the U.S., using over 4.5 million pounds of milk each year to make delicious ice cream and cheese.