Happy Valley, Pennsylvania: Adventure Abounds

Happy Valley beckons adventurers to Pennsylvania with an abundance of outdoor pursuits. Hikers can conquer the well-maintained 14.5-kilometer trail on Mount Nittany, where sweeping panoramic views await on the ridgetop. Just an hour away is Bald Eagle State Park, with two campgrounds, a tranquil lake and the eco-friendly, LEED-certified Nature Inn. Families flock to Tussey Mountain Ski Lodge for all-season recreational fun, including go-karts, mini golf, batting cages and more during spring and summer. When winter blankets the area, resort guests can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. Want more ways to connect with nature? Visit the Soaring Eagle Wetland, a protected birding and fishing area home to over 40 Class A wild trout streams. ADA-compliant viewing blinds and a fishing platform offer enhanced accessibility for visitors. Penn's Cave is the USA's only all-water cavern & farm-nature-wildlife park. Go underground for a 45-minute-long guided boat tour through cavern passageways with incredible limestone formations. Complete the experience above ground with a tour of breathtaking mountain views and a wildlife park that includes bison, longhorn cattle and wolves.

Happy Valley’s cultural experiences complement its outdoor adventures. Admire thousands of American, African, Asian and European works at the Palmer Museum of Art, located within the Penn State Arboretum. As the largest public art collection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the Palmer Museum also showcases photography, sculpture and ceramics dating back to the 1840s. Continue your historical journey at the Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum. This 16th-century estate belongs to the Boal family, confirmed relatives of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus and founders of Penn State University. The storied mansion displays 200 years of history, original furnishings and artifacts – including the contents of the authentic Columbus Chapel brought from Spain in the early 1900s. After exploring the rich history, visit the Penn State All-Sports Museum to celebrate the school’s athletic legacy, or experience it firsthand by attending one of the university's sporting events.

Several charming mountain communities are tucked among the rolling Appalachian foothills of Happy Valley. Established in 1795, Bellefonte welcomes visitors to wander through its historic town center to admire its Victorian architectural beauty. Each August, the Bellefonte Arts & Crafts Fair draws crowds with handcrafted treasures from over 100 artists, live entertainment and savory local cuisine. A 30-minute drive will lead you to the small town of Millheim, where farm-to-table dining and musical showcases await at Elk Creek Café + Aleworks. Located in the downtown district, this brewery bistro and music hall is a popular stop during scenic strolls. Nearby, the town of Boalsburg has historic ties to the origins of the Memorial Day tradition. Spend the night at one of their quaint bed-and-breakfast inns or charming hotels after touring cultural landmarks such as the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum. After a restful night, immerse yourself in the bustling energy of Penn State University in State College. If you’re visiting in July, don’t miss the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts – a nine-day festival celebrating the arts and featuring over 300 artists hailing from across the USA.

It's easy to drive to the Happy Valley region from many other major metropolitan areas in the USA: Happy Valley is about three hours from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland; and about four hours from Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York, New York. You can fly into the Happy Valley region with direct or connecting flights to State College Regional Airport (SCE). Regional buses service State College.