The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau has released the 2026 Happy Valley Inspiration Guide, an annual travel publication showcasing the agritourism, culinary experiences, small town discoveries, spirited Penn State traditions, lodging, and outdoor adventures that define Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.

Built around the campaign theme of finding your happy place, the 2026 guide encourages visitors to slow down, stay overnight, and extend their visits to fully experience the region’s towns, tastes, and trails.

“Happy Valley is not just a place you visit, it is a place you feel,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. “With this year’s Inspiration Guide, we invite travelers to find their happy place in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, whether that means a gravel ride through forested ridges, a family adventure at Penn’s Cave, a peaceful stay at a historic inn, or cheering with more than 100,000 fans at Beaver Stadium.”

The 2026 Happy Valley Inspiration Guide features original articles written by regional and national travel writers. Together, they highlight experiences that reward longer stays and return visits, including:

• The Eight Wonders of Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, from underground caverns and the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum to Penn State sports spirit and the Central PA Tasting Trail
• Wellness in the Wild, inviting visitors to reset on forest paths, at scenic overlooks, and by nourishing themselves with Happy Valley’s field-to-fork dining.
• Weekday escapes that reveal quieter trails, easier restaurant reservations, and better lodging availability for travelers who arrive midweek.
• Lodging features that spotlight historic properties, boutique inns, and modern hotels that make it easy to stay close to trails, campus, and downtown experiences.
• Family-friendly itineraries and farm-focused agventures that connect visitors with animals, flower farms, ice cream trails, and hands-on discovery.
• A look at the new Happy Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide, which introduces curated routes linking valleys, forests, communities, and Pennsylvania state parks in Happy Valley.
• Outdoor-focused stories that celebrate more than 750,000 acres of nearby public land for hiking, biking, fishing, birdwatching, and winter recreation.

“Every article in this guide has two goals,” Smith said. “Inspire a visit, and encourage people to stay long enough to feel the pace of Happy Valley. When you check in for a few nights, you can enjoy trails in the morning, museums or small towns in the afternoon, and music, dining, or a stop along the Central PA Tasting Trail in the evening.”

The guide also emphasizes the wide variety of accommodations available throughout Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Visitors can choose from renovated historic hotels in downtown State College, lakeside lodges in state parks, welcoming bed-and-breakfasts in Bellefonte and Centre Hall, and trusted national brands conveniently located along highways and near campus.

In addition to print distribution at visitor centers throughout Pennsylvania, hotels, attractions, and regional events, the 2026 Happy Valley Inspiration Guide is supported by expanded digital content. Full-length versions of each feature story are available on the HappyValley.com/Dispatch blog, giving readers more detail, insider tips, and itinerary ideas.

“Happy Valley is ready to welcome weekend explorers, weekday travelers, family vacationers, and event attendees who want to turn a single day into a longer stay,” Smith added. “We invite you to use this guide as your starting point, then come discover your own reasons to return to this special place.”

The 2026 Happy Valley Inspiration Guide is available free of charge at The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau office at 204 W. Beaver Ave. in State College, at visitor centers and partner locations throughout the region, and as a digital edition at HappyValley.com.