Midweek Line-Up

Happy Valley is truly inclusive and welcoming to all, and that’s evident from the food to the fun to the lodging. The options are nearly endless — and it’s easy to book a midweek stay. Our tip? Pick something that fits the adventure you’ve chosen for your getaway. Roughing it? There are campgrounds that are both privately owned as well as many spots in the state parks that cover more than 750,000 acres of public land surrounding Happy Valley. There’s even one that has both cabins to sleep in and a cave to explore! If you want your adventure to be a little less rustic, you can stay at one of Happy Valley’s hotels, motels, and inns. The options range from budget to high-end, and include a golf resort and a nature inn, in case you want to hit the links or go birding.

There are also lodging and vacation rentals, two of which are on farms; and bed and breakfasts, including a half dozen in Bellefonte, which is 12 miles north of State College and well-known for its Victorian homes. 

Part of Happy Valley’s best-of-both worlds charm is found in its outdoor scene. Happy Valley has some interesting geology and you can get an inside view of it at Lincoln Caverns and Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park. Outside, you can get an up-close-and-personal look at the region’s best-known ridge thanks to the Mount Nittany Conservancy. Its volunteers maintain nine miles of trails that offer the most popular hikes in Happy Valley and seven scenic overlooks that provide views of Nittany Valley, Penns Valley and other ridges in the area.

Happy Valley also has many historic sites; an abundance of arts and entertainment venues; multiple museums; and, if you’re a nocturnal adventurer, a thriving nightlife. Spend some time visiting the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, where you can learn about George Boal and his family, as he was one of the founders of what is now Penn State University.

There’s more history to explore at the PA Military Museum in Boalsburg, which features stories about Pennsylvanians who served in various wars, and the newest permanent exhibit at the Bellefonte Art Museum titled “A Journey to Freedom,” which centers on Bellefonte’s role in the Underground Railroad.

Art and entertainment abound in Happy Valley, from featured musicians at , to bands and comedians at the >span class="redactor-unlink">Bryce Jordan Center, to the national tours of hit Broadway musicals at Eisenhower Auditorium.