Fall

Happy Valley, Pennsylvania is home to Penn State. It is continually ranked as one of the best places to live, work and play. It combines festivals, outdoor fun, sports, entertainment, family fun and field-to-fork restaurants in a beautiful destination.

Because Happy Valley is surrounded by mountains and 750,000 acres of wooded public land, the fall foliage is breathtaking. Be sure to check out the iconic Mount Nittany, or spend the weekend hiking the Mid State Trail through Rothrock State Forest, camping at Bald Eagle State Park and kayaking at Black Moshannon State Park.

Fall is also time for Happy Valley’s signature fifth season: football season. Nittany Lions fans countdown the days to football Saturdays all year round. When it's game day, (or even better, Homecoming) the energy is contagious! Tailgate with friends, visit the Penn State All Sports Museum and cheer on the Nittany Lions at game time. Stay in town for great food and fun in Downtown State College all weekend long!

Not a football fan? We’ve got you covered. All fall, you’ll find fun events like Punkin’ Chunkin’ (gourds, trebuchets and great fair food — enough said!) around the area. You can also explore the recently renovated Palmer Museum, see a show at State Theatre or enjoy the shopping scene in downtown Bellefonte. 

Because of Happy Valley’s rich agricultural heritage, harvest-time is a delicious — and fun — time to visit. Check out fall festivals at local farms. Then, enjoy sustainable, delicious food just miles away from where it's grown (and in some cases, watch the food being picked from your table). It’s field-to-fork like you’ve never experienced before: chef-made meals highlighting seasonal goodness in delicious ways.

It’s harvest time for grapes and hops too, and by traveling the Central PA Tasting Trail, you can try local craft beer, spirits, wine and cider in the places where they are made.  Find a favorite to take home, while learning the stories behind the bottle — local makers creating award-winning drinks right here in Happy Valley. 

Take time to visit the country’s only all-water cavern and wildlife park at Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park, or see artifacts from Christopher Columbus at Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel. 

Enjoy world-class shows at the Bryce Jordan Center. Watch a Broadway show at the Eisenhower Auditorium. Enjoy a hilarious evening at Happy Valley Improv. Watch a movie in the decadently-renovated movie palace Rowland Theatre.

There’s so much more to explore in Happy Valley — from great accommodations like the Hilton Garden Inn State College, Hampton Inn State College, or Bellefonte’s Victorian bed and breakfasts to antique shopping spots and sports destinations. But there’s plenty of time to discover them when you are here. Because you don’t need to choose your fun in Happy Valley — you can have it all.