Summertime is a great time in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania

Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, home to Penn State, 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 mountainous destination. You can have it all, here in Happy Valley! 

Enjoy hiking the Mid State Trail through Rothrock State Forest, camping at Bald Eagle State Park and kayaking at Black Moshannon State Park.

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. 

Travel the Central PA Tasting Trail to discover local craft beer, distilleries, wineries and cideries. Find a favorite to take home, while learning the stories behind the bottle — local makers creating award-winning drinks right here in Happy Valley. 

National Geographic calls Happy Valley “Adventure Town” and we can only assume that our love of festivals has something to do with the moniker. It starts off with Central PA 4th Fest, the largest volunteer-run fireworks display in the country. From there, downtown State College transforms into an art and music lover’s paradise with The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.The People’s Choice Festival and Philipsburg’s Heritage Days are the same week! 

Enjoy live music and activities during Friday in the ‘Fonte on the last Friday of each month in Bellefonte and the First Friday of each month in downtown State College. Wingfest at Tussey Mountain happens on Thursdays this summer, and you can find live music (and great food) at restaurants throughout the area.

Visit the country’s only all-water cavern and wildlife park at Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park. See artifacts from Christopher Columbus at Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel. Revisit Penn State history with the All Sports Museum.

See 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 Theater.

There’s so much more to explore in Happy Valley — from Victorian bed and breakfasts to antique shopping spots to 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.