What to do and see in State College, United States: The Best Places and Tips

September 27, 2017 Karren Gelb

State College, as can be imagined from its name, is a college town, the home to the main campus of Penn State, one of the ten largest public universities in the United States. Downtown State College is home to hundreds of businesses that serve the university's students and professors, from boutique shops, to coffee houses, to theaters for the performing arts. The city is also home to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which brings 125,000 visitors to the downtown area each year.
Restaurants in State College

1. Penn State University

University Park, State College, PA 16802 +1 814-865-5471
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 547 reviews

Penn State University

Reviewed By Bernhard W

This is a very impressive University and I have visited a lot over the last several years. I am in charge of Research and Development at a fairly large company. This university has so many different disciplines that they are in the top 10 of the US, it makes it a one time stop for several specialties for me.
Staff and Faculty are amazing and very willing to work with Industry.

2. The Arboretum at Penn State

336 Forest Resources Bldg, University Park, State College, PA 16802-3604 +1 814-865-9118
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 430 reviews

The Arboretum at Penn State

Reviewed By bindywanderer653 - North Bend, Washington

A very peaceful spot right next to campus but it feels as if you are miles away. Lovely water features and themed gardens. The children's garden was also fabulous. I wish I had a child to take there. They had a cave and a stream to float little boats down, and a building with grass on the roof. Nice little escape. And its free.

3. Pegula Ice Arena

University Drive, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, State College, PA 16802 +1 814-865-4102
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 146 reviews

Pegula Ice Arena

Reviewed By Stephen Z - Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, United States

The Pegula Ice Arena is Awesome! Many professional Hockey Arenas pale once you've experienced this masterpiece of. architecture. Not a bad seat in the house. Seated on the Penn State Campus is this marvel. You may be a hockey fan after a single visit. By all means go!

4. Beaver Stadium

E Park Ave., State College, PA 16802 +1 800-648-8269
Excellent
70%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 151 reviews

Beaver Stadium

Reviewed By Michael M - Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

I had to weigh in on this but what actually are we rating here because the title says Beaver Stadium...not the Nittany Lions, PSU, the closeness to the creamery or the "electricity" during a game!

The stadium sucks, straight up! Bench seating that’s cold and uncomfortable, crappy food that if you want the good stuff, you have to go outside, even the men are waiting in line for the bathroom...when’s the last time you saw that happen and parking sucks. You can’t even talk about the tailgating because that has nothing to do with the stadium and besides, Spanier screwed that up within the first year he got here...glad he’s gone but I wish it had been under better circumstances.

Face it Lion fans...our stadium is archaic and is now a 1-star! This doesn’t reflect on your love for the team...just the stadium.

5. Palmer Museum of Art

Curtin Road, University Park, State College, PA 16802 +1 814-865-7672
Excellent
48%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Palmer Museum of Art

Reviewed By 123ru_0k - Corning, New York

we visited last week during family and friends. They had good collections and very knowledgable staffs. I enjoyed most of their religious painting.... like Louvre in a very miniature scale. ??

6. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

548 Puddintown Rd, State College, PA 16801-6746 +1 814-235-7819
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

Reviewed By Hatzlacha - Virginia

It's pretty impressive to see such a well-developed marsh and boardwalk in what would have seemed like just rolling farmland. There's plenty of nature to explore along with some informational signs for the kids. The barn is cool to see and there are separate areas for a picnic (though I think a reservation is required). Parking was easy and there's lots of area to walk all about without running into people. It can get hot in the summer, so I would like to see it in another season if I'm back in the area.

7. Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery

576 S Foxpointe Dr, State College, PA 16801-3300 +1 814-308-8756
Excellent
59%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery

We strive to provide quality wines by beginning with sustainable agricultural practices in the vineyard as well as using energy efficient products to make our wine. We grow premium grapes that produce wines with distinctive varietal character. Although we focus on dry whites and dry reds, our list of thirty plus wines has something that will please every palate.

Reviewed By Cynthia G - Pennsylvania

This winery is tucked away and we may not have found it if we were not there with locals. The wine was average in my opinion, although some of the people with me liked the wine. There is a deck and wine can be purchased to drink outside. There is a tasting fee for the premium wines, but the other wines can be tasted with no fee, with a limit of 5 tastings. The road to the winery is unpaved, so be prepared to drive slowly, or leave your sports car at home.

8. Bryce Jordan Center

127 Bryce Jordan Ctr, State College, PA 16802-7101
Excellent
47%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 42 reviews

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Reviewed By Marie S - Fairbanks, Alaska

I went to a Penn State basketball game here and was impressed by the venue. Beautiful banners are hung inside, interesting and aesthetically appealing information is posted/painted (for lack of a better word) on the walls lining the walkway, and the seating is clean and comfortable.

9. Medlar Field at Lubrano Park

701 Porter Road, State College, PA 16802
Excellent
64%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Medlar Field at Lubrano Park

Reviewed By Michael M - Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Are you kidding me? Look... walk in the gate, grab a beer, turn to the right and go all the way down and grab a burger. These are some of the best burgers I've ever had let alone having this at a ballpark! If you're a veg-head or tree hugger, go snack on your granola and leave this place to the real carnivores, lol. Right amount of grease and taste!

We've seen so many games here it's about time I give them some kudos. I can't believe they're at #9 of things to do in State College...they should be a few steps higher.

They views are great from all over and rarely can you find a spot where you can't see what's going on...kinda the purpose I guess, right? Bathrooms are handy, beer is handy and many choices of food items but I'm pretty sure veg-heads are going to have a tougher time with less choices after all, French fries have feelings to, lol.

10. Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania

1224 N Atherton St, State College, PA 16803-2928 +1 814-234-0200
Excellent
50%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 46 reviews

Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania

Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania is an exciting growing science center of interactive exhibits and hands-on programs designed to provide valuable informal science education, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), in a fun learning environment.

Reviewed By Irene D

This place is definitely not for any child over the age of 6. My grandson who is 10 was bored. Was a waste of money for us. Web site does not really accurately describe the place. Traveled 40 miles for nothing.

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