Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!

E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

Discover

Things to do in Happy Valley!

20 items

Sarah H.

There are many reasons to visit Centre County but Penn State is one of the main reasons. Whether it's a football game, graduation weekend, move in weekends, or just visiting your old college pals, there's plenty to do in Happy Valley! As a local resi...

Map

Sections

Parks and Recreation

Restaurants

Bed & Breakfast

Activities & Events

Parks and Recreation

Happy Valley is host to a number of gorgeous parks and hiking trails. Here's a few that we recommend.

Talleyrand park is one of my favorite spots to walk the dogs. The river always has a host of ducks and geese, the coffee shop (My Buzz Cafe) across the street sells feed appropriate for them too. There's a playground for the kids, historic trains and...

Talleyrand Park: A great walk when you visit Bellefonte

Penn’s Cave is the only cave in Pennsylvania on the National Register of Historic Places, features glittering stalactites and stalagmites, often in mysteriously familiar shapes, such as “The Statue of Liberty” and “The Garden of the Gods.” Additional...

Penn's Cave & Wildlife Park: Enjoy Nature and History All at Once!

Restaurants

For eats and drinks. Happy Valley has a host of amazing places to grab a bite or have a drink. There are a few of our favorites

Grace Restaurant is a fantastic place to celebrate those major milestones. The food is out of this world, but be prepared for a big bill. We reserve this spot for major celebrations to keep it special!

Grace Restaurant: A place to celebrate

I cannot recommend this place enough. The space is small but the food is AMAZING. We love all of their ramen options, the appetizers are all amazing (pork buns and calamari are our go-to's) and the sushi is also perfect.

Tadashi: Our Favorite Japanese Restaurant

This is the only breakfast place in Happy Valley that matters. Their waffles are amazing but so are all of their other breakfast options. I personally love the banana pancakes, their eggs benedict, and the apple cinnamon waffle. But get up early or y...

The Waffle Shop: The only breakfast place that matters

Sit down and enjoy a meal and a cocktail. Offers outdoor seating in the warmer months which has a great atmosphere. They always offer a sample of their daily cocktail and make some of the best cream bourbon I've ever had! Grab a bottle as a keepsake,...

Big Spring Spirits: Amazing cocktails!

The Ale House is that happy in between for fine dining and an average restaurant. Their lobster rolls are fantastic especially given we are in an land-locked state. Cocktails are great, staff is lovely, food is fantastic!

The Ale House: State College's coziest fine dining

Olde New York has great German food options along with more traditional North American food. A great spot to catch up with friends!

Olde New York: German dining at it's finest!

If you're looking to enjoy a drink and a meal, Federal Taphouse is a great spot to stop. Because if you can't find a drink with 100 beers on tap, and 10 wines on tap, that is on you. The views from Federal Taphouse can give you a small glimpse into t...

Federal Taphouse: 100 beers on tap!? Yes you read that right

The Field has the best burgers in town and I will take no questions on this. They offer a variety of drinks on tap, amazing cocktails, and fantastic milkshakes for those that don't want to drink. The Field also offers unique sharing experiences for y...

The Field: For when you're craving a REAL burger

Otto's has great food and craft beer at a great price. Their gyros are great and I love the Apricot Wheat beer (as a very picky beer drinker).

Otto's Pub and Brewery: For when you're looking for craft beer and a great meal

Happy Valley Brewing Company is a great spot to stop in for a drink and a snack. The food is definitely bougie with smaller portions, I wouldn't show up starving. They have wonderful outdoor seating that overlooks a stream and the nature walking path...

Happy Valley Brewing Company: Great place for drinks and a snack!

Duffy's has amazing food and drink options from duck, steaks, baked brie, and more. Additionally they have dinner theater events regularly for a truly unique and fun dining experience!

Duffy's Tavern: Fine Dining in Historic Boalsburg

For when you want that traditional bar experience. Watch sports games on their TVs, play pool and enjoy all of the delicious pub fare! Their “Colorado Rocky” sandwich is fantastic and my go-to every time we go to Champs!

Champs Sports Grill: For food and games

Not feeling like dining out? Big Dean's is a great order-in option. We order in chicken tenders with fries, bread, and their amazing dipping sauce. A great option for get togethers at the house or hotel.

Raising Cane's: Amazing order-in option

Bed & Breakfast

Hotels are fine, bed and breakfasts are better! Especially when they are historic and awesome.

Enjoy the beauty of history in this MASSIVE victorian mansion built in 1885. The Reynold's mansion offers not only exquisite rooms, but also an amazing breakfast as well.

The Reynold’s Mansion: A gorgeous historic experience

I could add this place to multiple categories but I want to focus on their rooms. The Gamble Mill is a historic building that was restored in 2020 to have guest rooms, a restaurant, a shop, and even a functional speakeasy. They have a variety of room...

The Gamble Mill Inn & Suites: Feels like an Airbnb, but thankfully isn't.

Activities & Events

Happy Valley has a host of things to do outside of the main campus, here's a few ideas.

Want something creative to do? 2000 degrees is a great place to stop. They stock a wide variety of functional and decorative pottery that you can paint using their materials. They will fire the piece for you and you now have a memory to cherish forev...

2000 Degrees: Paint Your Own Pottery

The Bellefonte Art Museum is nestled in the heart of Bellefonte, just 15 minutes from the Penn State campus. The town itself features a gorgeous park, several small business, and a ton of history. The Art Museum features art of many mediums from loca...

Bellefonte Art Museum: A Quaint Stop with History

The Museum, located at the southwest corner of Beaver Stadium opposite the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), is an interactive, two-level, 10,000 sq. ft. testament to the world-class success and tradition of Penn State student-athletes - both on the field a...

Penn State All-Sports Museum: Learn all about the history