Rest Easy Happy Valley Guide Book to State College
Food Scene
Original State College brewery, family friendly. Note: Service can be slow, and the wait can be LONG, especially during events.
117 locals recommend
Otto's Pub and Brewery
2235 N Atherton StOriginal State College brewery, family friendly. Note: Service can be slow, and the wait can be LONG, especially during events.
Rothrock Coffee
1736 S Atherton StAbsolutely the best coffee around.
Café Lemont
921 Pike StNice spot for breakfast in the heart of Lemont.
A 30 minute drive from State College through scenic Penns Valley. Live music on most weekends.
48 locals recommend
Elk Creek Cafe
100 W Main StA 30 minute drive from State College through scenic Penns Valley. Live music on most weekends.
India Pavilion
222 E Calder WayBest Indian food in town!
Plaza Mexican Bar & Grill
1550 S Atherton StGreat Mexican food!
Barrel 21 Distillery and Dining
2255 N Atherton StAwesome soft pretzels and adult milkshakes! Great food, though the restaurant is an open floor plan and tends to be loud.
37 locals recommend
The Field Burger & Tap
1 Country Club LnAwesome soft pretzels and adult milkshakes! Great food, though the restaurant is an open floor plan and tends to be loud.
RE Farm Cafe at Windswept Farm
1000 S Fillmore RdHigh end farm to table.
Local winery in a picturesque location. Choose your bottle, grab some crackers and cheese, and relax on their back deck by the pond.
31 locals recommend
Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery
300 T367-1Local winery in a picturesque location. Choose your bottle, grab some crackers and cheese, and relax on their back deck by the pond.
Angelo's Pizzeria
603 Boal AveGreat local pizza restaurant located just outside Boalsburg.
Unique dining experience in a beautifully renovated building. Live music. Offers weekend brunch menu.
6 locals recommend
Pine Grove Hall
101 E Pine Grove RdUnique dining experience in a beautifully renovated building. Live music. Offers weekend brunch menu.
Local breakfast and lunch favorite. Upscale diner style. Family friendly.
47 locals recommend
The Naked Egg
320 Pine Grove RdLocal breakfast and lunch favorite. Upscale diner style. Family friendly.
Brothers Pizza
Our go-to for basic take-out pizza nights, located on N. Atherton.
Kamrai Thai&Sushi House
901 Pike StUpscale Asian food in cute historic Lemont.
Bagel Crust Cafe
460 Westerly PkwyCozy Thai Bistro
232 S Allen StOriginal Thai restaurant in town!
Like a trip to the farm, but in downtown State College! A great place for a quick lunch - try the cider milkshake or dairy-free cider slushy!
Way Fruit Farm Downtown Market and Cafe
Like a trip to the farm, but in downtown State College! A great place for a quick lunch - try the cider milkshake or dairy-free cider slushy!
Parks & Nature
This is where we like to go hiking on the weekends. Great hiking and biking.
37 locals recommend
Rothrock State Forest
This is where we like to go hiking on the weekends. Great hiking and biking.
This is a great low key state park, about 25 minutes from State College. It offers plenty of wildlife viewing (Tundra swans occasionally stop in the Spring), there is a boat rental, family friendly sand beach and playground. There are plenty of hiking options, both short excursions and full day options. Friendly ranger station on the way into the park.
38 locals recommend
Black Moshannon State Park
4216 Beaver RoadThis is a great low key state park, about 25 minutes from State College. It offers plenty of wildlife viewing (Tundra swans occasionally stop in the Spring), there is a boat rental, family friendly sand beach and playground. There are plenty of hiking options, both short excursions and full day options. Friendly ranger station on the way into the park.
There is a new nature center and outdoor raptor center, along with tons of family friendly walking trails. Located on Lake Perez, it is a wonderful place to visit.
39 locals recommend
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
3400 Discovery RdThere is a new nature center and outdoor raptor center, along with tons of family friendly walking trails. Located on Lake Perez, it is a wonderful place to visit.
Great place for the whole family! The children's garden is a fantastic place for kid's to explore.
124 locals recommend
The Arboretum at Penn State
Bigler RoadGreat place for the whole family! The children's garden is a fantastic place for kid's to explore.
Millbrook Marsh is an easily accessible place with nice boardwalks for walking along the stream and throughout the marsh.
29 locals recommend
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center
548 Puddintown RdMillbrook Marsh is an easily accessible place with nice boardwalks for walking along the stream and throughout the marsh.
This is a large lake that allows power boats and has a nice sandy beach with a playground. There is plenty of picnicking options, allowing you to distance yourself from other people. There are nice flat family friendly walking trails. A boat rental operates in the Summer. Located about 30 minutes from State College.
72 locals recommend
Bald Eagle State Park
149 Main Park RdThis is a large lake that allows power boats and has a nice sandy beach with a playground. There is plenty of picnicking options, allowing you to distance yourself from other people. There are nice flat family friendly walking trails. A boat rental operates in the Summer. Located about 30 minutes from State College.
One of the largest parks in State College, with walking trail, playgrounds, pavilions, disc golf. On North side of town.
8 locals recommend
Circleville Park
200 Little Lion DrOne of the largest parks in State College, with walking trail, playgrounds, pavilions, disc golf. On North side of town.
Large park in State College with walking trail, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball court.
18 locals recommend
Tom Tudek Memorial Park
400 Herman DrLarge park in State College with walking trail, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball court.
Essentials
Wegmans
345 Colonnade BlvdOpen most days 24 hrs/day.
Trader Joe's
243 Patriot LnGiant
255 Northland CenterGrocery store on N. Atherton.
Sightseeing
A great place to visit with kids on a rainy day!
13 locals recommend
Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania
1224 N Atherton StA great place to visit with kids on a rainy day!
Local family run high end gift shop with unique products and locally made food. A great place to look for gifts before the holidays and a great variety of plants during the warmer months.
Tait Farm Harvest Shop
179 Tait RdLocal family run high end gift shop with unique products and locally made food. A great place to look for gifts before the holidays and a great variety of plants during the warmer months.
Local family run orchard, cafe, and store. An easy 20 minute drive from downtown. Offers a nice sandwich lunch menu, gourmet packaged foods and local crafts, and Fall is their time to shine - pumpkin rides, apple cider, and apple and pumpkin donuts!
16 locals recommend
Way Fruit Farm
2355 Halfmoon Valley RdLocal family run orchard, cafe, and store. An easy 20 minute drive from downtown. Offers a nice sandwich lunch menu, gourmet packaged foods and local crafts, and Fall is their time to shine - pumpkin rides, apple cider, and apple and pumpkin donuts!
State College's first independent book store! Tucked onto Allen Street, its a small oasis of quiet for book lovers!
The Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop
State College's first independent book store! Tucked onto Allen Street, its a small oasis of quiet for book lovers!
DelGrosso’s Amusement Park and Laguna Splash Water Park
4352 E Pleasant Valley Blvd