Looking for non-PSU activities to take up an afternoon/evening in State College, PA? Our area offers many activities that the whole family will enjoy. Check out our favorite local activities sure to bring some fun experiences and lasting memories.
Don’t forget to book your stay at Apple Pony Inn.
Libations tour: This tour includes stops at our favorite winery, brewery and cidery, all within 5-10 minutes of Apple Pony Inn. These are some favorite local hot spots. Check venue hours of operation before embarking on this tour.
- Boal City Brewing – Located in Boalsburg, PA, this brewery builds craft beer with care – guided by traditional styles and pushing boundaries through exploration. A combination of signature brews, and a dedicated seasonal and experimental rotation, will ensure a unique beer list with optimal freshness. This brewery offers indoor and outdoor seating and often has a local food truck parked onsite for a snack or meal.
- University Wine Company – Here at Apple Pony Inn, we partner with this winery to bring our favorite wines directly to our guests. University Wine Company offers a full menu of tasting options, both dry and sweet wines. Enjoy wine in their beautiful country venue, in their newly built location sitting by the fireplace, on the patio or overlooking the gorgeous vineyard. Peek just over the horizon and you’ll catch a glimpse of Beaver Stadium.
- 814 Cider Works – This is a family owned and operated independent small craft cidery. They produce, bottle and sell hard ciders and products from their family farm. Enjoy a stroll through the apple orchards and cozy up by a firepit. Indoor and outdoor seating, food trucks and live music are often available. Call ahead to reserve a firepit for the evening. Please note, this location is only open during weekends.
Amish Charm: This day trip involves a drive through the Amish countryside, approximately 45-60 minutes each way. You are sure to see a horse drawn buggy or two as well as roadside stands, farms, bakeries and other Amish owned and operated businesses.
We recommend the following route from Apple Pony Inn:
Take Earlystown Road/Highway 45 east from Boalsburg toward Centre Hall. Stay on Highway 45 until you reach Mifflinburg, PA. You may wish navigate to Rusty Rail Brewing Company in Mifflinburg as a recommended stop. Along your way:
- Catch a glimpse of the Historic Neff Round Barn, located on Highway 45 just before Centre Hall. Built circa 1910, this historic structure is a white pine structure that sits on a limestone foundation. The interior has two floors: the cattle floor and the mow floor. It is 88 feet (27 m) in diameter and 56 feet (17 m) tall at the cupola, encompassing 6,000 square feet. It has a conical roof. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It is privately owned and not open for tours, but worth a glimpse as you pass by.
- Be sure to stop at Burkholder’s County Market located at 107 Market Dr, Spring Mills, PA 16875. This store contains many dry goods, spices, baked goods, cheeses, deli meats, fresh produce, specialty gifts and a soft serve ice cream station with a choice of toppings. Be sure to pick up a package of their maple iced cinnamon rolls, an Amish tradition.
- Grab a bite at Rusty Rail Brewing Company in Mifflinburg, PA. Craft Beer. Bold Food. Live Music. As Pennsylvania’s largest brewpub, Rusty Rail offers one-of-a-kind dining atmosphere that includes several hand-painted murals and restored Ford trucks from the early 1900s that were built in their building. The first level features the main bar, main dining area, All Seasons Room and our outdoor Beer Garden with Bavarian-style beer tables and a rustic, gas forge fireplace. The second level houses the Game Room, complete with 1923 Brunswick pool tables, shuffleboard, foosball, darts, video game tables, board games, six big-screen TVs and another full-service bar. Before returning to the Inn, take a drive through historic Mifflinburg, PA. This town hosts the annual Christkindl Market in December. There are a number of local stores and gift shops worth a visit.
Return to the Inn via Highway 192/Brush Valley Road. Navigate from Mifflinburg to Rebersburg, PA, then on to Apple Pony Inn. You will see the views of a different valley, more Amish countryside and several small towns along the way. On both roads, keep your eye out for specialty stores, bakeries, roadside stands and other Amish owned businesses. We do not recommend this day trip on a Sunday as most Amish businesses are closed.
Antique Shopping Tour: This day trip involves a 15-minute drive to historic Bellefonte, PA, Pennsylvania’s Victorian Jewel and host of the annual Victorian Christmas. It includes shopping, strolling, lunch and a brewery.
Navigate from Apple Pony Inn to Belle Merchantile, 135 S. Spring St, Bellefonte, PA and find a place to park.
- Belle Merchantile – A local specialty store with over 70 artisans, makers and small businesses selling goods under one roof. It is curated to flow as one continuous market with so much variety – you really can find a little bit of everything. With handmade goods, a children’s bookstore, gift items, local soaps and skin care, garden and plants, specialty foods, original art and handmade items, and on and on… Belle Mercantile really is the perfect place to buy gifts for all occasions and fulfill many of your everyday local shopping needs.
- Next walk to the Centre County Courthouse and enjoy the Victorian Charm of downtown Bellefonte. Stop in antique stores and other specialty locations along South Alleghany Street and High Street. Take High Street down the hill from the Courthouse to Talleyrand Park and duck pond. Enjoy a pleasant walk around the park.
- Bonfatto’s Italian Market and Corner Café – This is our favorite fresh Italian lunch spot. Sandwiches, pastas, charcuterie, macaroons, pastries and specialty coffees are available along with authentic products from Italy (olive oil, chocolate, tomatoes etc.).
- Finish your visit with a tasty brew from Axemann Brewery. Hands down one of the best breweries in our area, it’s worth a visit. Enjoy a beer inside or outside along Spring Creek on one of their several patios. Axemann is a three-story venue with indoor games and activities that the whole family will love.
