Local Attractions

Apple Pony Inn provides comfortable, inviting bed and breakfast lodging near Penn State, vacation attractions, outdoor adventure activities, farm & winery tours, restaurants, and things to do in the Happy Valley area surrounding State College, PA.

Happy Valley Adventure Bureau

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The most beautiful countryside in Pennsylvania! Catching the big Penn State Football game is only the beginning of all the great attractions and recreation you’ll find in Centre County. You’ll be amazed at the historic sites and tours, arts and entertainment, outdoor recreation such as hiking and mountain biking and world-class fishing streams. Fall in love with our fall foliage or build your trip around kids’ activities.

We’ve compiled our bucket list for the area. Once you’ve crossed these items off the list, let us know if we missed anything. From sightseeing to action-packed adventures, see all the amazing things to do as you explore Central Pennsylvania!

Light colored stone brick building with large columns and staircase in the front surrounded by green shrubs and pink and white tulips

Pennsylvania State University

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Whether you’re interested in athletics, the arts, fitness, or food, Penn State offers something for everyone.

Penn State Arboretum: Impressive beauty and fun for all ages
Penn State All-Sports Museum: Honor PSU athletes, past and present
Penn State Creamery: Best ice cream in town
Palmer Art Museum: Check out the permanent collection, traveling exhibits, and awesome gift shop
Penn State Golf Courses: Test your skills on the blue or white course
Check out this Event Calendar for a listing of events.

Main street surrounded by retails shops and trees all lighted up at night

Restaurants

Here’s a list of our local, favorite restaurants. Please check websites for hours of operation or reservations. Reservations are highly recommended on busy weekends in many locations.

Allen Street Grill– 814-231-4745, 100 West College Ave., State College, PA 16801 – Modern American cooking with steaks, seafood and craft cocktails.
American Ale House– 814.237.9701, 821 Cricklewood Drive, State College, PA 16803 – Sexy, cozy, and laid back. Menu changes with the seasons. Located in the village of Toftrees.
Angelos Pizzeria– 814-466-1980, 603 Boal Avenue, Boalsburg, PA 16827 – Angelos pizzeria is a casual dining experience serving pizza, pasta, subs and salads.
Axemann Brewery – 814-424-7907, 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823 – Axemann is a 27,000-square-foot production brewery and tap room in a revitalized metal factory. This is a great place to enjoy the outdoors or indoors with a large game room and lovely patios.
Barrel 21 Distillery – 814-308-9522, 2255 N. Atherton St., State College, PA – The Barrel 21 menu features cuisine celebrating local resources, with menu inspirations from new cultures and cuisines brought to Central Pennsylvania from around the world. Creative and local formulas for future highlights.
Champs – 814-234-7700, 1611 N Atherton St, State College, PA – Offering in house dining, curbside pick-up for food or beer, and more than 45 beers on tap. Champs is our local favorite sports bar.
Duffy’s Boalsburg Tavern– 814-466-6241, 113 E. Main Street, Boalsburg, PA 16827 – Come in and enjoy a true Boalsburg landmark including casual and fine dining, a full-service bar, soothing atmosphere and rich history.
Elk Creek Café & Aleworks– 814-349-8850, 100 West Main Street, Millheim, PA 16857 – A restaurant/brew pub/music venue that truly focuses on fresh, flavorful, authentic and local. A place rooted in Millheim, where good people gather around good conversations supported by great food, great ale, and original music.
Faccia Luna– 814-234-9000, 1229 South Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801 – Revered by many locals as the best Italian restaurant with a casual atmosphere.
Gigi’s Southern Table– 814-861-3463, 2080 Cato Ave, State College, PA – Casual, chic, farm-to-table, cozy seating areas, Southern-inspired food.
Grace Restaurant – 814-234-2424, 100 Cricklewood Drive, State College, PA 16803 – Fine dining, award-winning chef, expansive wine menu. Check out the chef’s tasting!
Happy Valley Brewing Company– 814-234-4406, 137 Elmwood Street, State College, PA 16801 – Creative cuisine, our personal favorite, great local beer, an old barn turned restaurant/craft brewery.
Kelly’s Seafood & Steaks – 814-466-6251, 316 Boal Ave., Boalsburg, PA – Kelly’s strives to be the premier steak and seafood restaurant in the Central Pennsylvania Region. Our focus is serving consistent quality food at a great value. Kelly’s Steak and Seafood philosophy can be stated simply; we want you to have a wonderful family-friendly dining experience.
Otto’s Pub and Brewery– 814-867-6886, 2235 North Atherton Street, State College, PA 16803 – Committed to fresh, local food and beverages, huge menu, Vegan options.
Pine Grove Hall– 814-954-5419, 101 E. Pine Grove Rd, Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868. Pine Grove Hall mixes farm-to-table fine dining with music and history to create a feast for the senses in Pine Grove Mills.
Plaza Mexican– 814-954-7451, 1550 S. Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801 – Mexican food, fresh cocktails, expansive menu and guacamole made fresh at tableside.
Primanti Bros– 814-862-9367, 130 Hiester St, State College, PA 16801 – Founded in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District in 1933, famous for delicious handcrafted sandwiches piled high with house-made coleslaw and perfectly seasoned fresh-cut fries. Try the fried zucchini planks.
RE Farm Cafe at Windswept Farm–(814) 321-5097. 1000 Filemore Rd., State College, PA 16803. See our farm from your table! From our open induction kitchen, RE’s composers (chefs) work diligently with the finest local small farm seasonal foods, much of it from our own fields, greenhouses, and pastures. The prix fixe menu changes often but always includes meat, fish, and vegetarian options.
The Tavern Restaurant– 814-238-6116, 220 East College Avenue, State College, PA 16801 – The Tavern, established in 1948, is a historical landmark on College Avenue in downtown State College. Elevated American comfort food and timeless cocktails.
The Field Burger and Tap– 814-234-8000, 1 Country Club Lane, State College, PA 16803 – Fresh, local food, great burgers, extensive collection of craft beers.

Exterior view of a property with brown wooden buildings nestled next to a small pond surrounded by large green trees

Wineries/Breweries/Cideries

Enjoy wine, beer or hard ciders at any one of the following establishments on the Central PA Tasting Trail. Please check websites for hours of operation, some may have limited hours.

Axemann Brewery– When meandering through the windy road of the little area called Axemann, you can see the magic happening at what the local crowd knows as the old Cerro Metal Plant. Head into Axemann Brewery and belly up in their spacious accommodations. Watch a train, hear a creek and enjoy some of the freshest beer we have seen poured!
Barrel 21 Distillery– The Barrel 21 menu features cuisine celebrating local resources, with menu inspirations from new cultures and cuisines brought to Central Pennsylvania from around the world. Creative and local formulas for future highlights.
Big Spring Spirits– Stop by the beautiful unique tasting room to enjoy one of 40 craft cocktails, a spirit tasting, and/or a small bite from their locally-sourced, chef-prepared food menu. The coolest cocktails and an incredible community focus, Big Springs brings the spirit of people and celebration together.
Boal City Brewing – Boal City Brewingbuilds craft beer with care – guided by traditional styles and pushing boundaries through exploration. Lovely indoor and outdoor seating.
Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks– Elk Creek Café & Aleworks is a restaurant/brew pub/music venue that truly focuses on fresh, flavorful, authentic and local.
Good Intent Cidery– Good Intent Cider is a family owned and operated cidery located in the heart of Pennsylvania apple country.
Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery– Located in State College, PA, the vineyard at Happy Valley Winery produces specific varietals that transform well into their stylistic wines.
J.L. Farm & Cidery 814 Cider Works– An amazing farm, views and breezes for days, and apple trees apple trees apple trees! Head on up to 814 and join the LeClair family as they share what great stuff the apple can give you. Most weekends involve music and great food.
Keewaydin Cider Mill– The farm has been in existence and producing apples for over 75 years.
Nittany Vineyard & Winery– At Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery, we are dedicated to crafting exceptional local wine from their mountainside location in the heart of central Pennsylvania.
Otto’s Pub And Brewery– Otto’s is fiercely committed to quality. Their beer is handcrafted with the finest ingredients available.
Robin Hood Brewing Co.– Robin Hood Brewing Co. is a distributing brewpub located in Bellefonte, PA.
Seven Mountains Wine Cellars– Creating great wines that will have you searching for new ways to describe what you taste!
University Wine Company– A family owned Pennsylvania winery that loves producing fun, unique, high-quality wines for you to share with your family and friends.
Voodoo Brewing Co. – This place has amazing beer and limited menu offerings. There is lovely outdoor seating and patio along the Spring Creek.

horse drawn carriage, amish, barn, flowers

Fun Day Trips and Local Activities

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 fun experiences and lasting memories.

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 as well as roadside stands, farms, bakeries and other Amish owned and operated businesses. We do not recommend this day trip on a Sunday as most Amish businesses are closed.

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 to 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.

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.

Dairies/Farms/Orchards

Please check websites for hours of operation, some may have limited hours.

Meyer Dairy– 814-237-1849, 2390 S. Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801 – Founded in 1887, the Meyer family has been serving the State College community for over 100 years. Enjoy ice cream, fresh milk, cheese, cream etc.
Penn State Berkey Creamery– 119 Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building University Park, PA 16802 – Over the last 150 years, the Creamery has been an important Penn State landmark and a world leader in dairy production and food science. Take a journey through time.
Tait Farm Harvest Shop & Greenhouse – 814-531-8560, 179 Tait Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828. Tait Farm Foods is comprised of 8 acres of certified organic vegetables, fruits, and greenhouse production that currently serves our own on-farm retail store.
Wasson Farms and Market– 814-237-2339 – 2545 Shingletown Rd State College, PA 16801 – Seasonal homemade ice cream, produce stand and pumpkin patch.
Way Fruit Farm– 814-692-5211, 2355 Halfmoon Valley Rd, Port Matilda, PA 16870 – 6th generation family farm. Orchard and farmers’ market, on-site bakery, fresh-pressed cider and much more.

mount nittany, hike, fall leaves, view of state college

Local HIkes

Looking for a local hike? These are some local favorites.

Hike description	Hike Length/Difficulty	Trailhead address
Colyer Lake Loop – Centre Hall, PA This trail starts and ends at the Colyer Lake Main Parking Lot, looping around Colyer Lake. The trail is well-maintained and mostly shaded, winding through dense forest with groves of pine trees. Along the way, you’ll enjoy nice views of the water, as well as a boardwalk and a little wooden bridge. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and paddle sports. The best times to visit this trail are February through November.	2.6 miles/easy	GPS location: Q8H8+4F, Tusseyville, PA 16828
Little Flat Fire Tower Trail – Boalsburg, PA The Little Flat Fire Tower Area was built in the early 1900s to help spot wildfires in the surrounding state forest. The trail leading to the tower is dotted with mountain laurels, blueberry bushes, and massive rhododendrons. The base of the fire tower offers a picnic spot where you can relax beneath the canopy of native red spruce and hemlock. Unique fungi and other fascinating flora add to the charm of this serene location. The best times to visit this trail are February through November.	3.5 miles/moderate	GPS location: Q62P+J4C Boalsburg, Pennsylvania There is typically a closed gate about a mile from this GPS location Click here for the exact GPS coordinate of the parking lot .
Mount Nittany – Lemont, PA Hiking Mount Nittany is a rite of passage for Penn Staters and a favored activity of visitors to the State College area. There are 7 named overlooks along the 8 miles of maintained trails on Mount Nittany. By far the most popular overlook is the Mike Lynch Overlook, which offers up sweeping views of downtown State College, Beaver Stadium, and the Penn State campus.	0.5 – 8 miles/moderate	500 Mount Nittany Rd, Lemont, PA 16851
Shingletown Gap Trails – Shingletown, PA Shingletown Gap outside State College is home to a maze of hiking trails extending into the Rothrock State Forest. This Rothrock State Forest map is a great free resource for helping you combine these trails into loops of varying degrees of difficulty, including some that lead to the Mid State Trail which runs across the top of Tussey Mountain. The most strenuous hike on this list, a 1.5 mile hike (with 900 feet of elevation gain) along the Musser Gap Trail leads to the spectacular Hubler Gap Vista.	3 – 5 miles/moderate	Shingletown Gap, Mountain Rd, State College, PA 16801

beaver stadium, people, football game, parking

PSU Parking Information

Please see some helpful information to navigate parking for football games or other events on the Penn State University Campus.

Beaver Stadium Parking Lots Open at 8 a.m.

Parking Purchased in Advance

Single-game parking passes are available for purchase in advance for each home game in lots 11, 25, 33 and 34 (subject to availability). Passes starting at $50. Advanced passes are available online here until 15 days before the game. The two weeks leading up to the game fans will be able to purchase at the Bryce Jordan Center box office from Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (while supplies last).

Parking Purchased Day of Game

Day of game parking is subject to availability.

Day of Game Parking Sale Information:

For day of game parking passes, follow the E Zone signage until you get to Park Ave., then follow signage for day of game parking sales at Lot 25 or Lot 36.
The day of game parking pass sale location is in Lot 25 or Lot 36.
Patrons will buy their parking pass by cash or card at Lot 25 or Lot 36.

Parking Garages:

There are several parking garages both on and off campus. Garages fill early on game days and may involve some walking or riding the on campus CATA bus system to reach the stadium.

CATA Bus:

CATA will again be providing service to the Penn State football home games this season via the Game Day Football Shuttles.

Click here for a printable schedule that includes all of the information on routing, stops, hours of operation, and fares found on this page.

Fullington Trailways Shuttles

Get your tickets and hop on Fullington Trailways bus to and from Beaver Stadium. https://www.fullingtontours.com/

Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft are currently available in State College and the Apple Pony Inn is accessible for drivers. Our address is 151 Buttermilk Drive, Boalsburg, PA 16827.

Local Cab Company

Nittany Express – 814-867-4646 or https://www.nittanyexpress.com/index.html

Bryce Jordan Center Parking

Parking for all Bryce Jordan Center events requires ParkMobile prepayment, day-of-event payment (cash only) or a calid Penn State parking permit. Visit https://transportation.psu.edu/event-parking for more information.