State College Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Locality

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, State College is a vibrant and charming town that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, academic excellence, and a lively atmosphere. Known as the home of the prestigious Pennsylvania State University, this college town attracts visitors from all over the world.

One of the highlights of State College is its breathtaking natural surroundings. The region is blessed with picturesque landscapes, including the famous Rothrock State Forest, where outdoor enthusiasts can engage in a variety of activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and camping. For those seeking a more leisurely experience, a visit to the beautiful Arboretum at Penn State is a must. With its stunning gardens and tranquil atmosphere, it provides the perfect setting for a relaxing stroll or a peaceful picnic.

In addition to its natural beauty, State College boasts a thriving arts and cultural scene. The Palmer Museum of Art, located on the Penn State campus, houses an impressive collection of American art, while the Center for the Performing Arts hosts a diverse range of performances, from Broadway shows to classical concerts. Art lovers can also explore the vibrant downtown area, which is dotted with galleries, boutiques, and cafes.

Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in State College. The Penn State Nittany Lions, the university's athletic teams, are a source of immense pride for the local community. Attending a football game at Beaver Stadium, one of the largest college football stadiums in the country, is an experience like no other. The electric atmosphere, passionate fans, and competitive spirit make for an unforgettable event.

When it comes to dining and entertainment, State College offers a wide array of options. The downtown area is bursting with restaurants, ranging from cozy cafes to upscale eateries, serving a variety of cuisines to satisfy every palate. After a delicious meal, visitors can explore the lively bar scene, where they can enjoy live music, craft beers, and a vibrant nightlife.

Alternative names: Population: 42.2 thous.Area: 4.56 mi²Elevation: 1148 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 40°47'44"N, 77°51'39"W

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PennsylvaniaUnited States

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State College Top Attractions

State College Attractions - What to See and Explore

State College offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Beaver Stadium, Bryce Jordan Center, Pegula Ice Arena, Rothrock State Forest. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Sport venue • Sport • Arenas and stadiums
Beaver Stadium
Beaver Stadium is an outdoor college football stadium in the eastern United States, located on the campus of Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Sport venue • Sport • Arenas and stadiums
Bryce Jordan Center
The Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States, on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University.
Sport venue • Sport • Arenas and stadiums
Pegula Ice Arena
The Pegula Ice Arena is a 6,014-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania on the campus of Penn State University. The facility is located on the corner of Curtin Road and University Drive near the Bryce Jordan Center.

40°42'36"N • 77°49'5"W
Rothrock State Forest
Rothrock State Forest is a Pennsylvania state forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #5. The main offices are located in Huntingdon in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania in the United States.
40°48'40"N • 77°51'20"W
Penn State All-Sports Museum
Museum • Specialty museum
Concerts and shows • Auditorium • Theater
Eisenhower Auditorium
Eisenhower Auditorium is Pennsylvania State University's largest performing arts venue. Located centrally on the University Park campus, Eisenhower Auditorium hosts more than 200 plays, musicals, concerts, lectures, and commencements annually.
Museum • Art museum • Art gallery
Palmer Museum of Art
The Palmer Museum of Art is the art museum of Pennsylvania State University, located on the University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania.
Museum • Penn State Campus
Frost Entomological Museum
The Frost Entomological Museum is an active research institution, associated with the Pennsylvania State University's flagship campus in University Park, PA. The museum houses a research collection, estimated at 1.3 million arthropod specimens, and a public exhibition and educational space.
Museum • Historical place
Centre Furnace Mansion House
The Centre Furnace Mansion, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the headquarters of the Centre County Historical Society, located in State College, PA.
Concerts and shows • Theater • Cinema
State Theatre
The State Theatre is a 554-seat non-profit community theatre in State College, Pennsylvania. It currently operates as one of the cultural hubs of music, cinema, and live performances for downtown State College and the Centre County region.
40°48'24"N • 77°50'33"W
Centre County Historical Society
Museum • History museum
40°47'41"N • 77°51'48"W
Penn State Alumni Association
Park • Penn State Campus
Library • Penn State Campus
Pennsylvania State University Libraries
The Penn State University Libraries consists of 36 libraries at 22 locations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The two main buildings on Penn State's University Park campus are the Pattee and Paterno libraries.
Park • Penn State Campus
The Arboretum at Penn State
The Arboretum at Penn State, which contains the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, is a new arboretum being created by The Pennsylvania State University adjacent to its University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania.
Memorial • Penn State Campus
Octacube Sculpture
The Octacube is a large, stainless steel sculpture displayed in the mathematics department of Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA. The sculpture represents a mathematical object called the 24-cell or "octacube".
40°48'44"N • 77°52'2"W
Penn State Turfgrass
Museum
40°47'35"N • 77°51'45"W
The Makery
Museum • Paint and pottery studios • Classes and workshops
Nightlife • Bars and clubs • Brewery
Otto's Pub & Brewery
Otto's Pub & Brewery is a brewpub in State College, Pennsylvania, USA. It first opened in 2002 and has been at its current location since 2010. It is located approximately three miles from the main campus of the Pennsylvania State University, at 2235 North Atherton Street.
40°47'47"N • 77°51'54"W
Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications is the undergraduate and graduate college dedicated to the study of journalism, mass communications and media at The Pennsylvania State University in the USA.

Things to See and Do in State College by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in State College.

Active

Beaver Stadium
State College
Sport venueSportArenas and stadiums
Bryce Jordan Center
State College
Sport venueSportArenas and stadiums
Penn State Golf Courses
State College
GolfOutdoor activities
Rec Hall
State College
Sport venueSportSport complexPenn State Campus
Jeffrey Field
State College
SportSport venueArenas and stadiums

Other categories

Museum

Day trips

State College – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of State College, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Horseshoe Curve (Altoona), Penn's Cave (Centre Hall), Peoples Natural Gas Field (Altoona).

39 milesSW
Museum
Horseshoe Curve, Altoona
Nestled in the scenic ridges of Blair County, Pennsylvania, the Horseshoe Curve is a marvel of engineering and a testament to the ingenuity of 19th-century railroad construction. Not merely a piece of track but a historic landmark, Horseshoe Curve was completed in 1854...
14 milesNE
Natural attraction, Park, Cave
Penn's Cave, Centre Hall
Penn's Cave House is a historic structure, once used as a hotel from 1885 until 1919. It is located on the property of Penn's Cave & Wildlife Park at Gregg Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.
36 milesSW
Arenas and stadiums, Baseball, Sport
Peoples Natural Gas Field, Altoona
Peoples Natural Gas Field is a 7,210-seat baseball-only stadium in Altoona, Pennsylvania, that opened in 1999. It is the home ballpark of the Double-A Northeast Altoona Curve Minor League Baseball team.
33 milesNE
Specialty museum, Museum
Piper Aviation Museum, Lock Haven
The Piper Aviation Museum is an aviation museum at the William T. Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. It is focused on the history of the Piper Aircraft Corporation.
32 milesNE
Bridge
Jay Street Bridge, Lock Haven
The Jay Street Bridge crosses the West Branch Susquehanna River between Lock Haven on the south bank and Lockport on the north. The original structure, completed for the Lock Haven Bridge Company by the E. Kirkbride Company in 1852, was a covered bridge about 800 feet long.