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STATE COLLEGE
State College is a "college town" in central Pennsylvania and is home to the main campus of Penn State University. It is also home to my first PCS, where we be resided from 2022-2025.
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Last Updated: April 10, 2025
Attractions
(Points of Interest)
Beaver Stadium
1 Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA 16802
An outdoor college football stadium on the University Park campus of Pennsylvania State University, home to the Penn State Nittany Lions.
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Note: Football weekends are HUGE here. HUGE.
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Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, 119, University Park, PA 16802
Penn State University creamery that specializes in making ice creams & sherbets for students & the public.
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Tip: In the summertime, expect the line to be out of the door. The flavors that are currently being served change daily, so check their website before you visit to find out the flavors of the day.
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500 Mount Nittany Road, Boalsburg, PA 16827
A strenuous-but-worth-it hike to the summit of Mount Nittany, with a view of the PSU campus and Beaver Stadium.
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Curtin Road and Burrowes Rd, State College, PA 16801
A large mountain lion sculpture on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University.
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"Living forest" in central Pennsylvania.
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311 Bear Meadows Rd, Boalsburg, PA 16827
Ski resort and all-seasons recreation area.
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Note: Tussey is pretty small, so don't expect the full experience of a large ski resort, but I really loved spending my first ski season on the bunny hill and greens at Tussey. It's a fantastic place to learn and just a really convenient spot that's close to town if you just want to get a few runs in after work on a Tuesday.
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Bars
2042 Axemann Rd Suite 125, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Craft Brewery with a large taproom and the occasional food truck.
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Opinion: I like the ambience of Axemann, the beer is good, and they have some fun events. The food, however, in my opinion just isn't it. Go for the beer, skip the kitchen.
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112 W College Ave, State College, PA 16801
The most popular nightclub in downtown State College.
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Note: If you're into true crime, this club actually used to be called "Players" and is one of the places that missing Penn State student Cindy Song was last seen at on the night of her disappearance. Her case is still unsolved and the club name has since become The Basement. I gotta be honest, I've never been to The Basement, but that's just because I don't really like clubbing and I'm also not a fan of the $20 cover charge to get in. Like, seriously, it's State College, not FiDi.​​​
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198 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Distillery and tasting room in Bellefonte.
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Opinion: My second favorite spot here in Centre County. I love, love, LOVE Big Springs. The drinks here are the best you'll get in the entire county, in my opinion. I dare say their drinks and presentation here rival lots of places in NYC. You can also bring your dogs with you and sit at their outdoor patio. The only thing I don't love about Big Springs is their kitchen. The food is always good, but the portions are way too small for the prices they charge (think app sizes with entree prices). That aside, I think Big Springs is phenomenal at what they do and they are also very involved in the community, regularly hosting events and gatherings that anyone at any age can enjoy. It's a great place and I highly recommend it.
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281 Old Boalsburg Rd, Boalsburg, PA 16827
Taproom & Beer Garden in Boalsburg.
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Opinion: Hands down my absolute favorite spot in State College. You can bring dogs here, they have a beautiful backyard with fire pits and Adirondack chairs, the drinks are good, they have a rotating list of food trucks that serve on any given day, and they have live music. It's such a perfect way to end a summer day or spend time with friends. I love Boal City and if there is anything I miss about my time in State College, it is this place (and Big Spring).
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139 S Allen St., State College, PA 16801
The most popular bar in downtown State College.
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Tip: During events and the school year, Champs gets very packed very early. Your best bet of getting in before they start encouraging you to pay for a line leap is around 8 PM. There is also a $10 cover for everyone to get in, guys and girls alike. It is the best bar/club to go to in town, though. If you can only make it to one place while you're in town, make it Champs, but make it early!
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108 W College Ave, State College, PA 16801
Friendly neighborhood LGBTQ+ bar in the heart of downtown State College.
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Opinion: I love me some Chumley's but the space is very small and gets very packed, very quickly.​
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108 S Pugh St, State College, PA 16801
Pub with an outdoor beer garden in downtown State College.
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Opinion: Doggies has been our regular go-to for going out. You can bring dogs here during the day and before big events, but we never brought ours because, well, you'd know if you knew our dogs. The drinks are cheap, the vibes are good, and you can float between their outdoor backyard and indoor bar scene. I love Doggies, sticky floor and all.
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Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery
300 T367-1, Centre Hall, PA 16828
Winery crafting exceptional local wine from a mountain-side location.
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Tip: This winery is only open until 5 PM from Tuesday to Sunday, but the wine is spectacular and the price of a flight ($12 for 4 glasses of wine) is even better! The downside is that they don't serve food, but you can bring your own, so it cancels itself out. You can reserve seating in advance either inside or outside and both locations are stunning. This is my favorite winery in the area.
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2235 N Atherton St, State College, PA 16803
Local brewery and restaurant serving house brews and sodas.
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540 Misty Hill Dr, State College, PA 16801
Family owned winery.
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Tip: This winery stays open the latest of all the wineries on weekends: until 8 PM! They also have food trucks and live music on site every Friday. The flights are $10 for 3 glasses of wine and $20 for a charcuterie board.
Eateries
1100 N Atherton St, State College, PA 16803
Easygoing eatery offering Korean staples, including bulgogi, bibimbop & galbi, plus lunch deals.
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Comment: This place is fantastic and definitely one of our favorites. It helps that this was also located right down the street from our house, but the food here is great and it feels good to support a local business.
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127 W Beaver Ave, State College, PA 16801
No-frills eatery offering authentic Middle Eastern food.
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Comment: This is one of our favorite spots here in State College. It is a lowkey place that students don't seem to flock to. It's really unique and authentic; seems to be owned and run by a family from Turkey. The food is phenomenal and reasonably priced.
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1229 N Atherton St, State College, PA 16803
Local diner serving breakfast, lunch, & brunch every day until 3 PM.
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Tip: This is, in my opinion, the best eatery that State College has to offer. It's homey, the staff is kind, and the food is great. All the locals know this, so be sure to get there early (before 8:30 AM) on the weekends in order to avoid an out-the-door-and-wrapped-around-the-building line.​
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1550 S Atherton St, State College, PA 16801
Standard Mexican restaurant.
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Comment: This is legit Mexican food. For a place that barely has any Latinos, they really get it right here.
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Sher Halal Gyro
137 E Beaver Ave, State College, PA 16801
NYC style halal cart offering pickup or delivery.
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Comment: This is the best, if not only halal cart we have in the area. Is it as good as NYC? No, absolutely not. Will it do? Yes. The white sauce is completely wrong, but beggars can't be choosers.