Skip to Content

31 Best and Fun Things To Do In State College, Pennsylvania


TouristWire Editors

It is no surprise that State College, Pennsylvania is highly regarded as one of the top college towns in the United States. The town offers an abundance of opportunities for both students and adults, such as excellent education, a flourishing arts community, and a selection of the finest restaurants in the state.

There are plenty of things to do in State College, including enjoying some local beer and grabbing a bite at one of its many eateries. If you’re feeling adventurous, try an Escape Game at Escape Room Inc, a family entertainment option. You can also take in a show at the State Theatre or attend one of the many concerts that are held throughout the year.

Here’s our list of the best and most fun things to do in State College, Pennsylvania

The 31 Most Popular Things To Do In State College, Pennsylvania

31. Snetsinger Butterfly Garden

5.0 ★★★★★ (8 reviews)

450px-monarch butterfly at tudek park

Credit: JohnDziak, License, Wikimedia commons

30. Rothrock State Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ (9 reviews)

800px-jo hays vista

Credit: User:O, License, Wikimedia commons

29. Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery

4.2 ★★★★☆ (15 reviews)

Af1qipmn9laotilegjhgntudr8asr9xomz4zlb1vlfqx=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery, Google Maps

Location: 6 Deike Building University Park PA

Tel:  814 863 6017

Web Address:   https://museum.ems.psu.edu/

28. Boalsburg Heritage Museum Association

4.6 ★★★★★ (15 reviews)

Af1qipmkgbni-tywqgz-p7mlrlu146-nvdpk6yfkdc6c=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Wilma Reeder, Google Maps

Location: 304 E Main Street Boalsburg PA

Tel:  814 466 3035

Web Address:   http://boalsburgheritagemuseum.org/

27. Mount Nittany

4.7 ★★★★★ (18 reviews)

800px-flower gardens and mount nittany%2c the pennsylvania state college%2c state college%2c pa %2875995%29

Credit: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, License, Wikimedia commons

26. Matson Museum of Anthropology

4.5 ★★★★★ (24 reviews)

Af1qipm3tzdi iolaupffww ktjrpqlhmjkma8ssbnns=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Matson Museum of Anthropology, Google Maps

Location: 208 Carpenter Bldg Curtin Road University Park PA

Tel:  814 865 3853

Web Address:   https://matson.psu.edu/

25. H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens

4.8 ★★★★★ (29 reviews)

800px-arboretum at penn state - 061

Credit: Daderot, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: State College PA

Tel:  814 865 9118

Web Address:   http://arboretum.psu.edu/

24. Scotia Barrens

4.5 ★★★★★ (57 reviews)

Af1qipmykjwshxqh7vzvcqm6 o0dxkp1qunj5f9ng5qq=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Misty McCleary, Google Maps

Location: Scotia Range Road Port Matilda PA

23. Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery

4.5 ★★★★★ (79 reviews)

Af1qipmd0fxbob3jemjgjbdipcmglwj5bywyv5gziku5=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery, Google Maps

Location: 576 S Foxpointe Dr Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 308 8756

Web Address:   http://thehappyvalleywinery.com/

22. Lederer Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (120 reviews)

Af1qipmncpz2aovxlo8ubv7xoctltf3tqshgsbnkbkre=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Tom Gurecki, Google Maps

Location: 1101 University Dr Streetate College PA

Web Address:   https://crpr.org/find-your-park

21. Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery

4.7 ★★★★★ (122 reviews)

2976276180 e386ded3e2 h

Credit: Jon Dawson, License, Flickr

Location: 300 T367 1 Centre Hall PA

Tel:  814 466 6373

Web Address:   http://mtnittanywinery.com/

20. Shingletown Gap

4.7 ★★★★★ (149 reviews)

44536194774 200f0ea849 b

Credit: Algorithms Riven, License, Flickr

Location: 16827 Mountain Road Streetate College PA

Web Address:   https://pahikes.com/trails/shingletown-gap

19. Holmes-Foster Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (157 reviews)

800px-holmes foster park in state college%2c pa

Credit: JohnDziak, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 901 Westerly Pkwy Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 231 3071

Web Address:   https://crpr.org/

18. Sunset Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (182 reviews)

800px-duman community park - panoramio %2821%29

Credit: Ron Shawley, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 850 McKee Street Streetate College PA

17. Mount Nittany Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ (196 reviews)

Af1qippbkrjstsxbdhmnzt7skgixvzc42bgbwqsoar0y=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Dan Martin, Google Maps

Location: 500 Mount Nittany Road Lemont PA

Web Address:   https://nittany.org/

16. Circleville Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (255 reviews)

800px-1940 census enumeration district descriptions - pennsylvania - westmoreland county - ed 65-170%2c ed 65-171%2c ed 65-172%2c ed 65-173 - nara - 5859861

Credit: Unknown author provided, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 200 Little Lion Dr Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 231 3071

15. Millbrook Marsh Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ (272 reviews)

800px-millbrook marsh nature center

Credit: Ruhrfisch, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 548 Puddintown Road Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 235 7819

Web Address:   http://crpr.org/millbrook-marsh-nature-center

14. Spring Creek Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (399 reviews)

450px-walnut springs park%2c state college pa

Credit: JohnDziak, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 901 Houserville Road Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 234 1657

Web Address:   http://crpr.org/

13. Pennsylvania Military Museum

4.7 ★★★★★ (522 reviews)

800px-thumbnail

Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 51 Boal Ave Boalsburg PA

Tel:  814 466 6263

Web Address:   http://pamilmuseum.org/

12. Tom Tudek Memorial Park

4.8 ★★★★★ (613 reviews)

800px-stetsinger butterfly garden at tom tudek memorial park%2c state college%2c pennsylvania

Credit: JohnDziak, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 400 Herman Dr Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 231 3071

Web Address:   https://twp.ferguson.pa.us/ferguson-township-parks/pages/tom-tudek-memorial-park

11. Rothrock State Forest

4.7 ★★★★★ (703 reviews)

800px-jo hays vista

Credit: User:O, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: State College PA

Tel:  814 643 2340

Web Address:   http://dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/rothrock/index.htm

10. Tussey Mountain Ski and Recreation

4.4 ★★★★☆ (769 reviews)

Af1qippxornroisnuko6tgsqu9eialprnc3jxt5tsan0=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Tussey Mountain Ski and Recreation, Google Maps

Location: 301 Bear Meadows Road Boalsburg PA

Tel:  814 466 6266

Web Address:   http://tusseymountain.com/

Our Top picks

9. Centre County Historical Society

4.9 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

Af1qippuvwun1uucrsvq5av19ciautr0eb2cnwtte7jl=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Centre County Historical Society, Google Maps

Location: 1001 E College Ave Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 234 4779

Web Address:   https://centrehistory.org/

8. Penn State All-Sports Museum

4.8 ★★★★★ (64 reviews)

Af1qipnwz87xvstfndsfpycmj90ziseqgnyu6ku4ccan=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Lyndon, Google Maps

Location: 1 Beaver Streetadium University Park PA

Tel:  814 865 0044

Web Address:   https://gopsusports.com/sports/2018/8/8/all-sports-museum-psu-all-sports-museum-html.aspx

7. Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum

4.7 ★★★★★ (71 reviews)

Af1qipopeksiea4ah6mkigsp-ugip6rlxscrccxr9hxw=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum, Google Maps

Location: 163 Boal Estate Dr Boalsburg PA

Tel:  814 466 6210

Web Address:   http://boalmuseum.com/

6. Penn State Golf Courses

4.5 ★★★★★ (169 reviews)

626165291 187aeceb66 b

Credit: Ming, License, Flickr

Location: 1523 W College Ave Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 863 0257

Web Address:   http://pennstategolfcourses.com/

5. Old Main

4.8 ★★★★★ (181 reviews)

800px-old main%2c the pennsylvania state college%2c state college%2c pa %2875987%29

Credit: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Pollock Road University Park PA

Tel:  814 865 4700

4. Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania

4.4 ★★★★☆ (188 reviews)

Af1qipoowyucerftejiczobazjkckotncf2e ite-va=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, Google Maps

Location: 1224 N Atherton Street Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 234 0200

Web Address:   https://discoveryspace.org/

3. Palmer Museum of Art

4.7 ★★★★★ (240 reviews)

800px-palmer museum of art with george rickey kinetic sculpture

Credit: Wanttiem, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Curtin Road University Park PA

Tel:  814 865 7673

Web Address:   https://palmermuseum.psu.edu/

2. The Nittany Lion Shrine

4.8 ★★★★★ (517 reviews)

3879955126 29540c9847 h

Credit: daveynin, License, Flickr

Location: Curtin Rd. and Burrowes Rd Streetate College PA

Tel:  717 948 6009

1. The Arboretum at Penn State

4.8 ★★★★★ (1,840 reviews)

800px-arboretum at penn state - 063

Credit: Daderot, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: E Park Ave & Bigler Road Streetate College PA

Tel:  814 865 9118

Web Address:   http://arboretum.psu.edu/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in State College, Pennsylvania! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Join the TouristWire community

At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!

.