Apple Pony Inn – Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Explore State College PA on Your Next Getaway
Best Things to Do in State College, PA
State College sits at the center of Happy Valley, and the list of things to do in State College, PA goes well beyond a Penn State football weekend. Between mountain trails, working dairy farms, a walkable downtown, and a food scene that has grown up fast over the last decade, this corner of central Pennsylvania is worth exploring. Whether you are dropping off a student, catching a show at the Bryce Jordan Center, or planning a quiet weekend away from the city, here is where to start.
Start on Campus, Then Head for the Hills
Penn State’s campus is worth an hour or two on its own. The revival architecture, open lawns, and the Nittany Lion Shrine draw visitors from all across the country. From there, the Berkey Creamery is the single most requested stop on any State College itinerary. It is a working dairy science lab that turns out some of the best ice cream in Pennsylvania.
Just off campus, the Arboretum at Penn State offers a proper garden with themed sections, a children’s garden, and enough ground to fill an afternoon. It is free, dog-friendly, and changes completely by season.
If you’re looking for a hike, Mount Nittany is the trail everyone mentions first. The main loop runs two to three hours round trip and ends with a view over the valley that earns the climb. Parking fills early on weekends, so plan to arrive before mid-morning if you want to avoid the crowd. Rothrock State Forest, just south of town, spreads across tens of thousands of acres of trail for hikers and mountain bikers who want more distance and fewer people. Bald Eagle State Park, about twenty minutes out, adds a lake for kayaking, fishing, and a proper beach day in summer.
Food, Music, and a Home Field Crowd
Downtown State College has walkable blocks now mixing casual sandwich counters with sit-down spots that carry a serious wine list, and the Downtown State College Farmers Market runs seasonally with local produce and the occasional Saturday morning band. A handful of breweries and cideries have opened just outside town with taproom views over farmland, worth planning as two or three stops rather than one long crawl.
For entertainment, the State Theatre downtown hosts everything from independent film to live comedy, while the Bryce Jordan Center on campus brings in the larger touring concerts and events that put State College on a national calendar. If your visit lines up with a home football weekend, the tailgate energy downtown is worth experiencing even without a ticket.
Choosing a Hotel in State College, PA
Most of what makes this list worth visiting sits within fifteen minutes of downtown, which makes choosing the right hotel in State College a big part of your trip. The Apple Pony Inn sits just outside town in Boalsburg, PA, on a country estate that trades hotel corridors for a modern Bed and Breakfast experience. Guest rooms and suites are named for horse breeds, from the Appaloosa to the Clydesdale, and a full breakfast is included each morning before you head out to the trails or the creamery counter.
Boalsburg itself is worth a stop before or after your hike. It is one of the older villages in the region, with its own historic character separate from the university a few minutes away. Between the trails, the campus, and a downtown that keeps adding good reasons to visit, State College fills a weekend easily, especially when you have a great place to make your home away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking trail near State College, PA?
Mount Nittany is the trail most visitors climb first. The main loop takes two to three hours round trip and ends with a valley overlook. Rothrock State Forest offers longer, quieter trail systems for hikers who want more distance.
Is the Berkey Creamery open to the public?
Yes. The Berkey Creamery is a working Penn State dairy science lab that sells ice cream and other dairy products to visitors, not just students and staff.
How far is Boalsburg from downtown State College?
Boalsburg sits about ten minutes from downtown State College and Penn State’s main campus, close enough for an easy day trip in either direction.
What can I do in State College besides Penn State football?
Beyond game day, the area offers hiking at Mount Nittany and Rothrock State Forest, a day at Bald Eagle State Park, the Arboretum at Penn State, downtown dining and breweries, and live shows at the State Theatre and Bryce Jordan Center.
Explore the Stunning Fall Colors in Pennsylvania
Fall Foliage in Pennsylvania: Where to See It Best
The fall foliage in Pennsylvania starts to turn first in the Northern reaches of the state and moves South. The central area of the state usually hits its peak about one to two weeks behind the state’s northern tier. That timing lines up almost perfectly with Penn State’s home football schedule and a full run of harvest festivals, which makes central Pennsylvania one of the more rewarding stops for a fall trip. Not to mention there are just so many fantastic things to do in State College, year-round.
When and Where Fall Colors Peak in Central PA
The far north of the state, near the New York border, typically turns first, usually by late September. In central PA, color builds through early October and tends to peak near the middle of the month, though exact timing shifts year to year with temperature and rainfall. If you want to time a trip precisely, the Pennsylvania fall foliage map from the state’s tourism office tracks color progression county by county and is worth checking a week or two before you travel. If you would rather plan around a fixed date than watch a live map, the third weekend of October is the safest bet for peak color in this part of the state most years.
Best Spots to See Fall Colors Near State College
Mount Nittany remains the classic choice. The main overlook trail runs two to three hours round trip, and the view across the valley during peak color is the kind of scene most fall trips to this region are built around. Parking fills early on weekends once the leaves turn, so plan to arrive before mid-morning.
Rothrock State Forest covers a wide stretch of ridge and valley just south of town and offers a quieter alternative with more trail mileage. Several overlooks along its ridgelines give sweeping views without the crowds that build up at Mount Nittany.
Black Moshannon State Park sits about thirty minutes out and is one of the more underrated fall stops in the region. Its wetlands, framed by hardwood forest, make for a striking scene once color peaks. Closer to Boalsburg, the Alan Seeger Natural Area protects a grove of old-growth hemlock and hardwood left largely untouched for over a century. The loop runs closer to thirty minutes, shorter than the others on this list, but the scale of the trees against fall color makes it worth the stop.
Fall Festivals and Scenic Drives Worth Planning Around
Harvest festivals, cider events, and small town celebrations run through Centre County all autumn, and local farmers markets shift toward pumpkins, squash, and other fall produce. Boalsburg, one of the oldest towns in Pennsylvania, holds several of its own fall events and makes a good stop even outside a festival weekend. The Arboretum at Penn State hosts an annual pumpkin festival with hundreds of carved jack o’lanterns lit after dark.
For a lower effort option, a drive along Route 26 through the ridge country south of town, or the winding roads through Bald Eagle Valley, puts you in the middle of the color without a hike required. A longer loop out toward Raymond B. Winter State Park and back through Boalsburg makes for a full afternoon of scenic driving with several good stops along the way.
Where to Stay for a Fall Weekend near State College
Fall is the busiest season in State College, between foliage, football, and festivals, which makes booking one of the best boutique hotels in Boalsburg, PA early a good idea. The Apple Pony Inn sits about four miles from Penn State on a 17-acre working farm, close enough for an easy drive to any trail on this list but far enough out to start and end each day away from downtown traffic. This property is lined with trees that turn their own shade of color each Autumn, and a farm-to-table breakfast each morning is a good way to fuel up before a hike.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is peak fall foliage in Pennsylvania?
Peak timing varies by region. The northern tier usually peaks by late September, while central Pennsylvania, including the Happy Valley area, typically peaks in the second to third week of October.
Where is the best fall foliage in Pennsylvania near State College?
Mount Nittany and Rothrock State Forest are the two most reliable spots near State College, with Black Moshannon State Park and the Alan Seeger Natural Area as strong options within a thirty-minute drive.
How long does it take to hike Mount Nittany?
The main overlook loop takes most hikers two to three hours round trip.
Is there a fall foliage map for Pennsylvania?
Yes. The state’s tourism office publishes a fall foliage map that tracks color progression county by county and is updated through the season.