About an hour north of Huntingdon, State College and the University Park campus of Penn State make a natural day trip from the Raystown region. The campus is among the largest in the country, and a walk across it takes in brick quadrangles, stately halls, the Old Main lawn, the Creamery, the Palmer Museum area, athletic landmarks and the lively downtown just beyond. The Penn State Campus Adventure is a low-cost bookable outing built around that walk, a way to see the highlights with a structured route and a bit of storytelling rather than wandering without a plan. Because the product is a campus adventure rather than a formal museum visit, the details of the format, whether guided, self-paced or game-style, are best confirmed when you book. Either way, it gives visitors who are in the area for the railroad and the lake a simple way to add a collegiate-Pennsylvania chapter to the trip. Families with prospective students, alumni, sports fans and anyone curious about Happy Valley will find it a pleasant half-day.
State College has a personality quite unlike Huntingdon County's small-town rhythms. It is a college town with football-weekend energy, busy sidewalks, bookstores, breweries and a well-known dairy tradition at the Berkey Creamery, where ice cream is made by students and sold to the public. The campus itself is attractive, with a mix of historic and modern buildings, gardens and open lawns.
A campus walk is easiest on weekdays and during the academic year, when the place hums, though football Saturdays bring heavy traffic and crowds that make a casual visit difficult. Plan the day around university calendars, since move-in weeks, graduation and home games affect parking and lodging.
Practical advice
Book the activity in advance, wear comfortable shoes, check the weather and plan parking in a public garage near downtown. Many visitors pair the campus with lunch downtown and a stop at the Creamery. If you are traveling with children, the Penn State area also offers other family options, and nearby Shaver's Creek Environmental Center and Penn's Cave and Wildlife Park, both within reach, make for a fuller day.
For travelers who prefer to stay in the Huntingdon area, a State College day trip also expands lodging options. The Nittany Lion Inn and other Penn State-area hotels are popular with visitors, and some travelers choose to split a trip across both Huntingdon and State College. Whether you are an alum or simply curious, the campus adventure is an easy, affordable way to add variety to a Raystown-focused itinerary.
If you have extra time, add the Palmer Museum of Art, the Arboretum or a walk along College Avenue for shopping and people-watching. Weekdays during the semester are the easiest, with parking garages near downtown and plenty of seating at cafes. Sports fans can look at the outside of the stadium and arena, which anchor the campus skyline.
What to expect
The experience
A bookable campus outing at Penn State's University Park campus in State College, about an hour north of Huntingdon.
Best time
Weekdays during the academic year are lively and easy; football Saturdays are crowded.
How long
One and a half to three hours, plus travel time.
Tips
Confirm the format when you book, wear comfortable shoes, plan garage parking and check the university calendar for events.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Alumni, prospective students, sports fans and visitors who want a college-town day.
- Families
- Add ice cream at the Berkey Creamery; children enjoy the open lawns.
- Couples
- A walk, lunch downtown and an evening in a college town.
- Pair with
- Lunch in State College or a stay at the Nittany Lion Inn.
- Time needed
- Half a day plus drive time.
Good questions
How far is State College from Huntingdon?+
About an hour by car, depending on traffic and the route.
Is this a guided tour?+
The format is best confirmed when you book. It is sold as an inexpensive campus adventure.
When is the campus busiest?+
Football Saturdays, move-in and graduation weekends bring heavy crowds and traffic.
Where can I find ice cream?+
The Berkey Creamery on campus is famous for ice cream made on site.
Can I stay in State College?+
Yes. Several hotels there appear in this guide for visitors who want a campus-area base.