Here at Haus, we pride ourselves on being your go-to when it comes to all things lifestyle. To help you and your family feel the Penn State college student life, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten places to take your family for a weekend out on the town.

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1. The Arboretum at Penn State

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Tulips blooming in the Arboretum, photo courtesy of American Public Garden’s Association.

Location: On-campus

Distance from campus: On-campus

Closest parking: Visitor parking is available in the Lewis Katz Building lot, directly across Bigler Road from the Arboretum

The Arboretum is one of Penn State’s most stunning features, boasting a full botanical garden just a short walk away from the center of campus. Perfect for a lunch time picnic, simple stroll, or a whole afternoon sitting amongst the beautifully manicured grass and vibrant flowers, a visit is sure to please everyone in the family.

For those who love fall, the Arboretum throws an annual Pumpkin Festival each October! Featuring a pumpkin giveaway, jack-o’-lantern contest, and other family activities. Besides their seasonal celebrations, wildlife sculptures, water features, and other interactive features are always spotted around the garden for the most aesthetically pleasing visit.

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2. Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery

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Aerial view of the Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery, photo courtesy of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau

Location: 576 S Foxpointe Dr, State College, PA 16801

Distance from campus: 14-minute drive from HUB-Robeson Center

Closest parking: Onsite

For families with students over the age of 21, the vineyard at Happy Valley Winery grows and farm’s their own premium grapes to produce wines each of distinctive character. Their main focus is on dry white wines and dry red wines, but they carry a total tasting menu of over thirty wines sure to please all palates.

Located right in State College, Happy Valley Winery strives for perfection in each of their projects. Tours of the vineyard and winery are available by appointment for only $10 per person, weather permitting. Unfortunately, that means tours are not available through the winter months starting November.

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3. Mount Nittany

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View from Mount Nittany hike, photo courtesy of nitanny.org

Location: 500 Mount Nittany Road, Boalsburg, PA 16827

Distance from campus: 11-minute drive from HUB-Robeson Center

Closest parking: Small parking area adjacent to the trail

Hiking Mount Nittany is a time-honored tradition at Penn State. Standing strong and sturdy, Mount Nittany is seen as more than just a landscape or symbol, it is a part of the Penn State campus, student’s lives, views, and activities. Providing exceptional views of the campus and community, the hike hosts the Mike Lynch Overlook featuring a birds-eye view of the campus (including Beaver Stadium and the BJC!)

But be warned! The trails are rocky and steep, though those on top are relatively flat. The hikes are described as a “healthy challenge”, accompanied by a beautiful assortment of trees, flowers, and even blueberries! The primary trails are a big loop, taking a simple right at the top and following the trail around the mountain will show the west side of campus, the ski slopes of Tussey Mountain, and views across the Valley.

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4. 2000 Degrees

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Available pottery and designs from 2000 Degrees, photo courtesy of 2000 Degrees

Location: 500 Mount Nittany Road, Boalsburg, PA 16827

Distance from campus: 11-minute drive from HUB-Robeson Center

Closest parking: Small parking area adjacent to the trail

Established in 1999, 2000 Degrees offers hundreds of pieces of pottery and over a hundred glazes all for your enjoyment! Trained staff are onsite to help guide in your creations through demonstrating techniques and answering questions. A glaze is then applied for you afterwards, and fired at 2000°, making it safe and functional for later use. Pick ups are available 3 to 4 days later.

Walk ins are welcome, but groups of 5 or more are asked to kindly make a reservation with the establishment beforehand. Parties, large groups, and offsite events are all available for reservation and scheduling. And additionally, 2000 Degrees carries a BYOB policy for those 21 and older, wink wink for mom and dad.

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5. The Corner Room

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The Corner Room, photo courtesy of State College.com

Location: 202 W College Ave, State College, PA 16801

Distance from campus: 8-minute walk from HUB-Robeson Center

Closest parking: HUB Parking Deck, street parking, parking lot opposite Target

The Corner Room is a massive, established State College tradition that stems all the way to the start of Penn State University. Originally opened as Jack's Road House restaurant in 1855 back when Penn State was still known as the freshly opened Farmer’s High School of Pennsylvania, the Corner Room was established in 1926, and we’ve never looked back since.

Open for Brunch from Friday throughout the weekend, The Corner Room will even be open on Thanksgiving from 11:30am - 5:00pm. The Corner Room will be offering a special 3-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu with special limited menu items alongside their regular menu.

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6. State Theatre

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Exterior of the State Theatre, photo courtesy of statecollege.com

Location: 130 W College Ave, State College, PA 16801

Distance from campus: 8-minute walk from HUB-Robeson Center

Closest parking: HUB Parking Deck, street parking, parking lot opposite Target

The State Theatre’s beautiful vintage architecture and decor sits right in the bustling hub of Downtown State College. A community-owned, non-profit organization, the State Theatre is completely dedicated to serving as the hub of local culture. They feature artists both homegrown and nationally renowned, and feature high drama to children’s musicals, to rock ‘n’ roll, to live broadcasts of the Met.

The State Theatre hosts both diverse and local performances as part of their mission and tradition to generate and support arts entertainment, understanding, enjoyment. “There’s rarely a day without a show to be seen, a concert to be heard, or a laugh to be had.”

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7. Walk Around Campus

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Old Main pictured during Fall, photo courtesy of Onward State

Location: On campus

Distance from campus: On campus

Closest parking: HUB Parking Deck, East Parking Deck

It would be a missed opportunity not to mention the gorgeous beauty that is the Penn State University campus. Sprawling lawns and historic buildings, red brick to carved limestone, to the modernized floor-to-ceiling glass walls of the Business Building, to the classic stunner that is our Old Main Building, WE ARE so lucky to go to school here.

A stroll or even a SPIN Bike tour around campus with the family is a great way to get them introduced to your day-to-day schedule and get a feel for your life here. The towering carvings that look after us at the front of Pattee and Paterno Library or the koi pond right by the Alumni Center, there are so many little points of charm on campus.

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8. Penn State Berkey Creamery

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The Nittany Lion receiving a cone from the Berkey Creamery, photo courtesy of WJAC TV.

Location: On campus

Distance from campus: 10-minute walk from HUB

Closest parking: HUB Parking Deck, East Parking Deck

Of course, the classic that is Penn State’s Berkey Creamery. Celebrating 155 years this year, it is the go-to special experience that makes Penn State unique. As is everything at Penn State, the Creamery boasts a long history rooted in tradition starting initially in 1865 and eventually giving birth to the beloved Ben and Jerry’s.

Seasonal flavors, dairy farmed right here, and a process supported by science, nothing beats a scoop from our very own Creamery. Fun fact: Penn State’s short course in ice cream has attracted the biggest names in ice cream from Baskin-Robbins to Haagen-Dazs to come learn from Penn State for six days.

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9. Downtown State College Farmers Market

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Fresh flowers for sale at the Downtown State College Farmers Market, photo courtesy of Onward State

Location: Locust Ln, State College, PA 16801

Distance from campus: 10-minute walk from HUB

Closest parking: HUB Parking Deck, East Parking Deck, street parking

Open every Friday from 11:30am until 5:30pm, the Farmer’s Market is a student favorite offering everything from fresh flowers to fresh produce, to baked goods to tacos. The market runs on a mission to create an environment for farmers and residents to benefit mutually through local produce. Each vendor is required to personally produce all the items they sell!

The Farmers Market began originally in the summer of 1976, created to support the farms of Centre County. The concept of being exclusive to local vendors was new at this time, and the market only ran for 10 weeks from mid/late June until October.

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10. Beaver Stadium

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Beaver Stadium during a ‘Whiteout’ game, photo courtesy of Penn Live.

Location: 1 Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA 16802

Distance from campus: 22-minute walk from HUB

Closest parking: HUB Parking Deck, BJC Parking

Where else? Beaver Stadium, especially during football season - is there anything else like it? Currently holding a capacity of 106,572 Beaver Stadium takes the pride of Penn Staters and puts it to good use- it is currently the second largest stadium in the country and the fourth largest in the world.