Located in central Pennsylvania, this university town is centered around Penn State's main campus. Students and locals gather at cafes on College Avenue and cheer at Beaver Stadium.
State College revolves around Pennsylvania State University's main campus, where students and faculty shape the city's daily life. You'll see thousands of fans in blue and white walking to Beaver Stadium on game days, families eating handmade ice cream at the Penn State Creamery, and artists displaying their work along Allen Street during the July arts festival. The city's streets buzz with college students between classes, while researchers work in labs developing new technologies just steps away from the 1863 Old Main building.
Penn State University Life
Penn State's University Park campus sits at the heart of State College, with its network extending to 24 locations across Pennsylvania. Walk through campus to discover the limestone Old Main building, take photos at the Nittany Lion Shrine, or browse American paintings at the Palmer Museum of Art. Stop by the Penn State Creamery to watch students learn ice cream making techniques while you sample fresh dairy products. The university's research programs bring in $1.3 billion yearly, leading to advances in fields from engineering to agriculture.
Downtown State College Activities
The Downtown District draws about 2 million visitors each year to its local shops, cafes, and events. Browse independent bookstores like Webster's Bookstore Cafe or join community celebrations like the winter ice luminary display - which set a Guinness World Record in 2017 with 5,226 ice lanterns along South Allen Street. Each July, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts fills downtown with more than 125,000 people exploring art exhibits, watching street performers, and trying local food.
Sports Culture
Penn State football dominates fall weekends in State College. More than 106,000 fans pack Beaver Stadium for home games, creating one of Pennsylvania's largest gatherings. In summer, head to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to watch the State College Spikes play in the MLB Draft League.
Getting Around State College
Centre Area Transportation Authority buses run regular routes throughout State College and nearby communities. Drive Interstate 99/U.S. Route 220 north to reach Interstate 80 or south toward Altoona. U.S. Route 322 connects to Harrisburg. From State College Regional Airport, you can fly to major East Coast cities.
Education and Healthcare
Children in State College attend one of eight elementary schools, two middle schools, or the main high school in the State College Area School District. For medical care, visit the 260-bed Mount Nittany Medical Center, which includes emergency services. Geisinger and Penn State Health operate additional medical offices throughout the area.
