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| State College | ||
| PA | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 42.034 () | |
| height | 352 m | |
| Tourist info web | www.visitpennstate.org | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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State College (also: "Happy Valley") is a city in the Alleghenies of the US state Pennsylvania. The place with the strange name offers little tourist attraction, but is the main location of the important and very large ones Penn State Universitythat is here on her University ParkCampus has 47,261 students. So a lot of student flair.
Because of its hotels, many of which are excellent value for money, and its great dining scene, State College is also suitable as an overnight stop for travelers.
background
location
State College is located in the Nittany Valley, a little off the Spring Creek, a trout-rich river that flows into Bald Eagle Creek near Milesburg. To the west joins the State College Ferguson Township on, in the east the College Township, which is also part of the University Park belongs.
history
Penn State University was established in 1855 as the Farmer’s High School of Pennsylvania founded. The place, originally just a village, achieved the status of a "borough", ie a politically independent community, in 1896 and has since grown together with the school, which was renamed "Pennsylvania State University" in 1953. The college has numerous other facilities that are in other locations, including Dickinson Law Law (Carlisle) and that College of Medicine (Hershey). Because of its very demanding academic program, Penn State is included in the "Public Ivies", those public universities that can be compared to the Ivy League need not be afraid. Most State College students are "undergraduates," that is, students who are pursuing a bachelor's degree; almost 6,000 others have already completed their bachelor's degrees and are aiming for a master's degree. The most famous alumnus is Paul Berg, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980. Prominent names also appear in the teaching staff, including those of the writers John Barth and Joseph Heller, as well as that of the philosopher Ivan Illich. Beyond academic circles is the Penn State University famous for their sports teams, especially the football team ("Nittany Lions"). The Beaver Stadium in the east of the campus is the second largest in the USA with 106,572 seats (after the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor).
getting there
| Distances | |
| Williamsport | 63 mi (101 km), 1:09 min. |
|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 86 mi (139 km), 1:33 hrs. |
| Pittsburgh | 136 mi (219 km), 2:56 hrs. |
| Baltimore | 165 mi (266 km), 2:59 hrs. |
| Philadelphia | 192 mi (309 km), 3:34 hrs. |
| Washington, D.C. | 211 mi (400 km), 4:06 hrs. |
| New York City | 237 mi (381 km), 4:26 hrs. |
By plane
The cozy little one north of the city University Park Airport (SCE) is operated daily from line machines, among others Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington, D.C. and Chicago approached. If you want to fly in directly from Europe, you can do so via Philadelphia (PHL), Baltimore (BWI), Washington, D.C. (IAD) or Newark (EEA) do; theoretically also via JFK, but for that you have to take the hell trip through New York City.
By train
The closest Amtrak-Trains are in Lewistown (39 minutes) and Huntingdon (48 minutes). This is the place to go Pennsylvanian-Line that New York City With Pittsburgh connects.
By bus
State College has one Greyhound-Bus station (152 N Atherton St). In addition, the city is also connected to the network of routes MegaBus connected.
In the street
The city is located at the intersection of I-99 and US Route 322.
mobility
The local transport company CATA maintains a number of bus routes in State College. CATA operates one on campus Blue line and a White Linewhose buses can also be used by visitors free of charge.
Tourist Attractions
Almost all of the city's sights are located on the campus of the Penn State University (please refer further down).
Downtown is right on the southern edge of the campus on E College Ave, roughly between Burrows St and Hetzel St. There you can stroll, shop, eat and drink coffee. Parking with a parking meter or (with a bit of luck) in the small parking lot of the restaurant you want to visit. Those who prefer a multi-storey car park can find a cheap one at 126 S Pugh St (Pugh Street Garage). The Beaver Avenue Garage (corner of Beaver & Frazer) is also inexpensive. On weekends you may even park for free in the multi-storey car parks.
activities
shop
- Barnes and Noble, 1 Pollock Rd (next to the Robeson Cultural Center). Small branch of the last American bookstore chain that still withstands Amazon.
- Nittany Mall, 2901 E College Ave (east of Route 322). Single-storey shopping mall in the northwest of State College with the usual chains (over 60 retailers, service providers and fast-food restaurants).
- Wegmans, 345 Colonnade Blvd. (on the edge of N Atherton St). Quality supermarket on the northwestern edge of the city with an excellent self-service restaurant.
If you want to support local retail, shop downtown around E College Ave (between S. Garner St and S Allen St), e.g. in:
kitchen
Cheap
- Big Bowl Noodle House, 418 E College Ave (Downtown). Asian noodle restaurant with large portions for hungry students and good value for money.
- Pita Cabana Grill, 334 E Calder Way (Downtown). Fast Lebanese cuisine. Gyro, shawarama, kabobs, falafel and more. That is an alternative Penn Kebab (418 E College Ave).
- The Waffle Shop, 364 E College Ave (Downtown). Very popular breakfast and lunch restaurant that specializes in waffles and omelettes, but also offers hamburgers, salads and other small dishes. Another branch of this mini chain can be found at 1229 N Atherton St. The restaurant only accepts cash, no credit cards.
- Wegman’s Market Cafe, 345 Colonnade Blvd. (on the edge of I-99, near N Atherton St). The in-house restaurant (buffet) of the Wegmans quality supermarket offers a very rich selection of dishes that also meet European needs.
medium
- Gigi's Southern Table, 2080 Cato Ave (in the deep south of State College). If you are tired of the usual hamburger cuisine, you can discover how people eat in the American southern states.
- The Greek Restaurant, 102 E Clinton Ave. (on the edge of N Atherton St). If Greek cuisine is desired for a change. The restaurant does not have a license to serve alcoholic beverages, but does provide glasses if you bring your own wine.
- Herwig's Austrian Bistro, 132 W College Ave (Downtown). For homesick people. Schnitzel, meat loaf, grenadier march, dumplings with egg, potato laberl and many other authentic dishes.
- Ni Hao Asian Cuisine, 289 Northland Center (on the edge of N Atherton St). Good buffet restaurant (all-you-can-eat) with a large selection of sushi, dim sum and other East Asian dishes. Depending on the day of the week and time of day, $ 10-17.
- Olde New York, 2298 E College Ave (a little southwest of the Nittany Mall). Busy bar with an eclectic menu that includes a few German options.
- Otto's Pub and Brewery, 2235 N Atherton St. The most popular restaurant in town for classic American grill cuisine. Hamburgers, pizza, pasta and the like, but more interesting than in the corresponding chains. Alternatives are Happy Valley Brewing (137 Elmwood St) and The Field Burger & Tap (1 Country Club Ln).
- Penang, 1221 N Atherton St. Good restaurant with Malaysian cuisine and dishes from other parts of Southeast and East Asia.
- Pho 11 Vietnamese Restaurant, 146 N Atherton St. Nothing special for a restaurant with Vietnamese cuisine, but perhaps a nice contrast after too much American grill cuisine.
- Rey Azteca, 485 Benner Pike (on the edge of the Nittany Mall). Very popular restaurant with Mexican cuisine. Nice selection of Special offers, which include samples of almost everything else on the card. A good alternative is that Plaza Mexican Bar and Grill (1550 S Atherton St), where Spanish speakers can use their language skills again if they wish.
- Say sushi, 310 S Allen St (a few blocks southeast of downtown). Considered the best sushi bar in town.
Upscale
- Carnegie Inn & Spa Restaurant, 100 Cricklewood Dr (on the northern edge of the motorway). The best haute cuisine restaurant in State College belongs to a spa hotel.
nightlife
accommodation
Visitors to the university can save themselves walking by staying at either Atherton St or E College Ave. There's nothing right by University Park.
Cheap
- Quality Inn Penn State, 1274 N Atherton St. Highly rated Choice chain hotel halfway between the freeway and downtown. Rooms from $ 77, all with refrigerators and coffeemakers, some with an additional sofa bed. Breakfast included.
- Rodeway Inn State College, 1040 N Atherton St (halfway between the freeway and downtown). Decent cheap motel from the Choice chain. Rooms from $ 68, all with refrigerators and microwaves. Breakfast included in the price.
medium
- Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites, 115 Premiere Dr. (Leave I-99 at Exit 76, then Shiloh Rd south). Chain hotel on the edge of the Nittany Mall with a very good price-performance ratio. The name is a bit deceptive, the hotel is not located directly on the campus, but a good 5 minutes drive away. All rooms with refrigerator and microwave. From $ 96, breakfast included.
- Comfort Suites State College, 132 Village Dr.. Another very decent hotel from the Choice chain, located halfway between the freeway and downtown, quiet and a bit away from the busy N Atherton St. 77 spacious rooms on 3 floors, all with a refrigerator, microwave and an additional sofa bed. From $ 97, breakfast included. Nice indoor pool. Airport shuttle.Check-in: 3 p.m.Check-out: 11 a.m.
- Hampton Inn State College, 1101 E College Ave (a little northeast of downtown, on Route 322). Solid quality Hilton chain hotel. On cheap days from $ 101, but often only from $ 131. Breakfast included.
- Holiday Inn Express State College @Williamsburg Square, 1925 Waddle Rd (at exit 71 from I-99). Popular middle class hotel. Overnight from $ 106.
Upscale
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, 1357 E College Ave, 1357 E College Avenue, State College, Pennsylvania 16801, United States (near the US Route 322 & E College Ave intersection). The best upscale hotel. Rooms from $ 134, including buffet breakfast. All rooms with refrigerator and microwave.
- Hilton Garden Inn State College, 1221 E College Ave (northeast of downtown, on Route 322). Nice hotel from the Hilton chain. All rooms with refrigerator, microwave and additional sofa bed. On the cheapest days from $ 106, otherwise more from $ 165. Breakfast costs extra. Indoor Swimming Pool.
- Residence Inn State College, 1555 University Dr. (in the southeast of the city). Good apartment hotel of the Marriott chain. All units have fully equipped kitchens with dishwashers and all baffles. Some have separate bedrooms. The sleeping space is enough for up to 4 people. From $ 175, breakfast included.
Learn
The campus of Pennsylvania State University is in the district University Park north of the town center (Location map). Parking is only allowed on campus with a permit, even during the semester break. If you don't have one, the best way to get there is by public transport.
The Old Main
HUB-Robeson Center
Information Science and Technology Center
Pattee Mall and Main Library
Dormitory
Cheerleaders at Beaver Stadium
Museums
- All-Sports Museum, Beaver Stadium.
- Palmer Museum of Art, Curtin Rd (northwest side of the street, halfway between Allen Rd and Shortlidge Rd).
- Matson Museum of Anthropology, 409 Carpenter Bldg., Curtin Rd.
More Attractions
- The Arboretum at Penn State, Bigler Rd. To the north-west of the university campus lies the university's excellent botanical garden, which is one of the city's top attractions. Free entry. Parking spot.
Canteens
The Dining halls can also be used by visitors for cash.
- Pollock Dining Commons, 1st floor of the Pollock Commons (Corner of Bigler Rd & McKean Rd). Cafeteria, which remains open during the semester break.
- South Food District, Redifer Commons (South Residence Halls) (between McKean Rd and E College Ave). Group of 9 individual restaurants. Also open during the semester break.
- West Food District, Waring Commons (West Residence Halls) (right on the northeast side of Burrows Rd, between Curtin Rd and Pollock Rd).
- North Food District, Warnock Commons (North Residence Halls) (on the south side of Shortlidge Rd, just before E Park Ave).
- East Food District, Findlay Commons (East Residence Halls) (on the north side of Bigler Rd between E Park Ave and Curtin Rd). The largest cafeteria on campus. Closed in summer.
Another point of contact for hungry people is the address 1 Pollock Rd on the southern edge of the campus. In addition to a few shops (including a Barnes & Noble bookstore), there are branches of some gastronomy chains (Panda Express, Pizzeria Sbarro, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Jamba Juice).
health
Practical advice
trips
literature
- This is Penn State: An Insider’s Guide to the University Park Campus, Penn State University Press, 2013, ISBN 978-0271027203
Web links
http://www.statecollegepa.us (en) - State College official website
