Day trips from State College for the Mrs. and I?

[psuhouse]

My wife and I are moving our Frosh daughter to PSU tomorrow AM. (she arrives early for Women's Engineering program). We are back in town Friday late afternoon for final touches in dorm and dinner with her roommate.

Don't want to drive all the way back to Bucks County in between. Anybody have any great day trip suggestions or places nearby they've gone with their wives?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any insight.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

There are any number of State Parks handy to SC if you are the outdoorsy types. Lots of day hikes abundant. One thing I'm planning to do is bike the abandoned turnpike tunnels accessible at Breezewood. If you like to gamble there's Rocky Gap just over the MD line outside Cumberland or Hollywood Casino in Harrisburg. Both are in the neighborhood of 2 hrs from SC. Hard to suggest without knowing what you like to do. If you're into scenery there are plenty of State Forest roads available to drive with a passenger car with worthwhile vistas. Check DCNR website for maps of parks and forests.

 

[psengr82]

Get a room at the Nittany Lion Inn. Walk downtown have dinner at the Tavern then get her drunk in the Skellar!

 

[ralpieE]

Stone Valley Cabins.

Hershey isn't that far away.

 

[WDLion]

My wife and I are moving our Frosh daughter to PSU tomorrow AM. (she arrives early for Women's Engineering program). We are back in town Friday late afternoon for final touches in dorm and dinner with her roommate.

Don't want to drive all the way back to Bucks County in between. Anybody have any great day trip suggestions or places nearby they've gone with their wives?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any insight.

Little League World Series starts Thursday. Corning Museum of Glass if you don't mind a two hour drive. Museum in the forenoon and stop in Williamsport on the way back to State College.

 

[Sullivan]

My wife and I are moving our Frosh daughter to PSU tomorrow AM. (she arrives early for Women's Engineering program). We are back in town Friday late afternoon for final touches in dorm and dinner with her roommate.

Don't want to drive all the way back to Bucks County in between. Anybody have any great day trip suggestions or places nearby they've gone with their wives?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any insight.

Ag Progress Days are being held this week just a few miles outside of State College. Here is some additional information:

http://agsci.psu.edu/apd/about

 

[psuro]

Grange Fair?

 

[The Spin Meister]

My wife and I are moving our Frosh daughter to PSU tomorrow AM. (she arrives early for Women's Engineering program). We are back in town Friday late afternoon for final touches in dorm and dinner with her roommate.

Don't want to drive all the way back to Bucks County in between. Anybody have any great day trip suggestions or places nearby they've gone with their wives?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any insight.

------
Close by south of campus is Stone Valley, a small lake owned by PSU. Little further is Raystown Lake, bigger with more options. There's Penn's Cave, where you ride a boat through the cave.....no walking but dress warm as caves are cold. A bit further and west on I 80 is Cook's Forest, canoe or tube down the Clarion River. Or Emlenton/Foxburg canoe the Allegheny and/or bike ride rails-to-trails along river. Go north to Benezett and see the wild elk, beautiful scenery on rural roads. Go to Harrisburg, tour the impressive capital building, visit your state reps and tell them they need to reform the BoT!!!

 

[WDLion]

Grange Fair?

Yep. Starts Friday.

 

[kgilbert78]

I've enjoyed visiting the Railroaders Museum in Altoona along with Horseshoe Curve. Might not make your wife happy (mine likes trains ok, though). The view from the top of the Curve is pretty nice (more so in Fall).

 

[psuhouse]

All good stuff and keep it coming! Yes, we are "outdoorsy" and would be into hikes and mountain biking. (although possible challenge to bring bikes AND all my daughter's stuff!)

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

My wife and I are moving our Frosh daughter to PSU tomorrow AM. (she arrives early for Women's Engineering program). We are back in town Friday late afternoon for final touches in dorm and dinner with her roommate.

Don't want to drive all the way back to Bucks County in between. Anybody have any great day trip suggestions or places nearby they've gone with their wives?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any insight.

The Ag Progress suggestion may be your best bet. It is quite a spectacle. Plus, some good eats to be had.

 

[DeBing]

Hike Mt Nittanny. You could easily spend 3 - 4 hours hiking the trails atop the Mt. My wife and I did it a couple of years ago.

 

[ralpieE]

------
Close by south of campus is Stone Valley, a small lake owned by PSU. Little further is Raystown Lake, bigger with more options. There's Penn's Cave, where you ride a boat through the cave.....no walking but dress warm as caves are cold. A bit further and west on I 80 is Cook's Forest, canoe or tube down the Clarion River. Or Emlenton/Foxburg canoe the Allegheny and/or bike ride rails-to-trails along river. Go north to Benezett and see the wild elk, beautiful scenery on rural roads. Go to Harrisburg, tour the impressive capital building, visit your state reps and tell them they need to reform the BoT!!!

Did a lot of fishing in that area. Beware the timber rattler. There's also Poe Valley Lake, access by primitive road.

 

[CF LION]

If you like wine and wineries, hit the Susquehanna Wine Trail

http://www.pawinetrail.com/mapofwinetrail.html

 

[PSU1991]

If you can bring bikes, there are some nice bike paths in State College:

http://www.crpr.org/Parks/bike-hike/bikeway_map.html

 

[The Spin Meister]

All good stuff and keep it coming! Yes, we are "outdoorsy" and would be into hikes and mountain biking. (although possible challenge to bring bikes AND all my daughter's stuff!)

-----
Raystown Lake installed a lot of high-quality mountain bike trails a few years ago. I have to ride them yet but hear they are really good. The Allegheny is a great canoe trip as river was declared a National Scenic River 10/15 yrs ago. Rental in Emlenton will take you various drop off points depending on time and distance you want to canoe. Flat water with one or two riffles in it. Good fishing too

 

[step.eng69]

Hike Mt Nittanny. You could easily spend 3 - 4 hours hiking the trails atop the Mt. My wife and I did it a couple of years ago.

better take pepper spray in case the nittany lion is encountered!

 

[step.eng69]

Speaking of Mt. Nittany, I think I purchased a small plot ( a square foot or so) on Mt. Nittany many decades ago. I believe it was a PSU fund raiser or something similar. Does anyone on the board remember this?

Please board members, I understand you have swamp lands to sell me....not interested.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Not sure - but maybe The Creamery has tours?

Check out the ice hockey facility?

Catch a Blue Band practice?

Play golf at Toftrees?

(Just trying to come up with ideas no one else has suggested.....not one of my better days!)

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Step you made a donation to the Mt. Nittany Conservancy probably.

To the OP, on behalf of the denizens of this community I congratulate you on your decision to move your daughter tomorrow instead of Saturday or Sunday, which is going to be the annual craptacular replete with lost parents slamming on the brakes for no apparent reason, and traffic on 26 backed out to Hickey's. Cheers!

 

[PSU1991]

If the Spikes are in town, go to a game.

 

[step.eng69]

Step you made a donation to the Mt. Nittany Conservancy probably.

To the OP, on behalf of the denizens of this community I congratulate you on your decision to move your daughter tomorrow instead of Saturday or Sunday, which is going to be the annual craptacular replete with lost parents slamming on the brakes for no apparent reason, and traffic on 26 backed out to Hickey's. Cheers!

Thank you Victor...I believe that's it, and thanks for the "great" memory's of moving my son and daughter to SC in the mid 80's and 1990....

 

[step.eng69]

Step you made a donation to the Mt. Nittany Conservancy probably.

To the OP, on behalf of the denizens of this community I congratulate you on your decision to move your daughter tomorrow instead of Saturday or Sunday, which is going to be the annual craptacular replete with lost parents slamming on the brakes for no apparent reason, and traffic on 26 backed out to Hickey's. Cheers!

this is it Victor....I think I'm going to buy estate ......
Mount Nittany Life Estate Deeds
Every square inch counts when it comes to saving Mount Nittany! And you can help us do just that by purchasing a genuine life-estate deed to one square inch of Mount Nittany Conservancy land. The location of these deeds can be seen by clicking on Trail Map. This deed makes a truly elegant gift and is a terrific way to show your love of the Mountain. The 16 X 20 inch deed is a work of art and is available framed, ready to hang on your wall, for only $150.00, shipping included. Unframed deeds are also available; same great deed, but at half the price.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

"No good deed goes unpunished?"

 

[dwiz]

We did Falling Water from SC this summer. Flight 93 memorial is along the way.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

We did Falling Water from SC this summer. Flight 93 memorial is along the way.

Fallingwater is extremely worthwhile. It is a long trek out and back from State College however when you have a day of schlepping stuff and unpacking to look forward to.

Much closer and also worthwhile is the Johnstown Flood Museum downtown. (1 hr 15 min). You can also go up to the South Fork Dam site, but there is not much left to see there. Better would be a trip on the Johnstown Incline (you can take your car) and make a trip to Grandview Cemetery. There is a monument there to the flood victims. It is sobering, but peaceful and a fitting resting place.

Someone mentioned the Corning Museum of Glass (2 hrs) which I give very high recommendation to! Great amount of art glass, myself I was much more interested in the industrial glass products. Also have the Pyrex outlet downtown. Worthwhile if you need anything.

If you like the outdoors, you can take Route 550 north out of Bellefonte and look for eagles along Foster B. Sayers Dam. Stay on 550 to Lock Haven, then take 120 north towards Emporium and stop off at the overlook at Hyner Run. Spectacular look at the upper Susquehanna Valley.

There is a world of great stuff to do - your only problem will be to decide what it's going to be!

 

[pmjoe]

All good stuff and keep it coming! Yes, we are "outdoorsy" and would be into hikes and mountain biking. (although possible challenge to bring bikes AND all my daughter's stuff!)

If you can bring bikes, the Lower Trail is nice, as well as the Pine Creek Rail Trail (a little further away).
http://rttcpa.org/lower.shtml
http://www.pinecreekvalley.com/Pine_Creek_Rail_Trail_About.asp

There are a number of nice State Parks within an hour's drive of State College, as well as Penn State's Stone Valley Recreation Area.

Looks like there is music at the Elk Creek Cafe in Millheim Thursday evening.

Grange Fair starts Friday.

 

[zwick99]

My wife and I are moving our Frosh daughter to PSU tomorrow AM. (she arrives early for Women's Engineering program). We are back in town Friday late afternoon for final touches in dorm and dinner with her roommate.

Don't want to drive all the way back to Bucks County in between. Anybody have any great day trip suggestions or places nearby they've gone with their wives?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any insight.

Is Musikfest over? If not that is a place you can hit next year.

Bloomsburg. I think the Bloomsburg Fair is Sept.

Jim Thorpe.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Is Musikfest over? If not that is a place you can hit next year.

Bloomsburg. I think the Bloomsburg Fair is Sept.

Jim Thorpe.

Bloomsburg Fair is always the last week of September, so it will be pretty quiet.

Jim Thorpe is another spectacular idea! 2:15 from State College East on I-80.

 

[zwick99]

Bloomsburg Fair is always the last week of September, so it will be pretty quiet.

Jim Thorpe is another spectacular idea! 2:15 from State College East on I-80.

Jim Thorpe is between PSU and Bucks County where they live. Makes sense to me.

 

[manatree]

If you want to stay close and enjoy hiking, try Black Moshannon State Park. It has a lot of trails through bog and march areas with some unique plants, birds, bugs, etc. Some of the paths can be a bit wet & muddy, so some good boots and old clothes are recommended. Would be easy enough to pick up a picnic lunch at one of the grocery stores in State College.

They also rent row boats & canoes. It's a very calm lake and no gas motors are allowed, so it is very easy and peaceful paddling.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/blackmoshannon/#hiking

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Moshannon_State_Park#Trails

 

[green2623]

Hyner run is spectacular and if it is a weekend there maybe hang-gliders jumping off the ramp there.
The eternal tap at Straub's brewery, St Mary's Pa; this would make a great refreshment stop on the way to Benzette Pa. to see the elk herd.

 

[psuhouse]

Phenomenal stuff....I've now created a list that should be good for her four years! As for the Jim Thorpe suggestion...funny thing is...I went to high school there! Not sure if those police warrants are still active - but might stay clear just to be safe. (it is a great little town for sure)

 

[manatree]

Phenomenal stuff....I've now created a list that should be good for her four years! As for the Jim Thorpe suggestion...funny thing is...I went to high school there! Not sure if those police warrants are still active - but might stay clear just to be safe. (it is a great little town for sure)

I inadvertently stole a set of silverware from Two Brother's Pizza in Jim Thorpe on a high school class trip. My buddies are still threatening to take me back and turn me in every year when we go to the Poconos for March Madness.

 

[demlion]

My wife and I are moving our Frosh daughter to PSU tomorrow AM. (she arrives early for Women's Engineering program). We are back in town Friday late afternoon for final touches in dorm and dinner with her roommate.

Don't want to drive all the way back to Bucks County in between. Anybody have any great day trip suggestions or places nearby they've gone with their wives?

Thanks in advance and appreciate any insight.

A scant two hours, 10 minutes down the road from SC you will find the quaint town of Berkeley Springs, WV. There are lots of B&Bs and rental cabins to be had, including at Cacapon State Park. Lot 12 Public House

http://lot12.com/ is an excellent gourmet restaurant whose chef, Damian Heath, has for a number of years been a Southeast semifinalist in the James Beard National Chef competition. http://lot12.com/about-damian-betsy/

He uses local food and is simply a master of what he calls "upscale comfort food." Hiking, antiquing, fishing, floating on two beautiful rivers and a host of other activities, including the WV Country Music Hall of Fame, await you. As though that were not enough, I live here. All kidding aside, it is a great place. I can get you a rental canoe or a quart of 'shine, both from the same guy. I could get you "thowed in jail" (as the locals say) and let out, all in the same 24 hours (this would be two different guys.)

 

[PhillipintheValley]

-----
Raystown Lake installed a lot of high-quality mountain bike trails a few years ago. I have to ride them yet but hear they are really good. The Allegheny is a great canoe trip as river was declared a National Scenic River 10/15 yrs ago. Rental in Emlenton will take you various drop off points depending on time and distance you want to canoe. Flat water with one or two riffles in it. Good fishing too

Raytown has bikes that you can use.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Hyner run is spectacular and if it is a weekend there maybe hang-gliders jumping off the ramp there.
The eternal tap at Straub's brewery, St Mary's Pa; this would make a great refreshment stop on the way to Benzette Pa. to see the elk herd.

----
Stop at Straubs first and you will see twice the number of elk!
Stop at Straubs first and you will see twice the number of elk!

 

[step.eng69]

"No good deed goes unpunished?"

R.I.P. Bailey

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

Fallingwater is extremely worthwhile. It is a long trek out and back from State College however when you have a day of schlepping stuff and unpacking to look forward to.

Much closer and also worthwhile is the Johnstown Flood Museum downtown. (1 hr 15 min). You can also go up to the South Fork Dam site, but there is not much left to see there. Better would be a trip on the Johnstown Incline (you can take your car) and make a trip to Grandview Cemetery. There is a monument there to the flood victims. It is sobering, but peaceful and a fitting resting place.

Someone mentioned the Corning Museum of Glass (2 hrs) which I give very high recommendation to! Great amount of art glass, myself I was much more interested in the industrial glass products. Also have the Pyrex outlet downtown. Worthwhile if you need anything.

If you like the outdoors, you can take Route 550 north out of Bellefonte and look for eagles along Foster B. Sayers Dam. Stay on 550 to Lock Haven, then take 120 north towards Emporium and stop off at the overlook at Hyner Run. Spectacular look at the upper Susquehanna Valley.

There is a world of great stuff to do - your only problem will be to decide what it's going to be!

Portage Rairoad historical site is interesting and close to Altoona, as well.