Happy Valley Restaurant Week 2025 kicked off on Friday, June 13 with 28 restaurants serving up brand new entrees, appetizers, drinks and desserts for one week only. Actually, HVRW is 10 days, but you are going to need the extra time to eat your way through all the deliciousness that our talented chefs and mixologists are creating just for HVRW!

A bunch of us local food lovers from the Rediscover State College team have been working to bring this celebration of State College culinary goodness together. We’ve been busy talking with chefs, photographing (and tasting!) the specials, and promoting the event around town. A highlight for us is witnessing the enthusiasm and creativity of chefs, restaurant owners, GMs and culinary staff.

It’s impossible to pick favorites, so we are going to dish (get it?) on the five restaurants that have participated in all five years of Happy Valley Restaurant Week since it was relaunched in 2021 — it was formerly known as Happy Valley Culinary Week.

HOW TO READ MORE: look for this link in the blog highlight @rediscoverstatecollege

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Townies old and new: Save the date for Friday, July 25 from 4-7pm for A(nother) Townie Take Over @bptaproom!

While Country Night at Pickle’s is a packed-house, student nightlife staple during the semester, we’re taking over with a laid back neighborhood BBQ hosted by one of downtown’s friendliest bars.

Come enjoy their killer BBQ menu, meet new people in a welcoming environment, and cheers one more time to the chill vibes of State College summer that we love so much.

Our post-graduation Townie Takeover at Champs Downtown was a blast in May! Now, with just a few weeks left until move-in weekend brings the students back to town (that went fast!), we`re partnering with Bill Pickle’s Tap Room to give locals another chance to enjoy that “free reign” feeling of Downtown State College in the summer.

#rediscoverstatecollege #summeisforthelocals #townietakeover #downtownstatecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalleypa #happyvalley #happyhour #BBQ #summerisforthelocals ...

State College is a great place for watching fireworks. Central PA’s 4th Fest Fest’s fireworks show has been rated among the top five “Largest”, “Biggest”, and “Best 4th of July Fireworks” shows in the United States according to news outlets and travel blogs.

#fireworks #rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege
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We are planning some mid summer fun. Stay tuned!

#summerisforthelocals #townietakeover #rediscoverstatecollege #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #statecollegepa #statecollegepa #happyvalleypa #happyvalley ...

"In 1982 I was itching to ride my new Mongoose BMX bike beyond the neighborhood streets. I’d explored all of Holmes Foster, but the lure of taking it downtown was growing. Permission was granted but only when my pack of (mostly older) friends rode alongside. After my parents gave the thumbs up, I disappeared for the better part of the summer. Downtown State College and the surrounding neighborhoods were a different beast back then. College Avenue, Allen Street, and Beaver Avenue were lined with local businesses. There were other hidden gems in the alleys. I explored them all, and many of the employees knew me by name..."

Local writer and educator David Rockower writes about growing up in State College in the 1980s.

HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the Blog Highlight @rediscoverstatecollege

Photo: Pat Little

#rediscoverstatecollege #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #statecollegepa #happyvalleypa #happyvalley #statecollegehistory ...

Ever heard of a Redevelopment Authority? (And do you know why it’s so awesome that our town has one?)

The State College Redevelopment Authority – aka “the RDA” – is a local government organization made up of volunteer appointees that impacts life in our town in lots of meaningful ways. But many locals have never heard of it and don’t realize what an asset it is for our community!

Even the team here at Rediscover State College, a project which is funded by this very organization, had very little idea about how it worked or the impact it had around town.

Thankfully, that’s changed. And after we spent the past year or so working with the RDA on a new website (check out the blog post to see the Before & After!) we can now officially say we get it.

While the RDA does most of their work behind the scenes, it’s clear they have a finger on the pulse of our town’s current needs and challenges and remain a persistent champion of innovative, community-first development. We’re fortunate to have them in our corner, diligently working to foster a more vibrant State College.

To read more about the RDA and some of its exciting projects look for this link in the Blog Highlight@rediscoverstatecollege

#rediscoverstatecollege #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollepa #happyvalleypa #happyvalley #statecollege #statecollegepa #rda ...

"My favorite kind of hike in Central PA these days is a mellow three-mile loop around a lake. All I need is a two-hour window for this mini-adventure. I like to pack a light backpack with snacks, water, a notebook and watercolors. I put the harness on my dog, remember to pack a towel for that post-hike wet/muddy dog and in less than thirty minutes, we can be at our location.

There is something so gratifying about loop trails, especially when lakes are involved. Often it’s not possible to see the whole lake without going all the way around. It’s nice to set out on a mission and finish with a sense of accomplishment."

Local writer @carolyne.rose.m writes about 3 of her favorite local hikes with details on what you can expect about each location.

HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the Blog Highlight @rediscoverstatecollege

Photo: Rufus near the Whipple Dam loop trail.

#rediscoverstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #downtownstatecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #outdoors #adventure #pahiking #doglife #hike #lakes #lakehikes ...

We are recording the 3rd season of the Rediscover State College Podcast and can’t wait to share it with you this summer.

In Season 3 of The Rediscover State College Podcast, we’re sitting down with local icons who started from scratch and built something special.

They’ll share the struggles they faced when they first arrived, how they found their footing, and what ultimately helped them succeed.

We can’t wait to share this season with you. A big thanks to @kerrybestwick and @jamiebestwick for kicking off this new season of recording.

Thanks also to @collabordiepodcast for the awesome studio.

Stay tuned!

#rediscoverstatecollege #rediscoverstatecollegepodcast #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #locals ...

We launched brand new merch! “Summer in State College”-themed of course.

At our Summer is for the Locals event @champspennstate, we got a lot of love for our new black muscle tee!

You can check out all of the new gear, available in several colors in our store. Check out the tees in our story to shop.

#rediscoverstatecollege #statecollege #statecollegepa #downtownstatecollege #downtownstatecollegepa #happyvalley #happyvalleypa #summerisforthelocals #towniepride #newmerch ...

"Ask a local for directions to anywhere in State College, and there’s a good chance they’ll begin with “Well if you’re on Allen Street…” The memorable downtown scene at the corner of Allen and College serves as a perfect reference point, especially since it’s one of the few that has remained mostly unchanged over the years.

Personally, Allen Street is also a memorable reference point along my journey into adulthood. This journey, like so many others’, began at Penn State. Though unlike many others, I didn’t exactly “bleed blue and white” or have close family members who were alumni to prepare me for my experience. In fact I was a bit overwhelmed by my peers’ unwavering PSU passion my freshman year. The sheer volume of students, opportunities, and palpable energy on campus put my head and heart into overdrive as I connected with people from everywhere, all with fascinating backgrounds and future plans.

I’d often stop at Ben & Jerry’s on Allen Street (a space now occupied by Sauly Boys, nestled in between the “new” McLanahan’s and even newer Allen Street Pizza) between classes just to take a breath and watch the world go by from the shop’s window bar seating. Hypnotized by the heavenly aroma of roasted coffee and freshly made waffle cones, I’d toggle between schoolwork and soul searching while a kaleidoscope of inspiration passed by on foot, wheels, and paws."

Guest writer, Andrea Murrell’s writing is inspired by nature and all the people she’s lucky to know and love. She especially enjoys exploring how connections between the natural world and local creatives shape the character of the region she’s so fortunate to call home. @ajmurrell

HOW TO READ MORE: Look for this link in the Blog Highlight @rediscoverstatecollege

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