Best State College Hotels

State College Travel

More than likely, you have never been aware of a tiny borough in PA referred to as State College. This simply named town is really a big college town with lots of activities to discover. It also has got the unconventional nickname of “Happy Valley”. if you have heard of it, you already know that State College is where the Penn State University campus is. It is a little community with a massive university, and so the area has many events that can bring in 1000s of folks. So, let’s discuss a few of these occurrences and you will understand why they refer to it as Happy Valley.

I might be regretful not to point out the PSU Football team when speaking of travel to State College. They may be undoubtedly the most important draw, as much as State College tourism applies. You can find tons of State College Hotels that might be out of business, if the PSU football season disappeared. Just consider that Beaver Stadium, home of the PSU Nittany Lions, holds above one hundred thousand people. State College is likewise well-known for its Tail Gating culture so a home game is much like the largest celebration you have possibly ever been to. Even as the game is in progress and ticket holders are inside the stadium, I’d gamble there are nevertheless several 1000’s of folks that stay in the lots which encircle the arena. These people pay attention to the game on the radio or bring portable antennas to look at it on television, it is quit a site to view.

As you might speculate several travelers rent hotel rooms for the weekend or camp out close to the stadium in RVs as well as tents. These accommodations can become a little pricey depending on exactly how you view them. State College is full of what I say are very nice hotels and motels and other lodging, that I think are fairly priced. However, just like any other tourist type town, when the football games are going on, guess what occurs? The rates go up! Now, it may seem to be cheaper to purchase a car parking pass and camp near the stadium however you have to be careful when you do this because it not a park, so you can’t just rough it and I need not tell you how expensive it could be to own and operate an RV. Some fans have resorted to finding houses available for home game weekends and rent them instead. Sometimes it is especially wise if you travel with a big group and merely break down the cost out between everyone, rather than everybody renting rooms.

If you reside close to State College, then there is a strong possibility that you have heard of the Dance Marathon, often known as just “Thon”. The students put it on every year and they raise money for childhood cancer for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital. The first dance goes clear back to 1973 and it grown exponentially ever since.

It takes about 15,000 college volunteers to put Thon together. As massive as the dance is, I am not sure how many people journey into State College for it. I recognize that it raises a bunch of money and that the Four Diamonds Fund is huge for the National Cancer Society. Thon is a year round deal now, so more people journey in and out of State College than many people think. Either way, it’s a wonderful tradition that aids a lot of kids, therefore I thought I would plug it, just cause I want to. Even though they do many additional events, the two day long dancing marathon is usually put on in February.

Yet another of the most popular events that people travel to State College every year for is the PA Festival of the Arts or a/k/a Arts Fest. Arts Fest happens every July right in the center of the downtown and draws 1000’s of consumers from the community surroundings in addition to from all over the world. It encompasses way more than it’s title indicates. Yes, it had small roots and started out as an outdoor art exhibition but now, the several day event is much, much more. Art’s fest has something for everyone. With the usual art, sculpture, music, refreshments, jewelry and crafts, there’s a kid’s day, where the kids are vendors along with face painting and, well you get the drift.

Arts Fest happens in the summertime when the majority of students aren’t on campus but you probably would not know if you have ever been to the festivities. The downtown is not really set up for that much influx. State College is a small town with a big campus, so parking and lodging can be problems. Since Arts fest is a several day event, it can get quit expensive, notably if you are a vendor and need to set up, attend every day and then tare down. Like mentioned previously with the football games, many folks share lodging or rent a whole house and divided the expenses, rather than renting hotel rooms in the State College area.

We will conclude with this. To me the primary reason that so many people journey to State College every year is because the University is just a great institution that many people want to be associated with. I have heard this many times but I can not confirm it but numerous people have told me that more PSU students return to State College to live than any other college in the country and I believe it. The big little town is such a social hub that once people live there, they long for it and want to get back. You might think, well many folks miss college after they graduate but I am talking about people that leave the area, work a full career in another state and then revisit State College once they retire to live. So, if you’re thinking about State College travel, you better be mindful, you may end up living there.

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State College Travel

PSU Football Fans Rent Houses Rather Than Hotels

Many Penn State Football fans rent houses for home games instead of renting rooms in State College Hotels. State College has many excellent hotels very close to Beaver stadium and surrounding areas. I have been to other college towns that do not have the space for big games or the hotels are very spread out and not overly close to the game. However, many PSU fans rent whole houses for the home game weekends. This is actually a great way for some fans to get what they need or want at the same or cheaper rates. This is especially true for bigger groups of fans that travel together.  Even if you just have a group of 6, hotel rentals can be pricey. If you just consider a rate of 100 dollars per room for 2 people, that is 300 dollars a night or 600 dollars for the two nights. Now imagine if the rooms where 150 and that you have 10 people in you group. You can see how much cheaper a house may be. Like anything else, the closer to the stadium the more expensive both hotel rooms and house rentals. Personally,  I like to get out of State College as soon as possible after a game. I know it is nice, especially for an early game to go to Champs or Otto’s or downtown for some food and drinks but I wouldn’t have to stay and sleep that close to the game. This is even more true if you have just one good driver. Someone that doesn’t over do it at games and can be responsible. Not to mention how cool it is to have everyone together rather than scattered out through a huge hotel. If you get the right house, you can have cookouts and after parties with everyone together. Also, parking can be a nightmare especially if you bring a bigger vehicle for your tailgating. A rental house can really be the ticket to save some money and get what you want. If you are interested in something like this I am leaving a link to a blog that features a house for rent for home games. So, click the link below and check it out.

PSU Football House Rental

Ariel View of The State College Area

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State College Hotels-Penn State Football-Getting fired up for the New Season!

This is a little You tube Video that I found that got me all fired up for the 2010 Penn State Football season. It is just a bunch of clips from some big games and some awesome plays from over the years with dramatic music in the background. If you a real huge fan, like myself, you might feel some chills on the back of you neck as you view this.

Ok, now that you have watch the video, it is time to speculate a little on how well the Nittany Lions will do this year. Many people that I have talked are not very optimistic about the 2010 campaign. Many of these pundits have come about as a  result of the Blue/White game and in particular the performances of the quarterbacks. I would have loved to have seen one of them light up the airways with laser like accuracy but that didn’t happen. And, yes, much of the teams success will depend on its quarterbacks, especially in the 2nd game aainst Texas. I, however would like to take something positive from that game. Part of the reason for the the QBs problems, to me, was how well the defense looked. Also, sometimes an early sub par performance will push young athletes to work even harder leading up the season. I don’t believe that any of them cherish the thought of being embarrassed in front of a hundred thousand rabid PSU fans. 

So, if you are looking forward to the season like I am, get ready and get excited. Make sure you have your tickets and lodging in order.  I know all the State College hotels and restaurants are looking forward to all the business. One thing that I have noticed over the past couple years is that there are many people now that rent a house’s in the State College area instead of a Hotels for the home game weekends.  I know that it is not for everyone. Many people prefer the ease and convenience of State College hotels, but renting a house can be cheaper or even more convenient, especially if you bring a big group of people in you entourage.  Which ever you prefer, just make sure that you have a wonderful time.

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State College Hotels-PSU Blue White Game-A Great Weeekend for State College

Last Saturday, April 24th mark the annual Penn State Blue White football scrimmage at Beaver Stadium in State College Pennsylvania. Sure, many of the bigger football programs have some form of spring football as an initial barometer for estimating new talent before the summer months begin and many kids leave campus. This year the Nittany Lions need to fill many different positions from last year, one of the more interesting competitions is at quarterback. This particular Saturday was very gray and wet and seemed to dampen the performances of the teams. There was no clear winner at quarterback. Both Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin struggled. Although Shawn Kersey had flashes of greatness, it was against the 3rd team defense. And, in fairness to the QBs, the offensive line didn’t look sharp in protecting them nor did the new core of young receivers, catching for them. Which on,e might be able to attribute to the stout defense they were up against. Don’t ask me who won or what the score was because truthfully, it doesn’t matter. The big winner on this day was the town of State College.

If you do not know, State College is the home of the Pennsylvania State University. Although, if you watch a televised game, you would think that it is actually named Happy Valley, but it is not. The game usually pulls in over 70,000 fans, although this year was lower because of the weather. This yearly scrimmage is not just a game but a nice weekend event for the fans and the town. The game and parking free with a meet and greet of the players via an autograph session. There are many activities throughout the weekend for everyone to enjoy. Outside the stadium they set up a nice little carnival with rides and vendors and games geared toward younger children. They also sponsor a high school band parade and this year was the inaugural Beaver Stadium Run/Walk which I believe was for the Special Olympians. The State College Spikes minor league baseball team has a kickoff baseball game, their field is also located right by the football stadium. And they top the whole thing off with a fireworks display, and who doesn’t like fireworks? This entire event is a huge shot in the arm of the community and provides a pleasant distraction particularly during a somewhat dull part of the year. It is a welcome boost to the economy particularly State College Hotels and restaurants. Nothing could be more resplendent after a long hard winter than to put on ones favorite PSU gear and head down to the stadium. Most people will view the game as a necessary step in building a big time football program but if you visit the Blue White game, you will see that it is much much more and State College is lucky to have such a wonderful resource. Whether the game yields football knowledge for the coaches is yet to be known, but the town is surely better for it.

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