About State College
State College is a borough and the largest settlement in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. Home to the main campus of Pennsylvania State University, it is the largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a population of 40,501 as of the 2020 census. State College and the surrounding townships are collectively known as Happy Valley, which is part of the larger Nittany Valley. State College and the nearby city of DuBois anchor the State College–DuBois combined statistical area which includes all of Centre and Clearfield counties.
Places to visit in State College
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Penn State University Park campus
LandmarkThe main Penn State campus adjoins downtown State College and is pleasant to walk, with historic Old Main, tree-lined malls and several museums and gardens.
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Berkey Creamery
MarketThe university's own dairy shop serves ice cream made on campus from Penn State cows, and it is a popular stop for visitors and students alike.
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Beaver Stadium
Entertainment · 1 mi from centreOne of the largest stadiums in the country, home to Penn State football; game days transform the whole town with tailgating and crowds in blue and white.
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Palmer Museum of Art
MuseumPenn State's free art museum displays American and European paintings, prints, photography and ceramics, and sits next to the Arboretum at Penn State, so the two are easy to combine in one visit.
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Penn's Cave
Nature · 14 mi from centreEast of town, this cave is toured entirely by boat along an underground stream, passing illuminated limestone formations, and the property also offers a wildlife park tour.
Where to stay in State College
Popular hotels in State College, out of 36 properties you can book.
Wyndham Garden State College
From $111 per night
Hampton Inn State College
From $102 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Lamar
From $124 per night
Graduate by Hilton State College
From $119 per night
Comfort Suites State College near Penn State
From $122 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites State College at Williamsburg
From $125 per night
Hilton Garden Inn State College
From $131 per night
Sleep Inn State College near Penn State
From $85 per night
Super 8 by Wyndham State College
From $80 per night
Hyatt Place State College
From $152 per night
Scholar State College Tapestry Collection Hilton
From $149 per night
Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites
From $98 per night
Best time to visit State College
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit State College is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 75–80°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
State College weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 61° 37° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 63° 37° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 57° 39° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 57° 34° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 62° 37° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 65° 46° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to State College
These are the airports closest to central State College. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SCE State College Regional Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
Getting around State College
Football is a big deal throughout the Midwest, but college football is an especially big deal for Penn State fans. While the population of State College and adjacent College Township is less than 50,000, during Penn State home games as many as 110,000 people crowd into Beaver Stadium. On football Saturdays, there are more people in town than live in Pennsylvania's third largest city (Allentown, pop. 106,000)!
State College travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit State College?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit State College is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 75–80°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
What is the weather like in State College?
July is usually the warmest month in State College, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 19°F (-7°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 153 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to State College?
State College Regional Airport (SCE) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of State College.
What time zone is State College in?
State College uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around State College?
Football is a big deal throughout the Midwest, but college football is an especially big deal for Penn State fans. While the population of State College and adjacent College Township is less than 50,000, during Penn State home games as many as 110,000 people crowd into Beaver Stadium.
What are the best places to visit in State College?
Top sights in State College include Penn State University Park campus, Berkey Creamery, Beaver Stadium and Palmer Museum of Art. The main Penn State campus adjoins downtown State College and is pleasant to walk, with historic Old Main, tree-lined malls and several museums and gardens.
Where should I stay in State College?
Popular areas for hotels in State College include State College Area. Well-reviewed options include Wyndham Garden State College and Hampton Inn State College.
How many hotels can I book in State College?
Destina Holidays currently lists 36 properties in and around State College, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
