On a weekend in March, we saw Bruce Springsteen’s sold-out show at the Bryce Jordan Center with friends on Saturday and hiked around a sunny Rothrock State Forest on Sunday. Both destinations required a less-than-15 minute drive – an experience which feels so State College.

(It also goes without saying that, between the Boss’s epic performance and Rothrock’s bouldered trails, there’s a “State College rocks!” joke in there somewhere. I won’t make it, but let’s just acknowledge it’s there.)

I’ve been a part of the Rediscover State College team for over a year now and have talked to all kinds of locals about what drew them to this area as well as what’s keeping them here. Easy access to both the big name shows and a vast array of outdoor activities often tops the list.

Prince and Penns Cave.

Yo-Yo Ma and Black Moshannon State Park.

Elton John and… every adorable park in the Borough that facilitates our weekday lunchtime nature reset.

Pictured: Black Moshannon State Park, photo by Centred Outdoors

Over coffee a while ago, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau’s Cara Aungst said to me, “People think we’re in the middle of nowhere, but we’re actually in the center of everything!” as she rattled off the laundry list of cities and visit-worthy destinations within driving distance of Happy Valley.

Your long weekend city fix can be found in New York, Pittsburgh, Philly, DC, or Baltimore – none are further than a 4-hour drive.

Jim Thorpe, Bedford, and Lancaster are perfect small town day trip destinations.

Pine Creek Gorge is the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania”, Ricketts Glen’s got the waterfalls, and Cherry Springs State Park is remote and amazing for stargazing.

The list of nearby things I want to do is consistently longer than the list of free weekends I’ve got. (And the longer I live here, the longer that list grows!)

The reason why State College offers such a high quality of life is proximity. Proximity to the great outdoors, proximity to world-renowned cultural events, proximity to charming small town days trips and big city getaways. Proximity to a Danny’s Favorite at one of the best grocery stores in the country!

State College is that house on the street where everyone loves to hang out. It feels like home. The yard is full of great trees and a hammock. (And there have been some epic parties there over the years.)

When we zoom out, we notice that that house is plopped in the middle of an eclectic, diverse, and vibrant neighborhood.

We’re lucky to live in a town where it’s fun to stay home and an adventure to head out and explore.