With college football season, comes bye weekends. A weekend without a home or away Penn State football game first semester sounds out of the ordinary. If you’re interested in getting some inspiration for how to beat the doom and gloom of a bye week, VALLEY has got you covered!
If You’re Into Road Trips…
Believe it or not, Happy Valley is surrounded by precious towns and state parks, most of which are less than an hour away. If you’re up for a road trip and getting out of town, driving to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh isn’t your only two options!
Bellefonte is a picturesque town fringed with Victorian homes and businesses only 20 minutes away from State College. Walk around the Bellefonte Historic District and get a wonderful panorama of the sights.
Charming cafés, homes and Spring Creek are all nestled downtown Bellefonte. The town is also home to several bed and breakfasts that can make for an excellent staycation. Downtown Bellefonte is right next to the picturesque Talleyrand Park, right next to Spring Creek!
Penn’s Cave is located just thirty minutes away from State College. Tours are given every single day, including boat tours. It is the only all-water cave in the United States. Tickets are available online and it is a unique activity perfect for a day trip.
Hike Mount Nittany
The Mount Nittany trailhead is located in the quaint village of Lemont, which is only a four-minute drive from Beaver Stadium. A scenic weekend activity could be an adventurous hike on Mount Nittany!
Hiking is a free activity that can be fun if you make it. Even if hikes aren’t necessarily your thing, they are still all worthwhile. During the fall especially, Lemont and Mount Nittany are covered in beautiful vibrant fall foliage.
On your way down, be sure to treat yourself to a warm drink and sweet treat from Café Lemont! Additionally, take a walk or drive around Lemont to truly enjoy the sights and all the village has to offer.
There’s Nothing Like a Movie Night
A weekend without a football game doesn’t just mean endless partying and “dartying,” sometimes the best entertainment comes from staying in. Hosting a movie night is a simple, yet fun activity.
Whether you decide to pair your movie showing with take-out, a homemade meal or host a charcuterie board night, you can never go wrong with a cozy night in with friends. Movie nights are best accompanied with pajamas and endless chit chatting with your friends.
To Wrap It Up…
Bye weekends don’t have to be boring. There are so many activities that Happy Valley and the surrounding towns have to offer. Alas, even if you just decide to get caught up on sleep, homework and TV shows, that’s A-OK!
All of that to say, if you spend all of the bye weekend in bed, make sure to rest. Resting and feeling lazy should never be frowned upon. Happy bye week season from VALLEY!
What are your favorite bye week activities? Let VALLEY know on Instagram or X @VALLEYmag!
