State College: Discover History, Art and Science

For a stay in State College, there are several themes to choose from: historic districts, arts events, an art museum, and exhibitions about science and mathematics. Each offers a different focus: self-guided walking tours introduce local history, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts brings art and music together with other events, and Discovery Space encourages playful exploration and experimentation. You can plan your visit around whichever focus interests you.

If the festival is a reason for your trip, check your travel dates against that year’s program. If you are particularly interested in local history, the walking tours offer a different thematic focus.

Explore Historic Districts on Self-Guided Tours

In the Homes-Foster/Highlands Historic District and the College Heights Historic District, self-guided walking tours introduce the history of the districts and the contributing properties. The self-guided format offers a different focus from the festival, museum and Discovery Space: the emphasis is on the history of the districts and the contributing properties. If you want to get to know State College through its local history, you can make these tours a focus of your plans.

Art and Events at the Festival

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is a recurring event associated with State College and the Penn State campus. It includes a juried Sidewalk Sale & Exhibition featuring more than 300 artists from across the United States, as well as more than 60 performances by regional touring and local bands. The program therefore includes both a juried exhibition and musical performances. If you are interested in different art forms, you can take in both at the festival.

The festival also features sidewalk chalk art, where visitors can watch artists at work, and an annual banner competition and exhibition. The five-day festival also includes a 5K and a 10-mile race with the Nittany Valley Running Club, Schlow Library’s BookFest, and a dedicated Children & Youth Day to kick things off. Alongside art and music, the program also features races, books and a youth day. Individual program details may vary from year to year; if your trip depends on a particular event, check the program for the relevant year.

Discover the Museum and Science

During the Palmer Museum of Art’s late Thursday hours, the evening program often includes drop-in tours and gallery conversations, Art After Hours, Creative Studio Sessions, workshops and artist talks. The offerings range from tours and conversations to workshops and talks. Hours and programming may change; check both if a specific Thursday visit is part of your plans.

Discovery Space offers more than 45 exhibits designed to encourage play, exploration and, especially, experimentation. Each exhibit is based on a scientific or mathematical concept. This makes its focus different from that of the Palmer Museum of Art: science and mathematics are the basis for the exhibits here, which are designed to encourage exploration and experimentation.

The Marine Life Center is located inside Discovery Space. It features marine animals such as starfish and hermit crabs, as well as marine fish, including a young California round stingray. Occasional maintenance may temporarily close the Marine Life Center, so check its opening hours before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Pine Glen, Bellefonte, Centre Hall, Pine Grove Mills, Spring Mills, Port Matilda.

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