Places to Visit

1. Agricultural Arena
Corner of Park Avenue and Fox Hollow Road - Call 814-865-4433 for current activities.
Click here for current monthly event calendar

The Ag Arena offers a yearlong schedule of events ranging from livestock to orchid shows.

2. Beaver Stadium
Curtin Road and Park Avenue.

Home field for the Nittany Lion football team. Ticket information is available through the ticket offices at Bryce Jordan Center or Recreation Building.  Map and Information

3. Bryce Jordan Center
Curtin Road and University Drive - Call 814-865-5500 or 1-800-863-3336.

The Center was named for Bryce Jordan, who was president of Penn State from July 1, 1983 until mid-1990 and is generally credited with propeling Penn State to national prominence.  During his tenure, Jordan launched a development campaign that rasied $300 million and created 111 chairs and other endowed faculty positions. Ten million dollar gifts from the Eberly Family and from Frank and Mary Jane Smeal were among the many thousands of donations from loyal supporters of Penn State. The Bryce Jordan Center now serves as Penn State's Convocation center and home court for Nittany Lion and Lady Lion basketball. Event information and tickets are available at the ticket office in the Jordan Center or Recreation Building.

4. Café Laura - Mateer Building
Near Nittany Parking Deck - For reservations, or call 814-865-1851.

Operated by the School of Hospitality Management in the College of Health and Human Development, Cafe Laura offers Cafeteria-style lunches and theme dinners. Students in the Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management program  are responsible for the planning, marketing, preparation, and service of the dining experience.  under professional supervision.

5. Dairy Complex and Milking Parlor
Off Park Avenue between University Drive and Fox Hollow Road - For tour information, call 814-863-3912.

State-of-the-art milking parlor with viewing area. Milking begins at about 5:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and lasts about two and a half hours. Twenty cows are in the milking parlor at a time, with a total of about 120 cows being milked. Access only through a scheduled tour.

6. Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery
112 Steidle Building, Pollock Road - 814-865-6427 (answering machine) - Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed weekends and legal holidays as well as University breaks.

The Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) Museum is a unique mineral museum that exhibits collections of rock, minerals, and fossils totaling more than 22,000 specimens. In addition, the museum maintains collections of glasses, ceramics, metals, plastics, synthetic materials, and old mining and scientific equipment.

The country's most extensive collection of paintings and sculpture depicting mining and related industries is on display. There are also push-button electromechanical exhibits that demonstrate the dozens of properties of minerals and materials. The museum serves as not only a teaching tool for University courses but also as an educational tool for the general public, giving them an appreciation for minerals, mining, and materials sciences.

7. Eisenhower Auditorium
Shortlidge Road - Eisenhower Ticket Center - 814-863-0255
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Click here for web site Center for the Performing Arts (Schedule)

The Center for the Performing Arts, the major cultural resource for the University and central Pennsylvania, presents more than thirty events each year between September and April. Patrons may buy tickets to individual events or subscribe to any of seven series, including orchestral and chamber music, opera, Broadway-style musicals, jazz, drama, dance, avant-garde theatre, and children's performances. Most events are in the 2,500-seat Eisenhower Auditorium, which opened in 1974. Short-term meter parking available for ticket pick-up. Event parking available immediately behind auditorium.

8. Football Hall of Fame
Greenberg Indoor Sports Complex, McKean Road - 814-865-0044 - Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Hours vary on home game weekends, depending on the game.)
Visit All Sports Museum web site for current times.

Exhibits memorabilia of the Penn State Nittany Lion football teams, including national championship teams, the Heisman Trophy, and photos of former players. Limited metered parking during the academic year.

9. Fred Waring's America Collection (a project of WPSX-TV)
Pattee Library, 3rd Floor. By appointment only; call 814-863-2911 for information.

Fred Waring, America's singing master, got his start at Penn State. In 1984, he designated his alma mater to house his historical collection of memorabilia, which reflects his nearly seventy years of showmanship. Radio programs, television, films, commercial recordings, tapes, a music library, photographs, scrapbooks, costumes, Waring blenders, a cartoon collection, and other memorabilia are preserved at University Park Campus for use in teaching, research, and service.

10. Frost Entomological Museum
Head House III, Curtin Road - 814-863-2865
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Frost Entomological Museum houses approximately one-half million insects and related anthropods. Metered parking adjacent.

11. Greenberg Ice Pavilion Indoor Sports Complex
Corner of McKean and Hastings Roads on the east end of campus Hours/program information: 814-865-4102

Two beautiful year-round indoor ice skating surfaces. Participation is open to everyone. Programs for all ages and interests. Facility features public sessions, rental skates, hourly ice rentals, private and group lessons, hockey and figure skating programs, skate sharpening, pro shop, snack bar, meeting and party room. Open daily. Limited metered parking during the academic year.

12. HUB-Robeson Center
Pollock Road - 814-865-2000
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to midnight during each semester
Arrange a tour of the HUB-Robeson Galleries

The Hetzel Union Building-Robeson Center (HUB) is a community center for the University Park Campus. Through its programs, services, and facilities, it addresses the needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, and guests of the institution. The HUB has meeting and program rooms, art galleries, lounges, a variety of food services, a billiard room, and an arts and crafts center. The Assistance and Information Center is one of the primary information resource centers for the campus.

13. Horticulture Trial Gardens
Park Avenue, near Beaver Stadium - 814-863-7725

Penn State's flower and vegetable trial gardens, started in the early 1930s, are one of the oldest All-American Selections gardens in the country. Each year, thousands of visitors from around the world tour the gardens, which include an official test garden. The gardens were started by Earl I. Wilde of Penn State, who started growing extensive trial gardens in the early 1930s.

The plots are open to the public and are at their peak of production from mid-July into frost. In summer, visitor permit allows parking in Lot 83N behind gardens.

14. Innovation Park at Penn State
Intersection of Park Avenue and Route 322 Bypass

The purpose of the Innovation Park at Penn State, a 130-acre development adjacent to the University Park Campus, is to use the scientific, engineering, and intellectual resources of the University to help develop and attract technology companies, government laboratories, and other appropriate businesses to the area. The Park includes a University materials research and development lab, and a business and technology resource center that services Innovation Park businesses. For further information, contact the Innovation Park director at 814-865-5925.

15. Kern Exhibition Area and Otto's Cafeteria
Kern Graduate Building, Kern Commons (Lobby) - 814-865-1878
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.;
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 11:00 p.m.

Various media-such as paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and fiber-are displayed in the Kern exhibition areas, with many of the pieces for sale. The displays are often special, seasonal, or topical in nature, with exhibitions by both locally and nationally renowned artists and crafts people.

Otto's Cafeteria: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

16. Matson Museum of Anthropology
Carpenter Building, second floor - 814-865-3853
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call for summer and semester break hours.

The Matson Museum of Anthropology presents worldwide ethnographic and archaeological collections.

17. McCoy Natatorium and Fitness Loft
Corner of Bigler and Curtin Roads - General information 814-865-1432 - Hours: call 814-865-3488

The McCoy Natatorium boasts one of the finest swimming facilities in the nation, including three indoor pools and a large heated outdoor pool. Plenty of lap-swimming time is available for adults, children, and special populations. Indoor pools are kept open until 10:00 p.m. seven days a week. Pools can be rented on an hourly basis. Daily and seasonal rates vary.

The Fitness Loft contains more than thirty-five pieces of state-of-the-art equipment. Open seven days a week.

18. Meats Lab
Porter Road, between Park Avenue and Curtin Road - 814-865-1787 - Hours: Friday, 9:30 a.m.to 3:00 p.m., during fall and spring semesters

Sale of beef, pork, and lamb, including homemade and smoked products.

19. The Nittany Lion Inn
On campus, 200 West Park Avenue (at North Atherton Street adjacent to Nittany Parking Deck) - 800-233-7505 or 814-865-8500

Penn State's beautiful Colonial-style inn offers 244 guest rooms, a 500-person ballroom and several smaller function rooms, Whiskers Lounge with casual dining, a fitness room, Penn State gift shop, suites, and a dining room serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special-occasion buffets.

20. Nittany Lion Shrine
Near Recreation Building

This landmark was created by Heinz Warneke in 1940 from a thirteen-ton block of Indiana limestone. The Nittany Lion, Penn State's mascot since 1907, was officially recognized when the statue was presented as a gift to the University in 1942 by the class of 1940.

21. Old Main
Off Pollock Road
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Click here for Old Main History

Completed on its present site in 1863, Old Main was rebuilt during the years 1929-30 with many of the original stones. This building houses the offices of the President, provost, other executive offices, the Alumni Association, Public Information, and University Development. The foyer features famous frescoes painted by mural artist Henry Varnum Poor in 1940 and 1949. Using the earphones just inside the front door, you can hear descriptions of the frescoes. They depict the founding, aspirations, and endeavors of Penn State, the land-grant university of Pennsylvania following the signing of the Morrill Land Grant Act in 1862. The Old Main tower is open to visitors on special weekends such as spring commencement, alumni reunion weekend, and homecoming.

22. Palmer Museum of Art
Next to Visual Arts Building, Curtin Road - 814-865-7672
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m. Closed Mondays and some holidays.  Free admission

Dramatic and exciting are words that describe the Palmer Museum of Art, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Charles W. Moore with Arbonies King Vlock. Its galleries present selections from a permanent collection that comprises thirty-five centuries of painting, sculpture, ceramics, and works on paper from the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The museum also maintains a comprehensive schedule of special exhibits. Large-scale contemporary sculpture enhances an adjacent outdoor garden. A museum store is open during regular museum hours. Call for information on guided tours and special events.

23. Pasto Agricultural Museum and Ag Progress Days
Larson Agricultural Research Center (Route 45, past Pine Grove Mills)

Visitors to the Pasto Agricultural Museum journey back to a time when farmers used muscle power, both animal and human, to produce food and fiber for a growing nation. The ingenuity of these early tools will surprise and delight everyone. The museum has nearly 700 rare and unusual farm and household items dating back to the 1840s. Tours for groups of ten or more can be arranged from April 15 through October 15 by completing a registration form. Call museum office at 814-863-1383.

Bring your family and discover a new world of applied science and technology at Penn State's Ag Progress Days. This three-day event, taking place each August, features exhibits, tours, demonstrations, and more than 275 commercial exhibitors. Special displays and programs for kids, horse exhibitions and clinics, Pennsylvania produced foods, crafts, and antique farm implements are just a few of the things you'll find at Ag Progress Days.

24. Pattee Library and Paterno Library/University Archives
Curtin Road.  Locations and Hours
Information Desk: 814-865-2112
University Archives: 814-865-7931
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., during fall and spring semesters.
Visit Special Collections Library site

The Penn State Room in Pattee Library houses the University's historical archives. Included are displays and materials for casual browsing, as well as a working archive with research collections occupying more than a half-mile of shelving.

25. Paul Robeson Cultural Center
Off Pollock Road (HUB-Robeson Center) - 814-865-1779
Hours: Fall and Spring semesters - Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Summer - Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.r

The Paul Robeson Cultural Center is utilized for University programs, concerts, receptions, and art exhibits reflecting the experiences and achievements of minorities and promoting intercultural exchanges. The center has meeting rooms, a small library, and an information desk.

26. Pavilion Theatre
Corner of Curtin and Shortlidge Roads
Click here for Penn State School of Theatre (Schedule)

A former livestock showing area, the Pavilion Theatre has been fully renovated to a theatre for productions by the University Resident Theatre Company. For schedule and tickets information contact the Center for the Performing Arts at 814-863-0255.

27. Penn State Bookstore
Behind the HUB - 814-863-0205
Regular & Summer Hours

Penn State gifts, clothing, book signings by University and other authors.

28. Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
215 Innovation Boulevard (located at east end of Park Avenue, beyond Route 322 Bypass) - 814-863-5000 or 800-233-7505 (reservations only)

This newly renovated and expanded center is the area's largest, most flexible, and technologically sophisticated Conference Center Hotel, offering Continuing and Distance Education program planning, full conference coordination services, state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, and professional on-site staff. Facilities include 300 first-class guest rooms, 52,000 square feet of meeting space, two ballrooms seating 600 and 1,000, fitness room, and indoor pool. A restaurant and pub are open to the public.

29. Playhouse Theatre
Located off Allen Road beside the Music Building
Click here for web site Penn State School of Theatre (Schedule)

Productions by the University Resident Theatre Company and Pennsylvania Centre Stage are held in this theatre. For schedule and ticket information, contact the Center for the Performing Arts at 814-863-0255.

30. Recital Hall - Music Building I
Located off Allen Road, north of Curtin Road
Click here for web site Music Events

This 400-seat auditorium is the primary site of frequent faculty and student musical performances. Most performances are free. For a complete semester schedule, call 814-865-0431.

31. Recreation Building - Intercollegiate Athletics
Intersection of Burrowes and Curtin Roads

Built in 1928, Recreation Building is the site of volleyball, wrestling, fencing, and gymnastics intercollegiate athletic events. Recreational facilities are available for public use at specified nonevent times. For schedule of times, call the facilities office at 814-863-5963. For athletic events schedule and ticket information, call 814-863-1000.

32. Salvage and Surplus Warehouse
Services Road, between North University Drive and Bigler Road - 814-865-4371 - Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sales and auctions of University furniture, equipment, vehicles, etc. Open to the public.

33. Schwab Auditorium
Pollock Road, next to Old Main - Ticket Office: 814-863-0255
Click here for web site Center for the Performing Arts (Schedule)

Selected performances from the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as many lectures, take place in Schwab Auditorium, a 1902 Beaux Arts-style building with seating for 900. President Atherton's grave is adjacent to Schwab Auditorium.

34. Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
Fifteen miles south of State College off Route 26, located in the Stone Valley Recreation Area - 814-863-2000 or 814-867-3424.
Hours: Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center is nestled in the woods above Stone Valley Lake. You can explore the hiking and skiing trails, investigate natural and cultural history topics in the exhibit room with puzzles and quiz boards, enjoy the resident turtles and frogs, or learn about the injured eagles, hawks, and owls being rehabilitated in the Raptor Center. Horatio's Natural History Bookstore carries books ranging from field guides to children's stories, along with bird feeders, T-shirts, and other gift items. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the butterfly, hummingbird, and herb gardens, or watch the woodland birds at the feeding station.

35. Shields Building
Corner of University Drive and Curtin Road
Admissions, 201 Shields: 814-865-5471
Bursar, 103 Shields: 814-865-6528
Registrar, 1st Floor Shields: 814-865-6357

Shields Building is home to the offices of Undergraduate Admissions, the Bursar, and the University Registrar. If you are an alumnus, you can get a transcript here. Or pick up admission information for a grandchild or friend. This is the hub of student records, both academic and financial.

36. Stone Valley Recreation Area
RD 1 Petersburg (14 miles south of State College off Route 26) -
814-863-1164
Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Stone Valley Recreation Area offers year-round outdoor recreational activities, as well as group facilities for social events, conferences, and workshops. Recreational activities include boating (canoe, rowboat, paddle boat, sailboat rentals, sailing lessons), ice skating (skate rentals), sledding, ice fishing, trout and bass fishing, hayrides, hiking, and cross-country skiing (rental and lessons). Eleven cabins are available for nightly rental.

37. Tennis Center
Near Greenburg Sports Complex off Bigler Road - 814-865-1351

Lion Country's only fifty-two-week tennis center, the Penn State Tennis Center offers six Fast-Dri (clay) outdoor courts, six Deco Turf II outdoor courts, and four Deco Turf II indoor courts. Teaching professionals are available for private lessons and clinics. The pro shop is fully stocked to satisfy all your needs and offers racquet stringing and repair from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. Call in advance to arrange stringing times and instruction. Fees vary. Limited metered parking during the academic year.

38. University Creamery (The Berkey Creamery)
Corner of Shortlidge and Curtin Roads - 814-865-7535
Hours: Monday to Thursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Click here for Contact Information and map

The University Creamery produces many products, including milk, ice cream, cheese (cream, cottage, cheddar), and cheese spreads, and sells other University-grown products including eggs, honey, and fruits and vegetables in season. A variety of snack foods, breads, crackers, and sandwiches are also available.

Creamery sales items can be packaged in dry ice for travel up to twelve hours. Metered parking across the street on Curtin Road at the rear of the Pavilion Theatre.

39. Zoller Gallery
Visual Arts Building, Curtin Road
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 12 - 4 p.m.

Housed on the first floor of the Visual Arts Building, Zoller Gallery serves as a showcase for works by School of Visual Arts faculty and students.