Educational Fun
Discovery Space and The Rivet
(1224 North Atherton Street, State College)
Just about every single thing inside the Discovery Space science center is meant to be touched, which makes it a fun, stress-free place for kids to be exposed to a wide variety of scientific concepts—from meteorology to biology to chemistry to physics to marine life.
The space is designed for kids 12 and under. Some of the most popular exhibits include the green-screen weather forecasting station, the tornado simulator, and aquarium tanks which are home to active crabs, funny-looking shrimp, colorful coral, and more. Coming soon, a large model railroad exhibit from Centre Model Railroaders is sure to be a big hit. In addition, two large classrooms house drop-in maker activities that change from week to week.
The center offers summer camps for elementary-age kids, focusing on topics ranging from Legos to Rube Goldberg machines to chemistry and more.
Discovery Space is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for ages 3 and up. As a Blue Star Museum, it offers free admission to families of active-duty members of the U.S. military all summer long.
Annual family memberships are also available, providing unlimited admission as well as discounts on birthday parties, summer camps, and programs.
For more information, visit discoveryspace.org.
In the same building, accessed by a separate entrance, is The Rivet, an expansive maker space mainly intended for adults and older teens. Here you’ll find designated spaces for woodworking, pottery throwing, laser cutting, 3D printing, sewing, and more.
Clearance classes are offered each month to teach the public how to safely use the equipment. Skill-building classes teach techniques or focus on special projects, such as building a bookcase making a mug, or designing a logo.
After passing a clearance class, members of the public are able to use the equipment from noon to 8 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday. The drop-in price is $10 per visit, or membership is $25 per month.
The Rivet is open to youths ages 8 to 14 on Saturday mornings, and will be offering summer camps for kids ages 11 to 14. More information is available at TheRivet.org.
Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village
(251 Curtin Village Road, Howard)
Step back in time with a visit to Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, located near Bald Eagle State Park. The site of the last operating charcoal-powered iron furnace in Pennsylvania is owned by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and operated by the Roland Curtin Foundation.
On the second and fourth Sunday of each month from June through September, guides in period dress offer tours of the Curtin Mansion, built in 1830 for ironmaster Roland Curtin; the iron-making complex; and the workers’ village. The guides offer information about local geology and the iron-making process, life in a company town, and more.
The property is also open for self-guided tours anytime. There is no fee to visit or tour the site, but donations are encouraged. More information is available at curtinvillage.com.
Sports
The State College Spikes are gearing up for a new season of baseball and family fun. This year’s season will feature 40 home games in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park—the most in franchise history.
As in the past, fans can expect lots of fun promotions, from the usual fireworks nights to the popular “Bark in the Park” bring-your-dog games, as well as a special Sean Clifford Retirement Party and Bobblehead Giveway presented by Lion Country Kia on July 15.
At every game, the mascot, Ike the Spike, roams around the concourse greeting fans. Kids can enjoy the inflatables and games in the Kids Zone on the concourse near left field, and there are a wide variety of concessions to choose from. Adult beverages are available for those over 21.
But don’t be fooled by the entertaining diversions—this is serious baseball. The Spikes are part of the six-team Major League Baseball Draft League. The first half of the league’s uniquely split season features collegiate draft-eligible players looking to showcase their talent before the annual MLB draft held in July. The rest of the season features professional players who have graduated from college or who have exhausted their amateur eligibility. The 2023 team is managed by former Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley.
The home season runs from June 2 through August 31. Prices for 2023 individual game tickets have not yet been announced, but in 2022 they started at $7. Group packages, such as Luxury Suites in the Geisinger Champions Club and All-You-Can-Eat Picnics in the Pepsi Picnic Pavilion, are available now. Season tickets start at $240. Flex books containing ticket vouchers for 12 undated games start at $80 per book.
Special Events
Summer Craft Beverage Expo (June 18)
Sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Tasting Trail, this annual event is held at Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte on Father’s Day, June 18.
All fourteen members of the Tasting Trail—including wineries, distilleries, cideries, and breweries—will participate. At press time, details had yet to be confirmed, but organizers say to expect a similar format to last year’s event, which was broken down into an afternoon session from noon to 3 p.m. and an evening session from 4 to 7 p.m.
Tickets to each session include tastings at each Trail member tent, where additional beverages will be available for purchase. Food trucks and vendors will also be on hand, as well as live entertainment. Last year, tickets were $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Central PA 4th Fest (July 4)
The popular State College community celebration has been greatly scaled back since 2020, but organizers say this year the event will be taking steps toward getting back to its pre-pandemic iteration. Details are still being ironed out, but expect a carnival-like atmosphere on the Penn State campus in the afternoon, and a fireworks show when the sun goes down.
Take a Hike
Mount Nittany Hike. This must-do hike for local residents is accessed in Lemont, along Mount Nittany Road. The hike can be a bit challenging; the climb up and down is rocky and steep. But once you reach the top, it’s a relatively flat loop along either the White Trail or the Blue Trail.
The first stop is the Mike Lynch Overlook, a 0.7-mile hike from the trailhead, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Penn State campus. There are six more overlooks along the two blazed trails. The entire White Trail Loop is 3.7 miles, and the Blue Trail Loop is 4.8 miles.
Paddy Mountain Railroad Tunnel Hike
The Paddy Mountain Railroad Tunnel is a historic point of interest along the Penns Valley Rail Trail section of the Mid State Trail.
This nineteenth-century tunnel cuts through West Paddy Mountain. One easy way to access it is by taking Poe Valley Road past Poe Paddy State Park to get to the closest parking area at 192 Tunnel Spur Road, Woodward. The tunnel is a five-minute walk along a well-marked hiking trail from this spot. You’ll cross a pedestrian bridge over Penns Creek before arriving at the 250-foot tunnel. (Note: flashlights are recommended inside the tunnel.)
From there, you can turn around to return to the parking area, or, if you wish to make a longer hike out of it, you can go back on the John Snyder Trail for a scenic 1.5-mile hike. You could also continue walking along the Penns Creek Rail Trail until you get to Cherry Run Road, which is approximately 2.5 miles away from the tunnel.
Public Pools
Most of the local pools will open on Memorial Day weekend and will stay open through Labor Day.
William L. Welch Community Pool (670 Westerly Parkway) and Park Forest Community Pool (2100 School Drive), maintained by Centre Region Parks and Recreation, both feature popular “splashground” water features, twisty slides, and climbing walls, as well as the traditional lap pool. Swim lessons are offered throughout the summer, and both pools sponsor swimming teams.
Daily admission is $10 for ages 3-10 and over 65, $12 for ages 11-64, and $7 after 5 p.m. Annual passes (discounted if purchased before April 28) are $85 for ages 3-10 and over 65, $110 for ages 11-64, and $65 for evenings and weekends only.
Mountaintop Area Pool (9 Park Avenue, Snow Shoe) offers an Olympic-size pool and a baby pool and is open from noon to 6 p.m. daily. The Pool is set to open on June 5 this year, and they have family-friendly events planned throughout the season. Rates for 2023 are still to be announced, but will be published on their Facebook page.
Millheim Pool (Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Park, Millheim) is home of the Penns Valley Penguins Swim Team and the location for many summer programs, including swimming lessons, water aerobics, wrestling camp, sand volleyball, scuba, and the Penns Valley Sprint Triathlon.
2023 daily admission rates are $7 for ages 3 and up; $4 after 5 pm. Annual memberships are $150 for individuals, $280 for families if purchased by May 20 ($300 after May 20). Twilight memberships are $85/individual and $155/family.
Kepler Pool in Bellefonte has been closed for two years as it undergoes a rehabilitation project. The Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority is hopeful that the pool will re-open for part of the 2023 season.
