By Todd Miner, owner of Vamos! Lion Chariot Tours
Ask any Penn Stater about their favorite campus tradition and there's a good chance ice cream comes up. The Berkey Creamery is a beloved institution, and it's just one part of a rich food culture in State College. Here's a taste of what makes Happy Valley's food scene special.
The Berkey Creamery
Part of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, the Berkey Creamery is one of the largest university creameries in the country. It produces its own ice cream on campus, and the lines out the door are proof of its cult following. Famously, the founders of Ben & Jerry's took a correspondence course in ice cream making offered through Penn State.
Flavors to Try
- Peachy Paterno — a longtime fan favorite
- Death by Chocolate — for serious chocolate lovers
- WPSU Coffee Break — a local classic
- Any seasonal flavor on the board that day
Downtown State College Eats
Just off campus, College Avenue and the surrounding downtown are packed with restaurants, cafes, and student favorites. From the historic Corner Room to local pizzerias, coffee shops, and late-night spots, downtown has fueled generations of students and visitors.
A Happy Valley Food Crawl
One of the best ways to experience the local food scene is to sample a little of everything — a scoop at the Creamery, a coffee downtown, and a meal at a longtime local favorite. A pedicab tour makes it easy to hit multiple stops without worrying about parking between them.
See Penn State the Fun Way
Vamos! Lion Chariot Tours offers private, guided pedicab tours of the University Park campus and downtown State College — a relaxing, memorable way to take it all in.