Trying to find a great place to travel as a solo female traveler? Check out Happy Valley, Pennsylvania!
Traveling solo is my passion. I love the freedom of getting to do what I want on my terms without having to check in with the group chat. I want to come and go on my schedule and fill my time with my favorite activities.
In October 2024, I had an amazing trip to Happy Valley where I spent most of the trip solo. This awesome area in Central Pennsylvania had so much to offer and I felt safe and welcome on every stop of the trip.
Keep reading to find out why Happy Valley should be on your list for your next solo trip!
Disclaimer - Many of the activities mentioned in this blog post were sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank Happy Valley for their generosity
Get Outdoors in Happy Valley
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
Go For a Hike
While it can seem scary to hike solo at first, there are some great hikes in Happy Valley that are perfect for the solo adventurer. Remember to tell a trusted friend your hiking plan, how long you’re going to be there, and who to get in contact with if you don’t check in. If you’re hiking in a state park, check in with the ranger office.
Nervous to go hiking alone? Check out my guide to Solo Hiking Safety to help you get started!
Mount Nittany
This iconic State College needs to be on your bucket list no matter what. While steep, the payoff is totally worth it for amazing views of Penn State and the surrounding areas. And good news for solo hikers – it’s one of the most popular trails in the area so you’ll never be alone!
Black Mo Bog Trail
This one mile trail is perfect for hikers of all abilities. The Bog Trail at Black Moshannon State Park wends through a vibrant bog via a wheelchair accessible boardwalk. If you’re lucky enough to have the trail to yourself, I recommend sitting on the benches at the viewing platform and taking in all of the sights and sounds of the area.
Want to find more of the best hikes in the area? Check out my guide to the best hikes near State College!
Check out Jo Hays Vista
While it’s not a hike, Jo Hays Vista is a beautiful scenic overlook just off of PA 26, outside of Pine Grove Mills. This area is great for views of sunrise above Centre County. It’s a great place for both sunrise and sunset. If you head there for sunset, make sure to check out Pine Grove Hall for dinner after as it’s super close by.
If you love sunrises, check out my guide to the Best Sunrise Spots near State College (and all of the places to go eat breakfast or brunch after!)
Take a Tour of Penn’s Cave
Did you know there’s only one cave in North America that is explored exclusively by boat and it’s located in Happy Valley? Penn’s Cave is a one-of-a-kind cave in Centre County where tours are boat based. We floated through formations that are older than human civilization while our tour guide explained all about the cave’s history, formations, and more. Penn’s Cave also has a wildlife park if you want to be out in the open air longer!
Don’t be worried about feeling left out if you don’t have anyone to talk to on your tour – most of the time the guide will be talking. Even though I went with a friend for this one, we could barely talk to each other because we were so busy learning about caves!
Looking to explore the outdoors in Happy Valley more? Check out my guide to the State Parks near State College!
Live Your Best Small Town Life
There’s something about exploring a small town that makes me feel like a main character in a CW TV show. I love how friendly everyone is, how everyone knows each other, and how much pride everyone has in their corner of the world. Exploring a small town solo often feels safer than exploring a large city to me so I prefer to visit smaller towns when traveling by myself.
Work Remotely from Bellefonte Springboard
I rarely work in a coworking space because it’s easier for me to just work in a hotel room. However, Bellefonte Springboard made me want to try more coworking spaces. The inside is beautiful, with tables and conference rooms but also plush armchairs. It looks like a place where smart people hang out. This beautiful open space has great views of the river and the Gamble Mill.
Some of the amenities Bellefonte Springboard offers for workers include a standing desk, conference rooms with whiteboards, multiple monitors, and a kitchenette to store your snacks. While I was there, there were not a ton of people but the others working there were quiet and respectful of each other’s work. I would love to post up and spend a week working remotely from the Springboard.
Explore Downtown Bellefonte
I know everyone says Stars Hollow (the fictional small town of Gilmore Girls fame) is based on a town in Connecticut, but I am convinced it’s based on Bellefonte. This adorable town is picture perfect, with walkable streets, an amazing downtown park, and a gas station I would refer to as “vintage”. The shops downtown are filled with items celebrating local pride and craftsmanship. I loved exploring the Belle Mercantile, a store full of assortment of local artist products.
Enjoy a Solo Meal or Cocktail
Grab a Drink at the Republic Cocktail Bar at Gamble Mill
This amazing bar creates cocktails as beautiful as its interior. As someone who doesn’t drink, I was amazed at the selection of mocktails. I loved their Spicy, a rare non-sweet mocktail and it was only $5! The bartenders were extremely friendly and I wouldn’t feel out of place at all sitting at the bar with my book.
Eat Brunch at Gigi’s
While I didn’t eat at Gigi’s solo, it would be a great place for a solo brunch. There’s a bar where you can sit (always my preferred seating arrangement when eating alone) or you can have a more private table in some of their beautifully decorated rooms. The wait staff is AMAZING and were so attentive to our group. The food was beautifully plated and delicious. I really enjoyed my eggs benedict, but the true star of the show was dessert. Make sure you save room!
Four Ways Pub
When exploring, I love visiting a place that is locally beloved and Four Ways Pub is clearly a local favorite. I sat at the bar and instantly made friends with some folks enjoying their food. The American pub fare arrives quickly so you can get back to your adventures. I highly recommend the smash burger.
Pine Grove Hall
Looking for something to enjoy during your solo dinner that’s not scrolling on your phone or reading your book? Check out Pine Grove Hall, a great restaurant that features live music. While I went with a group on my trip, I would absolutely recommend Pine Grove for a solo traveler. We went on a night where the band played salsa music and other Latin jams and the folks dancing were super accepting of strangers joining their dance circles. If you don’t want to dance, it’s still absolutely worth a visit.
Looking for another weekend itinerary in Happy Valley? Check out my guide to having the Best Weekend in State College!
Where to Stay as a Solo Traveler
Stay at the Craftsman on Curtin Bed and Breakfast
Don’t want to feel lonely on your solo trip? Hosts Janie and Dave will make you feel like family during your stay at their beautiful home in Bellefonte. Janie makes an amazing home-cooked breakfast that feels just like a family meal – mostly because she kept giving me more and more food! Janie even baked me cookies to take on a hike. Nothing beats hiking to a scenic overlook and munching on a freshly baked cookie.
I loved chatting with Janie and Dave. It was nice to stay at a place where I felt like my hosts were invested in me making it back to their place each night. The bed was comfortable and the room was spacious but cozy, with a ton of cute decor and small touches. If you like Penn State, you’ll love all of the PSU memorabilia around the room and shared spaced.
There are tons of places to stay in the area. If a bed and breakfast isn’t up your alley, check out the map below for some potential places for accommodation during your visit to Centre County!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Are you going to plan a solo trip to Happy Valley? Let me know in the comments!
Updated September 1, 2025