Location: Bellefonte
Top Things to do in Bellefonte
10 Things to Do in Bellefonte That You Shouldn't Miss
Bellefonte is a borough and the county seat of Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It lies about twelve miles northeast of State College and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The borough population was 6,187 at the 2010 Census. It houses the courthouse located downtown on the square. Bellefonte has also been home to five of Pennsylvania's governors as well as two other governors. All seven are commemorated in a monument overlooking Talleyrand Park.
Restaurants in Bellefonte
1. Penn's Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 461 reviews
America's only all-water cavern & farm-nature-wildlife park. The only cave in Pennsylvania placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Three fully-guided tours: *Cavern tour only by boat (Not handicapped accessible: Open Feb-Dec) *Farm-nature-wildlife park tour by tour bus Open April-Nov) *Off-road mountain tour (June-Nov, advance reservation only-limited availability for this special tour) Miners Maze, gemstone panning, Visitors Center, gift shop, Cave Cafe Free Parking
Reviewed By Angie P - Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
We took a side trip here on a Sunday morning and took the boat ride through the cave. I have never been in a cave so this was a true experience for me and the boat ride made it even better. What a sight to see. Millions of years in the making. The boat driver was informative and made cute little jokes as we went through the cave. He took time to answer questions and pointed out special points of interest. We found this adventure to be well worth the ticket cost of $18.50 each. I will confirm that the walk back up from the cave is a bit physically challenging if you have any health issues. I'm asthmatic and had to stop and use my inhaler on the way up and stopped twice to catch my breath, but worth it. We strolled through the gift shop and found some inexpensive souvenirs to commemorate our adventure. I'd definitely recommend this place. Oh, and take a jacket. It is cool in the cave. We didn't tour the wildlife park as I saw here that it was not very highly recommended and we'd just come from Elk County.
2. Penn State University
Overall Ratings
5 based on 547 reviews
Reviewed By Bernhard W
This is a very impressive University and I have visited a lot over the last several years. I am in charge of Research and Development at a fairly large company. This university has so many different disciplines that they are in the top 10 of the US, it makes it a one time stop for several specialties for me.
Staff and Faculty are amazing and very willing to work with Industry.
3. Talleyrand Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Ryan B - Ne Ohio
We were driving down I80 and stopped lunch in Bellefonte and the restaurant wasn't open for some reason, stopped at Talleyrand Park to regroup. We walked around and it was very clean and maintained very well. We didn't realize the one bridge was a suspension bridge. That was fun to walk across. Plenty of ducks and fish in the river for the kids to look at. Overall a very nice break from the drive.
4. Eagle Ironworks at Curtin Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Eagle Ironworks at Curtin Village is a PA Historic Site open on Saturdays and Sundays from June through October. It features tours of Ironmaster Roland Curtin's mansion (built in 1830) which includes original and period furniture. The tour includes a visit to the waterwheel powered furnace where the personal carriage of Civil War PA Gov. Andrew Curtin is also on display, as well as antique farm machinery. Visitors can explore the Worker's Village. A picnic pavilion is on site. Tour lasts 45 minutes.
Reviewed By goldenrosy - Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
What a great out of the way historic spot to visit and learn about the days gone by. It used to be a booming little place, lots of traffic, a working canal and railroad. So much history and the grounds are exeptionally beautiful and well kept. Unfortunately, there isn't much interest for places such as these in today's society so it would be nice to see that interest level pick up. Worth a visit for sure!
5. Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Nestled high on the southern slopes of Mount Nittany above the historic village of Linden Hall (National Register of Historic Places), Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery commands a breathtaking view across Penns Valley to the distant Tussey Mountain Range. Just seven miles east of State College and Penn State University, the vineyard and winery are located in the heart of 65 acres of land which stretches to the top of Mount Nittany.The winery was opened for business in July of 1990 by proprietors, Joe and Betty Carroll, who had been amateur winemakers for 20 years during Joe’s career as a professor in the College of Business Administration at Penn State. Their purchase in 1983 of the sixty-five acre property was followed in 1984 by the first grape plantings. The entire winemaking operation was initially contained in the original chalet-style building which now houses a state of the art bottling line. A spiral staircase leads upstairs to the tasting room and views of the adjacent pond, mountain range, and the six acre vineyard.Here at Mt. Nittany Vineyard and Winery we offer a variety of award-winning wines to suit all tastes, from dry to sweet and everything in between. Over the years we have entered many Pennsylvania as well as International Wine Competitions and have won hundreds of medals (view our medals).We are confident that you will find wines to suit your own tastes, as well as those suitable for gift-giving. To help you make a selection, you may want to know that our most popular wines are Tailgate Red, Nittany Mountain White, Nittany Mountain Blush, Mountain Rose, and Sunset.
Reviewed By Cynthia G - Pennsylvania
The employees are very friendly and helpful. The wine is delicious, and there is a wide selection of wine to please any palate. There is a deck with a marvelous view of the vineyard and pond. There are food items for purchase (cheese, meat, crackers,...MoreThank you so much for taking the time to review our winery. We hope to see you back out at the winery in the near future!
6. The Arboretum at Penn State
Overall Ratings
5 based on 430 reviews
Reviewed By bindywanderer653 - North Bend, Washington
A very peaceful spot right next to campus but it feels as if you are miles away. Lovely water features and themed gardens. The children's garden was also fabulous. I wish I had a child to take there. They had a cave and a stream to float little boats down, and a building with grass on the roof. Nice little escape. And its free.
7. Big Spring Spirits
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Michael M - Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Beautiful building inside and out although sort of an odd entrance on the opposite side of the building. I guessing if you're walking around the park and decide it's time for a martini, you're in, lol!
This place is pretty young and after they get better established, I think they'll do really well as it appears they have a great start. The menu is slim so that's an area needing improvement for the sit in crowd.
Staff is friendly and drinks are good. We haven't sampled our way around their drinks menu yet as that will take quite some time...and a few extra livers...so bring friends!
Music is WAY too loud so I'm assuming this place caters to the younger crowd still with most of their hearing in tact? It doesn't seem to be that kind of place...more of a sit, sip and chat sort of joint but with the music THAT loud it turns it into a sit, sip and shout place.
Get more food on the menu, turn down the music and keep everything else the way it is... and all will go well!
8. Pegula Ice Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By Stephen Z - Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, United States
The Pegula Ice Arena is Awesome! Many professional Hockey Arenas pale once you've experienced this masterpiece of. architecture. Not a bad seat in the house. Seated on the Penn State Campus is this marvel. You may be a hockey fan after a single visit. By all means go!
9. American Philatelic Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Henn R - Tampa
This is of interest to stamp collectors and to owners of stamp collections, but it'll keep the interest of history buffs as well. For openers there is a working post office - with full selection of recently issued commemorative stamps not available at the post office in my neighborhood. The interior of the post office is on loan form the Smithsonian and is a restoration of the Headsville, WV post office that was in operation from 1860--1914. Among the many panels of stamps exhibits you'll see the first letter ever mailed without postage by George Washington - a privilege afforded to all of the presidents of our country. The attraction to the philatelist is the tremendous large reference library on the subject of stamps for all around the world. The facility is housed in a restored factory which is on the Register of Historic Places.
10. Bellefonte Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
The Bellefonte Art Museum celebrates the human spirit through the arts and recognizes the importance of art in our lives by: • Exhibiting & selling art by local artists from our Artist Registry • Providing creative enrichment for individuals, families & children • Exhibiting artistic and cultural shows from outside the area. The museum features a permanent exhibition in a historically significant room with an art installation commemorating the work of the Underground Railroad in the Bellefonte area. The exhibit contains information about the operations of the Underground Railroad, art work depicting the courage and suffering of the enslaved African Americans and stories about the local citizens who helped and supported them. Our goal is to make the arts accessible to everyone, thus the museum is free and open to the public.
Reviewed By Reiselust1947 - State College
The museum is located in the historic 1810 Linn House which was the home of generations of Bellefonte families. Under the directorship of Pat House, a world traveler and museum expert, and a number of amazing volunteers it has become a showcase for the community. There is always something going on in the 5-6 small galleries, and children's classes are also being offered.
Most of the exhibits are devoted to works by artists from the area, but there have also been displays of items from Africa, Asia, etc.
In January the special attraction for me was the "Dinor Bleu: the Vanishing American Diner" photography exhibit by Chuck Wong. Often events are planned around the current exhibit, like in this case a Sock Hop and an evening of "Blue Plate Special Diner Poems".
Regular museum hours are Friday through Sunday from 12 to 4:30. When I go I generally make a day of it. The Art Museum is conveniently located on Allegheny Street - very close to my favorite sandwich place "The Diamond Deli" and a unique drugstore with an ice cream counter. Many interesting antiques and collectibles shops are also in short walking distance.
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