Travel & Local Information:

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Atherton Hotel, in downtown State College, at a discounted rate.

State College is well served by University Park Airport (SCE) with connecting flights to Dulles (IAD, Washington), Detroit (DTW), and Philadelphia (PHL). Some participants may prefer to make the three hour drive from the Baltimore-Washington (BWI), or Pittsburgh (PIT) airports, or the slightly longer drives from Washington, Philadelphia, or New York. New Yorkers or those flying into NYC may want to investigate the "Chinatown" or NY City bus lines to downtown State College.

From the airport, downtown State College may be reached by taxi for about $15, and the Atherton Hotel offers complimentary transportation for its guests with advance notice. The P line of the CATA bus system also travels to the airport at select times of day. The official hotel, workshop venue, and restaurants are all within easy walking distance of each other, so rental cars are probably unnecessary for most participants during the conference.

State College, PA

State College is a small college city in central Pennsylvania. Remarkably cosmopolitan for its size, it is the safest city in America and is dominated demographically by the Penn State University Park campus. Penn State is one of the largest universities in America, with over 80,000 students, 44,000 of whom study at University Park. Penn State is ranked in the top-20 among American research institutions, receiving over $500 million per year in research funding.

Renowned for its athletics program, University Park is home to Beaver Stadium, which boasts the largest seating capacity of any stadium outside of Asia and hosts the Nittany Lions football team. The monicker "University Park" refers to the Penn State campus itself, which is centrally located in the municipality of State College.

Downtown State College and the University Park campus are served by the CATA bus service. During summer months, the free Blue Loop shuttle will be available for workshop participants with stops throughout campus, including stops near the Atherton Hotel, downtown restaurants, and the outing venue. The Blue Loop runs every 10 min. until 6pm, then every 22 min. until 10pm. The dining map below includes these stops.

Maps and Local Dining

In addition to the Google Map below, we have a PDF map including walking directions to the workshop venues and local restaurants:

Venue and Restaurant Maps (PDF).

There are many restaurants located within walking distance of the Hintz Family Alumni Center. Most restaurants can be found in the blocks between College Ave. and Beaver Ave. Recommendations include the Allen Street Grill, Herwig's Bistro (cash only), Panera, Green Bowl, Irving's, and Spat's. Caffeine can be found at Webster's, Saint's Cafe, and the Cheese Shoppe. We have mapped out some of our favorites below.

Restaurant guide (PDF).

View PRV Workshop Locations in a larger map

Outing and Recreation

Baseball

Thurdsay evening, workshop attendees are invited to a minor-league baseball game between the local State College Spikes and Jamestown Jammers in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on campus.

The minor-league Spikes are the State College affiliate of the Pittsbrugh Pirates, and play in Pickney Division of the short-season single-A New York-Penn League. This is the lowest rank of minor league baseball, where former college players typically begin their professional careers, transitioning to daily play with wooden bats for the first time. Summer minor-league baseball is charming, extremely fan-friendly, and a truly American small-city tradition!

Medlar Field is easily accessible by the free campus Blue Loop shuttle as indicated on the map above, or by foot (about 30 min).

Outdoors and Area Sights

State College is located in the "Happy Valley" of Centre County Pennsylvania, in the scenic Ridge and Valley Appalachians. The area is world-renowned for its fly-fishing. Outdoor enthusiasts can also hike Mt. Nittany, a local tradition known for exceptional views of the campus and the community.

Attendees wishing to explore central Pennsylvania before or after the conference may wish to drive nearby to visit:

• Cherry Springs State Park, An amateur astronomer's haven, and one of the darkest sites in the US.
• Hershey, PA, Home of Hershey Park, ZooAmerica, Hershey Gardens, and other attractions
• Gettysburg, PA, Home to Gettysburg National Military Park and site of the decisive battle of the US Civil War and occassion for President Lincoln's famous address.
• Lancaster County, Hub of Pennsylvania Dutch country.
• Penn's Cave & Wildlife Park, A local attraction centered on a natural limestone cavern

Last Edited: 29-June-2010