How to Enjoy a Day in This Surprising Central PA Oasis

Penn State University‘s arboretum is a truly magical place to visit.

Back in 2014 I spent a summer doing research at Penn State University. Central PA truly doesn’t stand out as a tourist destination, and I was worried I’d be bored when I got there. I didn’t realize that over that summer, I’d find some of the most unique species of plants and flowers one could find in Central PA, and that the beauty of the area would encourage me to take my photography hobby to the next level.

Over the summer I spent many afternoons exploring and taking pictures in the beautiful gardens, as well as biking and playing tourist all over the towns of State College and University Park (I know! It’s like the towns were named and invented after the University’s existence!). But I kept going back to the arboretum. Every time I visited I’d find something new and beautiful to capture with my camera.

Whether you’re taking your kid on a college tour, moving them into their dorm, or just passing through town, I hope this article will encourage you to stop by the Penn State arboretum. If you’re there in the morning, try to visit the arboretum first before it gets hot during the day. If you’re passing through in the evening I strongly urge you to catch it at sunset (most of my best pictures below were from that time of day).

At the end of the article I also have some recommendations on what to eat when you’re there, to cap off your visit.

Visiting the Penn State Arboretum: the main botanical garden

There are technically hundreds of acres dedicated to the arboretum, but the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, affectionately nicknamed “The Arb” by students, is where the most concentrated selection of flowers is, and where I spent the majority of my time.

The first day I visited, the Lotus pond was in bloom. Some of my most dreamy pictures of lotuses were taken around that time frame, on a simple point-and-shoot camera. If you are interested in seeing them yourself, I’d recommend early to mid June as that is when they are mostly in bloom.

Besides the lotus pond, the garden has lots of themed areas including a grove of poplars, an area dedicated to growing tropical plants despite the temperate-cold climate of central PA, and several picturesque patios and statues. Some of the more interesting statues included a massive lawn sundial and a stone map that depicted the watershed around Penn State.

If you have small children or are young at heart, there’s a children’s garden full of nooks and crannies that are worth exploring. There’s a dark artificial cave where I distinctly remember seeing a few bats near the end of summer, a glass house, and many cute and climbable statues of plants and bugs which reminded me slightly of the book artwork by Eric Carle.

During the summer, I came back here again and again at different months and times of day just to appreciate the diversity of flowers in bloom. I’d often bring my camera, a book or even a picnic. Not all the plants and trees had distinctive labels, although I wish they had. Below is a picture of a gorgeous tree with fluffy pink flowers. I have no clue what species it is, but long to find out — if you know please comment here!

I think the biggest gift that I got from visiting the arboretum so many times was the sense of peace I felt whenever immersed amongst so many beautiful plants, as well as the opportunity to practice my photography. Back then, I was still only a student with a small point and shoot camera, and my summer research project was quite stressful. Visit the arboretum allowed me to get away from it all and view the world through the lens of an artist.

If this article inspired you to visit the Penn State arboretum, here are a few other tips for your stay:

Have Japanese food for lunch or dinner

After visiting the arboretum, you may be hungry. Unfortunately, Penn State is not really known for its food. I’d argue that most of it is objectively bad food, only sold to appease hungry and broke undergraduates.

If you are looking for a restaurant before or after your trip to the arboretum, the only place that I’d recommend from my time spent there would be the Japanese ramen spot, Tadashii. The West College Ave location is the original one and is decorated like a real ramen shop in Japan.

Back in 2014 it was one of the only acceptable places to eat Asian food in town. I went there numerous times. The ramen was on par with spots in larger areas of the country. Granted, it’s been almost 10 years since I last went, but the place still has 4.5 stars on Google.

Get dessert at the Penn State Creamery

The Penn State Creamery is legendary for creating its own ultra creamy flavors. The scoops are massive, cheap and highly rich, so bring a friend.

If you’re visiting Penn State in the evening, a pro move would be to grab the ice cream and then drive over to wander the arboretum with it in hand. I would strongly recommend Alumni Swirl (blueberry swirl and mocha chocolate chips) and Peachy Paterno (Peach ice cream) as two flavors that are unique to the Creamery and are well worth trying.

Hopefully my article enlightened you to the floral wonders that can be had in central Pennsylvania!

I wrote this story for the Globetrotters publication monthly challenge, which is currently themed around floral beauty. One of the great pieces so far is this one by Keith Kelley on the gardens and grounds of the Alhambra in Spain, and how the floral motifs in the architecture reflects the beauty of the gardens.

One botanical garden I would REALLY love to visit is this one in Puerto Vallarta, highlighted by Marcia Gage. I have only visited Mexico once (Mexico City) but loved the experience and really want to return to see different parts of the country.

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