Plan your trip
Check prices for these dates, December 13 – 14, 2026
The best area to stay in State College is downtown, particularly around East College Avenue and West College Avenue, for its central location and access to amenities.
This area is the heart of State College, characterized by its grid of streets centered around the university campus. It's very walkable, with numerous shops, restaurants, and local businesses. Landmarks like Old Main on the Penn State campus are easily accessible from here.
For couples and solo travelers, downtown is an excellent choice. You'll find a wide range of dining options, from casual eateries to more upscale restaurants, and enjoy easy access to cultural events at the university. The convenience of walking to most places makes it ideal for those who prefer not to drive.
Families visiting the university will also find downtown convenient. Many hotels offer family-friendly amenities, and you're within walking distance of attractions like the Palmer Museum of Art and the Berkey Creamery on campus.
Two highly recommended hotels in State College are the Carnegie House and the Graduate by Hilton State College.
The 4-star Carnegie House, with an impressive 9.8 rating, is praised by guests for its lovely, clean rooms and friendly, amazing staff. It features multiple restaurants, including options for alfresco dining, and offers various golf-related amenities like a golf clubhouse and golf lessons. It is located 2.5 miles from Pennsylvania State University.
Another excellent choice is the 4-star Graduate by Hilton State College, which holds a 9.0 rating. Travelers consistently mention the friendly and helpful staff, as well as the comfortable and clean rooms with comfortable beds. This hotel is conveniently located near several attractions, including Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania (0.3 miles), Palmer Museum of Art (0.6 miles), and The Arboretum at Penn State (1.0 mile).
For families traveling to State College, excellent options include the Hilton Garden Inn State College, The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA.
The 3-star Hilton Garden Inn State College, with a 9.0 rating, offers a pool, kids' meals, sofa beds, and complimentary rollaway beds and travel cribs, ensuring comfort for all family members. Its location is convenient for visiting Medlar Field and Pegula Ice Arena. Guests consistently praise the comfortable and clean rooms, as well as the friendly and amazing staff.
The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, rated 8.8, is a highly-regarded 3.5-star hotel that provides complimentary cribs, rollaway beds, kids' meals, sofa beds, and a pool. It is conveniently located near Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Travelers frequently praise the comfortable, clean rooms and the excellent, friendly staff and service.
The 3-star Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, boasts an impressive 9.6 rating and is well-suited for families. It features a pool, sofa beds, complimentary cribs, and free buffet breakfast. The hotel also offers free shuttle services, including to the airport, and free self-parking. It's situated near Medlar Field and Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Guests consistently highlight the comfortable and clean rooms, great staff, and convenient location. Find more child-friendly accommodations in State College
For hotels in State College that offer complimentary breakfast, consider the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, the Comfort Suites State College near Penn State, the Holiday Inn Express State College at Williamsburg Square by IHG, the Sleep Inn State College near Penn State, and the Days Inn by Wyndham Penn State.
The 3-star Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, boasts an impressive 9.6 rating and provides free buffet breakfast. Guests frequently praise its comfortable, clean rooms and convenient location. It is also a short 0.3 miles from Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.
Another excellent option is the Comfort Suites State College near Penn State, with a 9.6 rating. This hotel offers a free full breakfast and is known for its spacious and clean rooms, as well as its friendly staff. It is conveniently located 0.8 miles from the Palmer Museum of Art and 1.1 miles from the Sarni Tennis Center.
The Holiday Inn Express State College at Williamsburg Square by IHG, rated 9.2, includes a free buffet breakfast. Travelers often comment on the clean, big rooms and comfortable beds at this hotel.
The Sleep Inn State College near Penn State, with a 9.0 rating, also provides a free full breakfast. Guests appreciate the comfortable and clean rooms and the excellent breakfast offerings. It is situated 0.8 miles from the Palmer Museum of Art and 1.1 miles from the Sarni Tennis Center.
Finally, the Days Inn by Wyndham Penn State, rated 9.0, offers a free continental breakfast. This hotel is recognized for its comfortable and clean rooms and friendly staff. It is located 1.0 mile from the Palmer Museum of Art. Find more hotels with free breakfast in State College
For pet-friendly accommodations in State College, consider the Hilton Garden Inn State College, Graduate by Hilton State College, Super 8 by Wyndham State College, Hampton Inn State College, and Toftrees Golf Resort.
The 3-star Hilton Garden Inn State College, with an excellent 9.0 rating, warmly welcomes both dogs and cats and provides convenient food and water bowls. Guests consistently praise the comfortable and clean rooms and the friendly, amazing staff. It is also conveniently located less than a mile from Medlar Field and just over a mile from Pegula Ice Arena.
Another excellent choice is the 4-star Graduate by Hilton State College, also boasting a 9.0 rating. This hotel is pet-friendly for both dogs and cats, offering food and water bowls. Its location is highly rated as convenient and great, being just 0.3 miles from Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania and 0.6 miles from the Palmer Museum of Art. The staff is frequently described as friendly and helpful, and the rooms are comfortable and clean.
The Super 8 by Wyndham State College, rated 8.4, is a budget-friendly option that permits pets. It offers free breakfast, free toiletries, and free self-parking, including for RVs, buses, and trucks. Guests appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, the nice and clean rooms, and the convenient location.
The Hampton Inn State College, with an 8.6 rating, welcomes both dogs and cats and offers a free buffet breakfast. Travelers often highlight the great and wonderful breakfast, the kind and helpful staff, and the convenient location. It's less than a mile from Medlar Field and the Bryce Jordan Center.
Finally, the 3-star Toftrees Golf Resort, rated 8.6, is a pet-friendly option that specifically welcomes dogs. This resort features an onsite golf course, golf lessons, and a golf pro shop. Guests often comment on the comfortable and clean rooms, the friendly and nice staff, and the delicious and amazing restaurant. See more pet-friendly hotels in State College
When looking for the best budget hotels in State College, consider the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, the Hampton Inn & Suites State College at Williamsburg Square, the Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites, the Springhill Suites by Marriott State College, and the Ramada by Wyndham State College Hotel & Conference Center.
The 3-star Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, boasts an impressive 9.6 rating. Guests consistently praise its comfortable and clean rooms, friendly staff, and convenient location. This hotel offers complimentary buffet breakfast, free WiFi, and free airport transportation, making it a very practical choice. It is also located just 0.3 miles from the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.
The Hampton Inn & Suites State College at Williamsburg Square, with a 9.0 rating, is another excellent option. Travelers frequently praise its delicious breakfast, clean rooms, and friendly, helpful staff. Amenities include complimentary continental breakfast, free WiFi, and 24-hour airport shuttle service.
The Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites, rated 8.8, is much-loved for its spacious rooms and great breakfast. It provides free buffet breakfast, free WiFi, and complimentary self-parking for added convenience.
The 3-star Springhill Suites by Marriott State College, rated 9.0, is known for its friendly staff, clean rooms, and excellent cleanliness overall. Guests also appreciate the great breakfast and the nice indoor pool. The hotel offers free continental breakfast, free WiFi, and free airport transportation.
Finally, the 3-star Ramada by Wyndham State College Hotel & Conference Center is a good choice, with guests often mentioning its nice and clean rooms and incredible staff. It provides complimentary buffet breakfast, free WiFi, and free self-parking. The hotel is also conveniently located 1.1 miles from the Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania. View all budget hotels in State College
For couples seeking a romantic stay in State College, consider the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, or the Toftrees Golf Resort.
The 3-star Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, State College (Penn State Area), PA, boasts an outstanding 9.6 rating and is frequently praised for its comfortable and clean rooms, as well as its friendly and great staff. Couples will appreciate the free buffet breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a nice pool. It is also conveniently located near the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.
Another excellent option is the 3-star Toftrees Golf Resort, rated 8.6. Guests often highlight the comfortable and clean rooms, friendly staff, and the delicious on-site restaurant. For couples who enjoy golf, the resort offers an on-site golf course, golf lessons, and a golf pro shop, providing a relaxing and engaging experience. Many rooms also feature balconies. See all romantic hotels in State College
For hotels in State College near the Palmer Museum of Art, consider the Comfort Suites State College near Penn State, The Nittany Lion Inn, or the Hyatt Place State College.
The Comfort Suites State College near Penn State, with a 9.6 rating, is a great option and is located just 0.8 miles from the Palmer Museum of Art. Guests frequently praise the spacious and clean rooms, as well as the friendly staff and convenient location. The hotel also offers a pool and complimentary full breakfast.
Another excellent choice is The Nittany Lion Inn, a 3-star hotel with a 9.6 rating, situated only 0.4 miles from the Palmer Museum of Art. Travelers often highlight the friendly and great staff, comfortable and clean rooms, and superb location. Free cribs and rollaway beds are available, making it suitable for families.
The 3-star Hyatt Place State College, rated 9.2, is also conveniently located just 0.6 miles from the Palmer Museum of Art. Guests appreciate the nice and clean rooms, convenient location, and friendly and helpful staff. The breakfast is often described as fantastic.
The best time to go to State College is typically during the shoulder seasons of late spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October).
These periods offer pleasant weather, ideal for exploring the area without the intense heat of summer or the chill of winter. You'll find the campus grounds are particularly enjoyable for walks, and outdoor dining is comfortable. It's an excellent time for couples looking for a relaxed getaway to experience the town's offerings.
For those interested in the university experience, visiting during the academic year (September-May, excluding holidays) can be very engaging. The town is bustling, with a wide array of cultural events, lectures, and sports activities on offer.
State College's nightlife is largely centered around its downtown area, suiting both students and visitors.
The main thoroughfare for nightlife is College Avenue, particularly the stretch between Atherton Street and South Allen Street. Here, you'll find a high concentration of bars, pubs, and eateries that transition into lively spots in the evenings. Many establishments feature multiple levels, offering different experiences from dance floors to quieter lounge areas.
Just off College Avenue, Beaver Avenue also hosts several popular spots. This street is known for its sports bars and casual pubs, which often have outdoor seating areas that are popular in warmer months.
You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, though it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if canceled within 24-48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to "My Trips", and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by "Fully refundable property" for hotels in State College.
Prices for hotels in State College often vary, but you can find a great deal from $71 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by "Price: low to high" for the cheapest rate.