Must-Visit Penn State Campus Attractions (Insider's Guide)
Old Main, the Nittany Lion Shrine, the Berkey Creamery, Beaver Stadium — the must-visit Penn State attractions every student, parent, and visitor should hit.
TL;DR
Penn State's University Park campus is one of the largest and most photographed college campuses in the country. Must-visit attractions include Old Main, the Nittany Lion Shrine, Beaver Stadium, the Berkey Creamery, the Palmer Museum of Art, the Arboretum at Penn State, Pattee & Paterno Library, and the All-Sports Museum. All are inside a 15-minute walk of downtown apartments like Calder Commons and Meridian on College Avenue.
Key takeaways
- Old Main is the iconic Penn State photo backdrop — visit at sunset for the best light.
- The Nittany Lion Shrine requires the classic student photo hug.
- Beaver Stadium public tours are worth booking if you're not making it to a game.
- The Berkey Creamery is the country's largest university creamery.
- The new Palmer Museum of Art building at the Arboretum is a stunning new must-see.
The top 5 you cannot skip
- Old Main — the 1863 administrative building and Penn State's most recognizable landmark. The Land-Grant Frescoes inside the lobby are worth a stop.
- Nittany Lion Shrine — the 13-ton Indiana limestone lion sculpted in 1942. Line up for the classic photo.
- Beaver Stadium — the second-largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere. Public tours run seasonally.
- The Berkey Creamery — grab a cone; try Peachy Paterno, Death by Chocolate, or Alumni Swirl.
- The Arboretum at Penn State — 395 acres of gardens plus the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens and the new Palmer Museum of Art.
Academic & cultural stops
- Pattee & Paterno Library — massive, architecturally beautiful, worth a walk-through even as a visitor.
- Palmer Museum of Art — free admission, in its stunning new Arboretum home as of 2024.
- Penn State All-Sports Museum — inside Beaver Stadium, a deep dive into Nittany Lion athletics.
- Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery — small, free, and worth 30 minutes.
- HUB-Robeson Center — the student union; food, art gallery, and the pulse of campus.
Outdoor campus spots
- Old Main lawn — the front quad; picnic-worthy and the best foliage in October.
- The Mall between Pattee and the HUB — the main walking artery, great people-watching.
- Millennium Science Complex reflecting pool — modern architecture, quiet corner.
- The Arboretum's Overlook Pavilion — sunset view over Mount Nittany.
Getting around campus (and why downtown living helps)
Penn State's University Park campus is huge — over 7,000 acres — but the academic core is compact. From downtown apartments like Calder Commons (520 E Calder Way) and Meridian on College Avenue (646 E College Ave), you can walk to Old Main, the HUB, the Palmer Museum, and the Berkey Creamery in under 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most iconic Penn State campus attractions?
Old Main, the Nittany Lion Shrine, Beaver Stadium, the Berkey Creamery, the Arboretum at Penn State, the Palmer Museum of Art, and the Pattee & Paterno Library are the most iconic Penn State campus attractions — all within walking distance of downtown State College.
Can visitors tour Beaver Stadium?
Yes — Penn State runs public tours of Beaver Stadium seasonally, typically during weekdays outside of football season. Check the Penn State Athletics site for the current schedule.
Is the Palmer Museum of Art free?
Yes — the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is free and open to the public. It relocated in 2024 to a stunning new building inside the Arboretum at Penn State.
Sources & further reading
- Penn State Visitor Information — The Pennsylvania State University
- Palmer Museum of Art — The Pennsylvania State University