95 places to take your children this summer (FREE, except for the ice cream!)
June 1, 2018
School is out and the weather is good. Now is the time to make those great summer memories with your children.
It does not take a lot of money or a tank of gas. You can pack up a few drinks and snacks, get in the car and after a few Imagine Dragon tracks be at your destination, ready for your family’s new adventure.
Part of the quality of life that comes with living in Centre County is having so many outdoor entertainment options. Here is a list of 95 places to be able to pack the kiddos up and spend a few hours of quality time.
Spring Creek Park has a little shaded creek area, sand box, playground, and lots of field space.
Bernel Road Park is a hidden gem, and one of the most unique play areas you can find for younger children.
Centre Region Parks and Recreation has a downloadable map of these and all of its other 81 parks and bikeways that can be found at http://crpr.pt7.vt-s.net/sites/crpr/files/uploads/parks_bikeways_map.pdf.
An interactive google map can be found at http://www.crpr.org/find-your-park.
Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg does have a fee for the actual museum, but you can wonder around the monuments and shrines, and climb on the military hardware outside. https://www.pamilmuseum.org/the-monuments-shrine/
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center is a 62-acre natural reserve where you can casually explore and discover along its marshy boardwalk and learning center. http://www.crpr.org/millbrook-marsh-nature-center.
Mount Nittany Trail. You haven’t really “done” Centre County if you haven’t hiked Mount Nittany. The Mount Nittany Trail Flyer can be found at https://mountnittany.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/mnc_brochure.pdf
The Arboretum at Penn State https://arboretum.psu.edu/ is a delightful place to spend time with your children, and a short walk from the Penn State Creamery https://creamery.psu.edu/.
Tallyrand Park is the charming welcome area at the door step of Bellefonte, and is a must stop for young children. Grab a bite in town, wander around the tranquil waterway, use the playground, climb the train car and feed the fish (but not the ducks!).
Spring Creek Canyon, https://www.facebook.com/pg/Spring-Creek-Canyon-138445272913513/reviews/ is an off the radar hiking/biking path along spring creek.
Walter M. Swoope Jr. Memorial Park is located in Philipsburg and was formerly known as the Cold Stream Dam Park.
Centered Outdoors. Register to explore any, or all, of 11 outdoors areas around Centre County with scheduled activities during June, July, and August. Activities include hiking, fishing, and bird‐watching. Register online at www.centredoutdoors.org
STATE PARKS
We have our share of State Parks in and near Centre County, with play grounds, nature programs, swimming, picnicking and hiking.
Bald Eagle www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/BaldEagleStatePark/
Black Moshannon http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/BlackMoshannonStatePark/
Green Furnace www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/GreenwoodFurnaceStatePark/
Poe Valley www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PoeValleyStatePark/
Whipple Dam http://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/WhippleDamStatePark/
