12 Places to Stay Near Penn State

State College is a fascinating place. Nearly everything here is influenced by The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), with much of its population made up of college students and much of the local industry heavily influenced by the university.

And whenever there’s a major event on main campus—like a Nittany Lions football game at Beaver Stadium—State College swells in population, and hotels 50 miles in every direction get completely booked.

So, if you’re looking for places to stay near Penn State, you’ve come to the right page. While we’re obviously biased about how great it is to stay with us at The Station Inn in Cresson, PA, we don’t always have vacancies in our unique, railroad-themed rooms (especially during fall leaf season).

When we’re totally booked up (and, by the way, large groups love staying with us, especially when visiting from out of town!), it’s time to look elsewhere in some of the most popular places to stay near Penn State.

Table of Contents

State College
Philipsburg
Lewistown
Huntingdon
Altoona
Cresson

State College

The Happy Valley website maintains a running list of hotels, motels, and inns located close to Penn State. While there are plenty to pick from, here are two to keep an eye on:

1. The Queen

Make the short drive from State College to Bellefonte, and you’ll uncover The Queen—a Victorian bed and breakfast that’s even more charming than it sounds! Offering a blend of elegant and modern amenities (yes, there’s a fireplace, but you’ll also find a massage jet shower), The Queen is a delightful place to stay.

Address: 176 East Linn St, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Phone: 814-355-7946

2. Gamble Mill

Situated just north of State College in Bellefonte, Gamble Mill is a fascinating hotel located inside, well, an old mill. The Gamble Mill offers a unique, artsy experience and even features its own restaurant and boutique.

Address: 160 Dunlop St, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Phone: 814-470-8877

3. Harmony Forge Inn

The Harmony Forge Inn is a stately, manicured bed and breakfast that’s become a hot destination for romantic trips away from home, weddings, bridal showers, and (of course) lodgings for football games and other Penn State attractions.

Address: 312 Harmony Forge West Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823

Phone: 703-431-3049

4. The Stevens Inn

Located only four blocks from PSU, The Stevens Inn is a charming, daisy-clad landmark in State College that’s been in business for more than 60 years. It’s known for its friendly service and personal touch.

Address: 1275 N Atherton St, State College, PA 16803

Phone: 814-238-2438

Philipsburg (About 25 Miles From State College)

A quaint, historic town, Philipsburg is part of the State College metro area and is located a quick drive from Beaver Stadium and the rest of Penn State. A couple of places to check for vacancies:

5. We Are Inn

As a family-owned bed and breakfast, we have an appreciation for lighthearted fun, and the We Are Inn name tickles our funny bone. More importantly, We Are Inn also features its own restaurant, which comes with rave reviews.

Address: 1535 Port Matilda Highway, Philipsburg, PA 16866

Phone: 814-343-6028

6. Best Travel Inn

The Best Travel Inn isn’t going to impress you with a glitzy lobby and a five-star dining experience—nor does it try to do either of those things. Instead, the Best Travel Inn is a modest and friendly destination to call home when you’re away from home.

Address: 1896 Philipsburg Bigler Highway, Philipsburg, PA 16866

Phone: 814-342-2004

Lewistown (About 30 Miles From State College)

Lewistown is only 30 miles away from State College via Route 322, making this a convenient rest stop if you’re looking to live it up in Penn State for a weekend or overnight. While we prefer to recommend hotels that are a little less corporate, Lewistown’s hotel options are limited.

7. Super 8 By Wyndham Burnham/Lewistown

The Super 8 isn’t going to hold too many surprises, but it will provide safe, affordable lodging relatively close to Penn State campus!

Address: 12886 Ferguson Valley Road, Burnham, PA 17009

Phone: 717-242-8888

8. Quality Inn & Suites

Like the Super 8, the Quality Inn & Suites offers a familiar brand at reasonable prices, and it also puts you within 30 miles of the action in State College.

Address: 13015 Ferguson Valley Road, Burnham, PA 17009

Phone: 717-248-4961

Huntingdon (About 30 Miles From State College)

Huntingdon is a beautiful town in central Pennsylvania known for its proximity to Raystown Lake—Pennsylvania’s largest lake (and it even has a fascinating history of its own!).

9. Huntingdon Motor Inn

There are plenty of hotels to pick from in and around Huntingdon, but the Huntingdon Motor Inn has been a fixture in this town for decades, offering comfortable, affordable rooms in a convenient location.

Address: 6920 Motor Inn Drive, Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone: 814 643-1133

Altoona (About 40 Miles From State College)

The City of Altoona keeps a robust list of lodging options in and around the city limits. Two of the most popular:

10. Altoona Grand Hotel

The Altoona Grand Hotel is a popular destination for weddings, events, meetings, and entertainment, and it’s even been visited by historic figures like President George H. W. Bush. Its 215 rooms means you’ll have a better chance finding a vacancy here even on popular Penn State weekends.

Address: 1 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA 16601

Phone: 814-946-1631

11. Microtel Inn & Suites

Microtel Inn & Suites is the ideal location for a cookie-cutter, no-frills place to sleep at night. The “Microtel” line from Wyndham is known for its affordability, and you’ll find amenities like free breakfast, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.

Address: 1601 Valley View Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602

Phone: 814-946-1400

Cresson (About 55 Miles From State College)

Of course, if you don’t mind traveling a little bit further, you could stay at our favorite place in Cresson, PA! Plus, we’re super easy to access off Route 22!

12. The Station Inn

The Station Inn was originally constructed in 1866 after the completion of The Horseshoe Curve. At the time, it was known as The Callan House, and it served as a summer retreat for Pittsburghers who wanted to escape the bustling city.

Today, we’re an excellent option for large groups, especially with our Lehigh Valley suite and our event space (which is available through our group event packages from $155-$255/person).

Today, we’re known for our close proximity to the Norfolk Southern main lines, which makes us a popular railfan destination. But thanks to our centralized location in Pennsylvania, we also serve as a home base for people visiting Penn State, Altoona, Johnstown, and other local cities.

Plus, our small town offers a number of convenient restaurants and stores to help you get ready for game day!