Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this week.

[psu00]

Really looking forward to this game. If anyone making the trip to PA has any questions, feel free to ask away. I’ll answer what I can. Be prepared for the weather. Wind chills will have temps at 10-20 all day Saturday.

[Higher Authority]

Let's get down to what's really important: where's the best cheesesteak in State College?

[psu00]

Don’t know if I have the best answer for that. State College is a small college town with your usual restaurants that will all have a cheesesteak option. Can’t say I’ve ever heard a discussion on the best cheesesteak in town. Nothing beats the steaks in Philly. A lot involves the fresh bread and other ingredients used there. If you’re flying in or out of Philly, definitely grab one there. Everyone will have their favorite place but Dalessandros, Angelos, and Ishkabibbles are mentioned often. Pats and Genos are ok but more a tourist destination in Philly. In State College it’s just not the same.

[SMU Pony Mom]

Don’t know if I have the best answer for that. State College is a small college town with your usual restaurants that will all have a cheesesteak option. Can’t say I’ve ever heard a discussion on the best cheesesteak in town. Nothing beats the steaks in Philly. A lot involves the fresh bread and other ingredients used there. If you’re flying in or out of Philly, definitely grab one there. Everyone will have their favorite place but Dalessandros, Angelos, and Ishkabibbles are mentioned often. Pats and Genos are ok but more a tourist destination in Philly. In State College it’s just not the same.

Totally agree with you! State College is far too west into PA to have really good cheesesteaks. Need to be in Philly, Philly suburbs, northern Delaware for the best ones.

[bubba pony]

I'll take you up on your offer.

Coming in via highway 99, exit 78A onto Benner Pike, to East College Avenue, to HUB parking garage.
Exit from HUB garage via Shortlidge Road to East Beaver Ave, High St, East College Ave back to highway 99

Arriving HUM about 9:30 am.

Is this early enough to get a parking spot?
What is expected grid lock before and after the game using this route?
Will Penn State fans tailgate after the game in this weather, therefore keeping gridlock down?

[EastStang]

I always thought PSU was more of a bratwurst crowd.

[psu00]

I always thought PSU was more of a bratwurst crowd.

You’ll find everything at PSU tailgates but that’s more a Wisconsin thing.

[psu00]

I'll take you up on your offer.

Coming in via highway 99, exit 78A onto Benner Pike, to East College Avenue, to HUB parking garage.
Exit from HUB garage via Shortlidge Road to East Beaver Ave, High St, East College Ave back to highway 99

Arriving HUM about 9:30 am.

Is this early enough to get a parking spot?
What is expected grid lock before and after the game using this route?
Will Penn State fans tailgate after the game in this weather, therefore keeping gridlock down?

Game is at noon. Lots will open at 7am. Most people park in grass lots around the stadium (need prepaid parking- can get from the university). My understanding is that the garages tend to fill up quickly. 9:30 may be too late to get a spot.

2.5 hours before kickoff many roads go to 1 way status to try and control traffic. They will be 1 way after the game for a while as well. I’ll attach the links below. Your route should be ok as you sort of skirt the main parking routes into town.

Traffic will be very heavy. If you haven’t been to State College before, it’s a small college town of about 40,000 (non students). The stadium holds around 106,000 so you can imagine the traffic in and out on game day. Lots of delays. Do not expect to zip in and out of town. This is a relatively rural area that becomes the 3rd largest city in the state on game day. State College does not have the highway infrastructure you are used to in Dallas (or any other large city) so traffic can be a [deleted].

People do tailgate after but in that weather most will head home. It can take a while to get out of town and onto a highway when everyone leaves at once.

Parking zones-
https://gopsusports.com/news/2019/04/18 ... king-zones

General policies-
https://gopsusports.com/gameday#parking

Shuttles-
The Benner Pike Walmart shuttle listed here may be an option for you if arriving later. I’ve never used it but this may help with quicker exit after the game as you’re parking outside the main bubble of traffic at the game.
https://www.fullingtontours.com/psu-football-shuttles/

Other shuttle system (Cata)-
https://catabus.com/announcements/game_day_shuttle/

[SMUer]

Which brewery makes the best stuff? New England IPA

[Peruna88]

Which brewery makes the best stuff? New England IPA

I’ll build on this question. Looking for some place to eat on Friday night. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Prefer non-chain. Burger, pizza, etc., local-ish beer a plus. Just a good place to hang out and watch the first game.

As for gameday, we’re planning to catch the CATA bus shuttle at the mall as we’re staying at the Wyndham Garden east of town.

[psu00]

Which brewery makes the best stuff? New England IPA

I’ll build on this question. Looking for some place to eat on Friday night. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Prefer non-chain. Burger, pizza, etc., local-ish beer a plus. Just a good place to hang out and watch the first game.

As for gameday, we’re planning to catch the CATA bus shuttle at the mall as we’re staying at the Wyndham Garden east of town.

Got some help from one of the Penn St boards. It’ll be a very busy weekend. Finals will be over. It’s graduation weekend and the football game. (I’d call for reservations and to check on availability to watch the Friday night game). In no particular order-


1. Champs on N. Atherton St-
https://champssportsgrill.net/

2. Otto’s on N Atherton-
https://www.ottospubandbrewery.com/

3. Port Matilda Hotel and Tavern (Port Matilda, PA).

4. Nittany Lion Inn
- on campus and newly renovated. I think it’s a bit more upscale than the others with the renos. I don’t know prices there or opportunity to watch the game. I’d call and ask. Link below.
https://thenittanylioninn.com/wp-conten ... ts_Day.jpg

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com ... ipo=images

https://thenittanylioninn.com/about/

5. Legends sports bar at Penn Stater Hotel
https://thepennstaterhotel.com/legends-restaurant/

6. Federal Tap House
https://www.federaltaphouse.com/home-1

7. Zenos Pub State College (bar and music, no tvs. Apparently the line in front is for another place. Walk down the steps to get in).
https://www.zenospub.com/

8. Brothers sports bar
https://www.brothersbar.com/statecollege

9. Happy Valley Brewing Company
https://www.happyvalleybeer.com/

10. Primanti’s restaurant and bar
https://restaurants.primantibros.com/pa ... ter-street

11 Marzoni’s
https://marzonis.com/

[Peruna88]

Thanks, @psu00. I had Otto’s on my radar. Looks like that or Champs is what we’re looking for. Appreciate the suggestions!

[psu00]

Thanks, @psu00. I had Otto’s on my radar. Looks like that or Champs is what we’re looking for. Appreciate the suggestions!

Added a few more (#8-11).

[ryanhdavis88]

Any word on any gatherings Friday evening in Harrisburg?

Also looking for any shuttle/bus/carpool options gameday from/to Harrisburg? Opted to book our own room given it was 10% of what the SMU travel package was, but the big downside appears to be no other shuttle options.

[SMU Pom Mom]

As someone who went to college in the Chicago area near a big lake and didn't miss a game until my junior year, let me tell you, I sat through my share of cold weather. Now personally, I don't think high 20s is that bad but I'm from NY, not TX. But just in case, here is my advice. Wear thermals and if you have two pairs wear both under your pants, then a coat along enough to sit on. I read somewhere there are metal benches, so get a seat cushion that can be "rolled" per stadium rules. Blankets are allowed so bring one if you can. But the key to making it through the game is good ear coverage. I recommend ear muffs plus a hat over that. Also it's important to get up and walk around every once in a while.

Wish I could be there! Pony (and bundle) up!