Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this week.

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psu00
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Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this week.

Post by psu00 »

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

Post by Higher Authority »

Let's get down to what's really important: where's the best cheesesteak in State College?
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

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DonΓÇÖt 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. CanΓÇÖt say IΓÇÖve 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 youΓÇÖre 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 itΓÇÖs just not the same. ;)
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by SMU Pony Mom »

psu00 wrote:DonΓÇÖt 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. CanΓÇÖt say IΓÇÖve 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 youΓÇÖre 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 itΓÇÖs 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.
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by 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?
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by EastStang »

I always thought PSU was more of a bratwurst crowd.
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by psu00 »

EastStang wrote:I always thought PSU was more of a bratwurst crowd.

YouΓÇÖll find everything at PSU tailgates but thatΓÇÖs more a Wisconsin thing. ;)
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by psu00 »

bubba pony wrote: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. IΓÇÖll 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 havenΓÇÖt been to State College before, itΓÇÖs 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. IΓÇÖve never used it but this may help with quicker exit after the game as youΓÇÖre 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/
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by SMUer »

Which brewery makes the best stuff? New England IPA
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by Peruna88 »

SMUer wrote:Which brewery makes the best stuff? New England IPA


IΓÇÖll build on this question. Looking for some place to eat on Friday night. DoesnΓÇÖt 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, weΓÇÖre planning to catch the CATA bus shuttle at the mall as weΓÇÖre staying at the Wyndham Garden east of town.
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by psu00 »

Peruna88 wrote:
SMUer wrote:Which brewery makes the best stuff? New England IPA


IΓÇÖll build on this question. Looking for some place to eat on Friday night. DoesnΓÇÖt 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, weΓÇÖre planning to catch the CATA bus shuttle at the mall as weΓÇÖre staying at the Wyndham Garden east of town.






Got some help from one of the Penn St boards. ItΓÇÖll be a very busy weekend. Finals will be over. ItΓÇÖs graduation weekend and the football game. (IΓÇÖd 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. OttoΓÇÖs 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 itΓÇÖs a bit more upscale than the others with the renos. I donΓÇÖt know prices there or opportunity to watch the game. IΓÇÖd 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. PrimantiΓÇÖs restaurant and bar
https://restaurants.primantibros.com/pa ... ter-street

11 MarzoniΓÇÖs
https://marzonis.com/
Last edited by psu00 on Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by Peruna88 »

Thanks, @psu00. I had OttoΓÇÖs on my radar. Looks like that or Champs is what weΓÇÖre looking for. Appreciate the suggestions!
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by psu00 »

Peruna88 wrote:Thanks, @psu00. I had OttoΓÇÖs on my radar. Looks like that or Champs is what weΓÇÖre looking for. Appreciate the suggestions!




Added a few more (#8-11).
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Post by 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.
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Re: Welcome to anyone making the trip to Pennsylvania this w

Post by 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!
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