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Visitor Information

We hope the following resources will help you plan your visit to Penn State University Park. If you have any additional questions please contact the Science Undergraduate Recruitment Office at (814) 865-2609 or recruitment@science.psu.edu .


Where should we stay?

On-Campus Hotels
State College Area Hotels

Where should we park?

Visitor Permits
To obtain a visitor permit to park at Penn State, visit the Central Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau located at the corner of Park Avenue and Porter Road , or the Parking Office in the Eisenhower Parking Deck to purchase a permit. Currently, the fee is $4.00 per day; daytime parking is in the commuter lots: Lot 44 (near the Bryce Jordan Center ) and Stadium West (next to Beaver Stadium).

Visitors attending Penn State Undergraduate Admission information sessions in Shields Building will receive a complimentary parking pass to use during their visit. This parking permit is valid for the parking lots adjacent to the Bryce Jordan Center ( Lot 44) or Beaver Stadium (Stadium West). Visitors are encouraged to leave their cars in this lot during their visit and access other points on campus on foot or by using the campus bus system.

Parking Decks
Visitors may park in HUB Deck (off Shortlidge Road ), East Deck (off Bigler Road ), and Nittany Deck (beside the Nittany Lion Inn) for $1.00 per hour. When entering the deck, you must take a stub from the machine at the Kiosk Information Booth at the entrance. You must give this stub to the attendant when exiting the deck. Parking decks only accept cash for payment.

Metered Parking
Metered parking spaces are available at several other locations around campus. They are not recommended for long-term parking, but if you'd like to make a quick trip to the Creamery or the Penn State Bookstore on campus, metered spaces will make these stops more convenient for you. If you do park temporarily in a metered space, don't forget to feed the meter.

How do we get around?

The Loop (Campus Bus System) is a convenient option for getting around campus and downtown State College . You can catch the Loop at posted Loop Stop signs. Rides on the Loop are free to all students and University visitors.

The campus map and map of Eberly College of Science buildings will help you locate your desitination.

Where should we eat?

Residential Dining Options
During your visit to Penn State, you may want to sample the food at our all-you-can-eat dinning hall commons.

On Campus Resturants
There are a number of on-campus dining facilities, all of which welcome visitors. The Union Street food court on the ground floor of the Hetzel Union Building (HUB) offers many options. Piccalilli's has a large salad bar and "grab and go" selections while Panda Express offers gourmet Chinese food and sushi. Other HUB restaurants include the familiar Casa Ortega, Chick-fil-A, and Sbarro. Unique to Penn State is the Union Street Burger Co. and Joegies, which is named after Joe Paterno and serves fresh-made hoagies named after all the Big Ten schools. For those needing a little break, Chat's and Higher Grounds both offer bagels, pastries, and Starbuck's coffee.

You may also want to try Café Laura, our student-run restaurant in the Mateer Building. Café Laura is open from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is closed when classes are not in session. For more formal dining on campus, you can visit The Nittany Lion Inn.

Downtown Dining Options
If you prefer to eat off campus, the downtown area of State College offers a variety of dining options. You will find a complete list of area restaurants at www.visitPennState.org.

What is there to do during my visit to University Park?

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Campus
University Park Events Calendar
Intercollegiate Athletic Events
Bryce Jordan Center
Centre For the Performing Arts
Palmer Museum of Art
Penn State All-Sports Museum
University Creamery
Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau