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1931
The Nittany Lion Inn of Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania
The Nittany Lion Inn of Pennsylvania State University
200 West Park Ave, State College, Pennsylvania 16803 Original Property Opened in 1931 Historic Hotels of America member since 2000
gardens
memorabilia
presidential
Built in 1931 in the Georgian-style, The Nittany Lion Inn is owned and operated by The Pennsylvania State University and sits on its University Park Campus in the beautiful historic district of State College. The AAA Four Diamond Award recipient's immediate proximity to one of the nation's leading universities has drawn many distinguished visitors over the years. Decorated with fine antiques, it features warm, traditionally furnished guestrooms. A smoke free hotel, The Nittany Lion Inn is within walking distance to downtown and a short drive from the scenic Centre County region.
Discover
- Discover the warmth and comfort of The Nittany Lion Inn of the Pennsylvania State University, "Penn State's living room," according to Eric Walker, Penn State's twelfth president. The Nittany Lion Inn has been the premier hotel in State College for over eighty years, opening in 1931 during the university’s expansion, and combines modern amenities with traditional charm.
- Enjoy the sentimental favorite place to stay of Penn State alumni. Nestled in an oak grove on the grounds of Pennsylvania State University, the Georgian colonial-style Nittany Lion Inn offers a welcoming atmosphere with its antiques, cherry wood furniture.
- Admire the historic accommodations of The Nittany Lion Inn. The historic inn has hosted the likes of President Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Hayes, and Louis Armstrong.
Explore
- Explore the campus of Penn State University and be amazed at the wide range of experiences it has to offer. Explore the Arboretum at Penn State and enjoy reflecting pools and beautiful gardens, including a children's garden.
- Journey through Penn's Cave, the only cavern in the state tourable by boat, one of nine show caves in Pennsylvania and the only one on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. There's a man-made opening in the far end of the cave that, when water levels allow, enables visitors to exit, take a short tour of Lake Nitanee, and return to the cave. The destination also has a wildlife park, a maze, and off-roading areas.
- Explore Penn State University's rich sporting heritage. Well-known Penn State All-Sports Museum is exactly what it sounds like! Play a round of golf on a choice of two Penn State golf courses.
Experience
- Visit the Palmer Museum of Art, an on-campus, free-admission arts resource for the University and surrounding communities in central Pennsylvania. With a collection of over 8,000 objects representing a variety of cultures and spanning centuries, the Palmer is the largest art museum between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
- View American history through the eyes of one family at the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum. The Boal estate has been the Boal family home for eight generations and over 200 years. The original buildings, furnishings, and family are still here. The fourth-generation owner, Colonel Theodore Davis Boal, married Mathilde, a descendant of Christopher Columbus, who inherited the Columbus Chapel and brought it to Boalsburg in 1909.
- Experience Theodore Davis Boal's history even further at The Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, which preserves and honors Pennsylvania's military history from 1747 to the present. It emphasizes the 20th century, interpreting the story of the Commonwealth's "Citizen Soldiers," civilian activities on the home front. The museum hosts year-round events including a speaker series and reenactments, and is one of 26 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History.
Taste
- Sip a selection from a second-to-none wine list in The Dining Room at The Nittany Lion Inn, which features an extensive selection of fine wines from around the world. This on-site fine-dining restaurant won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year from 2002 to 2015, but in 2016 it was honored with Wine Spectator's "Best of" Award of Excellence, and it has earned that honor every year since. Enjoy signature American dishes cooked to perfection in the restaurant regarded as the best in State College.
- Take a delicious, self-guided tour of The Central Pennsylvania Tasting Trail, consisting of 12 craft beverage producers in Centre County. Enjoy the libations produced by four microbreweries, four wineries, two distilleries, and two cideries.
- Delight with the number-one Penn State treat—don't miss the Penn State Berkey Creamery at the Food Science Building, providing ice cream and sherbet for students and the public since the 1800s. And yes, they ship to 48 states.
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Best Available Rate
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
