– By Guest writer
Be it IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley, Central PA Festival of the Arts, or a Penn State home football game, there are all kinds of area events that might bring you to Bellefonte. While youa re in the area, you can make the most out of your trip to Centre County by experiencing the sights, sounds, and tastes of our beautiful Borough of Bellefonte.
Where to Stay:
By visiting Historic Bellefonte, known as Pennsylvaniaa s Victorian Jewel, you can take a trip back to the past by booking a few nights in one of the areaa s beautiful bed and breakfasts. Youa ll be staying in architectural marvels of the 19th century, sleeping in the luxury of a bygone era, and waking up to the morning sunlight streaming through stained glass windows.
Bellefontea s bed and breakfasts offer a wide variety of amenities and experiences, including locally sourced, multi-course breakfasts, wine pairings and tea services, and, because we dona t always want to escape modernity, access to internet and streaming. For more information, Bellefonte.com profiled Riffles and Runs, The Queen, a Victorian Bed & Breakfast, Our Fair Lady, Bellefonte Bed & Breakfast, and Reynolds Mansion HERE.
Where to eat and drink:
Bellefontea s culinary scene has been on the rise in the last few years with the addition of new and exciting restaurants, breweries and distilleries to accompany the old favorites that residents have been enjoying for years.
Big Spring Spirits, located near Talleyrand Park, offers a tasting room that pairs delicious bar food with their locally-sourced spirits, including Big Spring Vodka and Seven Governors Gin.
For the beer lovers out there, Axemann Brewery brews a number of its own beers, including lagers, stouts, IPAs, ales, and the list goes on. Axemann also features its own tap room where you can sample these Bellefonte brews, and pair them with the food of local vendors Flo Bros. Pizza and Marin Eats.
– Photo courtesy of Big Spring Spirits
Titan Hollow, a bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue that was created from a former factory space, features Alloy Kitchen, Mad McIntosh Cidery, and Witchesa Hollow Winery. Titan Hollow has a focus on delicious and innovative combinations of flavors (like the Kimchi Mac & Cheese) and sweet and tart beverages, with cider flights that let you find out which cider is right for you.
The revitalization of the Gamble Mill, an institution in Bellefonte for more than two centuries, has been another bright spot in recent Bellefonte history. The Gamble Mill now hosts Creekside, a restaurant with a an ever-changing, locally motivated menu with global flavorsa that still is committed to affordability, and the Republic, a cozy cocktail bar with a focus on a cozy experience that treats the customer right.
These are just a smattering of the types of food and drink you can get in Bellefonte, and a full list can be found on Bellefonte.com HERE.
What to Do:
Though other events may bring you to the Bellefonte area, therea s still plenty to do while in the area. The a Bellefonte Boom” of the last few years has seen a good number of local boutiques opening in town. By a Thread and Helen Foxx & Co. offer fresh and modern clothing for women, while Thread Baby showcases an array of clothing and books for babies and toddlers.
The Belle Mercantile, a collective marketplace boasting a local artisan, handmade, vintage, and unique finds,a is a terrific place to find interesting gifts for everyone in your life, or something special just for you. Those who love antiquing will find an embarrassment of riches in Bellefonte, with both Victorian House Antiques and the Plaza Centre, “Pennsylvania’s largest indoor antique mall spread over 5 floors with 100 vendors.a
a Photo courtesy of By A Thread
Art lovers should take some time to stop by the Bellefonte Art Museum. which features work from all over the world alongside pieces from local artists. The museum is located in the Linn House, and a permanent exhibit in the museum highlights how the Linn House and its former owners were a part of the Underground Railroad, a vital piece of American history.
For those who are at home in the great outdoors, Bellefontea s Talleyrand Park lets you experience the beauty of central Pennsylvania nature, as you relax along Spring Creek and take in the rushing water, along with the ducks, geese, and fish who call it home. Speaking of fish, Bellefonte is also home to Fishermana s Paradise, what has been called a the golden jewel of fly fishing in Pennsylvania.a
Spend a few days in Bellefonte and therea s little doubt youa ll want to find a reason to return, and with festivals throughout the year, like Victorian Christmas, the Bellefonte Cruise, and the Arts & Crafts fair, wea ll bet youa ll be booking a trip back soon.
