The second the temperature hits 50°F, something begins to brew in the town of State College. The mood immediately shifts from the seasonal depression to talks about summer vacation, daylongs, and the lack of snow days. When it actually starts to warm up, the town of State College literally vibrates with excitement from its inhabitants, and for a good reason.
With the end of the spring semester approaching, here are some of the best ways to spend the last few weeks of warm weather before summer approaches:
1. Lay out on the HUB lawn.
There's nothing better than spreading out a towel and relaxing in the sun's warmth on the HUB lawn. On a sunny day, you'll find a good majority of the Penn State student body here relaxing, throwing around a frisbee, and getting a tan. Honorable mentions for some good sunning spots include Old Main lawn, The Arboretum, and in the quads by the on-campus dorms.
2. Hit up Rita's or Cold Stone for a scoop.
Nothing screams warm weather more than ice cream. Luckily State College is in no shortage of good spots with an array of different cold treats, such as ice cream, Italian ices, and rolled ice cream.
3. Chill at the Café patio with a pitcher.
Those who aren't 21 yet pass by Café 210 West with an envious look on their faces, just waiting for the moment that they can hang out after a long day of classes with a pitcher. Trust me, this was me just a few weeks ago before I turned 21. But when the moment finally arrives for you, take full advantage of the outdoor seating and hang out with some friends with some good food and drinks.
4. See the flowers in full bloom.
There's truly nothing more beautiful than taking a stroll through Penn State's Arboretum in the springtime when all of the flowers and trees are in full bloom. With so many different varieties of gardens throughout The Arboretum, it makes for a really nice walk and also a great opportunity for a spring photo shoot.
5. Hit up a daylong.
Nothing screams college and warm weather more than a daylong. Spring Saturdays are notorious for being the perfect day for a daylong, and there's nothing more fun than getting together with a group of your friends and spending the day just celebrating life and the end of snow days.
6. Enjoy a meal outside.
There's plenty of restaurants throughout State College that offer outdoor seating so you can fully take advantage of when the sun is shining and the temperature is not below freezing. Venture off to restaurants such as Mad Mex, Faccia Luna, The Tavern, among others to enjoy both a good meal and the warm weather!
7. Find a new space to study.
While the library or the HUB may be a great place to camp out with all of your books and spend the day studying, there's nothing better than enjoying some fresh air while also cramming for your midterms. There are so many locations throughout campus with outdoor tables to study, such as the Kern building, the Berkey Creamery, Redifer Commons, and the HUB.
8. Visit the farmer's market.
Every Tuesday and Friday when the weather gets warm, there is an incredible farmer's market in downtown State College. With a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, baked goods, and more, the farmer's market is a great way to spend a sunny day.
