Bellefonte offers history and scenery in the Happy Valley
Bellefonte translates to beautiful spring, which refers to the borough’s water source near Talleyrand Park. Part of the State College area, Bellefonte is a quaint community located among the wooded hills of Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley. The borough offers a step back into time with some of its annual events and many Victorian, Georgian and repurposed industrial buildings. Some of those historic stone and brick buildings today house bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants, small shops and even a few art galleries. “I would say it’s a very friendly town, and it has a lot of good eating spots,” says Lorraine Spock, a Realtor with Keller Williams Advantage Realty. “It’s a lovely community. It has magnificent architecture, and it’s very well maintained.”
Housing includes ranch-style, Cape Cod and Victorian-era homes
Bellefonte homes are on hilly lots lining a mix of roads with and without sidewalks. Trimmed bushes and trees, including redbuds, surround many homes. Residents may easily go on walks, while several cars are parked on the streets in some parts of the borough. Homes from the Victorian era include Queen Annes and others with Gothic designs. Along Logan Street, Colonial Revivals, gablefront homes and townhouses stand only a few feet apart. Ranch-style homes, mid-century moderns, bungalows and Cape Cods are some of the other styles in the area. Many homes sell from $130,000 to $330,000, while some that are well over 2,000 square feet go from $410,000 to $570,000.
Dining scene offers pizza, Italian cuisine and craft drinks
Pizza Mia is an institution in the greater State College Area. Made with locally-sourced ingredients, its pizzas include deep-dish pies and a heart-shaped one topped with various berries. Bonfatto’s Italian Market & Corner Cafe has been a family-owned staple since 1919, and its options include meat and cheese plates, sandwiches like its renowned Bonanza Sub and cannoli. Big Spring Spirits is a distillery offering cocktails made with locally-crafted whiskey, vodka and gin. “They always have nice things going on, and it’s a nice place to go hang out with your friends,” says Catherine Ruberto, manager of the Faith Centre’s nonprofit thrift store. In an old factory, Titan Hollow serves cider and hosts live music. “They have this Gothic, ghoulish atmosphere,” Ruberto says about Titan Hollow’s decor. Less than 10 miles south, Walmart and Sam’s Club in Brenner Pike Shops offer grocery and retail shopping.
Bellefonte schools’ programs include STEM activities
The borough is home to Bellefonte Elementary School, which gets a B-plus from Niche. Bellefonte Area Middle receives a B-minus, while Bellefonte Area High gets a B. The district’s focus areas include STEM, and students have participated in activities like the Hour of Code and making contact with the International Space Station. The high school’s athletics include a baseball team that won a state title in 2023. Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School is a private option that gets an A and serves kindergarten to fifth grade.
Spring Creek and Talleyrand Park offer plenty of activities
Spring Creek winds through Bellefonte, making the community a fly-fishing destination. The creek has plenty of brown trout, which anglers can catch at popular points like Fisherman’s Paradise. Many visit Talleyrand Park to go on walks, play lawn games or simply rest and view the borough’s natural scenery. The park’s tree canopy includes several willows along the banks of Spring Creek. The roughly 3-acre park has a couple of gardens, one of which has vegetables and fruits and serves as a bee and butterfly habitat. The other garden has sculptures, including a bust of President Abraham Lincoln.
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas celebrates culture and history
The community celebrates its culture through events like the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas in December. Many dress up in period clothing, and the activities include horse-drawn carriage rides and caroling in downtown Bellefonte and tea sessions at venues like the Reynolds Mansion. Other activities include an arts and crafts show at the Bellefonte YMCA.
Nearby State College offers medical care and air travel
Commuters here drive to get around the region. They have quick access to Pennsylvania Route 150 and Interstate 99, both of which go to State College, 10 miles south. State College is home to several health care institutions, including the Mount Nittany Medical Center. The hospital’s facilities include an emergency department, an audiology center and a foot clinic for diabetic patients. State College Regional Airport is the area’s hub for air travel, with its services including non-stop flights to Philadelphia and Washington.
Winter snowfall is expected
Those new to the region should expect winter snowfall. The National Weather Service shows the area receives just over 40 inches of snow, nearly double the amount in other places like Philadelphia.
