State College to Utica bus

State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).

One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.

If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.

While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.

Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.

Utica is a city in western New York, the county seat of Oneida County, and the tenth-largest city in the state. The town is famous for its greens, pies, and riggies (a.k.a. spicy, creamy chicken rigatoni), but Utica has so much more going for it than a delicious pasta dish.

If you’re in town during the second weekend of July, you can join in (or sit back and watch) the Boilermaker, a 15-kilometer footrace covering miles of hilly terrain both in and out of the city. Another main attraction in the city is the Utica Zoo, which has Red Pandas, Arctic foxes, Brazilian Rainbow Boas, and so much more. Afterward, stroll through the lush grounds of Roscoe Conkling Park, 625-acre of green encompassing the zoo.

The Stanley Theatre is another big attraction for the city, and it’s an absolute must-see. Originally built in 1928, the theatre has the perfect mix of Classic Hollywood charm and all the modern amenities. Come for a historical tour, host an event, or settle in for a live performance of your favorite play or musical.

For more history and gorgeous architecture, visit Union Station– either to admire the views or to catch an Amtrak to Niagara Falls, Toronto, Chicago, New York City, and Boston. Or, better yet, hop aboard the Amtrak Adirondack that winds through the wine country of the Hudson Valley into Montreal, showcasing some of the finest views New York State has to offer. Greyhound also has service to Utica with major routes from Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, and Washington.