State College is a lively college town anchored by Penn State—big-game energy, year‑round arts and cultural events, a compact downtown of restaurants, craft breweries and coffee shops, plus reliable healthcare and plenty of short-term housing make it an easy, social place to spend multiple-week contracts.
Outdoor recreation is minutes away with hiking, mountain biking, skiing and reservoir access in the central Pennsylvania Appalachians, and larger regional hubs like Altoona and Williamsport (both roughly within an hour) add extra shopping and travel options.