Location and Travel

The Third Penn State SETI Symposium will be held at

The Penn State Hotel and Conference Center
215 Innovation Blvd
State College, PA 16803
1-800-233-7505

This is an area called “Innovation Park“, and is about 5 minutes away from downtown State College by car, Penn State Campus Shuttle via Beaver Avenue, Uber, or Lyft.

Accommodations

Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel for a discounted rate of $139/night. To take advantage of this room rate, attendees must make a reservation using the group code PSET25A by July 18, 2025 at the links above or by calling the hotel at 1-800-233-7505. Attendees traveling on government travel orders may request government room rates by calling the hotel directly.

The hotel has strict attrition rules so to ensure you get a room it is best to reserve by July 18, 2025.

Air Travel

United and American Airlines serve the State College Regional Airport located six miles from the conference site (airport code SCE). Nonstop flights are available from Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, and Philadelphia.

Uber and Lyft services are available once you arrive. Car rental is available at the airport, although many hotels offer complimentary shuttle service. Be sure your final destination airport code is SCE.

State College is also within driving distance of:

  • Harrisburg International Airport (MDT; ~1.5 hours)
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL; ~3 hours)
  • Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT; ~3 hours)
  • Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI; ~3 hours)
  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD; ~3.5 hours)
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA; ~3.5 hours).
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA; ~4 hours)
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR; ~4 hours)
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK; ~4 hours)

Airport Shuttles

Penn Stater Conference Hotel

Complimentary shuttle service is available to all guests of the Penn Stater. The shuttles run every day between 7am and 10:30pm. We recommend that you schedule shuttle service in advance by contacting the front desk at +1-814-863-5000.

Ground Travel

Route I-99 connects State College with I-80 and I-70. The campus is within driving distance of many major cities, including Harrisburg (1.5 hours, 90 miles); Pittsburgh (3 hours, 137 miles); Philadelphia (3 hours, 194 miles); Baltimore (3 hours, 155 miles); Washington, D.C. (3.5 hours, 190 miles); and New York City (4 hours, 250 miles). Driving directions are available here and campus maps here.

Greyhound and discount Megabus bus lines service State College from nearby major cities.

There is no convenient rail access to State College.

Getting around town

CATA bus service covers most of State College. A set of free buses run across Penn State’s campus, and the Penn State Campus Shuttle via Beaver Avenue connects the main campus area (close to downtown) with Innovation Park and the conference hotel. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 7AM to 6PM, and every 40 minutes from 6PM to 7PM.

Both Uber and Lyft are available in State College, and can be used to travel to and from the airport, and around town.

 

Local Events

Central Pennsylvania makes a nice summer vacation destination. Explore local options or make a trip of visiting Amish country, going to Hershey Park, going fly fishing or hiking in the Northern Appalachians, or going stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park, home to some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River.