Local Interests, Tours, & Day Trips   

Join us for an introduction to the Nursing Simulation Laboratory (Sim Lab) and Active Learning Classroom (ALC) located on the Penn State University Park campus in the Nursing Sciences Building. The facilities are designed to provide students with hands-on clinical experiences in simulated specialty units. The facilities integrate state-of-the-art human-patient simulators that guide student encounters with various patient situations, with symptoms, diseases, and conditions common in a traditional clinical setting. Simulating real-life situations provides students with opportunities to enhance the development of nursing skills, teamwork, interdisciplinary communication, critical thinking, and clinical judgment skills.

Special notes: Participants will be standing and walking for the duration of the tour. Please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Entrance to the facility involves a short set of stairs or an elevator.

Due to weather, this course is postponed to October 16.

This course will guide participants through the many changes Lemont has experienced over the past 200+ years. The discussion will begin in the pre-Lemont era, when the village was a small hamlet at the foot of Mount Nittany. It will outline Lemont’s transition into an important regional transportation hub, including its one-time role as the “gateway to Penn State.” The course will cover cultural moments in the village’s history and highlight influential figures who helped shape Lemont in its heyday. It will also explore how growth slowed, and yet the village’s historic charm was preserved.

Special notes: This tour is a three sneaker activity level of substantial standing, wallking and not all areas are accessible. Please wear comfortable shoes for standing and walking and dress appropriately for the weather. Street parking is available on Dale Street or Mt. Nittany Road. Meet at the Lemont Village Green.

Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind culinary experience with fellow OLLI members as we explore downtown York through food, history, and connection. This exclusive guided walking tour features thoughtfully curated stops at seven local restaurants, where you’ll enjoy generous tastings that add up to a truly satisfying outing.

More than just a food tour, this is an immersive experience—each stop is paired with engaging stories about York’s rich history, culture, and evolving food scene, shared by an expert local guide. You’ll discover hidden gems, meet the people behind the food, and gain a deeper appreciation for the city we call home.

Special notes: The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and includes easy walking through downtown York, with plenty of time to enjoy each tasting along the way. Participants should be comfortable being on their feet and walking between locations, so please dress comfortably and wear supportive shoes. Tours are held rain or shine, so plan for the day’s weather—dress in layers if it’s cool, bring a raincoat or umbrella if needed, or wear sunscreen and bring a fan on warmer days.

We will meet in front of Central Market on Beaver Street.

This special member opportunity offers a rich, memorable outing that combines dining, learning, and social connection—all in one delightful afternoon. Come ready to savor the experience, one bite at a time!

Course fee includes $62 for food and drink from all the restaurants included on the tour.

Participants will be actively engaged through live, storyteller-led narration that brings the cemetery’s history, residents, and landscapes to life. Guides encourage questions and discussion while pointing out notable monuments and stories along the route. Periodic stops allow riders to observe details up close and reflect on what they’ve learned. The relaxed trolley setting fosters conversation, curiosity, and a shared learning experience throughout the tour.

Special notes: Participants should dress for the weather as the tour takes place outdoors for most of the experience. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended. While there are not many stops, the tour does include a stop at the Community Mausoleum, which has steps and may require brief walking and stair use. Guests may wish to bring a light jacket, water, sun protection, or rain gear depending on the forecast. No advance reading or purchases are required.

Take a tour of the Piper Aviation Museum to learn about the history of Piper Aircraft Corporation and view memorabilia and 18 aircraft built at Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.

Special notes: The walk is a three sneaker activitiy level with substantial walking and standing, not all areas are accessible. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.

Course fee includes $8 admission fee.

Penn State has the oldest licensed operating nuclear reactor in the United States. Enjoy a tour that includes walking through the facility, seeing the blue glow when the reactor is operating, learning about the gamma irradiation facility, and finding out how the reactor works, including its special safety features and its interesting history.

Special notes: Park at one of the campus visitor parking areas (pay for parking), such as the East Deck (15-minute walk), and walk to the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor. Two handicap parking spots are available on-site (please reserve in advance by calling the OLLI office). Photo ID (driver’s license or passport) and closed-toe shoes are required. Bags, purses, and communication devices (cell phones) must be stored in your car or inside the building in a designated area during the tour. No food or drink is allowed in laboratories. Participants will be standing for the duration of the tour.

 

Join us for an introduction to the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory and discover the different types of testing that are conducted to help identify, manage, and prevent pathogens, which can be responsible for causing disease in animals and people. Tour the facility and visit the different sections of the laboratory, including where necropsies are conducted on animal carcasses and where testing is done for diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, a.k.a. bird flu), Salmonella, and other infectious and contagious pathogens.

Special notes: Please be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants for the laboratory tour. Participants will be standing and touring the building for most of the course. Parking information will be shared prior to the course.

 

Take a tour of the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority and learn about the basics of recycling in Centre County. A brief presentation will be followed by a tour of the recycling processing facility, transfer station, and interpretive center. There will be time for participants to ask questions at the end.

Special notes: Limited amount of walking and some standing.

We will provide a tour of York Art Association’s new location in a historic building in York, formerly the Little Green Church on Linden Avenue. Come and see how we have retrofitted this amazing structure into three art galleries and two working studios while preserving much of its original character. Explore the members' inaugural exhibition of art while learning about the various genres and artistic mediums used in their unique creations.