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The Best Places To Catch A Tan At Penn State

As things start to get warmer and sunnier in State College, it’s only natural to want to get outside and tan.

Whether you’ve had a long day or you just want to get out and do your work in the beautiful weather, here are some of the best spots that you can escape to sunbathe.

The HUB Lawn

Look, it’s obvious. But this area is great, and if it’s sunny, you are definitely bound to get a nice burn if you stay out for a while. This spot is a favorite, and there will always be other people with the same idea if it’s a nice day. You can also escape the sun for a bit at the large tent and get some work done under the shade.

Old Main Lawn

Sensing a theme here? Old Main Lawn is a classic. Here, you will find students either playing Spikeball, frisbee, volleyball, or just sitting and relaxing under the sun. The large open space has room for everyone and is a great space if you’re looking for something a little quieter than HUB Lawn.

The Arboretum

Next would be the beautiful spot of the Arboretum. Being named a “Great Place in Pennsylvania” in 2020 by the American Planning Association, this really is one of the prettiest spots to go and get your tan on. It is usually quiet, respectful, and has many places you can go to lay down to soak in the sun.

On top of this, the new Pollinator and Bird Garden is expected to be open by July. They’ll hopefully add a whole new experience to the Arboretum and let you tan among the birds and bees.

Beaver Stadium

One that everyone has been waiting for: the grassy area of Beaver Stadium off of East Park Ave. What is usually a great tailgating spot has now been turned into a great place to go and get some sun.

The wide-open space is a great option to go if you are looking for some peace and quiet unless you catch a busy day with graduation pictures. But nevertheless, there is a lot of space to go and you can easily avoid traffic.

Grace Lutheran Church

Next on the list, and a personal favorite, is the one and only “Dorito Church” lawn, known to most as Grace Lutheran Church. If you live on the east side of downtown, this is a great option to go out and get some sun without needing to walk too far.

The grass is always in the sun and freshly cut, and the only downside would be needing to put up with the cars that like to rev their engines at the Beaver and Garner Street light. That is something you should already be used to if you live in the east part of town, though.

A COVID-19 Testing Center

If you are trying to kill two birds with one stone or just want to find a nice place to tan, Hintz Family Alumni Center offers a great lawn space and walk-up COVID-19 testing! You can tan right next to the Duck Pond and have a relaxing day here.

The Grassy Thomas Quad

Next on the list is the grass patch located outside of Thomas Building. It’s a nice, wide-open space, and with few classes in person right now, human traffic is not an issue. Even when classes go back in person this fall, this spot is the perfect place to go in between your schedule if you want to catch some quick rays.

The Nittany Lion Shrine

This next one is a little tricky. But with the right balance, you could make it work. The Nittany Lion Shrine is a wonderful spot to go and tan. You might need to work your way around people wanting to take pictures, but if you make your presence known, folks should leave you be.

You should take caution, however. Seniors taking grad photos might want to fight you.

Pollock Testing Center

One of the last top locations to go tanning would be outside the Pollock Testing Center. Picture this: You just finished up with an exam and walk out and see that the sun is out and the UV is higher than 5. Sure, you could go across the street to the lawn of the Millennium Science Complex…OR you could park yourself right outside of the testing center and relax for a bit right away. Either way, it’s a great spot to tan, and the ledges out front give you a nice area to lay down.

Schreyer Honors College

Another spot worth mentioning is Schreyer Honors College. If the sign is unavailable, the steps walking up were honestly pretty comfortable and will still do the job if you’re trying to get a tan in.

On Top Of Old Main

For more adventurous tanners, the top of the Old Main Bell Tower would be the perfect place to go and get some rays. This spot might be hard to get to, but if you believe, anything is possible.

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About the Author

Sarah Sacker

Sarah is a senior majoring in journalism and a writer for Onward State. She is from Annapolis, Maryland, and is a huge fan of the Ravens and Capitals. Follow her on Twitter @Sarah_Sacker8 or email her at [email protected]

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