There are many great views of Happy Valley. Whether you’ve just climbed Mount Nittany or taken the elevator to the top of an on-campus parking deck, there are a ton of amazing spots to check out Penn State and State College.

In 2011, Onward State staffer Shawn Inglima went to the top of the Oswald Tower, Penn State’s tallest building at the time, for a view of campus. Almost 12 years later to the day, with the approval and assistance of the Office of the Physical Plant, we went up the same tower for an updated view of Happy Valley.

The view of downtown is very different than it was in 2011, with multiple new high rises dominating the landscape. From this angle, you can also see the Hintz Family Alumni Center, the Willard Building, and the Hammond Building.

Looking to the northwest, there are excellent views of the library, West Halls, and Westgate Building, including the construction of the new engineering buildings on the west side of campus.

The eastern view has one distinct addition from the view 12 years ago: the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Building, which opened in 2019. Beaver Stadium isn’t as visible from the Oswald Tower as it used to be, but you can still make out the Bryce Jordan Center in the distance.

Mount Nittany is still as beautiful as ever, with more high rises going up on this end of town, too.

The crown jewel of the Oswald Tower view is facing Old Main. It’s the best spot we’ve ever seen to get a head on view of Old Main’s bell tower. It’s perfect. Then again, no view is bad from that far up.