For many students who are staying at Penn State this summer, these few months mean a lighter course load and more free time. Unfortunately, the summer can also bring fewer events to campus and a desire to get away from the area.

Students who go stir crazy in State College but aren't heading home can venture outside the borough limits and explore the sites throughout Centre County. Just think: No riding in the car for hours on end or paying exorbitant amounts of money for gas.

Limestone caves are not rare in the northeast United States, but Penn's Cave, 222 Penns Cave Road, isn't just any cave.

"The uniqueness of the cave is that it's fed by an underground stream, so you have to see it by boat," daytime manager Pete Walker said.

The boat tours leave on the hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through May 31, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily starting June 1. Walker advised visitors to bring a jacket since the cave is a constant 52 degrees year-round.

Penn's Cave also offers nature tours. The wildlife park is home to a variety of North American animals, such as elk, mountain lions, wolves and black bears, Walker said. Wildlife tours depart at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. on weekdays and hourly from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Cost: The cave tour costs $11 and wildlife tours are $12.50.

Distance from campus: about 22 miles.

For more information, call: (814) 364-1664 or visit the cave's Web site (www.pennscave.com) for more details.

There's a lot more to do in a small town like Bellefonte than students may think. The historic town can offer a break from the hustle and bustle of campus.

"[Students] would truly enjoy taking a step back in time to a less hurried place and just taking a stroll down the street," said Nancy Noll, co-owner of Victorian Bellefonte Tours and Tea.

Visitors can start the day off with a walking tour of downtown Bellefonte, stopping at a number of historical sites along the way, such as the Reynolds Mansion, 101 W. Linn St., the Brockerhoff Hotel, High and Allegheny streets, and the Centre County Courthouse in the center of town.

"It's one of the prettiest courthouses in the state. It's definitely worth a stop," Noll said.

Guided tours of Bellefonte are also available for groups of 10 or more people.

After all that walking, students can stop at the Garman Opera House, 116 E. High St., which has been renovated into a movie theater.

"If [students] go to a movie at the Garman, it will cost them less for the ticket, they get surround sound and the seats recline. You can't get that anywhere in State College," Noll said.

Bellefonte also offers free concerts at Talleyrand Park, every Sunday night during the summer. The concerts will feature a diverse range of performers, so there will be something for everyone, Noll said.

Distance from campus: about 12 miles.

For more information, call: Bellefonte Area Chamber of Commerce, (814) 355-2917.

For students who love nature or just want some outdoor activity, a trip to Bald Eagle State Park may be the perfect summer excursion.

"We have one of the most beautiful parks in Pennsylvania," said Dan Cola, assistant park manager.

The park, like many others, has picnic areas, playgrounds and volleyball courts. However, the main attraction at Bald Eagle State Park is its large lake. A variety of water activities are available, such as boat rentals and fishing. Water skiing is one of the activities students may especially enjoy at the park, Cola said.

Hiking trails are also featured throughout the park.

One of these, the Butterfly Trail, is 1.3 miles long and was designed specifically to attract butterflies.

Distance from campus: about 23 miles.

For more information, call: (814) 625-2775.

History buffs may prefer a trip to the Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel, both 300 Old Boalsburg Road, are named by the U.S. Department of the Interior as national historic sites.

"The federal government assessed this place and said it tells the story of America as seen through one family," said Christopher Lee, museum chief executive officer.

The mansion has been the home of nine generations of the Boal family, whose ancestors include Napoleon Bonaparte, Christopher Columbus and Robert E. Lee. The chapel holds a collection of items from the Columbus family, including an admiral desk that was owned by Christopher Columbus. "[Seeing] it is really a unique experience," Lee said of the chapel.

Lee said he encourages students to visit the site "to connect with their own identity as Americans." Tours of the mansion and chapel are an hour-and-a-half-long.

Lee said students can also volunteer to be tour guides at the museum over the summer.

Cost: $10 for students.

Distance from campus: about 5 miles.

For more information, call: (814) 466-6210.