No one can deny that State College in the summer is a great place to be ... when it's not raining. And because the weather forecast for this coming weekend looks pretty fabulous, we suggest everyone take advantage of the fun things around town that can be done on a sweet, sun-shiny summer day.

First off, if you're around campus during the summer, why not take a stroll to the outdoor pool. You can't miss it; it's huge. For $4 -- a little steep, so make a day of it to get your money's worth -- you can lounge in lawn chairs, jump off the diving board -- but be prepared to wait your turn in line with the children who are looking for a thrill -- swim laps, or hang out in the shallow end and work on your tan. It's like the beach! Except there's no sand, and there's chlorine in the water.

And if you have a car, or a friend with a car, or even if you're up for an intense bike ride, take the voyage out to Whipple Dam! The park is gorgeous, with paths to hike, a little lake and man-made beach. Don't forget your volleyball, and some cash to rent a canoe or paddle boat. Oh, and they sell ice cream, which obviously is a necessity on a summer's day.

Let's not forget about Mount Nittany, either. If you've never done the hike, now's the time. Make sure you stick some water in a pack, slip on those hiking boots or sneakers, and hit the trail. The view is pretty incredible, and it's fun to belt out songs in the middle of the forest -- not that we've ever done that.

And what to do when the sun goes down? For those of you who don't get the urge to skip off to the bars, grab some tunes and head up to Old Main Lawn. August is known for pretty sweet meteor showers.

And if the bar scene is your thing, but you don't want to go indoors, check out places like Cafe 210 West,
Mad Mex, or The Deli for a few drinks in the moonlight.