Monongalia County, West Virginia, is the perfect destination for travelers looking for a good time while enriching their minds.
While it is the home of West Virginia University, the county has so much more to offer.
The county was established in 1776, the year of American independence.
It was named after the Monongahela River, a 130-mile-long river in north-central West Virginia.
The land of Monongalia was home to several settlers, and the Delaware, Iroquois, and Shawnee.
The region is also known for its glass industry, which local artisans and craftsmen popularized.
The county may be full of traditions but it also sets progressive values that attract diverse businesses and tourists.
If you want to travel to West Virginia, consider visiting this county that offers plenty of opportunities for both learning and leisure!
Check out this list of the best things to do in Monongalia County, West Virginia!
Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com
Shop for some locally grown produce at Morgantown Farmers Market.
You may find the vendors in the downtown area of Morgantown.
The market comprises vendors that gather to sell their locally grown and handmade products.
A group of producers, West Virginia University Davis College representatives, and community-based supporters opened this reliable market for local produce in 2002.
The Morgantown Farmers Market association hosts events like cooking demos and live music.
Artists and art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss out on the Art Museum of West Virginia University.
The museum is a part of West Virginia University, located in the city of Morgantown.
Here you may find different art exhibits, both temporary and permanent.
The museum has a collection of over 4,000 paintings, works on paper, prints, ceramics, and sculptures.
Learn the stories of the art pieces and discover local talents when you go through the exhibits.
The Art Museum of West Virginia University also hosts events like talks and concerts.
Feel free to check their schedule to catch one during your visit!
Don’t miss the chance to visit this premier art museum when you’re in the area.
If you’re looking for an outdoor space to hold a unique hangout or party, consider the Launch Pad Trampoline Park.
It is located at 22 Rousch Drive in the city of Westover.
Kids will especially enjoy spending a day in this wonderland filled with trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball areas, and a ninja course!
Adults are welcome to join the fun, too!
Besides trampolines, Launch Pad Trampoline Park also has an arcade where you may enjoy over 20 games.
You won’t run out of activities to try here!
Spark! Imagination and Science Center is the perfect facility to cultivate your kids’ love for science.
The center is inside Mountaineer Mall, which you may find at 5000 Greenbag Road in Morgantown.
The science museum features interactive exhibits that cater primarily to children.
Science displays are designed to be enjoyed, so kids will learn while having fun!
Some exhibits you find here include What is Nano?, Cam’s Imagination Playground, Dinosaurs, and Engineer It!, to name a few.
Kids will have a blast with science at Spark! Imagination and Science Center.
Lovers of mystery and puzzles will enjoy the indoor activity offered by Xscape Live Escape Games.
If you’ve never been to an escape room, this is your chance to try it!
The establishment is located at 63 Wharf Street in the city of Morgantown.
Bring a group of friends with you and help each other accomplish the mission inside the themed rooms.
You may choose from themes including Catching Capone, The Estate, Tut, and Taken.
Each room has its unique story, so feel free to try as many rooms as possible!
Add Xscape Live Escape Games to your Monongalia County list of places to visit.
Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com
Add the Metropolitan Theatre to your bucket list if you’re a theater or history enthusiast.
You may find it at 373 High Street in Morgantown.
The building has been a part of the Downtown Historic District of Morgantown for almost 100 years.
Dubbed “West Virginia’s most beautiful playhouse,” the theater is an iconic institution that keeps the community in touch with culture and performing arts.
The theater was designed by Charles W. Bates and opened to the public in 1924 as a vaudeville house.
Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com
By the early 1980s, the theater had closed its doors after falling on hard times.
It was then added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Groups of citizens launched efforts to renovate and revitalize the historic theater in 1990.
Today, over 35,000 patrons catch various shows, including plays, films, and concerts, among others, at the Metropolitan Theater.
The theater is a truly must-visit for anyone who passes by the city of Morgantown.
Learn about local history at Morgantown History Museum.
It is located at 175 Kirk Street in Morgantown City.
Established in 2011, it was the area’s first city-sponsored museum.
Today, the museum features collections depicting the city’s history and its development through the years.
See the museum’s displayed artifacts and photographs and learn about their significance.
Many exhibits come and go, but permanent exhibits are also available.
Some exhibits include Don Knotts, local glassware and pottery, and a vintage printing shop, among many others!
Add Morgantown History Museum to your list of historic stops in Monongalia County.
The Edith Barill Riverfront Park is considered the heart of Star City, a small town in Monongalia County.
Here you may stay a while to go biking on the trails.
You may also hang around to meet the local community while relaxing outdoors.
The park features a John F. Kennedy Memorial and a Veterans Memorial.
If you’re bringing kids, you may take them to the Tugboat Depot playground, a beloved play area of the locals.
You may also drop by the nearby glass museum inside the Star City Municipal Building along Broadway Avenue!
The Wow Factory is an art studio located in the city of Morgantown.
It is situated at 3453 University Avenue.
The studio offers several art activities, including pottery painting, glass fusing, mosaic making, clay hand-building, and canvas painting.
You may also take some of the scheduled classes for these activities.
Different events are also held at the Wow Factory, so check them out in advance to join the fun.
Get inspired, surround yourself with like-minded individuals, and unleash your creativity at the Wow Factory!
If you want something more adventurous, go to Westover City Park in Westover.
The park is a known local spot for outdoor enthusiasts because of its trails.
It features a double-loop trail built especially for mountain biking.
It has a shorter loop for beginner mountain bikers and a more challenging loop that drops and falls around Harry Lake.
Enjoy a day outside with your bike at Westover City Park.
Aparkswv, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Wagener Field at Monongalia County Ballpark is one of the country’s premier venues for collegiate baseball.
The baseball stadium is located in the town of Granville.
When you visit, check the field’s schedule, and you might chance upon a game.
Monongalia County Ballpark features a synthetic surface that can accommodate severe weather conditions and heavy use.
It is one of the top-tier stadiums in the region.
Sports fans shouldn’t miss the opportunity to watch a game at this stadium, so add this field to your bucket list!
Bring your friends with you and taste local wine at Forks Cheat Winery.
The place is located at 2811 Stewartstown Road in Morgantown.
Find stunning views of nature while sipping delicious wine.
Owner Jerry Deal established the winery in 1990 after years of making wine from his home and joining amateur competitions.
Forks of Cheat Winery boasts various award-winning wines made and handled with traditional methods.
The facility is a well-known winery in the area, producing over 20,000 gallons of wine annually.
Discover what local wine is all about when visiting Forks Cheat Winery!
Taste delicious homemade meals at Grandma Jean’s Country Kitchen.
It is located along Dents Run Boulevard in the small town of Granville.
Experience family-style country cooking that will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time!
They serve roast beef, chicken and dumplings, chili, spaghetti, and meatloaf, depending on the day’s schedule.
Check out this quaint restaurant in Granville and feel the comfort of home country food!
The Mylan Park Aquatic Center is a state-of-the-art swimming facility in Morgantown.
The 90,000-square-foot facility houses an impressive Olympic pool and a diving well.
A community pool with water slides and other fun features is also available in the facility.
Whether you want to go for a fun splash or an active swim, the Mylan Park Aquatic Center has something for you.
A fitness room is also available here if you need another exercise space.
Add the Mylan Park Aquatic Center to your list of spots when you find yourself in the area.
Drop by the Appalachian Mercantile General Store and Cafe if you want local or handmade products.
The store in Granville features curated artisanal products from artists and artisans across Appalachia.
After shopping, you should stay a while and relax at the cozy Appalachian-inspired cafe.
The cafe serves different hot and iced drinks and sweet and savory food.
While here, you’ll even have access to free wifi and charging outlets.
The Appalachian Mercantile General Store and Cafe is a local gem.
Monongalia County, home to plenty of extraordinary institutions, offers an unforgettable experience to anyone in the area.
This seemingly unimposing corner of the United States has much to give travelers, from outdoor adventures and relaxation to exciting indoor activities.
Plan your trip with this list of the best things to do in Monongalia County, West Virginia!
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
