Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Morgantown, WV

  • Published 2022/05/17

See also: Best Restaurants in Morgantown, WV

If you are into quaint and aesthetic small towns, Morgantown should be at the top of your list.

It’s an excellent place to hike, enjoy water sports activities, and simply surround yourself with breathtaking nature.

With tourist spots that draw thousands of people every year, Morgantown is an absolute beauty.

This West Virginian city also happens to be home to one of the United States’ most prestigious colleges and boasts an exciting college town vibe.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy in this city.

Interested in finding out what more it has to offer?

Check out this list of the best things to do in Morgantown, West Virginia:

Catch a Basketball Game at the WVU Coliseum

Aerial view of WVU Coliseum

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

A college town is always lively, and Morgantown is equipped with some things that make it quite energetic.

The West Virginia University (WVU) Coliseum is one of those things.

If you are into a bit of college basketball, this enjoyable location deserves a spot on your itinerary.

Interior of WVU Coliseum

Aparkswv, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The WVU Coliseum is the home ground of the WVU Mountaineers.

There’s enough seating room for more than 14,000 people, and it tends to get pretty crowded during college events.

The arena also hosts volleyball games.

Appreciate the Art at the Art Museum of WVU

The Art Museum of WVU is one of the best venues in Morgantown for art lovers.

The categories here are diverse, and they have works from modern and historical periods.

If you visit the museum, there is no doubt that you will feel inspired.

The art displayed in their various permanent collections brings out the different cultural aspects.

Lift Your Spirits at the Morgantown Brewing Company

The Morgantown Brewing Company is one of the city’s most popular spots and attracts many tourists daily.

It also happens to be the oldest brewery in Morgantown.

People mainly come here to try their special craft beers.

They have eight on the menu, and you’ll want to try every one of them.

There are also burgers and sandwiches, which you can pair with your beers.

Check Out the Earl L. Core Arboretum

Earl L. Core Arboretum nature trail

Darren Ringer, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

The famous Earl L. Core Arboretum is an excellent place to surround yourself with fresh air and lush greenery.

Professor Earl L. Core thought of the good people of Morgantown and built this vast park across almost 91 acres.

It is one of the biggest green spaces in Morgantown and attracts many tourists.

The forest is massive, and there are some fantastic landscapes inside to check out, too.

To take full advantage of this gorgeous attraction, you can go hiking and explore the area.

Watch Some Greenery at the West Virginia Botanic Garden

Welcome sign of West Virginia Botanic Garden

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

With native plants of the infamous Appalachian region, the West Virginia Botanic Garden is truly a sight to cherish.

The extensive botanical garden spans almost 82 acres of land.

It boasts some of the best views of the Tibbs Run Reservoir.

The garden has been quite a popular spot for locals and tourists since it first became accessible to the public.

There are also a lot of hiking options here that make it a more attractive place to the public.

Dine at Pies & Pints

Are you looking for a place to wind down after a busy day of sightseeing?

There’s no better way to relax in Morgantown than with freshly baked pizza and a cold pint of beer.

One of the most popular restaurants in the city, Pies & Pints serves gourmet pizzas and locally crafted beer.

It’s located just five minutes away from the West Virginia University campus, making it a popular choice among students.

Shop a Bit at Morgantown Farmers Market

Entrance to Morgantown Farmers’ Market

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

Are you looking for a place where you can shop for some organic products or delicious homemade goodies?

Check out Morgantown Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday.

It would be best to visit early, as it gets quite crowded.

The best part about shopping in the farmers’ market is that you get the freshest produce.

Freshly harvested fruits and vegetables are found in plenty here.

Don’t miss out on the baked goods, especially if you have not had breakfast yet.

They also do live cooking, so feel free to treat yourself to any of the freshly prepared meals, which are guaranteed to be delicious.

Go Fishing at Cheat Lake

Aerial view of Cheat Lake

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

Cheat Lake is one of West Virginia’s most beautiful bodies of water.

You may also enjoy a boat trip, kayaking, standup paddleboarding, swimming, or even a picnic meal while taking in the beautiful environment.

A person paddling on Cheat Lake

Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

These wetlands are great places to fish for walleye, bass, and catfish.

The 1,730-acre reservoir in Monongalia County, West Virginia, is the largest man-made reservoir in the state.

You may also rent pontoon boats here.

Go Winetasting at Forks of Cheat Winery

Morgantown, West Virginia, is home to one of the state’s most renowned vineyards.

In the Appalachian Mountains, the Forks of Cheat Winery creates award-winning wines.

On July 30, 1990, the Forks of Cheat Winery began its production.

This winery has long been recognized as a premier winery, turning out over 20,000 gallons of excellent wine each year.

Visitors to Stewartstown Road can sample its premium wines at the tasting facility.

Catch a Game at Mountaineer Field

Football game at Mountaineer Field

1022 Project / Shutterstock.com

The home turf of the West Virginia Mountaineer NCAA Division 1 FBS football team, Mountaineer Field is the ideal destination for any sports lover.

Located inside the Milan Puskar Stadium, the field is a hit among football fans.

Aerial view of Mountaineer Field

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

Game nights tend to get lively and chaotic here.

With a seating capacity of more than 60,000 people, the stadium is quite on the modern side.

You can even book a luxurious stadium suite from where you can watch any game comfortably!

Exterior and sculpture of Mountaineer Field

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

Go Biking along Caperton Trail

Entryway of Caperton Trail

Stryker33, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You may rent a bike in Morgantown or bring your own to see the Caperton Trail’s beautiful scenery.

Whether you’re on an E-bike or a regular cycle, this trail is well worth your time. The Caperton Trail is a great place to take a family or a group of first-timers.

Sightseeing rides across six kilometers of paved urban districts along the lake and rebuilt train station are available.

You may stop forbeverages, food, shopping, or photos at various establishments that dot the area.

Some parking is accessible in Morgantown’s Wharf District, including the Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park and Seneca Center.

Have Some Fun at Sunset Beach Marina

Aerial view of Beach Marina

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

Sunset Beach Marina is easily one of the most attractive spots in Morgantown.

It’s an excellent place to sit and chill for a while.

There are a lot of activities for visitors to participate in and enjoy to the fullest.

You can go boating, kayaking, paddle boating, and jet skiing here.

There are many shops along the drive that sell ice cream and many other snacks.

Visit the Mountain State Brewing

A trip to Morgantown is incomplete without trying out its local beers.

Another must-try place for excellent beers, Mountain State Brewery is the largest microbrewery in West Virginia.

Brian Arnett and Willie Lehmann are the two masterminds who came up with the brilliant beers still available on the menu today.

The menu is diverse, and you can find a lot of bread to pair with the beers.

Learn Something New at the Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum

Did you know Morgantown has a perfect industrial history?

The city is industrially rich and was one of the biggest producers of coal and petroleum.

The Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum perfectly preserves such history and showcases it to tourists.

There are many displays that include essential documents that exhibit significance.

You can even find a lot of old mining equipment in the museum.

Sample the Local Food and Spirits

Morgantown boasts chill, laid-back vibes.

You can easily spend a weekend here and enjoy to the fullest with some of the best food and drinks.

Morgantown has a lot of microbreweries and pubs that sell locally brewed beer.

The food here is quite good, too.

You can find a lot of bed and breakfast accommodations that come with excellent restaurants.

Morgantown also holds an annual food and wine festival.

If you are in the city during that time, you must participate in the festivities and sample all the food and drinks that you can.

Explore Greater Morgantown and Other Surrounding Areas

If your itinerary permits it, one good way to enjoy Morgantown is to explore its outskirts.

There might not be any historic or cultural spots around, but exploring Greater Morgantown is one of the most exciting things you can do on your trip.

Pittsburgh is also a lovely city to tour on a side trip when you are in Morgantown.

Take a look around and get to know more of the city’s surrounding areas.

Take Your Kids to Spark! Imagination and Science Center

If you are looking for something fun to do in Morgantown with your little ones, this is an excellent destination for you.

Spark! Imagination and Science Center is interactive and quite cool for kids to enjoy.

It used to be known as the Recreational Opportunities for All Young Kids Initiative.

After several remodels and renovations, it’s now one of the top attractions in Morgantown.

There are a lot of fun exhibits in this center for children to enjoy.

They offer many courses and classes for little kids to learn new things.

It is the number one place in Morgantown for little kids.

Go Hiking at Coopers Rock State Forest

Scenic view from Coopers Rock State Forest

Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com

If you want to be surrounded by nature for a while, go trekking along one of the numerous trails at Coopers Rock State Forest.

During the winter when the snow falls, there are even skiing options here.

Viewing deck of Coopers Rock State Forest

Don Bilski / Shutterstock.com

Regardless of the time of year, the nature scenes here are pretty amazing.

Offering views of the Monongahela River, the trails are easy to hike.

Try to get to the top to snap photos of the beautiful Cheat River.

Nature trail of Coopers Rock State Forest

Christina Marie Saymansky / Shutterstock.com

Travel Back in Time in Old West Virginia at Morgantown History Museum

An essential part of the history and culture of Morgantown and the surrounding region is celebrated and shown at Morgantown History Museum.

You may find more about the town’s early days as a frontier settlement and the significance of its textile and mining heritage at the museum.

The museum conducts free Kids and Family Days on Saturdays during the summer months, where craftspeople showcase various old equipment from the museum’s collection.

Additionally, you’ll learn about the region’s early settlers and the creatures that live there now.

Prints from the museum’s collection are available for purchase at the museum store.

Solve Mysteries while Having Fun at Xscape Morgantown

It is undeniable that the escape room trend has seized the United States by storm.

In Morgantown, Xscape is a great place to locate your ideal escape room experience.

The facility provides four different themed rooms to help you and your team plan your getaway.

Each area has been designed to accommodate teams of six to eight people to provide an immersive and challenging experience.

Choose between 90-minute or 60-minute adventures.

Everything is high-tech and entertaining to use.

Final Thoughts

In the past several decades, the city formerly known only for hosting football events has developed considerably and is now a popular tourist destination.

Take a day trip to West Virginia’s Morgantown to see just how much there is to see and do here.

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