For the past 3 years, I’ve called Morgantown my home as I attend West Virginia University and work towards my English and Advertising degrees. While the town gets a reputation for its partying and rowdy college atmosphere, (which I can attest is accurate for many weekends on the college campus,) last summer, when most students left college, I discovered the other sides of Morgantown.
Concerts, sports games, incredible food, scenic hikes, historical sites – Morgantown, W.V. has it ALL! A quick two-hour drive from the Eastern Panhandle you will any activity you’re looking for.
If you want to visit Morgantown for the day I’d suggest picking one of these activities and pairing it with some good eats! (As a foodie, I’ve tried most of what the city offers, I collected my favorite spots and organized them here. La Tapatia’s tacos are worth the drive ALONE!)
Game days
Monongahela County is just a little over two hours west of the Eastern Panhandle and promises any type of fun you’re looking for.
As a West Virginian, it should be mandatory you root hard for the home teams. Of course, as a mountaineer myself, I have to recommend a visit to Morgantown for a sports game!
The new baseball stadium, Wagener Field, was freshly opened this season and you really can’t beat a warm spring evening spent in the stadium. One special thing about West Virginia University is the pride that the students have in the sports teams. You can feel the electric energy through any venue where the Mountaineers are playing.
Grab your tickets, hop on the road, and relax in the ballpark with a cold brew and a hotdog.
Concerts
Morgantown promises a great lineup of concerts year-round. From intimate acoustic sets to electrifying stadium performances, the city welcomes a diverse array of artists.
Renowned musicians frequently visit venues like the Metropolitan Theatre, where historic charm meets modern entertainment, and the WVU Coliseum, a dome arena that amplifies the energy of every performance. Whether local jam bands or chart-topping superstars, Morgantown caters to every musical palate, ensuring unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike.
My friends always attend the annual 123 Pleasant Street Sublime tribute show and while I’m not a huge Sublime fan, I can attest, they come back raving every time! The energy at the show seems incredible!
I recommend browsing a search engine to find out what shows are coming up and to reserve some tickets!
Outdoors
I certainly fit into the person category that people today call “crunchy.” More-or-less, I’m always down for a hike, some mountain biking, rafting, or even just a walk in the woods. If you’re any bit interested in these types of activities I’ve got to say, you’re looking at the right location.
Morgantown is a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts and the best thing is if Morgantown doesn’t offer the activity, a 45-minute drive most likely will.
The photo at the top of this post was taken at Dorsey’s Knob. You can’t beat the views for the accessibility of the “hike.” You’ll enjoy the >¼ mile walk uphill to the top of the knob where you can see all of Morgantown. The sunset views are killer, it’s my favorite spot to share with friends. Just promise me you won’t tell too many people about my secret place, I love a quiet evening up there!
Maybe you’re training for a half-marathon** or maybe you want to take a walk to check out the Wharf district of the city, the Mon River/Caperton/Deckers Creek Rail Trail is the best spot. The partially paved, flat, wooded trail offers full immersion in nature while still looping conveniently through the outskirts of downtown. I’ve spent hours running on the trail and checking out the almost-hidden off-trail paths. You can ride bikes on it, rollerskate, skateboard, you name it! If you’re downtown, walk towards the Monongahela River and you’ll reach the trail, if you’re lost, try a GPS maps search.
Just recently I’ve found myself more into the game of golf. As a beginner, I’ve spent all of my hours at Morgantown’s beginner-friendly course, Mountain View Golf Course. Anyone serious about the game of golf has to check out the many clubs that Morgantown has to offer. The ranges near Cheat Lake have wonderful views and top-notch greens as well. Whether you find yourself a designated cart girl or are the one swinging the iron, this spring weather makes a game of golf a great way to get out in the sun.
For the last note on outdoor activities, I have to mention Morgantown’s underrated whitewater rafting on the Cheat River. Opening season is approaching, and by May several river outfitters will offer guided trips in rafts down some of the best rapids in the state. I’ve done a fair share of whitewater rafting in West Virginia and can say it’s some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Visit this Cheat River: Visitor’s Guide for more information.
** (I am!! It’s my first half and I’m running it two months from now. It’s still not too late to start training! Want to join me? It’s in West Virginia’s own National Park in Fayetteville, W.V. The New River Gorge Trail Festival is a race in late June, a 4 ½ hour drive that’s so worth it.) **
Food
I won’t claim that Morgantown has the widest variety of cuisines, but the hidden gems are GEMS. You can take my ranking worth a grain of salt, Yelp and Google Reviews will surely recommend you a good restaurant. I have a diverse palate that might not be everyone’s pick. Here is a ranked list of my favorite non-chain Morgantown restaurants:
- La Tapatia – real, authentic, Mexican street food (+ Spanish market inside too)
- Yama – authentic Japanese, incredible ramen
- Oliverio’s Ristorante – the best Italian in Morgantown
- Pies & Pints – (self-explanatory name… great pizza, great beer)
- Von Blaze – excellent sandwiches, something for everyone
Honorable Mentions:
- Mario’s Fishbowl – wings!!!
- Black Bear – burritos, vegan food too
- Bombay – the best Indian in town, (my favorite)
Visit WVU! Schedule a college tour for a young one, or ignore campus altogether and find your way around Morgantown. The city is filled with so much more than just college spirit! Under 2 ½ hours from the Eastern Panhandle, Morgantown is the perfect distance for a weekend getaway or even a planned day trip. Let the country roads take you home!
