Located along the Monongahela River, Morgantown enjoys a high college town energy due to West Virginia University within reach. The town is friendly with so many facilities for outdoor activities like hiking, and biking, especially surrounding the hills.
There are stores and eateries located downtown, so walking around there is always a great idea. Besides, everyone in the community fans college sports particularly football, and normally comes out celebrating game days.
Here are some more things to do in Morgantown:
1. Watch Football At Mountaineer Field At Milan Puskar Stadium
The amazing atmosphere at this stadium makes it so much fun to watch the West Virginia Mountaineers play. It is one of the rowdiest and loudest places to take on a game. The facility is well-kept and easy to get around in.
They sing "Country Roads" at the end to mark their victory which is hard to beat. Sing along and visit the Hall of Traditions as well. Here you can see all the trophies historical pictures and uniforms of beloved Mountaineers.
If you go to the front row you can high-five all the players which is awesome. The stadium is cashless, make sure you have your card charged up.
2. Spend A Lovely Morning At WVU Art Museum
It is a little gem of a Morgantown WV art museum located on the WVU campus. A great place to spend an hour or two if you need to get out of the streets.
If you are expecting something unique and locally inspired art, they have a gallery dedicated to Aooalachian art. Moreover, the Walker Evans Exhibits are spectacular.
Besides, there are beautiful pottery, ceramics, paintings and sculptures. The building has 2 floors and also features some artwork outdoors. It is free to tour and exhibits change periodically. They also host events; check the WVU Art Museum website to know about the upcoming ones.
3. Stroll Around West Virginia University
The university attracts people with its vibrant area, activities, art, culture, and sports events. Be prepared to walk up and down steep hills while taking a tour of both parts of the university.
The distance between the two campuses is quite long but there is a personal rapid transit service. You might not have to pay if a student swipes their ID card.
The ride is scenic and you will come across the Mountainlair, the Old Main, and the Mountaineer Mascot. It is best to tour around by car and park in a garage at each campus.
4. Saturday Morning At Morgantown Farmers Market
Morgantown Farmers Market has many tasty products from farmers and sellers in the area. Meats, fruits and vegetables, baked foods and confectionaries, coffee and tea, home crafts, seeds and seedlings, ornaments, pet foods and treats, breads and rolls, and many others.
A friendly atmosphere and street location make this market a favorite among both residents and guests of the city. All the farmers are friendly and will respond to any questions you may have about their products.
This is all nicely arranged under a covered metal roof so you can stroll a small area of vendors in just a few minutes.
5. Take In Amazing Views From Dorsey's Knob Park and Disc Golf Course
The park is one of the highest public spots in Monongalia County. Here you have a 360-degree view of Morgantown West Virginia.
After a short uphill hike at Dorsey's Knob, you reach a place called Sky Rock. It is from this spot you can see for miles in all directions and observe sunset or sunrise.
The 71-acre park has picnic areas, play areas for children, and a disc golf course as the popular sport. Before you tackle the 18-hole disc golf course, stretch your calves. It is because you will have to move around some serious elevation changes.
6. Watch A Show At Metropolitan Theatre
This is a century-old theatre located in the downtown area of Morgantown West Virginia. It has high-quality sound and light equipment.
If you are in search of some rather peculiar things to do in Morgantown WV then it is recommended you check this place out. They offer beer by the bottle and snacks. Plus the old-time feel is a treat.
The MET is a wonderful place to see a live performance. Every seat has a great view of the stage. The place is also famous for numerous Morgantown events. Book a ticket for their upcoming winter shows at the Morgantown MET website.
7. Take Your Kids To Spark! Imagination and Science Center
This place has great hands-on exhibits and educational toys for young children and school-age children. It also serves as a fun venue for birthday parties with a small party room in the back.
Their exhibits are rotated somewhat, so you can expect many new activities periodically. The play areas are varied with different interests including music, health, nanotech, building, dinosaurs, and more This allows the children to learn while playing.
Children are free to navigate from one center to another. The virtual goggles in the Space Weather exhibit are quite popular. This is one of the things to do in Morgantown West Virginia that talks about fun for all ages.
8. Serene Walk or Hike At WVU Core Arboretum
This little hidden gem will get anyone interested in taking a walk or hike in the woods. There are some easy, wide trails and some that are steep with loose footing.
The bottom near the river gets soggy, but certainly worth going. Carry good shoes and don't forget about the insect repellent. It is very overwhelming sometimes, the beauty of the trees, the serene feeling of the view, and the sudden appearance of animals.
This is where things then look like you are out in the middle of nowhere even when you are in the middle of the city. The trails are duly blazed and there are a few benches, and lookout points on the way.
9. Take Pictures With Don Knotts Statue
This is a great detailed statue right in front of the Metropolitan Museum. Pull right up in the car; there are plenty of parking on the street to hop out and snap a pic.
There is also a star on the ground and a placard on the wall talking about his life. Don Knotts began his performing career at this local theater. He was a part of almost 35 movies, 70 TV shows, and the voice in a video game.
He is famous for his role as Deputy Sheriff "One Bullet" Barney Fife on the fabulous Andy Griffith Show. The statue honors him and depicts him sitting and holding his "deputy" hat in his hand.
10. Get Around Town With Mountain Line Transit
Make traveling fun and less hectic by booking a trip with the Mountain Line Transit. This is a publicly supported and funded travel company that takes you around Morgantown and Monongalia County.
They have 24 routes and all their bus routes are available on Google Maps. You can track the buses through their mobile app. They provide free rides on Veterans Day and every election day.
The company strives to deliver necessary transport to some and spare others from wasting time stuck in traffic and money on cars and gasoline. All the buses are also equipped with either a lift or a ramp for wheelchair services.
11. Shop Downtown
High Street in downtown Morgantown, West Virginia is an excellent location offering both local stores and specialty shops. It is a perfect place to indulge in many Morgantown WV things to do.
Art and jewelry at the Appalachian Gallery to a cheap vintage store, you name it, they have it. There are many restaurants and cafes and it is the right place for shopping, stroll, and lunch.
Also, there is ample space to park a car, and therefore, it is perfect for quickly moving from one store to the other accompanied by energetic vibes.
12. Look For The U.S.S. West Virginia Memorial Mast At Oglebay Hall
Probably the most easily recognizable part of a ship is a mast. On the Oglebay Hall of the WVU, the mast of this ship that was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is located.
A huge piece of history and a priceless artifact. The USS West Virginia was the ship that Doris Miller was stationed on and used one of the anti-aircraft guns to fight the Japanese attackers.
It is an awesome place to come and reflect and take a few moments to think about things. If you have time, take a look at what the things to do in Hawaii beyond beaches are.
13. A Relaxing Day At Cheat Lake
Spending a day at Cheat Lake is one of the refreshing things to do near Morgantown WV. Just around 25 minutes away, this is a long lake formed by damming a river.
You can access the lake via two locations. One is the marina and the other is the Cheat Lake park and trail. There are public restrooms, a decent playground, picnic tables, fish cleaning stations, and a small beach access.
There is a huge swinging rope that teens can enjoy. The lake sparkles beautifully during the sunlight and one can take a boat ride on this calming, clean lake.
14. Stay At Hotel Morgan
Hotel Morgan has old-school charm bent with museums and good eateries within walking distance. However, they do offer free dinner and breakfast.
It has a conference space conveniently located right downstairs. The place is also easily accessible from the WVU campus and valet parking is easy and efficient to retrieve cars for day trips around the area.
Rooms are nice size with a comfortable bed. The decor has a mix of retro and modern styles. They go above and beyond with little touches to make your stay memorable.
15. Attend Live Music At Hazel Ruby McQuain Park
The Ruby Amphitheater is one of the greatest attractions here. People from North Carolina, Michigan, and New York come to enjoy great live music every Friday or a free summer concert series.
The venue is situated in a beautiful park. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the music. The sound is fantastic and lots of food trucks and vendors are a plus.
It is so fun to be able to ride your bike, run, walk, take pictures, and observe the wildlife at the park. There are also multiple good places to fish along the trail. Since New York is the closest state among the above-mentioned states to Morgantown, here are some things to do in New York City.
16. Absorb History At Morgantown History Museum
If you are wondering what to do in Morgantown WV, spend an hour or so learning about the local community. The museum is just off the downtown main street going toward the river.
This museum covers local and regional history that focuses on cultural, social, and commercial aspects. They cover the time from the Paleolithic period to the present. There are permanent exhibits and of course, a lot is covered about Don Knotts.
But the part about the Pietro family and their role in the early infrastructure of the town is quite interesting. The center room holds all the temporary/traveling exhibits. It is fun and free to visit, offering a pleasant experience.
17. Book Your Spot At WVU's Zipline Canopy Tour
The Adventure West Virginia Outdoor Education Center of the WVU hosts many activities. Not only are they available for university students but even the public can take part.
This high-flying fun takes you to the local tree canopy for tours and adventure. The university follows a motto of learning backed by fun. The zip-line tour is open for anyone looking to have a great time in the outdoors.
The center is located around 15 minutes away from Morgantown on the North side of Cooper's Rock State Forest. They have 4 zip-line, 7 tree-based platforms, and an aerial bridge and ladder. Book your canopy tour now at the Adventure WVU site.
18. Pair Beer With Pizza At Mountain State Brewing Company
The indoor space at this restaurant is huge and has a dining space with a large stone pizza oven in the center. There is a nice covered back patio that overlooks the Monongahela River.
This is a dog-friendly space where they are served and taken care of. The place is usually packed and you might have to wait. However, it is worth it.
The pizza comes out piping hot in the brick oven and there is a nice beer selection to pair with pizzas. The beverages are all good quality and unique. Try the Roddy Scotch draft and the pink lemonade with vodka. Along with pizzas, their sandwich, and the summer salad are also best.
19. Visit The West Virginia Botanic Garden
Did you know that there is an area called "The Secret Garden," here? It is an amazing area of the gardens that makes you want to just curl up in a lounge chair and read.
There are stones path liners and plants in all directions off by its little world. Besides, there are cultivated garden areas full of flowers, shade gardens, art installations, and many attractions.
You will find a children's garden amazing with hobbit hole tunnels, a bean teepee, a slack line, and a pond. Many woodland trails allow many ways to explore the place. Above all, entry is free. Here is a list of additional things to do in West Virginia.
20. Get Dinner At Flour and Feed
The Flour and Feed is a great addition to favorite local spots. They serve dinners on the weekends and also host many performances and events.
Their food is great with a lot is fresh takes on traditional dishes. They also offer a large beer selection, which is fun to browse. The atmosphere too is lovely with a nice patio overlooking the river and rail trail.
Their menu is not very big but the food selection is good; a little something for everyone. It is best to call ahead because they have limited hours and are closed if there is an event.
