How To Have The Perfect Mountain Weekend Getaway in Morgantown, West Virginia

Close to the Mason-Dixon line, and West Virginia’s Northern border lays the mountain town of Morgantown. In a delightfully surprising mix of college town and tranquil mountain retreat – we loved our quick weekend getaway!

Morgantown is home to 30,000 college students attending West Virginia University and a bustling outdoor adventure lovers’ community. What we love about Morgantown is that it’s budget-friendly and great for anyone who can’t travel without their dog.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Transportation: Walk, Drive (Not many Ubers/Lyft),

Parking: Somewhat free along the streets, Mobile App for Parking Fees

Best Hotels In Morgantown, WV: Hotel Morgan, Scholar Hotel (Downtown), Cheat Lake Resort, Hilton Garden Inn (Budget-Friendly)

What Morgantown Is Known For: WVU sports, pepperoni rolls, and mountains

Closest Airport: Morgantown Municipal Airport (The biggest airport is Yeager – CRW and we recommend small flights from CRW to Morgantown if you don’t want to drive. Driving time from Yeager-CRW: 2.5 hours)

Fun Things To Do in Morgantown, wv

Are you ready for a budget-friendly weekend away in Mountain State? Beyond buying tickets to a WVU game, there are plenty of free and budget-friendly activities for your getaway into the shale-covered Allegheny mountains. Farmer’s markets, walking historic architectural districts, art galleries, white water rafting, and more!

Attend A WVU Game

If you don’t know this already, people of West Virginia bleed blue and gold as die-hard fans of their beloved Mountaineers. Whether it’s football or basketball, you can expect the bleachers to be filled with waves of blue and gold outfits as far as the eye can see.

For a romantic weekend getaway – start with a Friday night game! Tickets are available here.

• Are you an avid Mountaineer fan or prospective college student? Before the big game – another one of the great things to do in in Morgantown, WV is take a free tour of WVU’s campus!

Walk The Historic Town Center

One of our favorite past times in any city is to walk the main streets. Walk in the historic districts, explore the shops and of course, enjoy a little coffee. Morgantown has a fun historic quarter downtown that started out as a small settlement in 1758. The town grew with the addition of West Virginia University, which started as an agricultural college.

Today, visitors can still stop by the Old Stone House (pictured) from 1813 Then meander through the stunning architectural side of the slightly dilapidated, but charming, brick facades up and down High Street.

• Old Stone House: 313 Chestnut St, Morgantown, WV 26505

A little word of advice before you start walking around town: make sure you wear comfortable shoes! In college, Shelbs went to WKU who’s mascot is a ‘Hilltopper’. We know what it feels like to walk a mountain town and West Virginia’s biggest college town is no different! You’ll feel the burn all through your calves as you walk. We also highly recommend walking the town in spring or fall to avoid that Southern heat as you’re walking? If you do go in the summer though, just make sure to pack some water!!

Visit The Farmer’s Market & Explore Local Artisans

Beyond the historical side of town, we also find it romantic just to stroll city streets and take in the culture. In Morgantown, visitors from spring to fall will find a bustling farmers market and people from all over the greater region coming to shop.

• Morgantown Farmer’s Market: 400 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV 26505

Beyond the enormous farmer’s market, what we weren’t expecting to find were the tranquil bohemian vibes as we meandered through the city. As we walked and drove, little shops stood out to us like Zenclay Pottery Studio where you can take a pottery class, or the colorful Benedum Gallery for emerging artists at the Monongalia Art Center.

Do A Little Shopping

Out with the gals and looking for things to do in Morgantown on your weekend getaway? Indulge a little! As any Southern woman knows, boutiques are our lifeblood. When it comes to finding that perfect weekend date night outfit, there’s nothing quite like running to your favorite budget-friendly boutique to grab a well-earned little somethin’-somethin‘.

During a little girls’ afternoon, we found our way to an up-and-coming group of shops inside the gorgeously renovated Glass Factory building off University Avenue. After meeting the sweetest owner and indulging in a few well-earned goodies, Shelbs came to a conclusion: Latch is the best boutique in Morgantown!!

• Latch Boutique: 3345 University Ave Suite 7, Morgantown, WV 26505

For more boutiques, try Park & Madison or Galley 304 Vintage Shop for fun WVU paraphernalia!

Go On a Morgantown Mural Scavenger hunt

Bringing the kids along for a budget-friendly family vacay? Don’t worry, if you’re worn out from hiking, there are plenty of things to do in Morgantown, West Virginia with kids. You can always take them to Marilla Skate Park or do a scavenger hunt for the many murals around town!

Some of our favorite murals around town are the Metropolitan Mural, the Coca Cola Mural, and the colorful jazz dancers mural off of Pleasant Street. To see all of Morgantown’s best murals, walk the Downtown Morgantown Historic District bordered by Spruce Street, Pleasant Street, and the Monongahela River.

Download the free WVU Public Art Guide here to help with your scavenger hunt!

• The Morgantown City Mural: 444B Chestnut St, Morgantown, WV 26505 (The backside of Fat Daddy’s Bar & Grill)

From letting off steam at Mountain Man Axe Throwing to listening to live music, your weekend getaway will never be boring!

Outdoor Things To Do Near In Morgantown, WV

Remember when we mentioned that Morgantown was fun to travel to with your furry friend? There are fantastic trails running through the Allegheny Mountains surrounding the city. A favorite pastime and one of the most popular things to do in Morgantown, West Virginia is head to scenic overlooks.

Hike in Coopers Rock State Forest

For starters, an easy hike that just about anyone can do is Underlook Trail in Coopers Rock State Forest. Just under half a mile roundtrip, visitors can take in the sunset from Coopers Rock Overlook that sits above the valley winding along Cheat River.

After surveying the sparkling waters of Cheat River winding through pristine backcountry mountains- you might be wondering how you can enjoy those waters? When the weather turns hot in West Virginia, residents of Morgantown can be found tubing and jetskiing on Cheat Lake. (If you’re into fishing, make sure to check out McFly Outdoors for guided fishing tours!)

P.S. West Virginia is on our bucket list of underrated hiking destinations throughout the US!

visit the West Virginia Botanic Garden

Need something a little less strenuous? Take in the bountiful flowers at the West Virginia Botanic Garden. In early spring, tulips burst forth in this mountain oasis where guests have plenty of benches to sit and enjoy. When the warmer weather rolls around, the Botanic Garden also offers yoga classes amidst their serene gardens.

When visiting with your girlfriends, make sure to add a yoga class to your list of things to do in Morgantown!

• The West Virginia Botanic Gardens: 1061 Tyrone Rd, Morgantown, WV 26508

More Bucketlist Trails Around Morgantown

Among the groves of Hemlock trees and flowering Dogwoods, a few more bucket list trails around Morgantown include:

• Ride bikes along the Rail Trail (Rent from Wamfleet Cycles!)
• Climb Skyrock at Dorsey’s Knob for 360 degree views
• Go bouldering at Coopers Rock State Forest. (Bouldering is basically fancy terminolgy for climbing large rocks!)
• Enjoy more than 30 species of wildflowers at Cathedral State Park
• Snake Hill Overlooks Trail (Hard!) – This 6.6 mile round trip trail will most likely take half a day, but so worth it for the gorgeous veiws!! There are 3 overlooks that allow hikers to survey the forests and rivers below. Great for budding landscape photographers!

Want to hike a little more? Head to the Monongahela National Forest of West Virginia!

Play a round of Golf At Lakeview Golf Resort on Cheat Lake

With stay and play packages available all summer long, guests can play on two separate courses on Cheat Lake. Set against the backdrop of one of West Virginia’s prettiest lakes in the Allegheny forest, Lakeview Golf Resort offers a full 18-hole course amidst the rolling hills. It’s been rated one of the top 100 Public Golf Courses in America!

Book Your Stay at Lakeview Golf Resort Here

Go White Water Rafting on Class IV+ Rapids

Did you know that West Virginia is one of the world’s most popular white water rafting destinations? If you’re an adventurous group, you’ll love the chance to go white water rafting near Morgantown.

• The rapid classes range from Class I – Class V+, with opportunities for guided tours through them all. Some are on Cheat River Narrows, and some are further away on Sandy Creek. Choose your class, then choose your trip!

If you’re a more experienced white water rafter, you can take a self-guided tour in Mountaineer County through Class III-ClassV+ rapids. Cheat River Outfitters has white water rafting tours from spring to fall.

Romantic Things To Do in Morgantown, West Virginia

Without a doubt, our favorite section on our weekend getaway guide to Morgantown, West Virginia is the romantic one. At the time of this article – we’ve been married for just a little over three years and continue to be each other’s best friends because we invest in that time together.

Here are a few of the best things to do in Morgantown that will help you get off your phone and connect a little more!

Do a Free Tasting at Forks of Cheat Winery

Start off your romantic weekend getaway with a free tasting at the Forks of Cheat Winery located just 15 minutes from downtown Morgantown. Forks of Cheat Winery is known for its award-winning wines, but if you’re not a wino, you’ll probably be more impressed with grabbing a glass of wine while watching the sun go down from their incredible deck high above the mountains!

We really mean it when we say the view is spectacular and it’s the perfect way to start off a romantic weekend! (You don’t have to dress fancy to enjoy this place – leggings and an oversized sweatshirt or the ol’ jeans-and-a-nice-top combo is good too!)

• Forks of Cheat Winery: 2811 Stewartstown Rd, Morgantown, WV 26508

Catch a Show at the Metropolitan Theatre

Inside this artfully restored vintage theatre, guests will watch shows framed by gilded columns and heavy velvet curtains. For a truly glamorous evening out, get dressed up and head to this neoclassically revived theatre on the National Registrar of Historic Places.

Shows range from classic productions of The Nutcracker to modern musicals like Mama Mia! If plays or musicals aren’t your speed, the Metropolitan Theatre has also hosted concerts like The Zac Brown Band and many more! Check out upcoming shows here.

Have Dinner By The River at Table 9

What we loved about Table 9 is the ambiance. With an extensive wine list, gourmet meals, and a tranquil patio hanging over the Monongahela River, it’s the perfect place to grab a nice dinner! P.S. You’ll definitely want to make reservations when the weather is nice!!

For a more budget-friendly pick – try the Lake House Restaurant overlooking the marina. The Lake House Restaurant has gorgeous sunsets all summer long in their casual atmosphere.

• Table 9: 40 Donley St, Morgantown, WV 26501

Have drinks at the swanky Anvil + Ax Bar

After you’ve had a nice dinner and seen a show, grab drinks at a place that just inherently makes you feel fancy. Anvil + Ax’s new bar in the base of the Motel Morgan fits the bill complete with chandeliers, sage velvet-covered barstools, and polished wood everywhere you look. When you get here, it’s a little like something out of a Bond movie!

If you don’t know what to order, try one of the house’s specialty cocktails. For the ladies, we love the ‘French Martini’ with Grey Goose Vodka, Giffard Cassis Noir, and pineapple juice. For the gentlemen, try a twist on a Manhatten with Anvil + Ax’s ‘Manhattan in Morgantown‘. Their twist on this classic is to use Redemption Rye instead of traditional bourbons!

• Anvil + An: 127 High St, Morgantown, WV 26505

Visit A Local Brewery

One of the best things to do in almost any mountain town is grabbing brews at a local brewery. In Morgantown, WV there are four local breweries – two we’ve tried and loved. In the historic Wharf District along the Monongahela River, Mountain State Brewing Company and Morgantown Brewing Company both offer exceptional spirits.

Our favorite so far is Mountain State Brewing Company for their exceptional hand-crafted margaritas and house stilled Apple Cider Moonshine.

• Mountain State Brewing Company: 54 Clay St, Morgantown, WV 26501

The Apothecary Ale House & Cafe and Iron Horse Tavern’s smaller operations are on our list to try for next time. The great thing is – all of these breweries are within 5 minutes walking distance from each other!

The Foodie Side of Morgantown, WV

Morgantown, West Virginia is no stranger to coffee with its plethora of mountain lovers passing through from all over to grab a cup of Jo before hitting the trails. Some of our favorite coffee shops were The Grind off Willey Street and the Blue Moose Cafe downtown on Walnut Street.

Then for lunch, we loved grabbing fresh poke bowls and bubble tea from Bubble Fish while walking around town… and doing all of the aforementioned retail therapy. For dinner, we highly recommend stopping at Plaza Azteca for their delicious Poloma cocktails, and their fun Instagram-friendly restaurant. We went after a full day of traveling and just couldn’t help but take a few goofy photos!

• Get our guide to all of the best budget friendly eats, made-to-order donuts, and so much more on our Restaurant Guide to Morgantown, West Virginia!

Try a West Virginia Pepperoni Roll

What is a pepperoni roll you may ask? A local delicacy best enjoyed with equally delicious mountain brews of course!!

A buttery biscuit wrapped around sticks or chunks of pepperoni, and sometimes with cheese. That’s literally it. We had them from a gas station and they weren’t amazing, but if you really want a true experience try Terra Cafe, Pheonix Bakery or Bourbon Prime. We promise the cheesy, pepperoni wrapped in dough won’t disappoint.

• Bourbon Prime: 2 Waterfront Pl, Morgantown, WV 26501

Hotels in Morgantown, West VIrginia

If you’re coming to town for a romantic weekend getaway, stay at Hotel Morgan with the James Bond-style bar Anvil + Ax in-house. It’s too easy to head straight up to your room and not have to catch an Uber after having a few cozy cocktails. Another option for a romantic weekend away in the mountains is the Lakeview Golf Resort on Cheat Lake!

When you come in town for a WVU game, these hotels are within 10 minutes from the stadium and budget-friendly!

• Holiday Inn & Suites Morgantown
• Residence Inn Morgantown
• Hilton Garden Inn Morgantown

The best Time to Visit Morgantown

Depending on the type of trip you’re looking to take and the things you want to do in Morgantown WV, you’ll want to plan for different times of the year. During the spring and fall, WVU’s basketball and football seasons are in full swing. This means hotels might be more expensive and the city will be more crowded.

Some events like the Arts Walk go from March to October giving you plenty of weekend getaway opportunities!

• Fall is the best time to visit Morgantown for hiking. Fall foliage hits its peak in this gorgeous moutnain town from September to October. (Just try to book on a non WVU Football game weekend!) You can also attend the Morgantown West Virginia Preston County Buckwheat Festival in the fall for pancakes, sausages and parades.
• Spring is the best time to visit Morgantown for a girls getaway. The bloom are fully out in the West Virginia Botanic Garden, you can do yoga in the gardens, and the weather is perfect for those outfits you’ve been dyin to wear while you sip cocktails on a patio! During summer – you can also attend the Chesnut Ridge Park Summer Concert Series, or play a few holes at the Lakeview Golf Resort on Cheat Lake.

Looking for more Southern inspiration in the spring? Get our guide to the Ultimate Kentucky Spring Bucket List!

• The best time to visit Morgantown for white water rafting is summer. The waters trickling down from the mountains will be cold even in the summer, so going in the summer is a great time to be soaked!!!

Further Reading

HOW TO GET TO MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA: Located deep in the hills of Mountaineer Country, you’ll find Morgantown, West Virginia popping up out of the mountains by the Monongahela River. Easily accessible from I-79 and I-68, the closest major cities are Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and West Virginia’s capital: Charleston.

If you’re ready to continue on another weekend getaway – we have guides for tons of fun Southern cities, and even a few above the Mason-Dixon line.

• 100 Fun Things To Do in Louisville, Kentucky
• 50 Things To Do in Horse Country: Lexington, Kentucky
• 72 Hours in Huntsville, Alabama
• 48 Hours in Cincinnati, Ohio
• A Machine Gun Kelly Themed Weekend Getaway in Cleveland, Ohio

For a little more Southern travel inspiration, get our guides to some unique destinations around the South! The crazy music venue in a cave in Alabama, a colorful graffiti mountain in Georgia and don’t forget to explore our gift guides for your favorite traveler.

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