Morgantown, WV Road Trips

Morgantown is located on steeply rolling hills along the Monongahela River in North-Central West Virginia, also known as 'Mountaineer Country' and the 'I-79 High-Tech Corridor'. It is the largest city in a greater urban conglomeration including the smaller cities of Fairmont and Clarksburg, the smaller town of Grafton and their surrounding suburbs and smaller towns. The combined population of the greater Morgantown-anchored 6-county area is approximately 260,000 making this area the state's second largest urban conglomeration after the Charleston-Huntington area. Monongalia County has a population of 105,822 and the immediate Morgantown Metropolitan Area has a population of 138,176. West Virginia University is at the heart of Morgantown's identity, culture and economy. A classic college town, Morgantown has seen robust growth for decades and has one of the wealthiest, best-educated and most diverse populations in the state. The West Virginia University Mountaineers have a strong following across the state and region, and college sports games well-attended and lively. Morgantown is a few miles to the west of the Allegheny Front. This long mountain ridge extending south from Pennsylvania has many protected parklands and its elevation change is often the difference between winter snow and ice in Preston County to the east while Morgantown itself sees rain.

1 Core Arboretum, Monongahela Blvd., ☏ +1 304-293-5201. Daily dawn to dusk. 91 acres (37 ha) of old-growth forest sandwiched onto the hillside between Monongahela Boulevard and the river, the Core Arboretum dates back to 1948, when the esteemed Professor Earl Lemley Core, head of the university's Biology Department, convinced his employer to buy the land and set it aside for the study of local trees, shrubs, and plants. The three and a half miles (5.5 km) of trails that crisscross the arboretum are best for avid hikers — the slope down to the riverbank is quite steep indeed — but your reward might be a taste of the elusive pawpaw (a fruit that's native to the area, but not easy to find in stores owing to its quick spoilage), or, in the springtime, a colorful carpet of wildflowers to enjoy. 2 Dorsey's Knob. An excellent view of the Rolling Hills of West Virginia at no cost. 3 West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd. Gardens in a former reservoir. (updated Aug 2023) 4 Hazel Ruby McQuain Park and Caperton Trail. The Hazel Ruby McQuain Park downtown features an ampitheatre, the paved Caperton Trail follows a former railroad route extending both directions from the park 5.7 miles along the east bank of the Monongahela River from Star City in the north to White Park in First Ward to the south. (updated Aug 2023) 5 The Royce J. and Caroline B. Watts Museum, 401 Evansdale Drive, ☏ +1 304-293-4609, [email protected]. M W F Sa 1-4PM. Mineral Resources Building Room 125.

West Virginia University's sports teams are undoubtedly Morgantown's highest-profile attraction and loved by almost everyone in the state. The Mountaineers have teams in seven men's sports, ten women's sports, and one coeducational sport (rifle shooting), mostly as members of the Big 12 Conference. As at most other big schools, the football and men's basketball teams have the most attendees at games. Notably, when Milan Puskar Stadium is filled for football games, the stadium becomes the largest "city" in the state by a large amount. While a small number of WVU fans aren't totally friendly to opposing fans, violence is essentially nonexistent, and neutral visitors should have no trouble. For fun, try to wear dark blue and golden yellow. Different sports are played at different venues. 1 West Virginia Mountaineers football, Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, 3450 Jerry West Blvd., toll-free: +1 800 WVU-GAME (988-4263). The season is from September to November. 2 West Virginia Mountaineers basketball, WVU Coliseum, 3450 Jerry West Blvd. (between Blue and Gold Gate entrances), toll-free: +1 800 WVU-GAME (988-4263). The season is from November to April. 3 West Virginia Mountaineers baseball, Monongalia County Ballpark, 2040 Gyorko Drive, Granville, toll-free: +1 800 WVU-GAME (988-4263). The season is from February to June. 4 West Virginia Mountaineers soccer, Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, Monongahela Blvd. (near Saratoga Avenue), toll-free: +1 800 WVU-GAME (988-4263). The season is from September to November.

1 Black Bear Burritos, 3119 University Ave, ☏ +1 304-777-4867. M-Sa 11:00AM-10PM. Burritos of all ethnic cuisines, served in a unique Appalachian atmosphere. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Boston Beanery Restaurant, 383 Patteson Drive, ☏ +1 304-599-1870. Catch the spirit of Old Boston! Salads, entrées, clam chowder and more available. (updated Oct 2025) 3 Oliverio's Ristorante, 52 Clay Street, ☏ +1 304-296-2565. M Tu 4-10PM, W-F 11AM-10PM, Sa 3-10PM, Su 4-9PM. Tuscan-inspired cuisine Pasta dishes $13-15, mains $17-45. (updated Mar 2017) 4 Yama Japanese Restaurant, 387½ High Street, ☏ +1 304-291-2456. M-F 11:30AM-3PM, 5-8PM; Sa noon-3PM, 5-8PM. Authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi. Noodles, bowls $8; mains $12.50. (updated Mar 2017) 5 Blue Moose Coffeehouse, 248 Walnut Street. Su-Tu 7AM-3PM, W-Sa 7AM-7PM. Breakfast, lunch, and live entertainment. (updated Oct 2025) 6 Chaang Thai Restaurant, 361 High St, ☏ +1 304-241-1962. (updated Oct 2025) 7 Saigon Pho Kitchen, 3109 University Av. (updated Oct 2025) 8 El Pollon II, 1111 Van Voorhis Rd, ☏ +1 304-241-4407. Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken. (updated Oct 2025) 9 La Tapatia Market and Tacos, 1200 Green Bag Rd #14, ☏ +1 304-241-1545. (updated Oct 2025) 10 Ta-Khrai Thai Cafe, 2862 University Ave, ☏ +1 304-322-2737. (updated Oct 2025) 11 Fresh Mint Indian Grill, 40 High St, ☏ +1 304-381-2805. (updated Oct 2025) 12 Jamaican Spice WV, 708 Beechurst Ave, ☏ +1 304-241-4554. (updated Oct 2025) 13 Istanbul Restaurant, 2995 University Av, ☏ +1 304-322-2255. (updated Oct 2025)

Because Morgantown is home to a major university, downtown Morgantown nightlife thrives for those in their twenties to early thirties. High Street is the main center for bar activity. Similar student activity can be found adjacent to the main West Virginia University campus in the Sunnyside area. The summer months are much quieter because many of the students leave town. State law does not allow anyone less than 21 years old to purchase alcohol. 1 Forks of Cheat Winery, 2811 Stewartstown Road, toll-free: +1-877-WV WINES (9894637). M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Offering 29 white, red, and fruit wines. Tours and tastings available, weather permitting. 2 4th & Goal, 234 Walnut Street, ☏ +1 304-225-2663. M-F 5PM-3AM, Sa Su 11:30AM-3AM. Weekly drink specials. Food, pool table, darts, beer pong. Inquire for private parties. (updated Oct 2016) 3 The Backdoor Bar & Tavern, 485 High Street, ☏ +1 304-292-5936. M-Th Sa 8PM-3AM; F 5PM-3AM. Weekly drink specials including a happy hour buffet and live entertainment with karaoke. (updated Oct 2016) 4 Mario's Fishbowl, 704 Richwood Avenue, ☏ +1 304-292-2511. M-W 11AM-midnight, Th-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su noon-10PM. Morgantown's best-known bar among students and alumni. 5 The Sports Page, 325 High Street, ☏ +1 304-284-0996. M-F 5PM-3AM, Sa 11AM-3AM, Su noon-2AM. Happy hour everyday from 5-8PM. Weekly drink specials. Food, pool and foosball table, TV, and dance floor. (updated Oct 2016) 6 Morgantown Brewing Company, 1291 University Avenue, ☏ +1 304-454-5900. Brewing 24 beers, ales, stouts, bitters and lagers. Serves good pub food.

1 Best Western Mountaineer Inn, 366 Boyers Ave (Near I-79.), ☏ +1 304-599-5399. Indoor pool, continental breakfast, high speed internet, coffee maker, and iron. (updated Oct 2016) 2 Hotel Morgan, 127 High St, ☏ +1 304-292-8200. Historic hotel in downtown Morgantown, directly beside the historic Warner Theatre. 3 Euro-Suites Hotel, 501 Chestnut Ridge Road, ☏ +1 304-598-1000. Upscale "green" facility. Internet and breakfast are free. 4 Hilton Garden Inn, 150 Suncrest Towne Center Drive, ☏ +1 304-225-9500. Affordable prices that include free Wi-Fi, workout facility, and indoor pool. 5 Residence Inn Morgantown, 1046 Willowdale Rd. Full amenities directly across from Ruby Memorial Hospital and Milan Puskar Stadium. (updated Oct 2016) 6 Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place, Two Waterfront Place, ☏ +1 304-296-1700. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Overlooking the Monongahela River in the restored Wharf District. 7 Quality Inn, 225 Comfort Inn Drive (Off 1-68 south of city), ☏ +1 304-296-9364. Free continental breakfast. Pets welcomed. Indoor hot tub and fitness center. Alpine Lake Resort, 700 W Alpine Drive, Terra Alta (1 hour from Morgantown on I-68), ☏ +1 304-789-2481, toll-free: +1-800-752-7179. 35 rooms. Indoor heated pool, fitness center. 150-acre lake with beach, 8-hole golf course, restaurant, lounge, pro shop, miniature golf, tennis, basketball, cross-country skiing, fishing and hiking. Maple Leaf Motel, corner of Morgantown Street and Main Street off I-68, Bruceton Mills, 33 km east of MorganTtown on I-68. ☏ +1 304-379-4075. 12 rooms.

1 Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW IATA). A small airport with scheduled flights from Washington Dulles International Airport and from Pittsburgh International Airport, as well as other locations. Pittsburgh International Airport PIT IATA: 75 mi (121 km) north of Morgantown, and has scheduled commercial service from many airports in the U.S. and other countries. Washington Dulles International Airport IAD IATA: 200 mi (320 km) east of Morgantown, and has scheduled commercial service from airports all over the world, including about 40 countries. Major routes in and out of Morgantown include: I-79, which runs in a north-south fashion through the western side of Morgantown I-68, which runs in an east-west fashion through the southern side of Morgantown WV 43, a section of the Mon-Fayette Expressway connecting the Morgantown area to Fayette County, Pennsylvania US 119, which runs in a north-south fashion through downtown US 19, which runs through downtown WV 7 WV 705 Morgantown is: 77 miles (120 km) south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 385 miles (615 km) north of Charlotte, North Carolina; 528 miles (845 km) east of Chicago, Illinois; 218 miles (350 km) west of Washington, D.C. 1 Megabus, Mountaineer Bus Station, 1112 Van Voorhis Road. Service from Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

Downtown Morgantown has a lot of things to do, and it is definitely possible to see it by walking around. Other areas around Morgantown are similarly dense with fun activities and are easy to walk around. Certain places are further away from the center of town and will likely require a bicycle or a car to visit them. Morgantown is very hilly and steep, areas close on a map may be separated by a significant change in elevation, and the winding nature of routings can be disorienting to those unfamiliar with navigating mountainous terrain. Morgantown's interstate highways skirt the edges of town, forming a sort of partial bypass/beltway; I-79 runs north-south along the western fringe and I-68 begins at an interchange with I-79 southwest of the city center and heads east, skirting the southern and eastern suburbs. The part of Morgantown north of downtown is the most populous, and crossing this area roughly west to east, connecting I-79 to I-68 is a large, busy suburban arterial route consisting of portions of other routes strung together. A small part of Chaplin Hill Rd. (exit 155 to WV-7) connects to US-19/WV-7 crossing the Monongahela River to WV-705 (Patteson Dr., Van Voorhis Rd., Chestnut Ridge Rd., 201st INF/FA Memorial Way), US-119 (Mileground Rd) and WV-857 (Cheat Rd.) connecting with I-68 at exit 7. US-19 follows an indirect route, entering the Morgantown area from the southwest and traveling east through Westover into downtown Morgantown; then turning north and following the river to cross it again in Star City, from where it parallels I-79 north into Pennsylvania.