About Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia is located in North Central West Virginia, near the Pennsylvania and Maryland border. Easily accessible via Interstates 79 and 68, both of which traverse the city.
- Metro population -- 70,350 (2019)
- An additional 26,839 full-time WVU students
- Vibrant, diverse college town atmosphere
Accolades
- Morgantown was featured as a top "West Virginia Weekend Getaway" by Trips to Discover.
- Morgantown was recognized as the “Tastiest Town” by the Charleston Gazette.
- Movoto ranked Morgantown the #1 “Most Exciting Place in West Virginia” for its nightlife, music, and art.
- Morgantown is one of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live” by Livability.
- Morgantown was recognized as one of the “Top 15 College Football Towns in the Country” by Bleacher Report.
- Morgantown is also one of the “Top 10 Best Places to Raise a Family” by Livability.
- Morgantown has been named the "Most Educated City in West Virginia" by Insurify.
- Morgantown is one of the “South’s Best Small Towns” by Southern Living.
- Morgantown is one of the “Best Affordable Places to Live” by Livability.
- Morgantown is the 28th community in the U.S. to earn a “Safe Communities” accreditation.
Other facts
- Low cost of living relative to larger cities.Many residents own their own homes, but rental options abound as well.
- Low crime rate.
- Relatively short commute time regardless of what neighborhood you chose to live in, which means more time after work to spend with family and on activities you enjoy.
Things to do in Morgantown
Duration:
Real. Morgantown
Sports
- Named one of the best sports cities by the Sporting News
- Home of the West Virginia University Mountaineers, members of the Big 12 conference
- Big time college basketball and football games
- Home of the West Virginia Black Bears, members of the MLB Draft League (summer collegiate wooden bat league sponsored by Major League Baseball)
Outdoor Activities
Abundant hiking trails within a short driving distance of Morgantown:
- Coopers Rock State Forest, only 12 miles from the hospital campus, contains multiple hiking trails, as well as 30 foot boulders as part of the Rock City climbing area
- Multiple other state parks within an hour drive—Cathedral, Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Valley Falls, Stonewall Resort all with numerous trails and activities to suit any outdoor interest
White Water Rafting:
- Nearby Class II-V rapid trips available on the Youghiogheny River, less than an hour from Morgantown in nearby parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland
- World class rapids on the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia are available approximately 2 hours from campus
Mon River Trail:
- 48 total miles of trail in the greater Morgantown area, 8 miles of which are paved, with the remainder being crushed limestone
- Great for jogging, walking with friends or family, strollers, biking
Skiing:
- Some of the best downhill skiing on the East Coast within easy driving distance
- Wisp Resort, Deep Creek, Maryland (41 miles)
- Timberline Four Seasons Ski Resort (80 miles)
- Canaan Valley State Park (82 miles)
- Snowshoe Mountain—widely regarded as one of the best East Coast ski resorts with a 4800 ft summit and 1500 ft vertical drop and 180 inches of annual snowfall. 56 total trails (121 miles)
Dining
- All ethnic cuisines represented
- Many restaurants utilizing locally sourced ingredients to create regional and international dishes
- Forks of the Cheat Winery, Mountain State Brewing, Morgantown Brewing Company, and Chestnut Brew Works in Morgantown offer opportunities to sample locally produced libations
Although we’ve highlighted some of the great things to do in Morgantown above, many more activities, including indoor activities, touring Broadway shows, and even more outdoor activities are available.