Morgantown combines an extensive rail-trail system with cultural venues, architecture, and the WVU Core Arboretum. When choosing where to stay, you can first ask yourself which of these interests you most: longer routes along streams and rivers, green spaces and walking paths, or theater, art, and downtown history. This can help you tailor your search for hotels in Morgantown to the themes you want to shape your trip.
Rail Trails and Paths in the Arboretum
The Mon River Rail-Trail System includes the Mon River Trail, the Caperton Trail, and the Deckers Creek Trail. The paved Caperton Trail forms a six-mile section in the middle of the system and runs through Morgantown. In Morgantown, the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail also branches off from the Caperton Trail; its 19.5 miles run along the creek.
The WVU Core Arboretum offers a special combination of trail and landscape: the Caperton Rail-Trail passes through the arboretum and is part of the larger Mon River Rail-Trail System. The grounds cover 91 acres of hillsides and valley bottoms between Monongahela Boulevard and the Monongahela River, near the Hope Coliseum. They also include three miles of walking paths. When considering the arboretum, you can distinguish between the rail trail that passes through it and its own network of walking paths.
Another option on the water is Walnut Street Landing at 2 Walnut Street, where there is a public, accessible kayak launch with an EZ-Launch system. This launch is a destination in its own right; it is not automatically part of the trail connections described here. When planning your trip, it is worth sorting these different activities according to your interests rather than treating all the paths and places as one route.
Culture, Architecture, and Events
In the Downtown Historic District, the Metropolitan Theatre has been a cultural anchor for almost 100 years. The historic downtown building presents plays, films, and other events. The Monongalia Arts Center complements this cultural focus with several functions: it is a local museum, theater, arts education center, and cultural center. Morgantown therefore brings together different forms of cultural activity, from performance venues to arts education.
For a look at the downtown’s classical architecture, take the self-guided Historic Downtown Morgantown Audio Walking Tour. It explores the architectural styles of downtown and is available as a printed guidebook, through Google Maps, or as a downloadable booklet. Its self-guided format sets it apart from a scheduled stage program: with the audio guide, you can focus on architecture and city history, while theaters and other venues offer a different focus.
The Art Museum of West Virginia University also combines exhibitions with other offerings, including artist demonstrations, workshops, lectures, concerts, and theatrical performances. The Ruby Amphitheater in Hazel Ruby McQuain Park hosts open-air concerts; the venue in Morgantown’s historic downtown has more than 1,500 seats. The Metropolitan Theatre and the amphitheater thus offer different event settings, while the Art Museum ties its additional programs to exhibitions.
Choose Your Stay Based on Your Interests
The places described do not make up a set itinerary; instead, they offer different starting points for a stay. If trails and scenery are your main interests, the lengths of the Caperton and Deckers Creek trails and the paths in the arboretum give you concrete points of comparison. For a stay with a stronger cultural focus, consider the architecture tour, the Monongalia Arts Center’s different functions, and the event venues.
Discover more destinations: Cheat Lake, Westover.
For the broader travel overview: Monongalia.
