Weekend Adventure Getaway in Greater Morgantown, WV

Your action-packed weekend is closer than you think! Located just 70 miles south of Pittsburgh (intersection of Interstates 79 and 68), Greater Morgantown is rich with natural beauty, challenging terrain and an eclectic university culture. Your adventure starts with whitewater rafting on the roller coaster rapids of Cheat River. If the weather is questionable go underground for some "wild caving" — no experience is necessary to see the natural wonders down below.

In the late afternoon, hit the rail trail that winds along the mighty Mon River. Rent a bike or take a hike; from the trail you can choose a cozy riverside restaurant for dinner. Then head downtown to experience the university culture: neighborhood bistros, family-owned eateries and sports pubs featuring live entertainment nearly every weekend.

Day two: Drive to Little Sandy Restaurant, just 20 minutes from city center, for the local buckwheat cakes, sausage gravy and biscuits. Continue on to Coopers Rock; 50 miles of trails wind through old growth forests, but it’s just a short hike to view the mile-wide Cheat River Gorge from a 1,200-ft. overlook. Make your way to the famous Rock City with 30-inch boulders and an abundance of top rope routes. "Sunset Wall," "Big Blocks," "Greenback Wall" and "Haystack Block" feature a proliferation of hemlock, which forms shady groves for a cool break after climbing. Head back down the mountain to Forks-of-Cheat Winery for a tour and tasting. Don't leave town without your West Virginia University souvenir. The best selections can be found at the Book Exchange, WVU Game Day and Mountaineer Corner.

Planning a full weekend is easy, just check out the Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site calendar of events. Food lovers, try to coordinate your visit with Chocolate Lovers Day (April 17), The Wild Game Dinner (May 6), RibFest (June 26), Brew HA HA (August 7), The Chicken Wing Cook-off (August) or the Wine and Jazz Festival (September). A number of outdoor events make great spectator sports: Cheat River Festival, 10 miles of thrilling whitewater that rushes through infamous rapids; Medexpress Spirit of Morgantown Triathlon, attracting more than 800 athletes; 24 Hours of Big Bear, 200 mountain biking teams and 50 solo riders and over 1,000 spectators; Wild and Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally, more than 50,000 bikers and attendees; West Virginia Bass Championship, 50 of WV's best bass fishing teams compete on the rich waters of the Monongahela River; Banff Mountain Film Festival, a video journey through mountain landscapes and the world's top adventurers tell their stories; and WVU Sports, hundreds of events each year featuring West Virginia University's 16 Division I men's and women's athletes. The Greater Morgantown Area Convention & Visitors Bureau concierge provides visitors' guides, maps, lodging assistance and itinerary planning — all at no cost.