Water Sports
Fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing and more are all an option in this West Virginia town. Cheat Canyon supplies over 30 rapids rated as Class III or better, and the Cheat River Watershed, the largest free-flowing watershed on the East Coast, flows first into Cheat Lake, then into the Monongahela River. Try fly fishing, popular in the area and a great way to snag some trout, at Coopers Rock Lake.
Morgantown Farmers Market
Held every Saturday morning, the Morgantown Farmers Market was established in 2002 and is a popular destination with more than 40 vendors selling fresh produce, meats, eggs and breads. Everything is grown within a 50-mile radius of the city. You can also learn some new cooking tricks via culinary demonstrations, take in the tunes of local musicians while strolling amongst the vendors or kick up your cardio with healthy lifestyle activities from classes lead by local fitness instructors, demonstrations or—if you’re lucky—catch a flash mob.
West Virginia Botanic Garden
Morgantown’s gem is the West Virginia Botanic Garden. Walk through the beautifully landscaped gardens and the 82-acre park that features wooded areas, rolling hills, small streams and a sparkling pond at the center. The garden is perfect for birdwatching; you may even see a song sparrow or the indigo bunting.
Forks of Cheat Winery
This family-owned operation has been open since 1990 with a whimsical origin story: A young Jerry Deal, Forks of Cheat’s founder, was caught stealing grapes from his neighbor, so he decided to plant his own. Now, his winery grows both French hybrid and American varietal grapes and makes a variety of red, white, blush and specialty wines. Go for a tasting and buy a bottle to take home. At the gift shop, you’ll also find gift baskets, custom wine labels and bulk wine discounts.
