FAMILY FRIENDLY GUIDE TO MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY, WV

  • Family and Kid Friendly

    Need ideas for fun activities that your kids will love? Look no further than Mountaineer Country!

No matter the age, you’ll find a kid-friendly activity that your child will surely enjoy. Take a look at what Mountaineer Country has to offer, then check out the kid-friendly brochure that includes a map of the area and additional information that you can take with you wherever you go!

Outdoor Adventures for the ENTIRE Family

With over 100 animals from around the world, Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo is perfect for a wildlife adventure. Your kids will have the opportunity to feed giraffes, goats, and lemurs, ride camels, and even see exotic animals. You could also take the kids to Morgantown Adventure Outfitters, a kayak, bike, and paddle board rental spot right on the Caperton Trail!

Bond with the kids by taking a soaring adventure with WVU Zip Canopy Tour and zipline through the trees together. While you’re there, try something new by staying in a yurt for the weekend. Not ready to conquer your fear of heights yet? No worries! Stop by Morgantown Miniature Golf and try to win a year of free golf.

Explore the rapids on a water rafting tour with Cheat River Outfitters on the Cheat Narrows. There is also rock climbing, caving, and paintball nearby if you and the kids would rather stay out of the water.

Campgrounds

CAMPGROUNDS & CABINS

Spend quality time with the kids by camping at Coopers Rock State Forest for beautiful views and exciting outdoor activities, relax by a fire and toast marshmallows at Sand Springs Campground, or rent a cabin in the hills at Mountain Creek Cabins!

INDOOR
FAMILY FUN!

Rainy day? No problem! Spark! Imagination and Science Center is a great way to spend a rainy day. Families can dig for dinosaur fossils, engineer a ball ramp, build with giant blocks, investigate nanoscience, discover Space Weather, and play dress-up in Sparks! many hands-on exhibits.

Launch Pad Trampoline Park is another great place to take the kids on a rainy day for indoor jumping fun. Kids can release some energy by playing on trampolines, diving into foam pits, shooting some hoops, and more!

Your kids will love being investigators at one of the escape rooms in Greater Morgantown to solve clues and “escape” the room before time runs out! Both Xscape! and Morgantown Escape Room recommend that older kids participate in order to work and solve puzzles with their teams.

Are you a family full of cryptid lovers? Stop by Cryptid Mountain Miniature Golf for a round of indoor putt-putt as you check out all of the West Virginia cryptids.

Rent a lane and “cosmic bowl” at Suburban Lanes for a Friday or Saturday night out with the kids! You can also visit during the week for regular bowling.

BOWLING IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY

Parks

PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS

Visit Alpine Lake Resort for activities ranging from miniature golf to playing on the beach and boating. Monongahela Riverfront Rail Trail is great for an evening family walk and time at the EVOS playground to encourage kids to play using their imagination. Tug Boat Depot in Star City also has a play area that your kids will love.

If it is warm enough outside, you and the kids can rent a boat, kayak, paddleboard, and other water equipment for a day on Cheat Lake, or take the kids on an exploration of the trails around town! Plan a picnic at Cooper’s Rock for an incredible view, or bike along the Rail Trail. And if your kids enjoy cooler temperatures, check out White Park for the indoor ice skating rink and five miles of trails for cross country skiing.

PLAYGROUNDS IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY

HIKING & SWIMMING

Cheat Lake Park and Trail is perfect for a “beach” day where the kids can play and swim. There are also many parks such as Krepps Park and Marilla Park that offer play and picnic areas, as well as outdoor swimming pools.

Hiking & Swimming
Educational fun
West Virginia State Seal - Reverse Side

EDUCATIONAL FUN AWAITS

Kids can paint pottery and create works of art at The Wow Factory in Star City, where story painting and guided canvas painting classes are available to kids!

Get inspired by taking the kids to an art venue around town like the Art Museum of WVU or see a show at the WVU Creative Arts Center. You could also visit the Monongalia Arts Center (MAC) where you and the kids can enjoy a ballet or participate in an art education class.

At Spark! Imagination and Science Center, your kids can have fun and learn about science at the same time. Interactive art exhibits and hands-on learning are located throughout the museum. Space weather, dinosaurs, and engineering skills are just some of the topics that kids can learn about while visiting Spark!

The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey overlooks Cheat Lake in a converted state park lodge. Kids have the opportunity to see casts of T-Rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and Allosaurus skulls, a full-sized Edmontosaurus dinosaur, as well as mineral and fossil displays.

Choo! Choo! Take the kids to the Rowlesburg B&O Depot and Museum for the chance to see railroad memorabilia, pictures, and trains. For an extended day of trains, twenty minutes away is the Tray Run Viaduct in Tunnelton, where you will find the railroad bridge that is depicted on the back of the West Virginia state seal and is still in operation today.

CHEAPER ACTIVITIES AROUND TOWN

Play disc golf at Dorsey’s Knob or take advantage of one of the free swimming days at Mylan Park. Go on a scavenger hunt with the kids to hunt for the must-see icons located throughout Greater Morgantown, or make a game out of looking for 50 species of wildflowers at Cathedral State Park. Afterward, reach for the stars at the WVU Planetarium & Observatory, where free, special astronomy shows are held weekly.

Cheaper Activities
Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit

Plan YOUR NEXT MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY VISIT

Are you ready for a WILD! adventure? Plan your trip to North Central West Virginia, where fun and educational activities await visitors of all ages. Enjoy local parks and playgrounds or dive into indoor attractions. Build your own itinerary, use one of our special interest day trips, or take a check-in challenge. You can also share your itinerary with friends. Save money during your visit with valuable discount coupons built into the app.

Plan your trip to Mountaineer Country today using the VMCCVB Trip Planner App, available for free in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Browse the area’s local hotels, gear shops, restaurants and scenic overlooks to create your perfect wilderness excursion.


And because we all know that every good trip has a story, we invite you to share your outdoor adventure story with us! Share pictures from your Mountaineer Country adventure with us by using #VisitMountaineerCountry and #MountaineerCountryYes on your social media posts!

Be the first to know about giveaways, events, discounts, and deals!

Explore Mountaineer Country’s diverse attractions with the “25 Free Things To Do” and “102 Things To Do” guides. Whether you’re looking to hike through lush trails, visit historical sites, or enjoy breathtaking arts scenes, Mountaineer Country has an array of activities to suit all interests. From one-of-a-kind adventures to cultural enrichments, discover all the fun and affordability this vibrant area has to offer.

CHECK OUT

25 FREE
THINGS TO DO

CHECK OUT

102
THINGS TO DO

PLACES TO EAT IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY

Greater Morgantown is home to a diverse culinary scene and was named the “Best Town for Foodies” by WV Living because of it!

Many restaurants like Colasante’s Ristorante, Oliverio’s Ristorante, and Mountain State Brewing Company offer kid-friendly items, so both you and the kids can have a nice meal out.
Dinner is always better when it is followed by dessert! Treat the kids to The Cupcakerie for delectable cupcakes or Mountaineer Country Ice Cream for a large selection of ice cream flavors!

SHOPPING

A trip to the Morgantown Farmers Market makes for a good Saturday, especially when you bring the kids along! Kids can help choose quality produce and meet local vendors, view culinary demonstrations, hear live music, and more!

Though clothes shopping may not be your child’s favorite activity, Suncrest Towne Center makes it enjoyable. Enjoy lunch, outdoor time, and shopping all in one place.

Another option is to take the kids to look around Pinocchio’s Books and Toys in downtown Morgantown. The store has many items ranging from books, trains, and figurines to puppets and music.

For more places to shop, check out the University Town Center Shopping Guide.

  • positive-rating

    Whatever you decide to do, you and the kids are sure to have a wonderful time exploring the kid-friendly activities in Mountaineer Country!

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