Healthy Places to Workout, Eat, and Stay Active in Mountaineer Country

Dining Out, Stores, Gyms, and Fitness Clubs


Take advantage of all the healthy dining, stores, gyms, and fitness clubs that Mountaineer Country has to offer to get in shape and stay on track this year.

Starting a new year means new resolutions for many people. A common New Year’s resolution is improving one’s health, both eating well and getting in shape. Here in Mountaineer Country, there are plenty of healthy dining options, stores, gyms, and fitness clubs to keep you on track and to help you reach your goals. This could be your healthiest year yet!

Eating Healthy


(Food pictured is from Terra Cafe)

The best way to ensure that you eat healthy foods is by cooking your meals at home. You can purchase healthier alternatives at your favorite grocery store or visit one of the many farmer’s markets throughout the year, like the Winter Farmers Market that is open every other Saturday now through April from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Market is another beneficial place to visit. It’s an upscale small marketplace with an assortment of items to help you prepare a last-minute meal or your favorite specialty treats! Mal’s Fresh Produce offers three different stands across Mountaineer Country for you to pick up the perfect produce to cook at home.


(Image from Mal’s Produce Stand)

Eating out does not have to mean greasy, unhealthy food. Mountaineer Country has plenty of restaurants that serve healthy dishes for you to try. Restaurants such as Taziki’s and Fresh Mint Indian Grill are among many restaurants that offer Mediterranean salads, chicken, baked potatoes, hummus, and other foods that are lighter options. Saigon Pho, Bubble Fish and Chaang Thai offer dishes full of authentic flavor and nutritional benefits. If you’re looking for a fruity option that will fill you up, try Fruition Bowls and Brews and opt for one of their fruit-topped acai bowls. Or, head to Flour and Feed LLC after a walk on the rail-trail and munch on their fruit and honey platter.

Rising Creek 2 Tutto Gelato offers healthy breakfast options and great salads for lunch. Black Bear Burritos creates many dishes, including vegan rice and vegetarian beans.


(Images pictured are from Black Bear Burritos)

Terra Cafe has unique salads, soups, and sandwiches with healthy alternatives like the black bean burger. The Greene Turtle recently launched a new gluten-free menu.

Almost Heaven Coffee and Desserts offers a menu full of healthy options you’ll want to indulge in, try one of their acai bowls, or opt for a salad from their fridge. River Birch Cafe is another perfect place to pick up an acai bowl, or fresh made breakfast option.

(Food pictured is from River Birch Cafe)

Pita Pit, Subway, and Panera Bread are also good choices depending on what you order. Finally, grab a blended mix of fruit and vegetables from Get Fit Juices and Shakes.

Staying Active

(Image was taken at the West Virginia Botanic Garden)

Being active can help you stay fit and achieve your goal weight. Mountaineer Country has multiple trails to walk or run, such as Coopers Rock State Forest. Or jog along the Monongahela River, using the Mon River Rail-Trail System. The Rail-Trail is made up of walking, running, and biking trails and was the 2020 Inductee to the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, officiated by the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy (RTC).

Make a splash all year round with the indoor, zero-depth entry pool with fun play features and water slides at the Peak Health Aquatic Center at Mylan Park. When the weather is warm, kids of all ages can enjoy the Outdoor Splash Pad and play areas right outside the Huntington Community Pool. And with the dynamic fitness center on the 2nd level, members can find full-body workouts such as yoga and personal training! There are also gyms such as Planet Fitness, OrangeTheory Fitness, and Zenergy Cycling with different membership options, or cycling, and Pilates classes as well.

For those athletes out there, check out Champion Training Academy (CTA) for one of a kind training. Home to the only aerial skills program in West Virginia and known for their tumbling and All Stars program, this gym specializes in fitness of all kinds. If you want something with a little more dance action, try out one of Marilla Recreation Centers Cha-Cha classes.

Getting Outdoors

(Image was taken atop Raven Rock at Coopers Rock State Forest)

Take your dog to one of Mountaineer Country’s many parks and dog parks where you and your best friend can get some exercise! Depending on the time of year, you can also get a workout outdoors by kayaking, white water rafting, swimming, skiing, or rock climbing!

Enjoy the thrill of mountain biking? Head to Big Bear Lake Trail Center, the East Coast hot spot for single-track mountain biking.


(Image from Boyce McCoy on Big Bear Lake Trails)

Interested in ziplining? Located just 15 miles from Morgantown and located on the north side of Cooper’s Rock State Forest, the Adventure WV Canopy Tour is comprised of four zip-lines, seven tree-based platforms, an aerial bridge, aerial ladder, and a rappel station to exit the course. Although this is a seasonal activity, plan ahead for warmer weather.

If you’d like a calmer outdoor activity, head to Cranesville Swamp for bird watching. Or, visit the West Virginia Botanic Garden, the state’s only Botanic Garden. The garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk with educational walks, camps, and programs available throughout the year, as well as handicap accessible trails and group tours upon request.

Want to blaze a trail? Check out the Top 10 Hiking Adventures in Mountaineer Country for your next trek into the wild and wonderful outdoors.

Playgrounds, fields, and courts are present throughout Mountaineer Country for a person of any age to enjoy! Grab your friends for a game of kickball, play a round of golf, pass a baseball back and forth, jump on a trampoline, or kick around a soccer ball for some fun exercise.

Check out more outdoor activities to do around Mountaineer Country.

Mental Health Break

Eating right and exercising are important, but so is taking some time to enjoy yourself! There are always events coming up in Morgantown that can be both fun and relaxing.

There are multiple historic attractions and museums, such as the Art Museum of West Virginia University that offers visual art. Or you could attend a concert and performance, attend a fair or festival, be a part of Morgantown nightlife, or attend a sporting event like a WVU basketball or West Virginia Black Bears game. Create your own work of art at one of the many pottery and painting studios, such as The WOW! Factory. If you’re feeling adventurous, participate in the workshops at Art Gallery 62 West. In other words, there is something for everyone! Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have fun doing it!

Whether you want to achieve certain health goals or just want to be more mindful of your overall wellbeing, Mountaineer Country has what you need to help make this your best year yet!