Outdoor Adventures for the 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 Crimson Shamrock Ranch, a working fiber farm where alpaca and sheep reside about one-hour away from the Zoo!

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.

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.

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Spend quality time with the kids by camping at Cooper’s Rock State Forest for beautiful views and exciting outdoor activities, relax by a fire and toast marshmallows at Glade Farms Campgrounds, or rent a cabin in the hills at Mountain Creek Cabins!

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Indoor 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.

Rent a lane to 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.

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Watching a play is always a great way to spend family time. Check out the arts venues in Greater Morgantown.

Upcoming Arts Events


Parks and 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.

See the Best Hiking Trails Around Morgantown

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.

See the Best Hiking Trails Around Morgantown

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.

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Educational Fun


Morgantown Public Library often hosts library time for babies and their parents to enjoy stories, songs, play stations, and time together. Story time sessions for children that are a bit older are available as well. You can also find sessions at Cheat Area Public Library and Clinton District Library.

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.

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Cheaper Activities Around Town


Play disc golf at Dorsey’s Knob or pass the soccer ball at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. 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.

See 25 Free Things to Do

See 102 Things to Do


Places to Eat


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 Little Sandy’s Restaurant, 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!

See More Culinary Options


Shopping


A trip to the Morgantown Farmer’s 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, there is a children’s play area at the Morgantown Mall that is perfect for shopping breaks for kids that are 42 inches tall and under.

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

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


Upcoming Events

March 19, 2024
$5
Spark! Imagination and Science Center
Spark! Imagination and Science Center, Green Bag Road, Morgantown, WV, USA
March 19, 2024
Free to Attend
AntiquiTea House
AntiquiTea House, University Avenue, Morgantown, WV, USA
March 19, 2024
Free
Mason-Dixon Historical Park
Mason Dixon Historical Park, Buckeye Road, Core, WV, USA
March 21, 2024
Free
Animal Science Research, Education and Outreach Center
Animal Science Farm Road, Morgantown, WV, USA
March 21, 2024
Morgantown Mall
Morgantown Mall, Mall Road, Morgantown, WV, USA
March 23, 2024
$20
Metropolitan Theatre
Metropolitan Theatre, High Street, Morgantown, WV, USA

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