Romantic Staycation for Couples

Are you and your loved one a thrill-seeking couple or do you like to sit back and relax? If you’re both, or even somewhere in between the two, Mountaineer Country is perfect for your romantic staycation if you want to bond over breathtaking outdoor adventure. Stay in North Central West Virginia and experience “Almost Heaven” beyond every turn, as you discover our best-kept secrets on your next date night!

Take Your Love to New Heights

Head to Cooper’s Rock State Forest and say goodbye to everyday stress. Nearly 50 miles of trails wind through the majestic woodlands for every type of hiker. Whether you’re a beginner or you’re experienced and looking for a challenging hike, make your way out to the 1,200-foot scenic overlook–a popular spot for proposals and weddings. The famous “Rock City” boasts 30-foot boulders as well as an abundance of top rope routes.

Put your love to the test and “hang out” while hanging from a zip line at West Virginia University’s Adventure WV Zip Line Canopy Tour–the only school in the U.S. to have one on campus. Plus, it’s just minutes from Cooper’s Rock State Forest. Four lines, ranging in length from 201 feet to 980 feet, connect thrill-seekers to an aerial bridge and a 45-foot rappel station.

Listen to the Love Doves

Enjoy a spectacular range of birds and mammals by taking a day drip to Cranesville Swamp. Lucky visitors may spot the rare northern water shrew or catch a glimpse of a bear rummaging through the shrub thickets surrounding Muddy Creek. Make sure to pack binoculars (and your patience) for the chance to spot any one of the more than 100 bird species, such as alder flycatcher, blackburnian warbler, or the saw-whet owl. Also, Cathedral State Park–a 133-acre park–is an ancient hemlock forest of magnificent proportions where you can find trees up to 90 feet in height and 21 feet in circumference.

Jump In and Get Your Feet Wet

Brave the churning whitewater of the mighty Cheat River Canyon. Grab your paddle and hold on tight–the Cheat River produces Class III, IV, and V rapids. Half day and full day whitewater rafting trips are available through several rafting companies.

If you’d like to spend time by the water in a more relaxed fashion, a quiet, romantic escape to clear mountain streams and long, lazy rivers offer opportunities for fishing and canoeing. Paddle through the calm backwaters of Cheat Lake or the flat waters of the Big Sandy River where many have spotted deer, ducks, turtles, blue heron, beaver, and even an otter family.

Root for Your Favorite Team

Love all things sports? Catch a West Virginia Black Bears game! The WV Black Bears–the Minor League Baseball team affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates–June through September at the Monongalia County Ballpark. Also, the Monongalia County Ballpark was named the winner in the MiLB Best of the Ballparks competition by ballparkdigest.com.

Get Tickets to a Show

Be entertained by a local show! Broadway plays head to Morgantown in the summer where historic Met Theatre is the backdrop for West Virginia Public Theatre.

Wine and Dine, and Dance the Night Away

Mountaineer Country is a foodies’ paradise! Countless customs, traditions, and recipes that have been passed down over generations are a vibrant part of daily life here and make Mountaineer Country an epicenter of Appalachian culture!

Taste Mountaineer “Spirit” and sample local wines and the ports fortified with moonshine at Forks of Cheat Winery. The back deck is perfect in the warm months, creating a romantic view of the vineyards and mountain backdrop.

If your taste buds prefer beer, stop by West Virginia’s oldest operating microbrewery, Morgantown Brewing Company, for craft brews. Mountain State Brewing Company and Chestnut Brew Works are also local favorites! You’re bound to run into friendly people, eager to share their stories–and learn about yours–over the rim of a glass. Mario’s fishbowl, located in both Downtown and Suncrest, is a college-town favorite for just that…a fishbowl of your favorite beer!

After dinner and drinks, head downtown and experience the nightlife! The downtown area pulses with the beat of countless live performances and is compact, making it easy for club-hopping couples to stroll the streets from one activity to the next all night! Plus, as the sun goes down, local food cart vendors emerge along downtown’s side streets selling hot dogs, pretzels and more!

There are several restaurants located along the Monongahela River, making it the perfect setting for a post-dinner stroll on the rail trail.

Join in on Festival Fun

Here in Mountaineer Country, there is fun to be had all year round with fairs and festivals for wine and jazz, motorcycle enthusiasts, buckwheat cakes, chestnuts, and chocolate! Plan your romantic getaway around one of these events and you’re sure to be entertained all weekend.

Get MORE! fun ideas for couples here!

Check out our recommended itineraries for a couples weekend adventure that includes WV Black Bear tickets, a Zip Line Canopy Tour from AdventureWV, a Whitewater Rafting pass from Cheat River Outfitters, or golfing at Lakeview Resort.

What is your favorite date night spot in Mountaineer Country? Share with us by using #VisitMountaineerCountry and #VisitMountaineerCountryYes!

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