Morgantown | USA West Virginia

Morgantown, the spirited home of West Virginia University (WVU), is one of the most dynamic and progressive cities in the state. Tucked in the Monongahela River valley near the Pennsylvania border, it blends the energy of a university town with the warmth of Appalachian character. Though small in size, Morgantown feels alive-anchored by education, innovation, and a strong sense of place.

Setting and Geography

Morgantown lies in Monongalia County, in north-central West Virginia, about 75 miles south of Pittsburgh. The city climbs steep hills on both sides of the Monongahela River, which winds through its center. Because of this varied terrain, the town seems to rise in tiers-campus buildings, old neighborhoods, and wooded ridges layered above one another like a natural amphitheater.

From almost anywhere, you can glimpse the water below or the blue-green slopes beyond. In autumn, those hills explode with color, creating one of the most beautiful urban landscapes in Appalachia. The air carries the scent of river mist and coffee from college cafés, and the downtown hums with a blend of student chatter and local life.

Historical Background

The area was first settled in the 1770s by pioneers seeking farmland near the river. It officially became Morgantown in 1785, named after Colonel Zackquill Morgan, who established the original fort and trading post. During the 19th century, Morgantown grew slowly as a small river and coal town, but its fortunes changed dramatically with the founding of West Virginia University in 1867.

The arrival of the university transformed the local economy and culture. Education, not industry, became the city’s lifeblood. The 20th century saw Morgantown expand with glassmaking, coal mining, and rail transport, but WVU remained its anchor through every economic shift. Unlike many Appalachian towns that struggled with industrial decline, Morgantown thrived on research, medicine, and education.

Economy and Education

Today, Morgantown stands as West Virginia’s intellectual and economic hub. The presence of West Virginia University, with over 26,000 students, drives most of the city’s economy and culture. The university is known for strong programs in engineering, medicine, energy research, journalism, and law. Its sprawling campus stretches from downtown up to Evansdale, linked by the unique Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system-an automated, electric mini-train that glides between stations like something out of a 1970s sci-fi film.

The WVU Medicine network is one of the largest employers in the region, anchored by Ruby Memorial Hospital and the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, both at the cutting edge of health innovation. Together, they attract professionals, researchers, and medical students from across the nation.

Beyond education and healthcare, Morgantown’s economy includes high-tech industries, defense research (through Mylan Park and National Energy Technology Laboratory), and a growing small-business scene. The Mylan Pharmaceuticals legacy, though diminished after mergers, helped shape the city’s modern identity as a research-driven community.

Culture and Daily Life

Morgantown pulses with university life. On fall Saturdays, the entire city seems to wear gold and blue, and cheers echo from Milan Puskar Stadium as the WVU Mountaineers take the field. Between semesters, the pace slows, giving downtown a more intimate, small-town rhythm.

High Street, Morgantown’s main artery, is the cultural heart-lined with bars, restaurants, bookstores, and century-old façades. During the day, it buzzes with coffee drinkers, students with backpacks, and the smell of pizza or barbecue drifting from open doorways. At night, the same street transforms into a lively corridor of music and nightlife.

The city’s cultural calendar includes film festivals, mountain music events, and university theater productions. The Metropolitan Theatre, a restored 1920s landmark, hosts concerts and community performances under its glowing marquee. Meanwhile, WVU’s Art Museum and the Creative Arts Center provide spaces for modern art, dance, and orchestral music.

Morgantown’s food scene has grown increasingly cosmopolitan, offering everything from Appalachian comfort food to Thai, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine. Local favorites include pepperoni rolls, pulled pork, and craft beer brewed at riverside taverns like Mountain State Brewing Company.

Landmarks and Outdoor Spaces

Morgantown’s setting offers endless outdoor recreation. Within minutes, residents can hike forested trails, kayak the river, or cycle along scenic paths.

Key highlights include:

WVU Downtown and Evansdale Campuses – A blend of historic halls and modern labs, each with panoramic river views.

Core Arboretum – A peaceful, 91-acre preserve with trails descending to the Monongahela River, filled with spring wildflowers and songbirds.

Caperton Trail – A paved riverfront route connecting Morgantown with neighboring towns like Star City, perfect for cycling and evening walks.

Dorsey’s Knob Park – A lookout point offering one of the best panoramic views of the Monongahela Valley.

Cheat Lake – A sparkling reservoir northeast of the city, popular for boating, swimming, and lakefront dining in summer.

Coopers Rock State Forest – Just a 20-minute drive away, this massive wilderness area is famous for its overlook-a stone ledge 1,200 feet above the Cheat River canyon, especially breathtaking at sunrise.

Neighborhoods and Local Character

Morgantown is compact but varied in feel:

Downtown – The historic core, with red-brick buildings, bars, shops, and the heart of student life.

South Park – A charming residential district of early 20th-century homes, tree-lined streets, and strong community pride.

Evansdale – The newer part of WVU, filled with modern student apartments, research facilities, and athletic complexes.

Suncrest – A suburban area with shopping centers, medical offices, and family neighborhoods, close to the university hospital.

Cheat Lake – More upscale and spread out, offering wooded lots, lake houses, and views of the surrounding hills.

The city’s steep hills create a patchwork of neighborhoods connected by winding streets and staircases. It’s common to see students hiking up slopes between classes or locals walking dogs on trails that weave through old forests just minutes from campus.

Modern Morgantown

Morgantown today represents West Virginia’s most forward-looking face. It’s a city of ideas, shaped by education and sustained by innovation. Yet it retains its Appalachian soul-friendly, self-reliant, and deeply tied to its landscape.

Its population of roughly 31,000 swells with students during the academic year, creating a vibrant rhythm that ebbs and flows with the university calendar. The city has become a regional magnet for professionals seeking quality of life, nature, and intellectual culture in one place.

Evenings on the Monongahela are calm: kayakers gliding under bridges, the smell of grilled food rising from riverfront patios, and the dome of the university’s library glowing softly against the hills. Morgantown feels like a small city dreaming big-rooted in West Virginia tradition, yet facing outward to the world.