Free & Cheap Things to Do in Morgantown

Parks & Nature

A magnificent free 91-acre nature preserve on the WVU campus with miles of trails winding through old-growth forest, wildflower meadows, and botanical gardens. One of the most species-rich natural areas in the region — completely free to explore from dawn to dusk every day of the year, with free nature education programs offered regularly.

Address: 1145 Monongahela Blvd, Morgantown, WV 26505

Tip: Spring wildflower season (April–May) is spectacular — trilliums, bloodroot, and Virginia bluebells carpet the forest floor. Free parking in the arboretum lot; adjacent WVU Coliseum lot is free evenings and weekends.

Outdoors

A breathtaking free state forest just 12 miles from Morgantown with dramatic sandstone overlooks above the Cheat River gorge, 50+ miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, and some of the most jaw-dropping views in West Virginia. The main overlook is an easy short walk from the parking area and delivers a stunning payoff.

Address: 61 County Line Dr, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525

Tip: The main overlook is a short, easy walk from the parking lot — perfect even if you're not up for a long hike. Fall foliage in mid-October is extraordinary from the cliff-top viewpoints.

Outdoors

A free 48-mile rail-trail system following the Monongahela River and Deckers Creek through Morgantown and the surrounding countryside. The paved Caperton Trail section winds through downtown Morgantown with easy access to riverside restaurants, parks, and neighborhoods — ideal for walking, running, or a leisurely bike ride.

Address: Wharf District, Morgantown, WV 26501

Tip: The Wharf District is the most popular and accessible entry point, with parking and nearby food options. The trail connects to Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, another free riverside green space worth adding to your walk.

Quirky Landmarks

The world's only operating Personal Rapid Transit system — a small fleet of driverless 21-passenger cars that whisk you along 8.7 miles of elevated guideway between Morgantown's downtown campus, Evansdale campus, and the Health Sciences campus. Built as a federal demonstration project in 1975, it remains a working novelty 50 years later and one of the most distinctive ways to see Morgantown.

Address: Walnut Station, 271 Walnut St, Morgantown, WV 26505

Tip: Operates weekdays 6:30am–10:15pm, Saturdays 9:30am–5pm during fall and spring semesters; reduced summer hours. Bring exact 50¢ — turnstiles do not give change. The downtown-to-Evansdale ride takes about 11 minutes one-way.

History & Culture

A free downtown museum tracing 250 years of Morgantown history — from the Monongalia County frontier era through the coal-and-glass industrial boom, WWII-era West Virginia, and the rise of WVU. Permanent exhibits feature Don Knotts memorabilia (the Morgantown-born comedian), Seneca and Blenko glassware from the regional glass industry, antique presses from a working print shop, and rotating local-history specials.

Address: 175 Kirk St, Morgantown, WV 26505

Tip: Open Wednesday–Friday 11am–5pm, Saturday–Sunday 12pm–6pm. Free street parking on weekends. The small upper gallery rotates exhibits roughly every six months — check the website for what's currently up before you go.

History & Culture

A free WVU museum dedicated to the history of West Virginia's coal, oil, and natural gas industries — flame safety lamps, mine rescue equipment, canary cages, model oil derricks, photographs of company towns, and an extensive mineral collection from regional and global sources. Tucked inside the Mineral Resources Building on the Evansdale campus, directly across from the Evansdale PRT station.

Address: 1374 Evansdale Dr, Morgantown, WV 26506

Tip: Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1pm–4pm; appointments available outside those hours by calling (304) 293-4609. Reachable directly from downtown by PRT — exit at Evansdale Station and the museum is the building right across the street.

Markets & Food

A weekly producer-only farmers market in a solar-paneled downtown pavilion at the Morgantown Market Place — 20+ vendors selling produce, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, plants, and flowers, all grown or made within 50 miles of Morgantown. Saturday mornings April through mid-November, with a smaller winter market schedule.

Address: 415 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV 26505

Tip: Open Saturdays 8:30am–12pm late April through mid-November. Free street parking just east of the pavilion fills up fast — come at opening or after 11am to avoid the rush. Cash works everywhere; many vendors take cards.

History & Culture

The oldest stone dwelling in Monongalia County — a small two-story 1795 house just off downtown Morgantown, now operated as a free historic site and gift shop by the Service League of Morgantown since 1935. Inside: Blenko glass, regional pottery, used books, and locally crafted items, with proceeds funding community charitable work.

Address: 313 Chestnut St, Morgantown, WV 26505

Tip: Open Tuesday–Saturday 11am–3pm year-round. Free street parking nearby. A quick 20-minute stop on its own, or pair with the Morgantown History Museum five blocks away for a free downtown history afternoon.

Arts & Culture

West Virginia University's art museum shows rotating exhibitions and a growing permanent collection of American and European works on the Evansdale campus. Admission and parking are free, and the galleries are open Thursday through Sunday while school is in session.

Address: 20 Fine Arts Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506

Tip: Open Thursday-Sunday during the academic year (closed in summer); admission and parking are free.

Parks & Nature

A 70-acre city park just outside downtown whose Sky Rock platform stands nearly 600 feet above the valley with sweeping views of Morgantown. Grass trails, a disc-golf course, a nature-themed playground, and a glass-mosaic mural fill the rest of the grounds.

Address: 1 Fawley Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508

Tip: Walk out to the Sky Rock platform for the best Morgantown views; there's also a disc-golf course.