Find Your Mountaineer Spirit During 48 Hours in Mountaineer Country

Though most well-known for being home to West Virginia University in Morgantown, Mountaineer Country has more in store than you could imagine. I-79 and/or I-68 will bring you right to your destination.

Day 1

Begin your exploration of this special region in Morgantown with a leisurely stroll around West Virginia’s Botanic Garden. The only botanic garden in the entire state. There you will find exquisitely landscaped gardens, trails lined with fields of flowers and much more beauty than you can imagine. Spend the whole morning or an hour enjoying nature and all it has to offer.

Once your stomach starts to grumble, head over to Terra Café for a healthy breakfast or brunch. The food is made from scratch and ingredients are found locally. It’s never too early to take a delicious, award-winning pastry for the road.

Head south on I-79 to reach your next stop, Fairmont. You can’t miss out on the opportunity to go to Country Club Bakery while in Mountaineer Country. Known as the place where West Virginia’s state food, the pepperoni roll, was crafted.

Cycle, jog or walk off some of the goodies you’ve had on the Mon River Trail. The relatively flat rail-trail snakes along the forested river valley and will take you all the way to Prickett’s Fort State Park. The state park features a fort that was originally constructed in 1774 and has since been reconstructed. You can see for yourself what it was like on the Virginia frontier with demonstrations on blacksmithing, weaving and hearth cooking.

Before leaving Fairmont, hit up Poky Dot, a 1950s themed diner where oversized desserts are their specialty. Eat your weight in ice cream then continue south on I-79 to Shinnston. Check into Gillum House Bed and Breakfast and rest up for another fun-filled day in Almost Heaven.

Day 2

Wake up and fuel up with a warm meal made by your lovely bed and breakfast hosts. Take a short 15-minute car ride to Bridgeport — a town packed with character, rich-history and delicious cuisine.

Almost Heaven Desserts & Coffee is a great place to kick start the day. With stellar coffee drinks and decadent desserts, you might want to stay a little while and savor the flavors. Another sweet option is charming Stonewall Coffee with its favorite drink among visitors, the Stonewall Mocha. This is the newest of two Stonewall Coffee locations as the original store lies in the heart of historic downtown Clarksburg.

Enjoy a hearty, authentic Italian lunch at Minard’s Spaghetti Inn. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been a staple in the community since 1937 and is sure to satisfy your hunger.

Take a scenic drive to the quaint mountain town of Grafton. Did you know Mother’s Day originated here? The International Mother’s Day Shrine is a must-see while visiting.

Another sight you can’t miss out on while in Grafton is Tygart Lake State Park. This hidden gem of a state park is a cozy and quiet destination for a retreat in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. The lake offers water sports like boating, water skiing, kayaking, swimming and even scuba diving.

Close out the trip with a slice of Almost Heaven from Capri Pizza Parlor or cool off with a sweet treat from Farm House Ice Cream.

Looking for more Mountaineer Country Inspiration? Check out our brand new West Virginia Vacation Guide!

This post was last updated on May 23, 2023