Morgantown: A Great Place to Live!

   
Morgantown, West Virgnia is one of the best small cities in the country, noted for its strong economy and quality of life. World-class health care, recreation, education, and art communities complement our strong business climate. Home of West Virginia University, the city offers a wide range of attractions for new visitors and an historic hometown feel that lifelong residents stay to experience.

Morgantown has revitalized its Wharf District along the Monongahela River in the last two decades.  It features the Waterfront Place Hotel & Event Center, restaurants, steakhouses and access to more than 10 miles of paved fun in the Caperton Trail and Decker’s Creek Trail systems.

Points of Interest

  •     West Virginia University
  •     Core Arboretum
  •     West Virginia Botanic Gardens
  •     Dorsey's Knob
  •     Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park
  •     The Metropolitan Theatre
  •     Mountaineer Field
  •     WVU Coliseum
  •     Cheat Lake
  •     Cheat Canyon - 13 miles of world-class white water!
  •     The Mon River, Caperton and Decker's Creek Trails
  •     Personal Rapid Transit system (PRT)

Notable People from Morgantown

  • Hoda Kotb (broadcast journalist)
  • Don Knotts (actor)
  • ‪Lawrence Kasdan‬ (film director)

Useful Web Sites

Awards & Recognition

Yes, we're proud of our town!
  • 2013 Morgantown ranks #2 in Milken Institute's annual index of Best Performing Cities – Small Metros.
  • 2012 AEIR names Morgantown #9 Best College Town for Students in 2012-2013 and #10 Overall College Destination
  • 2012 SmartMoney Magazine names WV, Morgantown a "Retire Here, Not There" Place
  • 2012 AARP names Morgantown in Top 10 Best U.S. Cities for Living on $100 a Day
  • 2012 Forbes Magazine names Morgantown #7 in Top 10 Cities for Business & Careers
  • 2012 Area Development Magazine names Morgantown in Top 10 for Economic & Job Growth During & After a Recession
  • 2012 Morgantown is named a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists
  • 2011 Morgantown named in Best Sporting Cities by Sporting News
  • 2011 Morgantown is named 3rd Best Performing Small City by the Milken Institute (up three places from 2010)
  • 2010 Morgantown ranked in the top 10 on Forbes' List of Best Places for Business and Careers
  • 2010 Morgantown is named one of the top eight College Football Towns in the Country by Budget Travel
  • 2010 Morgantown is named the 6th Best Performing Small City by the Milken Institute
  • 2008 Morgantown named "Well City" by the Wellness Councils of America and the Wellness Council of West Virginia
  • 2008 "Best Walking City" in West Virginia, 34th Best in Country
  • 2007 Morgantown Named a 2007 "Distinctive Destination" by National Trust for Historic Preservation. Morgantown is #1 of 12 locations in the country named a distinctive destination for preserving its historic character
  • 2007 Morgantown is the "5th best Boomtown City in Country by Inc.com
  • 2007 Morgantown named "9th Best Place for Business and Careers (Metros less than 150,000 population)" by Forbes Magazine
  • 2006 "29th Smartest Place to Live in US by Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
  • 2006 "5th Best Place for Business and Careers (Metros less than 150,000 population)" by Forbes Magazine
  • 2006 "12th Hottest Small City: Boomtown (Metros less than 150,000 population)
  • 2004 "3rd Best Small Town In America" by Men's Journal
  • 2003  City of Morgantown Awarded "Well Workplace Bronze Award" by the Wellness Councils of America WELCOA
  • 2002  Morgantown Graded "A" in Economic Development by BizJournals.com (#21 out of nation's 496 micropolitan areas)
  • 2001  Morgantown Web Site Receives the Community Silver Award
  • 2001  Morgantown is a Tree City USA for fourth year in a row
  • 2000  Morgantown Selected #1 Dreamtown in Country" by BizJournals.com
  • 1999  "Best Small City In The East" and "3rd Best In America" by Guide to Life in America's Small Cities