5 Easy Day Trips You Can Take From Morgantown, My Favorite Included

Morgantown is, undoubtedly, a wonderful day trip destination in itself. However, you may need an escape if you live in or around the city. Luckily, there are many beautiful and extraordinary day trip destinations within two hours of Morgantown. So, where do you want to go? Well, here are five options to consider the next time you're looking for a day trip destination from Morgantown, West Virginia:

1. Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, WV

Just over two hours away from Morgantown, the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area within the greater Monongahela National Forest is over 17,000 acres of wilderness to explore. With stunning views, wildlife, and elevations ranging between 2,500 and 4,700 feet, you can spend days exploring its 47 miles of trails. If you only have a day, however, you may want to take the 11-mile Blackbird Knob Trail Loop. A challenging trail with rocky areas, water crossings, and an elevation gain of nearly 1,500 feet, you'll need to prepare for this hike, but just imagine all you'll see along the way.

2. Valley Falls State Park in Fairmont, WV

Just over 40 minutes from Morgantown, Valley Falls State Park is where you'll discover four wondrous waterfalls along the Tygart Valley River. While chasing waterfalls, there's more to do within these 1,474 acres. Along the water, you can cast a line for an afternoon of fishing or, perhaps, you'd rather be more active while hiking or taking a bike ride around the park. If you have kids, there's a playground they will absolutely love here.

3. Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington, PA

If you head 34 miles northeast of Morgantown, you'll be in Farmington, Pennsylvania, home to a battlefield during the French and Indian War in 1754. The battle was a precursor to the American Revolution, and if you're a history buff, you'll want to take a day trip to Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Visitors can see a reconstructed fort in the park, visit the historic Mount Washington Tavern, witness historical reenactments, explore the park's hiking trails, and drop by the Visitor's Center.

4. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV

History lovers, urban explorers, and ghost hunters have long found Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum fascinating. Located an hour southwest of Morgantown, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was also called the Weston State Hospital and the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. It was open from 1864 to 1994, and faced controversy during its tenure. While it was meant to house only 250 people, it became overcrowded with over 2,400 patients. Furthermore, lobotomies and other controversial methods were used on mental patients housed here. The asylum was shuttered eventually, and today, it's open for guided tours and ghost hunting and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

5. Fallingwater in Mill Run, PA

If I had to pick a favorite day trip destination on this list, it would have to be Fallingwater. Just 45 miles away in Pennsylvania, Frank Lloyd Wright designed this architectural marvel, and I am a huge fan of his design prowess. His style of architecture integrates a structure seemingly into nature, and that style is quite apparent with Fallingwater. The home was built as a vacation home for the Kaufmann family in 1935, just above a waterfall. Today, this preserved National Historic Landmark is open for guided architectural and ground tours.

I have a favorite day trip destination from Morgantown, West Virginia, do you? The Mountain State has so much beauty and so much to offer that no matter where you live, you can always find a day trip destination nearby.