Mountain mama gets on her stylish seasonal ensemble.
For anyone living outside of West Virginia , there ’s a pretty good chance that your first introduction to the Mountain State stems from the iconic anthem “ Take Me Home , commonwealth roadstead . ” And while John Denver and his fellow author had never actually been to the province before pen the song , they did a surprisingly stellar chore of highlighting its strengths .
Though the abstruse interior of the Department of State is home to salient born wonders likeNew River Gorge National Parkand Lost World Caverns , there ’s no need to travel far to find some unfeignedly gorgeous landscapes . Just a couple hours south of Pittsburgh , West Virginia’sMountaineer Countryoffers scenic overlook , roar falls , and a varied food and drink scene all neatly packed into three county — Monongalia , Preston , and Taylor , to be accurate .
As the Mountain State ’s sprawling forests wear their dazzling fall colors , there ’s no practiced time than now to set off on your ownAppalachian journey . Whether you ’re plan on tackling rugged mountain trail , paddling along the surf on a kayak , or just imbibe your weightiness in craft beer , Mountaineer Country attend to as a shining example of just how close to heaven this underrated state really is .
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Taste flavors from near and far
It ’s bad to discover a good foodie destination across the Mountain State than Morgantown . house to West Virginia University , this charming college town is packed with more than 25,000 alive students — and this accumulation of academics has fostered a severely diverse dining scene . For fans of southeasterly Asian cuisine , the downtownChaang Thaiis a top spot for coconut massaman curry and lad na , while nearbyFresh Mint Indian Grillserves masterfully crafted fare from the west Indian coast , with flavourous dishes like chili con carne paneer , aloo gobi masala , and beigan bertha all gracing the carte du jour .
Though Morgantown may rule the surrounding gastronomy setting , it ’s far from the only plaza worth travel to in Mountaineer Country . Just east of Morgantown , Tropicsoffers a tiny slice of Hawaiʻi in West Virginia , outfit with an talkative outdoor dining area and classic dishes like loco moco , kalua pig , and chicken katsu with mac salad . Further to the south , the more sparsely populated reaches of Mountaineer Country are home to a brace of underrated muffin , with bothLeonard ’s GrillandMonroe’sserving up Greco-Roman American menu .
Trek along stunning Appalachian Mountain trails
As you may have already suppose from the name , the Mountain State is packed full of top - tier hike , mountain biking , and wildlife view destinations — and in Mountaineer Country , the crown jewel is undoubtedlyCoopers Rock State Forest . Located just east of Morgantown , this massive expanse of land measures in at more than 12,500 acres , offer ample chance for outdoor exploration .
For insouciant hikers , the two - nautical mile Raven Rock lead culminates in gorgeous vistas from the eponymous cliff face — and offer a surprisingly divers array of fungi and arthropods along the way . Not a sports fan of hiking ? No worries , the park ’s main overlook ( and a minor ADA - accessible overlook just stairs away ) can be well reached by gondola , with both highlighting some of the fine born beauty in all of Mountaineer Country . light more than 2,000 feet above Cheat River , visitor can take in spectacular views of Appalachia ’s pristine forested hills as far as the eye can see , with enchanting aboriginal species like Allegheny woodrats and flat - spired three - toothed land snails calling the domain abode .
While Coopers Rock State Forest may be Mountaineer Country ’s top hike destination , it ’s far from the only one deserving call . In the southernmost reaches of Preston County , Cathedral State Parkis home to the big previous - growth forest in West Virginia . And those who prefer to stay put closer to Morgantown can regain peaceful trails throughout both theWVU Core ArboretumandWest Virginia Botanic Garden .
Leonard’s Grill
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Sample fresh Mountain State brews across the region
After a farsighted day of exploring the trails , there ’s nothing quite as novel as a cold ale — and fortunately , the Mountain State is spill over with the stuff . As with most industries in Mountaineer Country , Morgantown is one of the best destinations for imbibing , with a gamey concentration of top - level brewery all within walking space . To kick off your crawl , swing out byMorgantown Brewing Company , a colorful outpost next to the Monongahela River that excel at sours , tramp from the tropical fruit - load Mr. Goofy Coconuts to the self - explanatory Mr. Goofy Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars .
Next up , two particularly tempting destinations sit within Morgantown limit , each one offering a drastically different vibration . Launched in 2005,Mountain State Brewing Cois a lively venue , offering trivia nights , wood - fired flatbreads , margarita flights , and a monolithic raiment of West Virginian brews . Meanwhile , Chestnut Brew Worksputs themicroin microbrewery , with just a duad of table and six seats line along a midget backbar . Though low in stature , brew like the Sex on the Cheat strawberry rhubarb plant ale and The Bloob blueberry bush ale clique a top executive - sized punch of spirit for any fruit lovers out there .
There ’s also a globe of beer to explore outside Morgantown limit as well , with two specially charming venues located in Preston County just west of the Maryland moulding . In the heart of Terra Alta , High Ground Brewinghas earned local plaudit for its unbelievable cuisine and various array of IPAs , while the rurally - locatedScreech Owl Brewingholds the record for sure-enough brewery in the county , providing visitors with refreshing blonde ale , saturnine porters , and everything in between .
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Wind around waterfalls and lakes
Though West Virginia ecotourism tend to center around hiking , the many mountains and hill across the body politic have give rise to some seriously gorgeous waterways , with no shortage of barge in waterfalls and festinate rivers to research . For Mountaineer Country in finical , Valley Falls State Parkserves as one of the region ’s finest example , quantify in at 1,145 land of protect Appalachian realm . While the area is home to sawmill ruins and close to 18 miles of hiking trail , the principal draw here is the park ’s four monumental waterfall churn along the Tygart Valley River .
The topography of West Virginia is n’t especially conducive to gravid bodies of water , but have no fearfulness — the state is home to a wealth of contrived lakes that solve that trouble . Just a hair south of Grafton , the ultra - idyllicTygart Lake State Parkis a paradise for all forms of water supply sport , with kayaking , swimming , sportfishing , and even scuba diving taking place in its waters . In add-on to aquatic activities , the ten - mile - long lake is also home to hiking trail , camping sites , and a gorgeous lodge and eating house , making this stunning state park one of northerly West Virginia ’s top patch for an outdoor - focalise holiday .
Morgantown Brewing Company
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