Supplement your sense of United States history or add a little extra credit to your kids’ history education with a trip to Gettysburg. Easily accessible from Washington, DC, Philadelphia and New York City, this scenic, significant Civil War site welcomes 3.5 million visitors annually. Here, all ages learn about the important July 1863 battle that served as a turning point in the unification of a divided nation. If you can, plan to spend several days in the area, taking advantage of the many sights and experiences available to you in Adams County, Pennsylvania. Here are the must-sees and answered to commonly asked questions:
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1. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center
Ground yourself. Start with the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center to center yourself and set a framework for your understanding of this historic site. Tour the exhibits of 12 galleries, watch the movie “A New Birth of Freedom,” narrated by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, and study the Cyclorama, not only the largest painting in North America, but an excellent representation of Pickett’s Charge on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. This impressive, 377-foot-long by 42-foot-high, 360-degree oil painting was first shown in Boston in 1884 before occupying its current prized spot in the specially designed hall of the museum.
Ground yourself. Start with the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center to center yourself and set a framework for your understanding of this historic site. Tour the exhibits of 12 galleries, watch the movie “A New Birth of Freedom,” narrated by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, and study the Cyclorama, not only the largest painting in North America, but an excellent representation of Pickett’s Charge on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. This impressive, 377-foot-long by 42-foot-high, 360-degree oil painting was first shown in Boston in 1884 before occupying its current prized spot in the specially designed hall of the museum.
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2. Tours of Gettysburg Military Park
There are several different ways to explore Gettysburg, including a guided Licensed Battlefield Guide for those who want to delve deep into history, as well as bus tours, Segway tours, bike tours, horseback tours and self-guided tours. Sign up for a ranger program and see what it’s like to be a ranger on such hallowed ground. Visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Look at the schedule at the visitor center and see if your visits coincides with a living history demonstration. From April to October, Civil War living historians are camped on the battlefield on weekends. Visitors can explore their camps and talk with the historians about just about anything related to Gettysburg.
There are several different ways to explore Gettysburg, including a guided Licensed Battlefield Guide for those who want to delve deep into history, as well as bus tours, Segway tours, bike tours, horseback tours and self-guided tours. Sign up for a ranger program and see what it’s like to be a ranger on such hallowed ground. Visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Look at the schedule at the visitor center and see if your visits coincides with a living history demonstration. From April to October, Civil War living historians are camped on the battlefield on weekends. Visitors can explore their camps and talk with the historians about just about anything related to Gettysburg.
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3. Historic Building Visits
Go beyond the battlefield to see the many historic buildings throughout Gettysburg and Adams County. Step into the David Wills House, where Abraham Lincolm finished writing his Gettysburg Address. At the Seminary Ridge Museum, you can learn about the first day of the battle. At the Shriver House Museum and the Jennie Wade House, find out more about civilian life and how local townspeople were affected during the battle and its aftermath.
Go beyond the battlefield to see the many historic buildings throughout Gettysburg and Adams County. Step into the David Wills House, where Abraham Lincolm finished writing his Gettysburg Address. At the Seminary Ridge Museum, you can learn about the first day of the battle. At the Shriver House Museum and the Jennie Wade House, find out more about civilian life and how local townspeople were affected during the battle and its aftermath.
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4. Visit Downtown Gettysburg
Come back to modern life in downtown Gettysburg, brimming with local culture. Shop and dine along charming streets and don’t miss historic Lincoln Square, where you’ll find a selfie-perfect statue of Abraham Lincoln outside the David Wills House. Gettysburg is known as an up-and-coming foodie favorite, so be sure to try period dining at the Dobbin House or Farnsworth House. There’s plenty of casual, upscale and farm-to-table dining as well.
Come back to modern life in downtown Gettysburg, brimming with local culture. Shop and dine along charming streets and don’t miss historic Lincoln Square, where you’ll find a selfie-perfect statue of Abraham Lincoln outside the David Wills House. Gettysburg is known as an up-and-coming foodie favorite, so be sure to try period dining at the Dobbin House or Farnsworth House. There’s plenty of casual, upscale and farm-to-table dining as well.
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5. Visit the Gettysburg countryside.
Slow life down with a scenic drive through the Adams County countryside surrounding Gettysburg. Spend an afternoon at an orchards or vineyards, photograph one of the numerous covered bridges, including the pretty, 100-foot-long Sachs Bridge, and shop for seasonal produce at one of the many farmers’ markets.
Slow life down with a scenic drive through the Adams County countryside surrounding Gettysburg. Spend an afternoon at an orchards or vineyards, photograph one of the numerous covered bridges, including the pretty, 100-foot-long Sachs Bridge, and shop for seasonal produce at one of the many farmers’ markets.
Gettysburg FAQ
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1. What does it cost to visit Gettysburg National Military Park?
There is no fee for entrance to Gettysburg National Military Park, the National Cemetery or the park buildings. There is a fee if you’d like to visit the Museum and Visitor Center and its exhibits.
There is no fee for entrance to Gettysburg National Military Park, the National Cemetery or the park buildings. There is a fee if you’d like to visit the Museum and Visitor Center and its exhibits.
2. Where should I start on my visit to Gettysburg?
Get your bearings at the Museum and Visitor Center, then move on to the museum with artifacts from the Battle of Gettysburg and Civil War sites from around the United States. The museum is quite extensive, so plan on spending two to three hours there.
Get your bearings at the Museum and Visitor Center, then move on to the museum with artifacts from the Battle of Gettysburg and Civil War sites from around the United States. The museum is quite extensive, so plan on spending two to three hours there.
3. Are visitors allowed to go into the old houses and buildings located on the battlefield?
Many of the battlefield farms are not open to the public and instead serve as private quarters for park employees. However, you can look through the windows at the Leister House, Brian House and Snyder House to view the historically furnished interiors.
Many of the battlefield farms are not open to the public and instead serve as private quarters for park employees. However, you can look through the windows at the Leister House, Brian House and Snyder House to view the historically furnished interiors.
4. When is Gettysburg National Military Park open?
The park is open year-round. April through October, the grounds and roads stay open until 10 PM, while from November to March, they are open until 7 PM. The park buildings are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The park is open year-round. April through October, the grounds and roads stay open until 10 PM, while from November to March, they are open until 7 PM. The park buildings are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
5. How many days should I plan on spending at Gettysburg?
Typically, for a comprehensive visit of Gettysburg, you should plan on two to three days. This will give you time to explore the battlefield, the town and nearby countryside and attractions.
Typically, for a comprehensive visit of Gettysburg, you should plan on two to three days. This will give you time to explore the battlefield, the town and nearby countryside and attractions.
6. What else besides the battlefield should I visit in Gettysburg?
The attractions don’t begin and end with Gettysburg National Military Park. In town, you’ll find the Shriver House Museum, the Jennie Wade House, the Gettysburg Diorama & History Center and the Gettysburg Museum of History. You may also like to visit the nearby Eisenhower National Historic Site, once owned by America’s 34th president and used as a weekend getaway from the White House.
The attractions don’t begin and end with Gettysburg National Military Park. In town, you’ll find the Shriver House Museum, the Jennie Wade House, the Gettysburg Diorama & History Center and the Gettysburg Museum of History. You may also like to visit the nearby Eisenhower National Historic Site, once owned by America’s 34th president and used as a weekend getaway from the White House.
7. When is the best time to visit Gettysburg?
To avoid crowds and enjoy comfortable temperatures, the best time to visit Gettysburg is from September to November and from March to May. The peak (busiest) time of the year is June to August.
To avoid crowds and enjoy comfortable temperatures, the best time to visit Gettysburg is from September to November and from March to May. The peak (busiest) time of the year is June to August.