A Gettysburg Getaway: More than a Battlefield!
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Earlier this month, I went to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, expecting a weekend filled with history. I got that — and a whole lot more!
Gettysburg is famous for its Civil War battle and President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, both key moments in our nation’s 250 year history.
Today’s Gettysburg is a whole lot more than a monument to the past. Historic buildings house restaurants, museums and independent, modern shops.
You might visit Gettysburg to explore the past, but I think you’ll discover a whole lot more in this charming town in Adams County, Pennsylvania.
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Best things to do in Gettysburg, PA
There’s a lot to see and do in Gettysburg, but for a first timer’s weekend in Gettysburg, focus on the history — in a fun, memorable way!
Spend a day at the Gettysburg Museum & Visitor Center
I rarely recommend a full day at a museum, but for history buffs, you could spend a whole day at the Gettysburg Museum (and still not see it all)! This museum provides a comprehensive look at the whole Civil War, broken down into sections: Early War, the Battle of Gettysburg, End of the War and Lincoln’s Assassination.
Your admission ticket includes a movie viewing, the Gettysburg Cyclorama and the museum. Start with the movie, then the Cyclorama. They provide great context for everything you’ll see in the museum.
Background done, head to the museum to learn about the Civil War, with special emphasis on the Battle of Gettysburg. The artifacts help visitors understand the gavity of the battle and how normal, everyday people were impacted by it.
National Park staff is available to answer questions and assist with understanding the war and the exhibits in the museum.
The museum recently added a “Ticket to the Past” virtual reality experience that takes you on a journey with a person who might have experienced the Battle of Gettysburg. You can purchase a ticket just for the VR experience for $9.75 (adults) or as an add-on to your museum admission for $5.00. It’s a great experience.
The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center also has a sit down restaurant, gift shop, snack shop and research center.
Recommended for families with kids aged middle elementary and above.
Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA
Admission: Adult tickets are $20.75. Children ages 6-12 are $15.75. Discounts for seniors and veterans. Children 5 and under and active military are free. Check for special events and purchase tickets at their website.
Hours: Open daily 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. with extended hours March-November.
Enjoy a walking Tour of Downtown Gettysburg
To really appreciate how the events in Gettysburg helped shape the United States, take a walking tour of downtown Gettysburg.
You’ll walk in the footsteps President Abraham Lincoln took when he delivered the Gettysburg Address.
With stops at key spots throughout the city, you’ll learn what Lincoln said and did as your tour guide encourages you to consider the impact of each moment on the people of that time and now.
It’s best to book a walking tour in advance: Licensed Town Guides of Gettysburg.
Pro Tip: This outdoor walking tour is best enjoyed in comfortable shoes and clothes suitable to the weather. Bring a water bottle, especially if it’s a hot day.
Fun alternatives to this history tour: Gettysburg is considered one of the most haunted towns in the country and their popular ghost tours support that!
- Family friendly ghost tours (not too spooky)!
- Civil War Ghosts: Echoes of the fallen (very popular),
- Ultimate Dead of Night Tour!
Read More: Guided walking tour of Columbia, SC
Explore Gettysburg Battlefield on a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
Gettysburg Battlefield currently consists of 6,000 acres and hundreds of monuments. To see it all on your own might be doable, but you’ll learn more with a guided tour on a horse drawn carriage ride.
As the people at Victorian Carriage Company say, tour the Battlefield “at the speed of history.” It’s a wonderful way to learn more about this pivotal battle in the Civil War and its impact on locals of the time right through to today.
Our guide helped us understand the terrain of the time, the impact on the civilians caught in the crossfire (so to speak) and the significance of the battle monuments. He answered our questions and brought a lot more understanding to the magnitude of the battle.
If you prefer, you can take a horseback riding tour, Segway tour, driving tour or walking tour of the battlefield with a licensed guideL
- Guided Horseback Riding Tour of the Battlefield,
- Private Guided Car Tour of the Battlefield (can be customized),
- Segway Tours in Gettysburg
Booking information: I recommend you plan and book your guided battlefield tour BEFORE you go. Book your experience in advance. Tour prices vary by type and time desired.
Where to eat in Gettysburg
Gettysburg’s rich history dates back to the mid-1700s. Buildings older than our country still stand and are used today as historic inns and restaurants. In Gettysburg, skip the chain restaurants and enjoy a meal in the ambiance of a historic building.
Dobbin House Tavern
The historic 1776 Dobbin House, located at 89 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA, is divided into two dining spaces, the Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms and the Springhouse Tavern.
The Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms serve dinner from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 4:00-9:00 p.m. on weekends. Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome subject to availability.
The Alexander Dobbin Dining Room menu is a bit more formal, offering salads, soups (the French Onion Soup is incredible) and dishes reminiscent of an earlier time.
An extensive cocktail menu and scratch made desserts round out the dining experience.
The Springhouse Tavern on the lower level of the house is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., no reservations accepted. The menu includes salads, soups and dinners as well as sandwiches and shareable dishes. It’s a more casual experience offering the same attention to decor and deliciousness.
Be sure to ask for a house tour so you can see the natural spring over which the home was originally built and the hiding space used by the Underground Railroad to help slaves escape the south.
Historic Farnsworth House Inn
Farnsworth House, located at 401 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA, was built in 1810. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate sharpshooters used it for shelter. Infamously, one of them is believed to have shot and killed Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade, the only civilian who died in the Gettysburg battle.
There’s evidence of battle on the exterior wall with more than 100 bullet holes visible. In the photo above, you’ll see white dots on the left side wall which is where the bullets struck the building. After the battle, the house served as a hospital (as did much of the town) for injured soldiers.
Today, Farnsworth House Inn has three dining options:
- Maede and Lee Dining Room, the fine dining room at the Farnsworth House Inn, serves dinner from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. daily.
- Sweney’s Tavern, open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily (later on weekends), does not take reservations. The restaurant serves sandwiches and hot plates (I recommend the meatloaf), as well as cocktails and homemade desserts. Actors and crew for the movie Gettysburg (1993) often ate here, and there’s extensive memorabilia from the film on display.
- Outdoor Beer Garden, open when weather permits, offers sandwiches, salads, burgers and hot plates for quick casual dining in a cozy garden setting.
The Farnsworth House Inn also offers a number of tours to make your visit more special. Check their website for tours and times and to reserve your tickets.
The Adams County Sweet Stroll
With all this history, be sure to add some sweet fun to your visit! Every summer, the Adams County Sweet Stroll highlights local coffee shops, candy stores, ice cream and dessert shops that tempt the taste buds and fuel your caffeine needs. As you work your way through the Sweet Stroll, you’ll earn points to redeem for fun prizes.
My visit to Gettysburg was pretty quick, so I didn’t get to try the full Sweet Stroll. But, I savored a delicious scoop of ice cream from Mr. G’s Ice Cream, located at 404 Baltimore Street in downtown Gettysburg across from the Farnsworth House Inn. Mr. G’s has been serving ice cream to the community since 1997 (at its present location since 2011).
Take time to enjoy the fun games outside and to get a selfie at the Witness Tree, one of several such trees in town older than the Battle of Gettysburg!
Where to stay in Gettysburg, PA
With so many things to do in Gettysburg, PA, it’s a popular vacation spot. That means there are lots of great places to stay in Gettysburg — for any budget or style of accommodation.
Best Luxury Stay: Battlefield Bed & Breakfast
For a more luxury stay, I highly recommend the Battlefield Bed & Breakfast at 2264 Emmitsburg Road, Gettysburg. This 30 acre property sits at the edge of the Gettysburg National Military Park, but yet, it’s less than a ten minute drive to downtown!
The property offers eleven unique guest rooms and a separate guest cottage, each beautifully designed. All rooms include a private bathroom, mini fridge, blow dryer, iron and ironing board, internet, DirectTV and luxury soaps and shampoos.
Overnight guests will enjoy the scrumptious breakfast featuring local ingredients and a Civil War history program.
Dogs and kids are both welcome! Kids can pet the barn cats or meet the farm horses. There’s no extra fee for dogs!
It’s comfortable, quiet, cozy, welcoming and luxurious — all at the same time!
Best Hotel for Families: Best Western Gettysburg
The Best Western Gettysburg at 301 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, is a family owned hotel right next to Gettysburg Battlefield. The hotel’s third floor restaurant looks out on the location of Pickett’s Charge — how historic.
Other amenities include free full breakfast, complimentary internet and free parking. The hotel has an indoor pool and fitness center as well.
The hotel is highly rated for its location, cleanliness, and friendliness. Many reviews say it’s one of the “best locations in the BW chain.” It’s also a good value for family travel on a budget!
Gettysburg is one of the most well known historic destinations in Pennsylvania. For great things to do in Gettysburg, take a historic tour of downtown or the Battlefield. But, make time to enjoy a good meal, to hug a witness tree, and to relax at your hotel or inn. Go for the history, but stay for the fun!