Gettysburg, PA Road Trips

Gettysburg is a borough and the county seat of Adams County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. However, Gettysburg is famous for the Battle of Gettysburg that was fought July 1-3, 1863. The fighting started when Union and Confederate troops converged just north of the town of Gettysburg. Three bloody days of fighting ensued, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The town is also the location where President Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address. The town hosts visitors to the Gettysburg National Battlefield in the Gettysburg National Military Park. The Battle is remembered both for Pickett's Charge and the "high water mark of the Confederacy" (considered by some to be the closest the Confederacy came to winning the war) as well as the turning point of the war that the failure of said charge and the overall offensive ultimately meant. Flat meadows surrounded by rocky hills, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains looming in the distance. In the countryside north of Gettysburg is the "Fruit Belt" of Pennsylvania with thousands of acres of apple and peach orchards and vineyards. Gettysburg has a humid continental climate, with hot, humid summers and cold moist winters. Spring and Fall are mild and pleasant. Heavy winter storms occasionally strike the area, but these are fairly rare. Heaviest snowfall occurs during February and early March. Severe thunderstorms may occasionally hit the region, mostly in July and August.

1 Gettysburg National Military Park, 1195 Baltimore Pike, ☏ +1 717 334-1124. Battlefield/park roadsː 30 min before sunset-30 min after sunset. Museum and Visitor Centerː 8AM-5PM (March 1-Nov 30); 9AM-4PM (Dec 1-Feb 28). Gettysburg is the site of one of the most important battles of the American Civil War, and the largest land battle ever fought in North America. This National Park Service controls most of the area surrounding the small town and preserves the historic battle field. The museum and visitor center are run by the Gettysburg Foundation, a non-profit partner of the National Park Service at Gettysburg. The visitor center houses the museum collection as well as special exhibits from across the country and the fully restored Gettysburg Cyclorama, a must-see for any visit. You can also hire a very knowledgeable licensed battlefield guide here. You can also purchase tour tickets for the Eisenhower Farm. The surrounding military park is free and open to the public. Film, Cyclorama & Museumː Adults $20.75; Seniors, Veterans, and AAA members $19.75; Youth (6-12) $15.75; Child (under 5) and Active Military free. (updated Nov 2025) 2 Jennie Wade House, 548 Baltimore St, ☏ +1 717-334-4100. 9AM-5PM. The only Gettysburg citizen killed during the Battle of Gettysburg was 20 year old Jennie Wade, fiancée of Corporal “Jack” Skelly. The old McClellan Home, now the Jennie Wade House and Museum, with but few minor changes and repairs, remains much as Jennie Wade must have known it more than 100 years ago.

1 Victorian Photography Studio, 76 Steinwher Ave, ☏ +1 717-318-1515. 10AM-8PM. As seen on the Real World on MTV! Get a family photograph in period dress! Confederate Trails of Gettysburg Guided Battlefield Horseback Tours (Horse Tours of Gettysburg), McMillan Woods Youth Campground (Off West Confederate Avenue, tours depart from NPS McMillan Woods Youth Campground), ☏ +1 717 4767428, [email protected]. 6am to 11pm Daily. Ride the Battlefield with Confederate Trails and learn important details and insights into some of the soldiers' lives.Learn the intricacies of the greatest Civil War Battle as you ride across the field of history. 2-hour horseback tour through the Gettysburg battlefield with a live licensed battlefield guide. Headsets provided. You will have an out-rider with you at all times to ensure your safety. All participants must weigh 250 pounds or less and everyone must be age 8 and up. $88. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Land of Little Horses Farm Park, 125 Glennwood Dr, ☏ +1 717 334-7259, [email protected]. Performing animal theme park. $15.95. 3 Gettysburg Majestic Theater, 25 Carlisle St, ☏ +1 717-337-8200, [email protected]. For those who need a break from the Battlefield, there the Majestic, a theater in downtown Gettysburg renovated to its original 1925 Colonial Revival glory. There is a theater for live performances, as well as a cinema which plays the highest quality art films, including American independent films, foreign language films, documentaries, short subjects, and film festival prize winners.

Restaurants abound throughout the town, from nationally known chains, to local Mom & Pop diners. 1 Blue and Gray Bar & Grill, 2 Baltimore St, ☏ +1 717 334-1999. 2 Ernie's Texas Lunch, 58 Chambersburg St, ☏ +1 717 334-1970. Old-time lunch counter with a few booths. Famous for their "Texas wieners" and home made soup. 3 Food 101, 101 Chambersburg St, ☏ +1 717 334-6080. American food including sandwiches and pizza. 4 Gettysburg Eddie's, 217 Steinwehr Ave, ☏ +1 717 334-1100. American restaurant and sports bar dedicated to local baseball hall of fame member Eddie Plank. 7 televisions that show baseball games. 5 La Bella Italia, 402 York St, ☏ +1 717 334-1978. Italian food with a good local beer list. 6 Lincoln Diner, 32 Carlisle St (Just north of Lincoln Sq), ☏ +1 717 334-3900. 24 hours. Classic diner. 7 O'Rorkes Family Eatery, 44 Steinwehr Ave. Casual American and Irish food downtown. Huge menu and good beer selection. 8 Dobbin House Tavern, 89 Steinwehr Ave. Casual and fine dining. Due to its historic ambiance (Revolutionary War to Civil War) and reasonable prices, the Dobbin House is well worth visiting. For budget and casual dining with the same historical charm, there is the Springhouse Tavern room downstairs. During the battle of Gettysburg the tavern saw some action as a hospital, giving it historic significance. 9 Dunlap's Restaurant & Bakery, 90 Buford Ave, ☏ +1 717 334-4816. American food. 10 Appalachian Brewing Company, 259 Steinwehr Ave, ☏ +1 717 334-2200.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the park at any time. 1 Garryowen Irish Pub, 126 Chambersburg St, ☏ +1 717 337-2719. Good Irish pub with great music entertainment on special days like St. Patricks. It's traditional Irish menu is very tasty. 2 The Pub, 20-22 Lincoln Sq (Southeast corner of The Square), ☏ +1 717-334-7100. Monday 8AM - 10PM, Tuesday & Wednesday 11AM - 10PM, Thursday 8AM - 10PM, Friday & Saturday 8AM - 11PM, Sunday 8AM - 9PM (closed on Sundays December and January, closed on major holidays). Casual dining with an extensive menu. Plenty of vegetarian options. 3 Ragged Edge Roasting Company, 110 Chambesburg St, ☏ +1 717 334-4464. The Ragged Edge serves breakfast, sandwiches, salads and coffee. They offer a free wireless connection. The local products, beautiful gardens, and in house art gallery all add up to an award winning experience.

There are seven campgrounds in Gettysburg: Artillery Ridge Campground, Drummer Boy Campground, Gettysburg Campground, Gettysburg KOA, Round Top Campground, Granite Hill Campground, Gettysburg Battlefield Resort (Membership) Hiking, camping, and grilling can be done at nearby Caledonia State Park, located approximately 25 miles west of Gettysburg on US Rt 30. Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve in nearby Fairfield, Pa., has more than 600 acres and miles of trails for hiking as well. 1 1863 Inn Of Gettysburg, 516 Baltimore St, ☏ +1 717 334-6211. $139. 2 Antrim 1844, 30 Trevanion Rd Taneytown, MD, ☏ +1 410 756-6812. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Nestled at the foot of the rolling Catoctin Mountains in Central Maryland. Built in 1844, Antrim was once a thriving plantation and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Owners Dorothy and Richard Mollett have restored the mansion and the estate buildings on this 24-acre site. Located 15 minutes from Historic Gettysburg 160-400. 3 Brafferton Inn, 44 York St, ☏ +1 717 337-3423. 4 Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, 1857 Gettysburg Village Dr (At the intersection of Routes 97 and 15 on the site of The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg), ☏ +1 717-337-9518, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. 5 Dobbin House Tavern, 89 Steinwehr Ave, ☏ +1 717 334-2100. Includes Gettystown Inn Bed & Breakfast. 6 Gettysburg Hotel, One Lincoln Sq, ☏ +1 717 337-2000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. The Gettysburg Hotel has a tradition of hospitality that dates to 1797, when James Scott first opened his tavern.

Harrisburg International Airport (MDT IATA) is 47 miles from Gettysburg. Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI IATA) is 62 miles from Gettysburg. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD IATA) is 78 miles from Gettysburg. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA) is 148 miles from Gettysburg. Gettysburg can be reached via US Rt 30 from Philadelphia, or via State Rt 97 from the Baltimore area. From the south, US 15 runs through the town for visitors arriving from the Washington DC region. Amtrak operates service to Harrisburg and Lancaster. Taxi service and car rentals are available to Gettysburg from there. Rabbit Express runs buses to/from the Harrisburg Amtrak station and airport.

By far the best way to see the park is with your own vehicle. Roads wind extensively throughout the battlefields, and include many places to pull off and allow visitors to walk around. Use caution when using these roads, as there may be many people walking or bicycling on these roads. The speed limit throughout the park is 15 mph. When in your car, you may navigate by map or purchase a CD at several locations throughout Gettysburg that will orientate you to the battlefield. Guided tours on buses are available. There are several different types of bus tours: one is with licensed battlefield guides (adult $30, child $19) and one is with headphone narration (adult $26, child $15). If you have the time and have an average level of fitness, bikes can be rented and can provide an enhanced experience in the park. Cycling the major sites of the July 1-3 campaign can be completed in one day and allow you to experience battle lines and topography in a much more realistic fashion than car or bus. The battlefield features NPS horse trails where you can either bring your own horse or book a battlefield tour on horseback with Confederate Trails of Gettysburg Guided Battlefield Horseback Tours https://confederatetrails.com . 2 hour guided battlefield tours and town history tours by Horse-drawn carriage or on foot are also a must do when visiting Gettysburg; walking and carriage tours can be booked with Horse Tours of Gettysburg's Victorian Carriage Company Authorized by GNMP and use only Licensed Battlefield Guides.

Gettysburg is very safe. However, it can get very crowded during the summer, and especially on summer weekends. If large crowds are not pleasing to you, especially avoid the anniversary dates of July 1-3.