20 Awesome Things To Do In Gettysburg

1. Visit The Gettysburg National Military Park

Covering an area of over 6,000 acres, this Gettysburg military park is home to over 1,300 monuments and memorials. This Gettysburg park tells the story of a battle fought here in 1863 that changed history. You can start your tour at the Gettysburg Museum and the Visitor Center.

There you can watch the film "A New Birth of Freedom" and see the Cyclorama painting, a stunning work that gives viewers a sense of the battle's intensity. For even greater depth, consider guided tours with licensed battlefield guides.

They will tell you stories worth hearing and make sure that key sights like Cemetery Hill and the infamous Pickett's Charge are not missed.

2. Take A Guided Tour of The Battlefield

Guides with a Licensed Battlefield will teach you stories about pivotal events in the Civil War that took place here in 1863. These experts share captivating stories of soldiers and civilians who lived through the battle, bringing history to a scale that cannot be compared to self-guided tours.

There are several ways to see the battlefield. You can either choose a car tour or take a bus where an educational narrative accompanies your comfortable travel. For a different twist, how about a horse-drawn carriage tour? Your visit is relaxed and rolls gently from point to point.

3. Take A Food Tour With Savor Gettysburg

Savor Gettysburg's guided food tours are the ideal way to savor the delicious flavors of town. Local restaurants are visited, and their culinary delights are sampled as you walk through the heart of Gettysburg.

Educated guides recount fascinating stories about the area's past as each morsel is consumed. It's a tour full of tasty tidbits. The tours last about three hours and cover less than a mile. This makes it accessible to all. With seasonal options like a tour of the summer Farmer's Market, you can always try something new again now.

Therefore, this is basic answer to your question on what to do in Gettysburg.

4. Dine In At Dobbin House Tavern

Dating back to 1776 and situated in the oldest house in town, this is one of the charming Gettysburg restaurants that is heavily steeped in history. Together with its delicious cuisine, the place offers diners a very different kind of dining you cannot find elsewhere.

In the six beautifully restored dining rooms where guests are seated, there is a library and an antique bedroom where you can feast on the bed. The menu features local recipes such as Maryland crab cakes and French onion soup made with freshly picked ingredients.

Reservations are recommended because the tavern is closed on Sundays and Mondays except during the summer months when an occasional afternoon opening is scheduled.

5. Read The Gettysburg Times Obituaries

The Gettysburg Times obituaries are a treasure trove for visitors who want to learn about and understand something about the local community. These obituaries bring to life individual residents and make a quilt upon which the history of this area and its people is documented.

For visitors, reading these obituaries helps to amplify their understanding of a community's heritage or connections, or deepen it further if they already have family ties here.

Visitors can access the obituaries at the Gettysburg Times website, where recent obituaries are posted and can be searched. They can also submit obituaries through the site or contact the paper by telephone at 717-339-2071.

6. Stay Informed About Cold War Stories At Eisenhower National Historic Site

Adjacent to the Gettysburg battlefield, Eisenhower National Historic Site offers a window on what life was like for President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the days of the Cold War.

As you wander through the President's House and Farm, you will find out just how this peaceful place, acted as a backdrop to reduce tensions with the Soviet Union and bring world peace.

Tour the Eisenhower home, where renowned men like Nikita Khrushchev and Charles de Gaulle gathered, and ponder the high-stakes diplomacy it saw inside those walls.

7. Go For A Ride On The Haunted Sites of Gettysburg

Do you have the courage to discover the paranormal of the Battle of Gettysburg? Start from the Jennie Wade House, which is home to Gettysburg's only civilian death, to the Gettysburg Orphanage, home for the restless spirits who roam not only the property but indeed far and wide.

Of course, the ghost tours are not the only way to meet the darker side of Gettysburg. If you visit the Gettysburg Heritage Center, you can get to know how citizens lived during the war or go for a stroll along the streets of Main Street, which is one of the popular Gettysburg attractions.

8. Explore Jennie Wade House Museum

If you are going to Gettysburg PA then one of the places that you must visit is the Jennie Wade House Museum, a beautiful house that was built in 1863 and covers the story of the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The costumed guides will give you their vivid depiction of the story of Jennie, who baked bread for the Union army soldiers and was killed by a bullet just at age 20. The museum is open daily throughout the year from 9. a.m. to 6. p.m., and children and adult group self-guided tours are allowed.

9. Stroll Through The Streets of Downtown Gettysburg

These beautiful streets are flanked by beautiful pre-war architecture, shops that make you want to learn something, and good food waiting for you at every corner.

You can take the time as you wander to browse the Gettysburg Museum of History, which contains interesting exhibits on the Civil War, and then grab local favorites such as the Lincoln Diner or Mr. G's Ice Cream for something sweet.

The downtown area is small and easy to navigate, making it perfect for families. You can also join a walking tour, where experienced guides will uncover valuable information about this historic town.

10. Offer Respects At Gettysburg National Cemetery

This cemetery holds the skeletons of more than 3,500 Union soldiers who took part in the Gettysburg Civil War. They can get a very good impression of the whole area as they stroll around the calm territory. Take some moments to consider people putting their lives on the line.

One can meander through its carefully tended paths and read plaques that tell stories about people who have fallen for their country and honor the Soldiers' National Monument standing in the center.

11. Stand Face-To-Face With The Figures At The Gettysburg Diorama

This truly wonderful display allows you to stand face-to-face with people who decided the Gettysburg outcome, a pivotal moment in the American Civil War. The diorama consists of over 20, 000 handmade soldiers, horses, cannons, and buildings, which have been meticulously placed to reconstruct this 6, 000-acre battlefield.

As you walk through the exhibition, it is as though you become part of history, surrounded by sights, sounds, and smells from all those different battlefronts. A 30-minute light and sound show narrates the three-day battle, from shots fired to the last moment at the High Water Mark of the Confederacy.

12. Stop By Devils Den

This particular site, consisting mainly of huge boulders, played a crucial role during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. On July 2, the area saw fierce fighting as Union and Confederate soldiers battled among rocks.

Today, visitors can walk the hallowed ground of the historic battlefield, see cannons, and take scenic paths leading over to different monuments. Besides history buffs, it is a lovely place and one of the top things to do in Gettysburg Pennsylvania.

You can take pictures, learn about the past, and even hear stories of ghostly encounters that many claim to have encountered themselves.

13. Stay At Brickhouse Inn

Along with various Gettysburg tours, a stay at the Brickhouse Inn Bed and Breakfast is a must. This beautifully restored brick building set right off the town's busy street and near many historic sites in town, has a unique Victorian feel with all modern conveniences.

This Gettysburg hotel PA, offers tastefully decorated guest rooms, each named after one of the states that participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. In addition to the luxurious Alabama Room with its private entrance and fireplace, there is also the Kentucky Suite, which boasts a balcony porch.

Among the various hotels in Gettysburg PA, a stay at this inn offers an unforgettable experience.

14. Experience The WWII American Experience Museum

In this alluring museum, the personal sacrifices of World War II are revealed in painstaking detail, along with battlefield experiences and life on the home front. Inside the museums, one will find true-to-form vehicles, uniforms, and artifacts in highly convincing settings.

This Gettysburg museum also provides thrilling events such as re-enactments and live history programs, making it a great attraction for all ages. Please note their hours, which usually are Thursday to Sunday, or by special arrangement for special occasions.

15. Go Wine Tasting

If you are a wine lover, you are in for a treat when you visit Gettysburg. The place abounds with wineries turning out luscious reds, whites, and sweeter labels made from grapes grown in this local area. A fun way to get into wine culture in this region is through wine tasting.

In downtown Gettysburg, visit Adams County Winery and head over to Reid's Winery. Both offer a variety of wines for free tastings. If you prefer to visit the winery itself, Halbrendt Vineyard & Winery is a short drive from Gettysburg.

Or head to Adams County Winery, which, being located near Orrtanna, will provide an extra treat.

16. Attend A Special Event or Festival

One of the most crowded events is the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, which is held only twice a year in May and August at Granite Hill Camping Resort. Music lovers gather atop the rolling hills and farmland of Cool Breeze Campground for several days each year in August to hear dozens of top bluegrass performances, workshops, and jam sessions.

If you like bike events with the rumble of motorcycle engines instead of the whine from a banjo, Gettysburg Bike Week is for you. This 4-day celebration of the two-wheeled world includes live music, bike shows, and multiple opportunities for you to take your favorite ride through town streets or spectacular local countryside.

17. Practice Gettysburg Camping

Inside the Gettysburg National Military Park, McMillan Woods campground is just the place for friends and family to set up their tents and enjoy an outdoor vacation spot. Open from April to October, this campground lets visitors find themselves in the serene landscape where history happened.

Although Gettysburg camping is limited to certain groups, in the Michaux State Forest, located not far away, there are primitive camping sites where travelers with a bit of an adventure-seeking spirit can find what they are looking for.

One key thing to remember is that all visitors should call ahead to reserve.

18. Visit The Sachs Covered Bridge

This attractive red bridge, built in 1852, spans Marsh Creek and has a rich history. During the Civil War, it was already being used as a means of passage by both Union and Confederate troops.

It's a good place for taking photos, and the scenic surroundings provide excellent backgrounds. The bridge is open to pedestrians 24/7 and is free to visit. While you're there, you may find out about its haunted past, as many claim to have met ghosts here. For those who enjoy an eerie experience, include this stop on your ghost tour.

19. Browse The Outlet Shoppes At Gettysburg

While in Gettysburg, make sure to check out The Outlet Shoppes. Located only a short drive away from downtown, you will find over 50 stores to choose from with your best selection of shopping at popular brands like Michael Kors, Under Armour, and Columbia for all types of discounts up to 70%.

While everyone is shopping, relax at the expansive food court, which has a variety of options to accommodate taste preferences. Whether you just need a quick bite or a sit-down meal, TGI Fridays satisfies every tastebud.

20. Explore The Shriver House Museum

This historic home offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the Shriver family during the Civil War. The year 1860 saw it built, and now the house remains preserved exactly as it was at that time.

Period-costumed staff guide visitors through the family's story and the difficulties they faced during the Battle of Gettysburg. Tour participants will see authentic bullet holes as well as the attic where Confederate sharpshooters hid.

This Gettysburg Museum also has exhibits of interesting artifacts found during its restoration. A visit to this historic home should take about an hour.