Interested in visiting a destination chock full of history and stories to tell? Look no further than Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a quaint town offering anyone from Civil War buffs to families the chance to walk in the footsteps of those who fought this pivotal battle.
A Turning Point in the Civil War
The three-day Battle of Gettysburg took place July 1-3, 1863, and is considered to be the turning point of the Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee planned to take this city and threaten Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington while possibly strengthening the growing peace movement in the North. Gettysburg was a perfect location for the Confederate invasion since it would allow them to live off the bounty of the rich Northern farms while giving war-ravaged Virginia a much-needed rest.
For General Lee and the Confederate army, this success was not to be. The three-day battle, ending with the famous Pickett’s Charge, deflated the Confederacy’s efforts so badly that its troops would never again be able to invade a northern state. Gettysburg effectively ended Lee’s ability to launch any further offensive action, and he could not replace the casualties.
When to Visit and Where to Stay
Gettysburg gets crowded, especially during the summer months when families descend on the area. After all, in addition to this city, Lancaster and Hershey Park are nearby and can be explored on the same visit. Mid-November is also a busy time especially around November 19th when a reenactment of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address takes place.
My husband and I chose to visit in late October when the weather was crisper, crowds were thinner, and the fall foliage was in full bloom. Perfect!
Our accommodation choice was the Baladerry Bed & Breakfast, a beautiful home converted and expanded into a B&B nestled on beautifully landscaped property within a short drive up the road to the battlefield. Its original structure, (an extension was added later on), was used as a field hospital. There are other accommodation options, however, and a little research will provide you will the perfect fit for your needs.
So with some history and tips under your belt, join us on our three-day/two-night adventure starting with…
DAY 1: Gettysburg National Military Museum and Visitor Center and An Evening Ghost Tour
After our four hour drive from home, we arrived in downtown Gettysburg and had a delicious lunch at Food 101. We walked around, taking in the quaint town with its shops, restaurants, Gettysburg College, and the house of Jenny Wade, the only civilian killed in this battle.
After our walk, we drove over to the Gettysburg Military Park Visitor’s Center and Museum, the must-see first stop when exploring the battlefield. Rangers and volunteers man the center, providing important information, including maps, tours, and more, that you may need to make the most of your visit. Keep in mind that this is a relatively small city and the distances between sites are very doable.
This expansive building houses a must-see museum, a theater, a gift shop, a cafe, and for many, the highlight of this building, the Cyclorama. The latter is a painting by the French artist Paul Philippoteaux depicting Pickett’s Charge, the climactic Confederate attack on the Union forces during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. And this is not just any painting. The Gettysburg Cyclorama is 377 feet long, 42 feet high, and weighs 12.5 tons!
Tickets for all three can be purchased online (a timed entry) or in person.
After our visit here, we checked into our B&B, relaxed a bit, and headed out for some dinner and ghost encounters! The Gettysburger fit our hankering for some delicious burgers. With our bellies full, it was time for a possible ghost encounter. After all, Gettysburg is considered one of the most haunted cities in the United States.
Our ghost tour guide offered offered some ghoulish history and we learned of the town’s many hauntings. Since many Confederates died and their bodies were left on the battlefield, it is believed that their ghosts haunt the area.
DAY 2: Ranger Tour, the Battlefield and the Gettysburg Address
After a bountiful breakfast at our B&B, we started our day with a two-hour free park ranger tour. If you can join any of the park ranger-led tours, all available through the visitor center, we highly recommend doing so.
Our ranger took us over to Cemetery Ridge, a short walk from the Visitor’s Center, where he provided an amazing recount of the war and overview before we started on our tour of the battlefield. Now, there are several ways to tour the entire battlefield.
- Bus Tours (fee)
- An Audio Car Tour (fee)
- Walking – (It’s really big!) (free)
- Ranger Tours (free)
- Paid Tours (A guide drives your car through the battlefield.)
And then our choice…
Driving your car and using a map from the visitor’s center to choose from the many highlighted stops. So after a pizza lunch at Antica Napoli, we were off.
The battlefield area encompasses a little less than 18 square miles, about the same size as 8,591 football fields. Pretty big, huh? With that in mind, it would be difficult to see it all in one day, but it’s doable, depending on your level of interest in the Civil War and your need for details.
Highlights include the many monuments, plaques, and statues throughout the field, over 1300 of them, which represent and honor the many different calvaries and state regiments that fought.
The Sachs Bridge served as the execution site for at least three Southern soldiers and is said to be haunted. Other tour highlights included the Pennsylvania State Monument, Eisenhower’s farmhouse, and of course, last but not least, the site of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in the National Cemetery.
After a full day, we rested up at our B&B and headed out for some Salvadorean and Mexican food at Blessings Restaurant followed by a beer tasting.
While two full days offered a good overview of Gettysburg, a longer stay is recommended if you wish to delve deeper into the town’s history, visit the surrounding areas such as Lancaster, and partake in some hiking trails and wineries.
We’re just grateful to have come away with a greater understanding of this battle and the brave men who fought.
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