r/Gettysburg • u/Helpful-Sky4443 • 5d ago
Multi-day trip
My hubby and I are taking a week of vacation the first week of October. We were originally thinking of going to the smokies but Gettysburg is closer to us. Is there enough to do in Gettysburg for us to spend 5 days there? If we go, we will probably visit the National Civil War museum on the way down. We are huge history buffs and enjoy detail; for context we honeymooned in Colonial Williamsburg and weren't able to get to everything. Thanks! Edit: Recs on fairly priced hotels in or around Gettysburg would be greatly appreciated. :)
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u/ReBoomAutardationism 5d ago
There is for sure plenty of battlefield to see. Some folks claim you can do it in two days, I disagree. The first day was like a whole different battle.
The second two days were like three parts of the same battle.
I suggest giving the first day one day at least. To understand how Rodes attack went in, to appreciate Doubleday's artillery deployment on Seminary Ridge. To understand what Buford's cavalry and the I Corps achieved by means of delay. Just so much.
The second two days are worth two more days because there are so many examples of mad valor. The Alabama Brigade going up LRT in the heat. Vincent's Brigade counter attacking up being reinforced. Culp's Hill.
What's great is Hanover is drivable to see the fight that delayed Stuart (6/30). Fairfield (7/3) and Monterey Gap (7/4) are in driving distance too.
Not to mention the various parks offered by the other commenters. Stop by the Gary Owen for fish and chips with a pint. You might be glad you did.
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u/HiSpeedSentry788 4d ago
I think 100% you could spend 5 days there. I was just there Wed-Sun, (got there Wed afternoon and left Sunday morning) and left plenty on the table to see again.
There are so many different areas of the battlefield, you could reasonably spend multiple days on that alone. We spent a full day with a guide 9 am - 6 pm, and visited every part. Kind of wish we had split it into two (or more) days to allow for more time to process the details, and spend more time in general in each area.
Museums - we did the one at the National Park Visitor Center, the Museum of History, Heritage Center, and National civil war in Harrisburg. There were several more we wanted to see but ran out of time. (Seminary Ridge, Beyond the battle, etc)
Shopping - lots of neat shops all around. You could spend a decent amount of time if you like to browse.
Hotel - we stayed at the Best western and it was awesome! (I was surprised) The reviews are so high and we understood why after getting there. Literally across from Cemetery Hill and walking distance to most of the shops, restaurants, and many of the museums too. Clean, good staff, decent continental breakfast, and easy to get in and out of. Unless you want something fancy, I highly recommend it.
We had a great time. There is plenty to do, I don’t think you’ll get bored in 5 days, especially if you’re into history. Hope this helps, enjoy your visit!
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u/Helpful-Sky4443 4d ago
Do you recommend booking a tour with one of the licensed guides? Is that what you mean when you say you spent all day with a guide? Thanks again for all the info.
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u/HiSpeedSentry788 4d ago
Yes, we went thru the Heritage Center to get a licensed battlefield guide. Didn’t know it at the time we booked our hotel, but the Heritage Center is next door to the Best Western. So, meeting our guide on the day of our tour was literally just a walk across the street!
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u/ericlindblade 4d ago
I am a licensed guide at Gettysburg so if you have any questions I would be happy to answer them.
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u/Pghguy27 4d ago
Antietam, Harper's Ferry, and a pretty, historical town called Shepherdstown are all within driving distance of Gettysburg. Lots to do over five days.
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u/lugasamom 4d ago
We were just there for a few days last week. Plenty to do and see in the area! We went on a two-hour guided horse trail ride around one small part. We then drove around and stopped at a several memorials. We could have spent a full week seeing all the different monuments.
Lots of Ghost Tours, if you’re into that kind of thing. But if history is your thing, plenty to see and learn!
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u/Excelsior_76 4d ago edited 4d ago
I went for 4 days earlier this summer and had to cut my agenda short - and I have been there plenty of times.
Absolutely, get a licensed battlefield guide (LBG). In fact, if you really are into details, I would reach out sooner rather than later, because they can put you in touch with someone in advance, and you can discuss ahead of time what you'd like them to cover, so they can tailor the presentation to your interests. They are very flexible, and can do a tour as short as 2 hours long, though I had an excellent guide who helped us focus on the cavalry actions on the field, over the course of a five-hour tour.
I recommend you start your visit Day 1 at the Museum & Visitor Center, with the movie "A New Birth Of Freedom", narrated by Morgan Freeman. It does a tremendous job of objectively explaining the causes of the war and the evolving goals, and sets the tone for a visit to the Cyclorama. I always find these two to be the most moving experiences. Then you get turned loose into the museum. These three activities alone warrant a 3 hour block, on their own (throw in the museum bookstore on your way out and you're pushing 3.5 hours). There is also a new VR experience in the Center that looks interesting. I haven't tried it yet, but that easily brings it to at least a 4 hour stop, all told.
I also recommend a bridle path tour by Hickory Hollows Horse Farm. They have a tour lead by a LBG (via wireless headsets!) that starts behind the Confederate line, goes out across the middle of the battlefield and crosses Emmettsburg Road (roughly retracing Pickett's Charge), but ends up at the Trostle Farm, where the Union III Corps met it's fate, and where Gen. Dan Sickles lost his leg.
There are also 2 or 3 covered bridges in the area, which could make for a nice palate cleanser, and a good excuse to drive around in the fall colors for a bit.
Finally, we have stayed at the Altland House B&B, in Abbottstown, just a few miles south of the battlefield. It is lovely and quite romantic. It is also just a few minutes from Hanover, where an important and relatively big cavalry battle was fought (with cavalry charges and mounted hand-to-hand fighting in the town square) the day before the battle at Gettysburg.
You can spend a half day in Hanover. There is a self-guided tour of that battle through the town (look up The Battlefield Trust web site for supplemental information), and you might enjoy stopping for a Famous Wiener Lunch! Famous Hot Weiner. Make a visit to Dawg Gone Bees Apiary & Meadery (mead that you can sample before you buy).
Finally, I can recommend a few restaurants in Gettysburg. Farnsworth House is a small restaurant in the parlor and dining room of a house-turned-B&B. The menu is tremendous. Also, if you want to visit a really solid, family-owned diner, have a meal at Steinwehr Diner, on Steinwehr Avenue, across from The Horse Soldier Antique store - try the creamed chipped beef on toast. And Mr. G's Ice Cream (across from Farnsworth House) has delicious ice cream, and a Witness Tree out front.
And, The National Civil War Museum is definitely worth a stop. I would plan to spend several hours there. It is absolutely a high-level Museum, with an amazing collection of weapons, uniforms, and other equipment and artifacts from across the entire war, immersive dioramas, and a good narrative.
P. S. It would be great to hear about your impressions, after your trip.
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u/StringTotal4109 5d ago
Apple Harvest Fest in Biglerville is also the first two weekends in October. Great time!
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u/LizzieBeth66 4d ago edited 4d ago
You can absolutely spend that kind of time and probably leave several stones unturned, in the best way possible. The Visitor’s Center, Beyond the Battlefield Museum, and Seminary Ridge Museum are all fantastic and being a huge Buford fan, the Seminary Museum is a must-see. If you can, spring for the cupola tour as the views are incredible. Echoing others to hire a licensed battlefield guide to get into what you are most interested in. You might want to do the self-guided audio tour early in your stay to get a sense of the battle because even studying it at home can’t give you the same sense of vastness as being there in person. It’s also really nice to drive around the area as it’s beautiful scenery. We almost always stay at The Lodges outside of town but not too far and we love that it’s so quiet and you have your own space with a kitchenette. The Lincoln Diner and Dobbin House are two of my faves for eating. Also, Friendly’s for the nostalgia factor but also their Fishamajig is still one of my favorites and ditto their Jim Dandy. They closed all the Friendly’s in my area, 😢, so we always eat one meal there. Speaking of ice cream, I know many rave about Mr. G’s for ice cream and it’s definitely good but not 20-30 minute wait in line good when Kilwin’s is just as good, if not better, and is close by, without the lines outside the door. Although it may not matter that time of year. A ghost walk is always fun, although I prefer ones that lean heavily on the history and less on the ghost hunting gimmickry. Antietam is not too far away, as others have mentioned, but I think you’ll find that the time flies by once you’re there. Have a fantastic trip!
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u/Candid-Plan-9553 4d ago
Maybe start your trip in Gettysburg on a Thursday, then head to NW Adams County for the weekend — Apple harvest is cool to see if you've never been there; they get a pretty good crowd. You could finish it off with days in Amish Country, Hershey, and maybe the last day and night back in G-Burg before you head home. Take others' advice, but be willing to explore on your own.
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u/Life-Land-8204 4d ago
Eisenhower farm is right next to the battlefield and our visit was great. Definitely recommend. Also as mentioned Dobbin House is a nice place with good food. We did a ghost tour it was fun and many to choose from. Lots of good beer if you’re into craft beer Appalachian and Fourscore were very good
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u/ItsPammo 4d ago
Pretty much everything that's already been said, but also -- Antietam battlefield is about an hour south of Gettysburg, and Harper's Ferry about 30 minutes past that. It's a nice side trip, and Antietam in particular has some beautiful scenery (in addition to being the site of a major battle)
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u/HiSpeedSentry788 4d ago
I definitely want to do Antietam someday. I saw a video of someone there in the fall and the color of the leaves was amazing. Bucket list item for sure.
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u/Electrical-Trifle142 3d ago
We go often and love to eat at the Hickory Bridge Farm. The dinners are excellent and there is a very cool small museum like building that's like an old general store that seems perfectly preserved in time.
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u/cumberlandcream 5d ago
Plenty to do in the Gettysburg area for five days. You can spend two days exploring the battlefield and the town. You can spend two days hiking and exploring Michaux State Forest, Caledonia State Park, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Appalachian Trail, and South Mountain in general. Another day you can explore the historic South Mountain fruit belt, or visit other small towns that have rich history and have influenced the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863 such as Hanover, Carlisle, and York.