SPEND THE WEEKEND: Gettysburg
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Having played one of the most significant roles in American history, Gettysburg is a popular vacation destination for millions of visitors each year. The steps taken to preserve and protect the famous Civil War battlefield have ensured that future generations will experience the impact of those three tumultuous days in July of 1863.
If you can only squeeze a two- or three-day visit into your busy schedule, it will be well worth it. But be warned, if you plan a weekend getaway to Gettysburg, you'll be coming back for all the things that you couldn't possibly fit into one weekend!
Friday
Gettysburg has many unique lodging choices, but only one is at the center of it all. The historic Gettysburg Hotel located on Lincoln Square has been a part of Gettysburg's identity since 1797 when it was opened as a tavern. The beautifully restored property is a member of The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Hotels of America. Though the ambiance is loyal to its rich legacy, the guestrooms are well appointed with amenities such as high-speed Internet, a fitness center, a rooftop swimming pool, turndown service and a fine dining restaurant as well as an old English pub. Perhaps the best thing about the hotel is its location, location, location. It is within walking distance of the battlefield, restaurants and shops.
In addition to the regular nightly rates, the Gettysburg Hotel offers several different themed packages like the Civil War Experience Package. Couples stay for three days and two nights for $390 or $444 for families with two adults and two children (ages 6-12). Some of the package features include a daily breakfast buffet, two-day pass to the new Museum and Visitors Center and a 56-page color guidebook with maps, photos and trivia to make your tour of the battlefield come to life. For more information, call 866-EST-1797 or visit www.hotelgettysburg.com.
Once you're settled, you may want to take a short walk to the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau located inside the David Wills House at 8 Lincoln Square. As the official travel information center for Gettysburg and all of Adams County, this is the place to visit before beginning your Gettysburg experience. Friendly and knowledgeable staff will assist you and make suggestions designed to make your stay even more memorable. Log on to their website at www.gettysburg.travel to start planning your visit now. You can request a free visitors guide that is filled with things to see and do in Gettysburg and Adams County. Call 800-337-5015 for more details.
If you enjoy live theater and your visit brings you to Gettysburg between June 26 and July 26, "Battlecry: The Musical" will be a poignant and inspirational way to cap off the day. The show dramatizes the events that occurred during the three days when the Civil War came to the small town of Gettysburg. The musical brings to life the civilian struggles as well as those on the battlefield.
Located at Gettysburg's Riegel Auditorium, performances are limited to Thursday through Sunday, with an additional showing on Wednesday, July 2. Log on to www.battlecrymusical.com for show times and ticket information.
Saturday
Whether your visit brings you to Gettysburg during the three-day reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg or during one of the less hectic weekends this summer, a tour of the battlefield is a must. On the hallowed ground where a horrendous toll of 51,000 casualties was paid, it is nearly impossible not to be moved by the sacrifice of the soldiers, many of whom were just boys.
The park's new 139,000-square-foot Museum and Visitors Center brings to life the story of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War. The 360-degree Cyclorama painting depicting Pickett's Charge is fully restored and available for a new generation of visitors. The Museum & Visitors Center (www.gettysburgfoundation.org) is located at 1195 Baltimore Pike in Gettysburg.
There are many different ways to tour the battlefield, but one of the most unique is offered by Segway Tours of Gettysburg. You just hop on a Segway and experience the battlefield in the open air. Two different tours are offered, a 2½-hour tour of the main battlefield and a 1½-hour tour of a lesser-known part of the battlefield. The tours visit all the main historical sites and are accompanied by a licensed battlefield guide. Each rider is given a helmet and training before the tour begins. Both tours include opportunities for riders to stop and take photos as well as have water and restroom breaks. And if you are environmentally conscious, the Segway does not use gas and does not emit fumes.
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Tours are generally scheduled between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Segway Tours field office is in the rear parking lot of the Reliance Mine Saloon at 29 Taneytown Road (not a mailing address). Call 888-4SEGTOURS or visit www.segtours.com for more information.
After a busy day of taking in the sights, a delicious dinner at McClellan's Tavern is the perfect setting to just relax and reflect on your battlefield experience.
Your day of exploration isn't over yet. When the sun sets, uncovering Gettysburg's past can get very interesting. Mark Nesbitt has been writing books on the Civil War since 1978, but it is his Ghosts of Gettysburg book series for which he is best known. Armed with eerie tales, Mark started giving ghost tours in 1994. In 2008, the Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight Walking Tours were rated the #1 Ghost Tour in America by Haunted America Tours. These tours have been featured on The History Channel, A&E and Unsolved Mysteries. So, put on your walking shoes and grab some courage, because you may need it.
Tour headquarters, located on Baltimore Street, open at 2 p.m. on tour days. The Nesbitts strongly recommend picking up your tickets before 6 p.m. on the day of your tour to avoid waiting in line. You can purchase tickets online at www.ghostsofgettysburg.com or phone 888-337-0445
Sunday
After an evening of ghost stories you may think the rumbling in your stomach is more than just hunger, but a hearty breakfast at Dunlap's Restaurant & Bakery on Buford Avenue is just what is needed. For just around $4, you can get two eggs, home fries, toast, bacon or sausage and a cup of joe. Your breakfast will give you the fuel you need to hit the sidewalks and shop till you drop, or at least until it's time to hit the road.
Eight miles west of Gettysburg (and well worth the trip) is the Historic Round Barn & Farmers Market, where you'll find a wide variety of succulent fruits and vegetables. Built in 1914, the barn is one of only three true round barns still in existence in Pennsylvania. In addition to the local produce, decorative and gift items are also available in this unique structure.
During the summer, the Historic Round Barn plays host to two family events. On Father's Day, June 21, the South Mountain Antique Engine Association will display antique equipment along with local antique tractor collector and enthusiast Stanley Wolf. Stanley will display his Blackhawk tractor once owned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The tractor was used on Eisenhower's Gettysburg farm, which is open for tours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The Father's Day event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Sunday, July 26, the 6th Annual Old-Fashioned CornFest is an event the whole family will love. The food is not going to help your waistline, but you've done a lot of walking the last couple days, so enjoy! Corn roasted in the husk over an apple-wood fire, pulled pork, barbecued chicken, apple dumplings and peach sundaes are just a few of the delicious offerings at the festival. Toe tappin' music will be provided by the Orchard Boys, a progressive bluegrass band with a sound all their own. The kids will love the free games and activities as well as horse and pony rides. A festival at the Historic Round Barn would not be complete without a hayride around the farm. The festival starts at 11:30 a.m.
More information on the Historic Round Barn can be found at 717-334-1984 or by logging on to www.roundbarngettysburg.com.
There is so much more to see and do in Gettysburg than space allows. For more Gettysburg events and attractions, click here and start planning your trip today using our online itinerary.
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