For Civil War buffs, visiting the Gettysburg battlefield is a must. About a two-hour drive from D.C., a visit to the town and battlefield can make for a great day trip.
NOTE: Little Round Top is closed until Summer 2024
Gettysburg is the site of one of our most famous and most visited National Battlefield Parks, and it truly is one of our favorite places to visit.
It was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, which took place July 1-3, 1863. It would provide the prelude for President Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address.
However... if you are new to Civil War history, or new to visiting Civil War battlefields, may we humbly suggest a visit to Antietam National Battlefield, about a 1.5 hour drive from Washington, D.C., before trying to tackle a trip to Gettysburg.
Please let us explain this. Antietam is a much simpler battlefield to understand during a visit there. The battle takes place over the course of just one day.
Indeed, that’s exactly what gives it its special significance in our national history; it is our country’s bloodiest single day. The battle of Gettysburg takes place over the course of three days, and as you visit the Park today, it can get quite confusing trying to keep track of what happens at each stop, as battle lines fluctuated significantly over three days.
Antietam is also far more well preserved, as over time, development has encroached on significant parts of the Gettysburg battlefield, though the National Park Service and its partners have made significant strides in restoring the area. Antietam simply never had this problem.
But if Gettysburg is where you want to go, let us help you. We bring School Groups to the battlefield on day trips regularly!
Getting to Gettysburg:
Take 1-66 West to George Washington Parkway, I-495 N, and I-270 for 47.5 miles to US-15 N. Take US-15 N 37 miles to PA-116 W in Gettysburg. You will pass into the greater battlefield, which surrounds the town of Gettysburg.
You can also use Viator to book excursions from Washington D.C. to Gettysburg, which will take care of several aspects of the trip for you.
What to See at Gettysburg:
The grounds and the roads of Gettysburg National Military Park are open daily, even on holidays.
You can enter 30 minutes before sunrise and stay until 30 minutes after sunrise. You can plan your trip by visiting: https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/gettysburg-pa
The park is free to enter, though you can pay to get licensed battlefield guides.
The Museum and Visitor’s Center is open 8 am to 5 pm from March 1st through November. It has a reduced schedule for the rest of the year and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.
While you are there, make sure to see the Gettysburg Cyclorama, an impressive and fascinating visual recreation of Pickett’s Charge. It is a painting, 42’ high and 377’ in circumference, that gives you a 360 degree view of the battlefield at this pivotal moment, “the high water mark of the Confederacy”, and has been a “must-see” since its creation in 1883.
The Gettysburg National Cemetery is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. There is no fee, and you can drive through the cemetery. It was here, during the dedication of this cemetery, that Lincoln gave his most famous speech.
Other historical sites in the area that are also worth a visit are:
- The David Wills House sits right at the heart of the town of Gettysburg at 8 Lincoln Square. It was the home of a local attorney who helped spur the idea for a Solders’ National Cemetery, and opened his home to both the wounded from the battle, and the distinguished guests who came later to honor the dead. One of these was Abraham Lincoln himself, and it is said that he put the finishing touches on his speech here. There are six galleries to see here, and both Wills’ office and Lincoln’s bedroom have been restored to their original appearance.
- Due to staffing issues in 2024, the Wills House will ONLY be open from May 11th to November 17th, and ONLY on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of those weeks. The hours will be 11AM-4PM.
- The Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station is the site where Lincoln first arrived on November 18, 1863. Today, it is owned and operated by the nonprofit partner to the National Park Service which has restored elements of it and created a museum with a very cool virtual reality component at its heart.
- You can learn more and find current hours at - Ticket to the Past—Unforgettable Journeys
- The Eisenhower National Historic Site is another National Park Service site adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield. It was here that President Eisenhower and his wife Mamie would escape the stress of Cold War Era Washington DC. It was also here that Eisenhower hosted numerous world leaders. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, and visitors may drive there directly (use “250 Eisenhower Farm Road” for GPS navigation).
- To learn more about the limited times tours of the house are offered, click here: Ranger Programs and Home Tours - Eisenhower National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
- For something a little different, check out Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum. It’s not every day you’ll see Civil War battles recreated in miniature…with cat soldiers.
Where to Eat in Gettysburg:
Downtown Gettysburg, within just a few blocks of Lincoln Square, has some of our favorite places to eat.
Food 101 is a great little gourmet sandwich shop with some superb artisan pizzas.
For a bit more authentic Italian style pizza place, head to Antica Napoli Pizza, which also has delicious subs and a wide variety of salads.
The Gettysburger Company has, hands down, the best burger in the area and offers other tasty pub fare.
Blue & Gray Bar & Grill is a great local sports bar with your typical sports bar menu, though it is often quite busy but worth checking out.
The Lincoln Diner sits in an old train car by the tracks, so the quaint ambiance is key here. Good for breakfast and standard diner food, with some good pies for dessert. If you don’t mind a bit of a walk, two of our other favorites are located about a 10-15 minute walk south of the square near the edge of the Cemetery.
Hunt’s Battlefield Fries & Cafe has some of the very best cheesesteak sandwiches in all of Pennsylvania (Yes, that includes Philly!) and, as the name implies, superb fries. They are also open for breakfast! A beautiful restaurant in an old stone building with unique dishes is right nearby at the historically restored 1776
Dobbin House Tavern. There are actually two restaurants here: The Springhouse Tavern that is open for both lunch and dinner on a first-come-first-served basis (no reservations available) and is often very busy, so arrive early; and the Dobbins Dining Room, open only for dinner and also exceptionally busy. We highly recommend reservations at least a week in advance.
Another “foodie gem” about a half mile walk northeast of the square is Mason Dixon Distillery with a unique menu (they have poutine!) and amazing craft cocktails with spirits all distilled on the premises.
Gettysburg Tours:
Gettysburg is rich in history and while visitors can check out many sites on their own, we recommend taking a guided tour!
Take a Ghost Tour
There are many tours offered by a number of tour companies that focus on the supernatural and macabre. These tours are very popular, even outside of the traditional Halloween season.
Hire a Licensed Battlefield Guide
You can hire Battlefield guides for your family or large groups through the Gettysburg Foundation. It’s a great way to learn about the history of the site with a more personal touch.
