Gettysburg

Gettysburg National Military Park is in Pennsylvania of USA.

Culture and History

Gettysburg is the site of one of the most important battles of the US Civil War. And 51,000 men gave their lives for what they thought was a cause worth dying for.

History

The battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1-3, 1863. The fighting started accidentally when Union and Confederate troops converged just south of the town of Gettysburg. Three bloody days of fighting ensued, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. With the Confederate forces majorly decimated by the end of the battle, this proved to be a major turning point in the Civil War.

Landscape

Flat meadows surrounded by rocky hills, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains looming in the distance.

Flora and fauna

Climate

Gettysburg has a humid continental climate, with hot, humid summers and cold moist winters. Spring and Fall are mild and pleasant. Heavy winter storms occasionally strike the area, but these are fairly rare. Heaviest snowfall occurs during February and early March. Severe thunderstorms may occasionally hit the region, mostly in July and August.

Travel to Gettysburg - Visa Requirements

By Plane

Several airports are in the region, although none of them are particularly closeby. Airports in Harrisburg (MDT), Baltimore (BWI), and Philadelphia (PHL) are the closest. Flying into Baltimore would probably be your best bet, as the drive to Gettysburg is approximately 60 miles.

By Car

Gettysburg can be reached via US Rt 30 from Philadelphia, or via State Rt 97 from the Baltimore area. From the south, US 15 runs through the town for visitors arriving from the Washington DC region.

Fees/Permits

Access to the battlefields are free at all times. However, museums and viewing towers will carry a small fee.

Tours and Getting around Gettysburg

By Car

By far the best way to see the park is with your own vehicle. Roads wind extensively throughout the battlefields, and include many places to pull off and allow visitors to walk around. Use caution when using these roads, as there may be many people walking or bicycling on these roads. The speed limit throughout the park is 15 MPH.

By Bus

Guided tours on buses are available for fees of $22-25 for adults, and $12-15 for children aged 4-11. More information can be found at the tour bus website. [1]

Gettysburg tourist attractions and sightseeing

Tour the battlefields, see the various museums throughout the town, and visit many of the gift shops.

Gettysburg city tours

• Gettysburg Hall of Presidents Museum, 789 Baltimore St.
• Land of Little Horses Farm Park, 125 Glennwood Drive, [2]
• National Civil War Wax Museum, 297 Steinwehr Ave.

Gettysburg souvenirs and shopping

• Gateway Theaters, 20 Presidential Circle, Gettysburg, PA 17325(US 15 & US 30 at Gateway Gettysburg), ☎ 717-334-5575, [3]. The state-of-the-art Gateway Theaters is one of the most technologically advanced movie theaters in the region. In addition to your favorite new-release Hollywood film, Gateway Theaters is the exclusve home of "Fields of Freedom". "Fields of Freedom" is a 30-minute Hollywood produced immersive film that is a must see before you tour the battlefields. Gateway Theaters features the two largest digital movie screens in the USA. 

Gettysburg Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Restaurants abound throughout the town, from nationally known chains, to local Mom & Pop diners.

Ernie's Texas Lunch - 58 Chambersburg St. - Old-time lunch counter with a few booths. Famous for their "texas wieners" and home made soup.

Dobbin House Tavern[4] - 89 Steinwehr Ave. - Casual and fine dining.

Gettysburg nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the park at any time.

Gettysburg cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

• Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg, 1061 York Street, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA 17325, ☎ 717-334-2040, [5]. Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg hotel offers beautiful lodging near historic Gettysburg and Pennsylvania attractions including Gettysburg battlefield and Gettysburg College. 

• Hilton Garden Inn(Gettysburg Hotel), 1061 York Road Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325, ☎ 717-334-2040, [6].  

• Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, 1857 Gettysburg Village Drive(Located at the intersection of Routes 97 and 15 on the site of The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg.), ☎ 717-337-9518, [7]. checkin: 3:00pm; checkout: 12:00pm. The Country Inn and Suites Gettysburg Hotel is conveniently located less than one mile from the NEW Gettysburg Museum and Visitors center and several other historic Gettysburg attractions, tours and sites. The Gettysburg Country Inn & Suites by Carlson is also located just a short, 5 minute drive from downtown historic Gettysburg, filled with it's many restaurants and quaint shops. Charming décor, comfortable amenities and a welcoming atmosphere make this Gettysburg, PA hotel a pleasurable stay for both business and leisure travelers lodging in Gettysburg.  

• Wingate by Wyndham - Mechanicsburg, 385 Cumberland Parkway, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, ☎ 717-766-2710, [8]. The Wingate by Wyndham Mechanicsburg offers a delightful array of complimentary amenities with free breakfast and high-speed Internet service. Centrally located between Hershey and Gettysburg, enjoy newly remodeled accommodations, on-site restaurant, plus luxurious indoor pool and hot tub. 

Lodging

Dobbin House Tavern [9] - Includes Gettystown Inn Bed & Breakfast.

Camping

Backcountry

Hiking, camping, and grilling can be done at nearby Caledonia State Park, located approximately 25 miles west of Gettysburg on US Rt 30.

Stay safe

Gettysburg is very safe. However, it can get very crowded during the summer, and especially on summer weekends. If large crowds are not pleasing to you, especially avoid the anniversary dates of July 1-3.

The best time to see Gettysburg is on a weekday during the spring or fall.

Get out

Nearby destinations suitable for day trips include:

• Harrisburg — Explore the Capital of PA.

• Hershey (Pennsylvania) — Explore chocolate country.

• Lancaster (Pennsylvania) — Explore Amish country.

• York (Pennsylvania) — Explore Central PA country.

This page was last edited by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by beeracuda@yahoo.com, Wikitravel user(s) PAWiki and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license