Location: Gettysburg
Top Things to do in Gettysburg
Things to do in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (PA): The Best Historic Sites
Gettysburg is steeped in the history of the Civil War. In 1863, it was the site of the epic Battle of Gettysburg, in which some 50,000 soldiers were killed. It is also, of course, the place where Abraham Lincoln delivered the immortal Gettysburg Address. The town itself is made up of houses, hotels and taverns dating back several centuries, but Gettysburg offers more modern travel and leisure activities, as well, like wine tastings, orchard tours, shopping and golfing.
Restaurants in Gettysburg
1. Little Round Top
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 650 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
If you saw the movie "Gettysburg," you will recall that the most decisive moment came when Joshua Chamberlain's Union regiment, the 20th Maine, rallied with a dramatic downhill bayonet charge that prevented Confederate troops from capturing Little Round Top and flanking the Union Army. Civil War historians generally agree that Little Round Top was the most decisive terrain in the battle. Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg--the adjacent, taller hill is appropriately named Big Round Top, which played an insignificant role in the battle. The view from the summit is awe-inspiring and offers a panoramic view of the battlefield, including Devil's Den, Plum Run, even Cemetery Ridge. During Pickett's Charge on the final day of the battle, cannon from Little Round Top helped to support the Union defense. From the summit, it is easy to see how difficult it was for attacking Confederate troops to scale the heights. Note the life-size statue of General Gouverneur Warren, who realized Little Round Top was undefended and quickly dispatched troops to fill the breech in the Union's defense, only minutes before the Confederates attacked. See the site where Chamberlain's regiment made its dramatic stand that arguably saved the Union. His brave effort wasn't forgotten. At Appomattox two years later, Chamberlain was chosen to accept the surrender of Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.
2. High Water Mark of the Rebellion Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By kermitvb
You have to stand near the Copse Trees where the CSA focused Picket and Pettigrew's charges to understand the futility of their efforts. Very impressive and you can experience it on foot.
3. George Spangler Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The George Spangler Farm and Field Hospital Site on the Gettysburg battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is one of the best surviving examples of a farm used as a corps field hospital during and after the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1-3, 1863. One minute, George Spangler and his family were working on their 80-acre farm. the next, the battle came to Gettysburg and their family farm was transformed into one of the largest field hospitals and artillery staging areas in the battle. Today, the farm with living history encampments and special programs is open to visitors. Access is via shuttle bus from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. Reportedly, 1,800 Union soldiers and 100 Confederates were treated at the Spangler property by at least seven Union surgeons. Confederate General Lewis Armistead, mortally wounded during Pickett's Charge on the third day of the battle, reportedly died in the summer kitchen located on the farm. Visitors can explore the restored barn that sheltered wounded soldiers, the rehabilitated summer kitchen and the restored smokehouse. The farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It adds another important perspective to the Battle of Gettysburg that often is overlooked and unappreciated.
4. Eisenhower National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,203 reviews
President Eisenhower used this farm as a retreat from the White House, then retired here.
Reviewed By ASLEM609
Although the house wasn't open for touring, I checked it off my bucket list to have seen a presidential home. It was a blast from the past and humbling to walk where a great man once walked.
5. Shriver House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 831 reviews
You may know what happened on battlefield...but do you know what happened to the families and their homes in town? The Shriver House Museum is an award-winning Civil War museum dedicated to the civilian experience during the Battle of Gettysburg. The story is told through the eyes of the Shriver family, whose ancestors settled in the area in the 1700s. While George Shriver served in the Union army, his wife, Hettie, was worried about the safety of their daughters, Mollie (5) and Sadie (7), as well as their home. When soldiers filled the streets of Gettysburg, Hettie (27) chose to take her children back to her family's farm three miles south of town, by Big Round Top; where she thought they would be out of harm's way. Hettie could not know she jumped from the frying pan into the fire or that her unoccupied home would offer the Rebels an outstanding view of Union ground. It was quickly commandeered by Confederates to set up a sharpshooters' nest in the attic. Today the Shrivers' home appears much the same way it did when it was built in 1860, just a few months before the Civil War began. Guides in period dress recount the harrowing story of the Shriver family's experiences as you walk through their home - from the Confederate sharpshooters' nest in the attic, through their finely-appointed home, to Shriver's Saloon in the cellar. The story of George Shriver was not well-known until 1996 when his house, which sat abandoned for nearly 30 years, was painstakingly restored to its original appearance. Today the Shrivers' story is one of the most intriguing stories told when it comes to the civilian aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Reviewed By Y3151VZjamesp - Waldorf, United States
Was a great tour, it showed how the battlefield was also in the city and how it affected the civilian population. If you are there for the history it is definitely a place you have to stop.
6. Jennie Wade House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,500 reviews
The Jennie Wade House is a guided tour with the guides in period clothing taking you through the home where the only civilian killed during the battle of Gettysburg was tragically lost. As the story unfolds the guides take you room to room following the path of the family on July 3rd 1863. Tour has been modified to adhere to Social Distancing protocol as well as shields have been installed. Be respectful and wear a mask for the safety of our staff and guests.
Reviewed By MichelleBauer1124
I always assumed this was named the Jennie Wade house because she owned it, I had no idea the actual history behind it. Our tour guide gave us a great tour and to be able to experience walking through a house that the Civil War soldiers were in and all the history surrounding it was amazing.
7. David Wills House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 416 reviews
Reviewed By NortheastMomCT - Connecticut, United States
Very nice small museum of the house where Lincoln and others stayed for the commemoration of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg and the place where Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address. Very nicely done.
8. East Cavalry Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
More than a million people visit the Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, each year. But less than 1 percent bother to travel three miles east of town to East Cavalry Field, which was the site of a cavalry skirmish on the third day of the battle that arguably was every bit if not more decisive to the outcome as Pickett's Charge, which ironically was occurring at the very same time. As part of General Robert E. Lee's grand plan to defeat the Union Army, he sent General Jeb Stuart's cavalry east of Culp's Hill to attack from the rear while General George Pickett's division was attacking on Cemetery Ridge. But Union cavalrymen under George Custer and David Gregg prevented Stuart from riding around the back of the Union line. See bullet holes in the barn at the Rummel Farm. The fields remain as pristine as they were on July 3, 1863. Historians still debate what might have happened had Stuart's strategy been successful.
9. Dobbin House Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 622 reviews
Reviewed By jackieg21
The Dobbin House is an amazing building with exceptional civil war period decor. I loved that the staff dressed in period clothing as well, and the canopy bed frame tables were very unique! Dinner was delicious, and the service was excellent. The best French Onion soup I have ever eaten.
10. 12th & 44th New York Infantry Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By 423franke
We came across this monument while on a bus tour organized through the Gettysburg visitors center. It sits a little off the main stopping point of the tour and has a somewhat hidden stone stairway leading up to a small observation area with a great view from Little Round Top
