Visit the Gettysburg Battlefield

Nowadays, the site is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular tourist destinations and a national park that appears very similar to the way it was during the Civil War. While it’s always a moving and an intriguing experience to visit here, it’s even more so during the annual reenactment that takes place on the anniversary of the intense battle at a nearby site.

Visitor Basics

Unless you're also traveling on horseback, you'll have a much easier time reaching Gettysburg than either army did. Located about 40 miles southwest of Harrisburg in south central Pennsylvania, the site is jointly owned and operated by the Gettysburg Foundation and the National Park Service. It's closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Though access to the visitor center is free, expect to pay for other attractions like the museum and a film about the battle. Children are welcome at Gettysburg, but little ones with short attention spans will probably find it a bit dry.

First Stop: Visitor Center

You can easily spend a full day exploring here. Your first order of business: pick up a map at the visitor center and check out the scheduled programs. Park rangers lead informational sessions throughout the day. Next, head to the theater for a History Channel film, then get lost checking out the Cyclorama, a 360-degree painting depicting the battle in detail. It is 42 feet high and 377 feet around, making it larger than a football field. Allow yourself another hour to explore the museum and any other exhibits currently on display, then grab a bite at the Refreshment Saloon, a restaurant designed to look like a real Civil War-era saloon. Thankfully, this one’s much cleaner than the originals.

Next Stop: The Battlefield

Now that you're freshly educated about the battle itself, you're ready to step onto the battlefield. If you're at Gettysburg without a car, your best option is to book seats on a bus tour. Alternatively, hire a licensed guide to ride along with you in your car and narrate a tour. Many guests prefer to set their own pace—and save some cash—by using the self-guided tour option. Drive the designated route laid out on your map. You can also purchase an audio tour CD at the bookstore or load a Gettysburg app and listen to the narration while you drive.

Further Stops

Are you ready for some more history? From the visitor center, walk or drive to the Soldier’s National Cemetery. Thousands of Union soldiers are buried in the cemetery here—it was the site of Lincoln's famed address. Take a shuttle from Gettysburg to the Eisenhower National Historic Site, the former home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and walk around on a self-guided tour. Then, head out to downtown Gettysburg to see the David Wills house, where Lincoln slept the night before giving his address.