2020 has thrown a lot of curve balls our way, and by now the kids are probably begging to get out and explore. Gettysburg has safety measures in place including a statewide mask mandate and social distancing protocols so you can safely bring your family for a visit. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 safety guidelines, head to our Safe Travel page. Check out this list of ten safe Gettysburg experiences to do with your kids this summer.
1. Take a Walk in Nature
Head to the Strawberry Hill nature preserve or one of our nearby state parks and follow the trails through beautiful woodlands. Out in the great wide open, it is easy to keep a safe distance from other hikers while simultaneously satisfying the itch to get out and travel!
2. Discover and Learn at Museums
Although operating at limited capacities and with new safety protocols, many of Gettysburg’s educational museums and attractions are open. Dive headfirst into history, check out the Elephant Museum, or learn about Adams County’s most popular homegrown fruit – apples! Our museums are historical and fun.
3. Get Spooked
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, our ghost tours are the perfect way to end your day. Learn of some of Gettysburg’s greatest unsolved mysteries and do some investigating of your own. Keep an open mind – you never know what you’ll uncover! Tour sizes are limited for your protection.
4. Roll Around the Battlefield
You can explore the battlefield by foot – or you can roll around in style on a Segway, scoot coupe, scooter, bicycle, or even a double decker bus. Have your pick! Keep the kids entertained and learn something new with every tour.
5. Go Camping
Park your rig at one of our campgrounds, bond over burnt marshmallows and ghost stories around the fire, bring along the family dog and discover all the natural beauty around Gettysburg. Can you say perfect weekend getaway?
6. Pick-Your-Own Produce
The beautiful farmland around Gettysburg and throughout Adams County produces some of the juiciest, freshest fruits and veggies you will taste. Pick them right from the limbs yourself or get them from the bins at our farm markets and explore the other local goodies sold inside. Remember to sanitize!
7. Make Animal Friends
Land of Little Horses Farm Park is home to horses, goats, pigs, and more farm animals that you can feed, pet, and even watch perform live on stage. If your kids are “wow”-ed by animals that are a bit more exotic, try Catoctin Wildlife Preserve – home to zebras, a jaguar, alligators, lemurs – you name it! Or get on horseback for a tour of the battlefield, cavalry style.
8. Indulge
Restaurants are operating at a limited capacity, or you can get your food to go and have your very own picnic in historic Gettysburg. Pizza, ice cream, and candy are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
9. Souvenir Hunt
Shop for the perfect Gettysburg souvenir! From candy stores to game shops and toy stores to t-shirt companies – your kid will be picking out lots of mementos from your Gettysburg trip. Just don’t forget your mask!
10. Take Selfies With Li’l Lincoln
Print your own Li’l Lincoln and have fun snapping selfies throughout your vacation! Bring Li’l Lincoln to the museum, along for lunch, and to the farm. He’s very photogenic!
Pack your water, bottle, hiking shoes, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and masks – we are waiting for you!
