Category: The Battlefield

My Gettysburg Address

November 13, 2019

On Nov. 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered 272 words that not only helped dedicate Gettysburg’s Soldiers’ National Cemetery, but gave a sense of hope and reunification to a town and nation that had been raged by war. His words still resonate 156 years later.

In remembrance of this pivotal moment in history, we asked our visitors – what do the words of the Gettysburg Address mean to you? We received submissions from people from all over the country and of all different ages. Here are ten inspiring entries. Let us know in the comments – what does the Gettysburg Address mean ... Read This Story

10 Experiences To Have This Summer In Gettysburg

June 20, 2019

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is best known for its Civil War history, but the town and surrounding countryside are filled with a variety of authentic, unique experiences. From orchard-covered hills and tasty craft beverages to gorgeous sunsets and epic festivals, Adams County is a place you must experience this summer.

Make this summer the summer of new experiences. Use our list below to create your own Gettysburg summer bucket-list, and let us know which experiences you include in your summer plans!

10 Ways To Tour The Gettysburg Battlefield

April 24, 2019

Rightfully so, touring Gettysburg National Military Park is high on the to-do list of most people traveling to Gettysburg, Pa. The 6,000 acre Civil War military park is steeped in history and holds the stories and legacies of the thousands of soldiers who fought here during the Battle of Gettysburg. Because there is so much history to discover, and so many ways in which to discover it, we’ve broken down the options of touring the battlefield for you.

Whether you’ve never toured the Gettysburg battlefield and need a place to start, or if you’ve toured it many times and are just ... Read This Story

Road Cycling in Adams County

September 20, 2018

If you are into road cycling and haven’t been to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to ride – here is your invitation. The area offers not only incredible historical experiences and exciting culinary and craft beverage scenes, it also boasts some fantastic road cycling opportunities. Aside from the very bikeable Gettysburg National Military Park, there are endless country roads surrounding the town of Gettysburg that provide stunning scenery and fun cycling. While the route possibilities are seemingly endless, here are three routes to get you inspired for your Gettysburg road cycling adventure. Each route below includes a map, cue sheet, description of the ... Read This Story

Which Gettysburg Civil War General are you?

June 21, 2018

When listening to Licensed Battlefield Guides and rangers talk about Civil War generals that fought in the Battle of Gettysburg or seeing their pictures in museums, it’s easy to forget that these generals were real people with normal lives before the Civil War. In fact, they might have been a lot like you. Their distinctive personalities guided them as they made tough calls during the three-day battle that took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Are you goal-oriented like General Robert E. Lee, strong and opinionated like General James Longstreet, or perhaps you’re short-tempered and brazen like General Daniel E. Sickles. Take this quiz ... Read This Story

Where to Find Living History in Gettysburg

May 24, 2018

One of the best ways to experience history is to watch it come alive right in front of you. Living historians, encampments and presentations are found throughout Gettysburg starting in spring and usually ending late fall. Dedicated re-enactors embody famous generals, common soldiers and civilians who will engage with spectators giving them a deeper understanding of history. We’ve put together a list of living history hot spots where there’s a good chance you’ll find your favorite Civil War general leading drills or a platoon winding down after a days battle in an encampment.

Gettysburg National Military Park hosts ... Read This Story

Eight Great Gettysburg Battlefield Hikes & Walks

April 5, 2018

There is an abundance of ways to tour Gettysburg National Military Park. Each place takes visitors to unique vantage points and provides different perspectives of the three-day battle throughout the 6,000-acre park.

But often it’s the pace that can make the biggest difference, and that’s no more noticeable than by tackling the hallowed grounds by foot. While there are trails at Gettysburg National Military Park that some would consider a good hike, much of the battlefield’s pedestrians pathways are more in line with walking than hiking.

Touring the battlefield by foot not only gives travelers an up-close look at where history happened, ... Read This Story

The Irish Gettysburg: Whiskey, the Wheatfield and the Wolfhound

March 8, 2018

Irish pride is everywhere in Gettysburg, including the hallowed grounds of the Civil War battlefield where the famous Irish Brigade heroically charged across the Wheatfield and secured the Union line on July 2, 1863.

Tucked into the woods along Gettysburg National Military Park’s Sickle’s Avenue stands tall a Celtic cross, shadowing the Irish Wolfhound. The monument represents the valor of five regiments who, battered and beaten from engagements months prior in Antietam and Fredericksburg, triumphantly secured the Union line as part of Sickle’s army who just hours earlier pushed west toward Emmitsburg Road.

The story of the Irish Brigade is among the ... Read This Story

How well do you know Gettysburg’s women’s history?

February 28, 2018

The women of Gettysburg endured quite a few hardships during the summer of 1863 and for quite a few months following. With the men off to war, the women of Gettysburg pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and began putting their town back together. It is during the month of March we recognize the contributions of women to society and history, and without the women in Gettysburg, who knows what would have become of the town. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of women in Adams County throughout history. Good luck and don’t forget to share your results with ... Read This Story

10 Travel Tips for Your Vacation to Gettysburg

January 25, 2018

Your first trip to Gettysburg can often be full of questions… Where do I start? How long should I stay? Where should I eat? Gettysburg has so much to offer, and it can often be difficult to plan your trip if you haven’t traveled here before, or you haven’t visited since that 7th grade field trip you took when you were in school.

Destination Gettysburg is here to help! We asked our veteran Gettysburg visitors for their best Gettysburg travel advice. Check out their travel tips and suggestions.

1. “Start at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. Explore the ... Read This Story

How well do you know Gettysburg’s Civil War history?

January 17, 2018

In the past 155 years, millions of visitors have walked the battlegrounds at Gettysburg, learning details and stories about the epic Civil War battle and reflecting on the poignant time in American history. Over that same time, thousands of books have been written, millions of artifacts have been archived and diary passages have been recited throughout the country – all in an effort to better understand this war.

So, we decided to put you to the test. Below are 15 trivia questions about the Battle of Gettysburg and the events that followed to test your knowledge about this momentous period in ... Read This Story

Don’t Miss these 10 Sunset Views in Gettysburg

November 2, 2017

Anyone who has been to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania will tell you that the sunsets here are sensational. They beautifully signify the end to a wonderful day of exploration and learning for visitors and locals alike. The biggest question then is, where to spend your evenings catching sight of this wonder while in our historic town? Not to worry – we have ten great spots for you to add to your list next time you are in Gettysburg.

Whether it be from ground level or atop the observation tower, viewing sunsets across the first day’s battlefield won’t disappoint. As the northern most ... Read This Story

Seven Secrets of the Gettysburg Battlefield

September 29, 2017

By Carl Whitehill – In my 10 years in Gettysburg, I’ve met some amazing folks – visitors, locals and Civil War experts alike – that astound me with their depth of knowledge about the Gettysburg National Military Park. I’ve even picked up an amazing amount of information in my travels around this great town and yet pick up new stories, new insight about this turning point in American history each time I take a tour or sit down and talk with a knowledgeable and passionate history buff. At the same time, it’s all-too-often that we drive through the battlefield, eyes ... Read This Story

Fifteen Places Every History Buff Should Visit in Gettysburg

August 3, 2017

History is certainly everywhere in Gettysburg – through the streets, inside the buildings around town and out into the farm fields where war broke out more than 154 years ago. As one of the most visited historic destinations in America, Gettysburg attracts visitors from around the world to learn, to reflect and to remember those tragic three days in 1863.

But Gettysburg’s history doesn’t begin or end with the American Civil War. Today, the town remembers history of several eras – some that pre-date the epic battle, and others more modern.

At the same time, history buffs clamor to learn more, to ... Read This Story

Experience the Natural Side of Gettysburg’s Battlefield

August 5, 2016

By Jessica Clevenger – Gettysburg, rightfully so, is known for its rich history. More than one million people visit and revisit Gettysburg each year to hear the stories of the people, to take in the battlefield and to learn about what life was like for soldiers and civilians during and after that pivotal Civil War battle in July of 1863. History is and always will be a tremendous part of Gettysburg’s story, but there’s an often overlooked aspect of the battlefield that’s just as intriguing: its natural landscape.

When you visit Gettysburg’s battlefield, you are visiting 5,989 acres of preserved land. The ... Read This Story