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By Austin Poulson
Gettysburg may be best known for its history, but some of the most memorable stops are the ones you probably wouldn’t think to look for.
A museum filled with thousands of elephants. Secret World War II spy training sites. Vintage race cars. Outdoor adventures tucked into the countryside. A local saloon hiding in plain sight.
Venture beyond the battlefield and you’ll find a collection of unexpected attractions and experiences scattered throughout Gettysburg and Adams County. They don’t necessarily have much in common, and that’s exactly the point.
If you’ve already experienced the landmarks Gettysburg is famous for, here are a few places you might not expect to find next.
Head west of Gettysburg along the historic Lincoln Highway and you’ll eventually encounter one of Adams County’s most colorful attractions: Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium.
Inside, you’ll find more than 12,000 elephant figurines, pieces of art and other elephant-themed items from around the world.
And then there’s the candy. With more than 1,200 varieties, plus homemade chocolates, fudge, roasted peanuts and other treats, there are plenty of ways to satisfy a sweet tooth. Before you leave, stroll through the gardens, where you’ll discover an enchanted forest, a teapot museum and even a talking elephant.
Mister Ed’s is everything a hidden gem should be: colorful, quirky and a lot of fun.
Why it’s worth the stop: It’s part roadside attraction, part candy shop and completely unexpected.
You may know Gettysburg’s Civil War history, but there’s another chapter of American history hiding in the mountains nearby.
Mountain Spies takes visitors into the Catoctin and South Mountain region to uncover the area’s surprising role in American intelligence and national security. This small-group guided experience explores the landscape connected to World War II-era OSS training, Fort Ritchie and the Ritchie Boys, Camp David, Cold War planning and the evolution of American intelligence.
Rather than exploring history from inside a museum, visitors travel through the actual mountain corridor where training, intelligence operations and national-security planning took place. Along the way, the experience looks at how the region’s terrain, isolation and proximity to Washington, D.C., made it uniquely suited for secretive work.
Tours typically begin in Fairfield and last about three hours, with transportation provided during the experience.
Why it’s worth the stop: Even serious history buffs may be surprised by how much secret American intelligence history unfolded just beyond Gettysburg.
You don’t have to be a lifelong racing fan to appreciate the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing.
Located in nearby York Springs, the museum celebrates the history of American motor racing, with a particular focus on Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. Its collection preserves the cars, stories and personalities that helped shape motorsports through the years.
It’s an especially fun find for anyone interested in vintage automobiles, racing history or mechanical ingenuity. The museum is volunteer-based, adding another layer of passion and local knowledge to the collection.
For travelers who think they’ve already seen every kind of history the Gettysburg area has to offer, this one might surprise you.
Why it’s worth the stop: It’s a reminder that Gettysburg and Adams County’s history extends well beyond the Civil War.
Looking to add a little outdoor adventure to your Gettysburg getaway? Head into the Adams County countryside to experience Orvis Hill Country Shooting Grounds.
Set among more than 500 acres of woodlands and agricultural fields, Orvis Hill Country offers a completely different way to experience the landscape surrounding Gettysburg. The property features a 15-station sporting clays course, wobble trap, shooting and fly-fishing instruction, UTV trail riding and other wingshooting experiences. Hidden Gems in Gettysburg
The property is open to the public, with private instruction available for both beginners and experienced shooters and anglers.
Even the drive is part of the experience, taking you away from the bustle of town and into the rolling countryside of Adams County.
Why it’s worth the stop: Outdoor adventure and scenic countryside offer a completely different experience from downtown Gettysburg.
Some museums impress you with their size. The Gettysburg Museum of History impresses you with how much history can fit under one roof.
Located on Baltimore Street in downtown Gettysburg, this privately owned museum houses more than 4,000 artifacts spanning the Civil War, World Wars, American presidents and even pop culture. Its collections include artifacts connected to the Battle of Gettysburg, the Major Dick Winters Collection and items associated with figures including Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. Hidden Gems in Gettysburg
Another bonus? Admission is free.
Take your time exploring. Around nearly every corner is another artifact or story you probably weren’t expecting to find.
Why it’s worth the stop: The collection goes far beyond Gettysburg and the Civil War, so you never quite know what you’ll discover next.
After a day of exploring, there are few things better than finding a local spot that feels like a secret. The Reliance Mine Saloon is that kind of place.
Tucked away near the Quality Inn on Steinwehr Avenue, Reliance Mine has been welcoming history buffs, locals and visitors since 1975. Don’t expect a big restaurant or flashy nightlife spot. Reliance Mine doesn’t serve food, although guests are welcome to bring their own or have something delivered. Instead, come for a drink, settle in and see who you meet. Hidden Gems in Gettysburg
For history enthusiasts especially, you never know when a conversation with a fellow visitor might turn into an unforgettable discussion about Gettysburg.
Why it’s worth the stop: It’s a longtime local hangout with plenty of personality and none of the polish of a typical tourist stop.
Some of the best parts of traveling are the places you didn’t originally plan to visit.
In Gettysburg and Adams County, those discoveries might mean wandering among thousands of elephants, uncovering secret intelligence history in the mountains, getting lost in racing history, testing your skills in the countryside, examining an unexpected artifact or ending the evening with a drink at a hole-in-the-wall saloon.
The battlefield may bring you to Gettysburg, but there’s always something new waiting just beyond it.
Check out our Getaway Guide online or have us send you one. Have an immediate question? Call us at 1.800.337.5015
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