Gettysburg Cozy Winter Retreats
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January 19, 2021
For most travelers, Gettysburg is a place that takes at least a few days to experience. Even then, it sometimes takes a trip back to fit in the rest. The historic town, the hallowed battlegrounds and scenic countryside all give visitors a unique look into this small Pennsylvania community.
But, sometimes, visitors can be short on time, and want to make the best of just a day in Gettysburg. It’s tough to determine what, however, to include in a day-trip. Check out the ideas below for how to spend one day in Gettysburg!
If you’re traveling for Gettysburg’s Civil War history, a good place to start is Gettysburg National Military Park – you’ll not only learn about America’s most defining event, but you’ll feel the magnitude of the sacrifice made on those farm fields 155 years ago.
While heading out on your own may seem logical on limited time, there’s no better way to get the scoop on the battle than by taking a tour with a licensed battlefield guide. The two-hour tours can bring to life the history of Gettysburg and help navigate travelers around the 6,000-acre battlefield. Today, tour guides can be hired for tours in cars and buses, or on bicycles, Segways or horses.
When your tour is over, be sure to stop by Soldiers’ National Cemetery where Abraham Lincoln, just five months after the battle, delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. There, you’ll also reflect on the words of the 16th president as you walk past grave markers for 3,512 Union soldiers and veterans from more modern wars.
Eat lunch in one of Gettysburg’s historic taverns – a great way to get a unique look at history while enjoying a hearty meal in places that were once Civil War hospitals or watering holes for soldiers as they came through town in 1863.
Round out the day with a tour or museum that focuses on Gettysburg’s own civilians during the battle. Both guided and self-guided tours of the town are available throughout the day, and museums such as the Jennie Wade House or Shriver House Museum help visitors understand that the war wasn’t only about soldiers and military maneuvers. Civilians were often caught in the cross-fire and were forced to help with the aftermath of the battle for many months.
The town of Gettysburg is chocked full of experiences, ranging from shopping, to dining, to culture and history. The eclectic shops, trendy eateries and art galleries, as well as the history tucked away down every street makes a trip downtown a great day trip for both new and return visitors.
Grab a late breakfast and coffee at a local café downtown before walking around Lincoln Square. Shopping is everywhere downtown and is a great way to start off the day. For lunch, swing into any one of the taverns, ethnic restaurants, or trendy eateries that are all within a block or two from the traffic circle in the center of town.
Before heading off too far, make time for a sip of wine, cider or other craft beverages that are scattered throughout the downtown area. If you don’t have time to make it out into the countryside, these tasting rooms are a great way to get a look at the region’s beverage scene without leaving town.
After lunch, take a walk to Gettysburg’s Baltimore Street and Steinwehr Avenue, a hub for souvenir shopping, historic attractions, ice cream and, if you stay late enough, ghost tours. You can leave your car downtown, hop a trolley or walk – swinging into museums, shops and other businesses along the way.
If you can stay for dinner, Steinwehr Avenue has a great collection of restaurants with a variety of menu choices, or you can venture back toward Lincoln Square for a bite before leaving town.
Gettysburg’s scenic countryside is something that many travelers don’t discover until they’ve visited a few times, but it’s truly one of the region’s hidden gems.
Take a self-guided tour to some of the area’s best landmarks, including the Gettysburg battlefield, Sachs Covered Bridge and Historic Round Barn. Along the way, you’ll find many more historic sites and points of interest, but it’s the orchards, farm markets and wineries that will likely have you pulling over the car for a quick stop.
Start the day with a big breakfast and spend the rest of the morning and afternoon snacking on homegrown fruits and vegetables, local cheeses and other authentic foods grown right here in Adams County, Pa.
Depending on your visit, save some time to pick-your-own fruit at one of the countryside’s orchards.
Travelers can get a great experience in a day but make plans to come back and see the rest. For longer itineraries, more ideas of how to explore the history, downtown or countryside, visit www.DestinationGettysburg.com.
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Great recommendations.
I love Gettysburg.
Gettysburg is awesome can’t wait to go back
We are coming back to visit, this time spending more days in Gettysburg, love all the recommended tours ,plan on doing every one.
Awesome! Enjoy your visit!
We are heading to Strasburg Railroad on Nov 6th. Stopping at Gettysburg for the day. Anything happening special that day. Cant wait to come back to my favorite areas.
I encourage you to check out the events calendar on our website, fun things to do are constantly being added!
My daughters and I have been going to Gettysburg every year for over 15 years. We have hit all of your recommendations and more. Gettysburg just keeps calling us back again and again.
We are so glad Gettysburg can be such an important part of your family!
If your interested in ghost tours, After Dark Investigations is the way to go. Just like what you see on TV, you get to use their equipment ( or your own if you have some) and they let you have ur own freedom to make your experience more your own not the whole this is what happens here type you get to have a more personal experience all around. Your guide is there to help if needed and tell you a briefing on the history on the locations.
Love this place been there six times and would like to do one more if we can.
Have been to Gettysburg multiple time from spring to winter always find something new to explore. Can’t seem to get enough of this sacred place.
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
This is a dream come true for my dad. We are bringing him in August. I’m looking for suggestions for things we can do with him that are scooter/ wheel chair accessable as he is disabled. He would love the ghost tour, can he use his scooter there?