Day 1
When you first arrive to Gettysburg Friday afternoon, you may be looking for an overview of the battle. Begin with a trip to the Gettysburg Heritage Center – Museum for an orientation experience beginning with a 20-minute movie showcasing the major events of the battle, followed by a museum offering civilian and soldier perspectives, artifacts, 3-D photography and hands-on fun. Or see the entire 6,000 acre battlefield at one time with a visit to the Gettysburg History Center’s Gettysburg Diorama. Over 20,000 hand-painted miniatures bring the battle alive.
For dinner, we recommend a visit to your first stop along the Adams County Pour Tour, Appalachian Brewing Company – Battlefield. It’s just down the road from both museums, and you can get your Adams County Pour Tour passport stamped for sampling their hand-crafted beer and spirits. Give their Bay and Beer Flatbread or Mile High Meatloaf a try.
Day 2
If you’re an early riser, take a sunrise walk at Gettysburg National Military Park. Reflect on what you’ve learned about the history of Gettysburg and imagine what it was like to be a soldier marching on these battlegrounds in 1863. We promise you won’t regret waking up early for such a poignant experience.
Head to Ragged Edge Coffeehouse or Starbucks for a cup of coffee and some breakfast. Now that you’re downtown, you can choose from several stops along the Adams County Pour Tour and sprinkle in some museums and historical attractions for a full day of exploring. Sample the sweet wine of Adams County Winery – Gettysburg Wine Shop or choose from wine, cider, beer, spirits and mead at Mount Hope Winery at Gettysburg. Consider a stop at the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station where President Lincoln arrived when he visited Gettysburg. Or head to David Wills House where he stayed during his visit to Gettysburg and put the final touches on the Gettysburg Address.
Next, head down Baltimore Street for a wine tasting at J & P Winery or a cider flight and more wine at Reid’s Winery: The Cider House. Mix in a trip to the Shriver House Museum or The Rupp House for stories of the civilians who lived in Gettysburg during the battle. Also check out the Gettysburg Museum of History for an eclectic mix of artifacts from the Civil War, World War II, and other prominent historical occurrences.
End with dinner at Battlefield Brew Work/Spirits of Gettysburg Distillery. Located in a PA Dutch brick end barn built around 1848, this brewery and distillery has a history of its own. The barn was one of Gettysburg’s largest Confederate field hospitals after the Battle. Today, tasty craft brews and refreshing cocktails and spirits are produced inside.
Or head to nearby Abbottstown, Pa. for dinner at Center Square Brewing. President Eisenhower was a guest at the dining room upstairs – but we recommend dining at the brewery downstairs and adding a flight of their one of a kind beers to your dinner.
Day 3
Before departing on Sunday, a stop at Mason Dixon Distillery for Sunday Brunch is a must. Pastrami Hash, Raisin Pecan French Toast, Short Rib Eggs Benedict… have your pick and if you aren’t driving, pair it with a Bloody Mary made with their own vodka. The grains used to produce Mason Dixon’s spirits are grown right on the historic Gettysburg battlefield – the perfect ending to your Taste of History Gettysburg trip.
Featured in this Trip Idea
Witness the Battle of Gettysburg from two unique perspectives – the civilians who called it home, and the soldiers on the battlefield. The story of the battle comes to life through both museum displays, and the battlefield orientation film, "Gettysburg Animated Map", produced by the American Battlefield Trust.
717-334-6245
297 Steinwehr Avenue,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
See the entire 6,000 acre battlefield at one time at the Gettysburg Diorama.
717-334-6408
241 Steinwehr Avenue,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
The newest Appalachian Brewing Co. location. Enjoy small-batch craft beer, craft soda and brewpub food.
717-334-2200
259 Steinwehr Avenue,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Experience ranger programs & walks, campfire programs, living history & events that assist in preserving & interpreting the Gettysburg Battle.
717-334-1124 ext. 80
1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Welcome to a special coffee experience at The Ragged Edge Coffee House. Step inside to experience the aroma and taste of all that is offered. Spend time enjoying the local art throughout this comfortable and inviting gathering area.
717-334-4464
110 Chambersburg Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Inspiring and nurturing the human spirit -- one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.
717-338-5401
6 York Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Adams County Winery, the area’s oldest winery, has been crafting wine for over 45 years. Our downtown Gettysburg Wine Shop is conveniently located just 1/2 block from the town center and is open daily from 11am-6pm for to-go purchases and onsite consumption with limited indoor seating.
717-334-1381
25 Chambersburg Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Mount Hope Winery is excited to become a part of the Gettysburg community. Sample hand-crafted Mount Hope Wines, Swashbuckler Beers, Lancaster County Ciders and Spirits Distilling Company spirits at the new Gettysburg location.
717-677-2580
19 Lincoln Square,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Walk in Lincoln’s footsteps in this free-to-visit museum featuring a self-guided tour, exhibits and artifacts relating to Lincoln and the railroad’s role in the history of Gettysburg. Stand where Lincoln arrived in Gettysburg on Nov. 18, 1863, the evening before delivering the Gettysburg Address.
717-334-0655
35 Carlisle Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Best known as the house where President Abraham Lincoln stayed prior to delivering the Gettysburg Address, the David Wills House features a National Park Service seven-gallery interactive museum relating the story of Wills, Lincoln’s visit and the Gettysburg Address.
717-334-2499
8 Lincoln Square,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Stop in to discover the taste of J & P Winery. With over 40 varieties of wine from sweet to dry, we have something for every palate.
717-549-2513
48 Baltimore Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Reid's Orchard and Winery's downtown location. Stop by for a wine tasting, a hard cider flight or just to relax with a glass and some live entertainment on the weekends!
717-334-7537
400 Baltimore Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Travel back in time with a guide dressed in period attire as you walk through the Shrivers’ meticulously restored 1860 home to learn the other side of the Battle of Gettysburg - how families and their homes were affected during and after the battle that ravaged this historic town.
717-337-2800
309 Baltimore Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
The Interactive Adventure for Young Historians.
OPENING LATE SUMMER 2021.
Journey back to Gettysburg 1863 with your family.
The 1863 home of the John Rupp family, the Rupp House will soon be home to a new, interactive experience for your family.
717-338-1243
451 Baltimore Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
See one of the most extensive private collections of artifacts from the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Presidencies and Pop Culture.
717-337-2035
219 Baltimore Street,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan
Located just two miles east of the Gettysburg Square in the Historic Montfort Farm. Brewing and serving beers and spirits on-site. Beer and spirits to-go. Enjoy slow hand crafted beers that deliver a historical experience with a nice selection of brewpub food options!
717-398-2907
248 Hunterstown Road,
Gettysburg,
PA
17325
Trip Plan