Economical but nice hotels and things to do in Gettysburg?

[3boymthr]

We're driving to IN to see DH's GMA this summer. She's 90 and living in a nursing home with limited visitation and to add to that she doesn't like children so while we're going to spend time with her we're taking our time going out there and coming back so as to make the trip more enjoyable for the kids - stopping at various "must do" day trip locations on our way out and back.

We've decided that one of the places we plan to stop on our way home is Gettysburg. Can anyone suggest some inexpensive things to do in Gettysburg? Also suggestions for nice but economical places to stay that accomodate 2 adults and 3 kids in one room? Or places that are nice but economical enough that we can afford two rooms? We will be there for one day - a Saturday - in August.

 

[bigmama67]

We went years ago, pre-kids, and plan to go back in '13 for the 150th anniversary of the battle (DS will be 10 then and DD4). I do remember there are some fun mini-golf places around there. We did a really great horseback ride right ON the battlefield with a guide but that would be $$$. A more economical option which still gets you some unique insight into the history is to hire a ranger to drive around the battle site with you. We were so happy we did that!

The scenic train was probably the worst we've ever done...it went by what smelled like a landfill and stopped and sat there for 20 minutes each way...the intercom was broken so no commentary...hopefully they have improved all of that (as I said it's been a while) but usually those things are great!

Have fun!

 

[roselindsey]

We saw this on a Gettysburg website and are going to try it in the fall- Lincolen's Lost Treasure. Its a treasure hunt that takes place around the town. They also have ghost tours and some kind of "funeral dinner" show.

 

[PA Princess]

We have stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn and it was nice. Not sure the rooms fit 5, but it is a nice hotel.

The new visitor center is really nice (HUGE improvement over the old one) and the circle painting is cool for perspective on the battle.

Keep in mind that August will be pretty warm here in PA and the Battlefield is large, so you will want to do a driving tour with stops at various key battle spots.

Lots of cheesy things in Gettysburg, so choose carefully what you opt to do. We have found the programs done by the park service to be the best, but we do enjoy walking through downtown and some of the shops for fun...just would not pay to do the stuff there personally.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott. It was VERY nice, a new style, and very comfortable. We have gone on the Eisenhower house tour twice now. I really enjoy this. You can sign up at the visitor's center, and the bus takes you to the home/farm from there. It is nice for the kids, too, because they have a "junior ranger" program, where they give the kids some papers with things to search for in and around the house. The Eisenhowers had a farm there which you can walk out and see. My son also did the junior soldier (don't remember the exact name) program when he was about 10. They get to dress up like soldiers and learn about the Civil War. We ate at Dobbins Tavern (?) downtown, which was active during the war and even hid runaway slaves. My kids found it a little spooky when they were younger, because you eat in the basement, which is dark an only lit by candlelight. The wait staff dresses in period costumes. I liked it. I really enjoy Gettysburg. If you have time, you have to stop through Hershey, too. It's only about 45 minutes from Gettysburg, I think. At the very least, stop at the Chocolate World visitor's center (free). It has a ride where they show you how they make chocolate and you get a free little candy bar at the end. My kids love it!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We enjoyed the tour of the Eisenhower farm as well as the battlefield related activities.

 

[Kimkimba]

We stayed in York at Homewood Suites last summer and it was really nice (and new).

We did the Utz factory tour in York (it's self-guided) and the kids really enjoyed that.

 

[3boymthr]

We'll definitely be touring the battlefield. Tho if it's really really hot I don't know how much time we'll spend there. It also all depends upon how late we get in to Gettysburg. We're staying in Pittsburgh with friends Friday night.

I definitely like the idea of the ghost tour (a co-worker mentioned this one- but he's a little, umm, weird so I wasn't sure if he was putting me on about this) and the restaurant with period costumes sounds like something my oldest would love.

I have to think abou the Hershey tour. Possibly that's something to do on Sunday as we head home, if it's not in the wrong direction.

Oh, I wish we had more time to spend there. What to do, what to do.

Keep the ideas coming, please.

 

[pooh4brains]

I am ditto-ing a lot of previous info, but wanted to clarify a few things for you.

If you don't have a lot of time, but you want to see the entire battlefield, hire a park guide to ride with you in your car. It's around 40 bucks, and they drive your car for you so you can see everything. They will get you out of the car at least 4 times, and can gear the tour to your interests. They know SO much about the battle, and it's really a great way to tour. If you are seriously interested in this option you should try to get to where they sign out the guides when they open. The guides are self-employed, meaning they show up when they want and sign up to go out on tour, and so they operate on a first come first served basis. For example, you could get there at 10, and pick up a guide at that very moment, or not be able to get a guide til later in the day. You take your chances with this option the longer you wait.

The new visitor's center is awesome. Check out the Gettysburg website for more info on that. On an August Saturday it will likely be packed so be forewarned! They have great tours - 2 that I would recommend for first-timers are the Day 3 tour and the Nat'l Cemetery tour. Your younger kids would like Join the Army - but it's only for kids up to 10 yrs old...

The Dobbin House is the tavern others have mentioned. You can dine downstairs in basement for lunch and dinner - they offer mostly sandwiches. Upstairs is the "formal dining" - I would suggest ressies for this as it will also be busy on a Saturday. It is a great experience though, so you should check it out. Plus, their gift shop has an abundance of Vera Bradley if you are into that!

The Schriver House is great - it's a small museum that a family has refurbished to look as it did at the time of the battle. It's worth a trip - it would probably take about 30-45 minutes to tour. It helps put life in the town in 1863 in perspective.

Ghost tours - never been on one, but you should know that they are not on the battlefield or run by the park. Private companies in the town run them, and they take you around the city streets, and up to park boundaries but not on the battlefield.

Hershey is an hour NW of Gburg, so that might work out for you depending on your route back home.

Hope that helps. Sorry to be So long!

 

[3boymthr]

I am ditto-ing a lot of previous info, but wanted to clarify a few things for you.

If you don't have a lot of time, but you want to see the entire battlefield, hire a park guide to ride with you in your car. It's around 40 bucks, and they drive your car for you so you can see everything. They will get you out of the car at least 4 times, and can gear the tour to your interests. They know SO much about the battle, and it's really a great way to tour. If you are seriously interested in this option you should try to get to where they sign out the guides when they open. The guides are self-employed, meaning they show up when they want and sign up to go out on tour, and so they operate on a first come first served basis. You take your chances with this option the later you wait.

The new visitor's center is awesome. Check out the Gettysburg website for more info on that. On an August Saturday it will likely be packed so be forewarned! They have great tours - 2 that I would recommend for first-timers are the Day 3 tour and the Nat'l Cemetery tour. Your youngest would like Join the Army - but it's only for kids up to 10 yrs old...

The Dobbin House is the tavern others have mentioned. You can dine downstairs in basement for lunch and dinner - they offer mostly sandwiches. Upstairs is the formal dining - I would suggest ressies for this as it will also be busy on a Saturday. It is a great experience though, so you should check it out.

Ghost tours - never been on one, but you should know that they are not on the battlefield or run by the park. Private companies in the town run them, and they take you around the city streets, and up to park boundaries but not on the battlefield.

Hershey is an hour NW of Gburg, so that might work out for you depending on your route back home.

Hope that helps. Sorry to be So long!

Oh, very helpful. thank you. Not surprised that it will be packed. We kind of expect that.

We won't be getting there until mid morning Saturday so it sounds as though a guide might be out. I'll definitely be looking into finding out more about the other two tours you mentioned and Dobbin House. It sounds really nice.

I'll have to see if I can google to find out more about the ghost tours and see which one's are reputable and have the best ratings. My kids are night owls and my co-worker mentioned they were at night so that might be a good way to spend the evening.

 

[pooh4brains]

The 3rd day tour, the Nat'l cemetery tour, and the Join the Army tour are run by the park so they are ranger-led. The park will have a summer schedule up in early June so you can plan better.

Your kids will probably love the ghost tour - they are very popular! I just didn't want you to have the wrong impression.

You should at least try for the guide - you might be surprised! You can also buy a CD for your car and do the tour on your own. That way you can go at your own pace and hop out of the car when you see something interesting. There are also bus tours, but they can get pricey.

It's a great place, so I hope you enjoy it! Not that I am biased...

 

[ferrytale]

I didn't see how old your kids are, but we have a little guy, and one of our favorite places is the Land of the Little Horses. It's a small "farm", a couple of barns and rings to show off the little horses, you can help groom them & feed them. It's a little cheesy - kind of like a petting zoo - but DS LOVES it b/c the horses are his size. We almost bought a foal last time we were there b/c they were so stinking cute - but figured buying a horse on a whim was NOT a good idea...lol.
Also there is the Boyd's Bear country which is a HUGE barn of Boyd's Bears - it's free to just go in and walk around and see all the bears. There is a little cafe, and lots of shopping, but it would be good to do if it's really hot and you need an inside thing and your kids are good about not bugging about buying too much.
Just a couple of ideas of things off the battlefields, I don't know about the hotels b/c my aunt lives close so we always stay w/ her.
There are lots of fun things to do out there.

 

[3boymthr]

I have three boys. My kids are 14, 10 and as of flag day - 8.