Gettysburg, PA experts

[Kallison]

To go along with my Orbitz post, we are contemplating a weekend over Spring Break in Gettysburg.

Any suggestions on what we should do other than Battlefields?

Places to eat?

Other fun stuff to do?

Would be greatly appreciated!!

P.S. Has anyone done the Ghost Tour?

 

[Dan Murphy]

No input here, Kallison, but I do recall going there as a kid and feeling very reverential about walking those grounds. Enjoy the trip.

 

[Krisu]

We did the ghost tour It was downtown, not on battlefields. I don't think I would want to be on the battlefields at night We ate a lot of meals at a diner near the Visitor's Center and Jenny Wade House called "The Avenue" Not sure if it's still called that. There are a lot of shops downtown for shopping. We took the bus tour from Visitor Center. The guides were great. We are booked for a campground there 3rd week in April but will be starting new job soon, not sure if we can still go.

 

[Goofyposter]

you'd need alot more than a weekend to 'do' the Battlefields!

The Ghost Tour is cool!...do it if you can!

I'd recommend you go to the vistor's center....go to the panorama display (on the battle field)...and hire a battlefield guide....personally...I'd suggest ya ask for Mrs. MacLachlan to be your guide....you'll get a great tour!

 

[Tulirose]

I agree with Goofyposter. We have been to Gettysburg four or five times now and still feel that there is so much more to see and experience.

Visitor Center is a definite must.

We didn't get a personal guide but the last time we went we bought the CD guide with book for the auto tour. Much more informative than the cassette one we had originally.

We never did the ghost tour either, something still on my list.

During the summer they have people roleplaying. I believe they call it LivingHistory or some such name. We went on one of these with a man who played a doctor from that time and the information he gave us was fascinating. And he stayed in character the entire time.

For a place where so much death occurred, we find it so strangely peaceful and relaxing when we visit.

Next time we go, I really want to bring the bicycles and tour some of the battlefield that way. I also want to hike up Big Round Top. We never did that.

 

[Pam]

DS and DH went with the Scouts last year. (We've also been there a couple of times on our own.)

The Scouts camped right on the battlefield where the Virginia Regiment camped during the war. They hiked the 2 different trails - one was 9 miles and the other was 3 miles. These trails take you all over the battlefield. Don't forget to visit the cemetery and the Lincoln Address Memorial.

When all of us went as a family several years ago, we bought the audio tape and drove to all the points.

 

[momof2OH]

Devils den is a must see and do. I have been there several times but never did any guided tours. My grandma/family only lives about 30mins from Gettysburg. My mom knows lots of various things so she's like our "guide".

You will have a great time!

 

[KarenB]

We live about an 1 1/2 hour from Gettysburg. Actually, the school district I live in takes the 5th grade class there for four days in May. What an opportunity.

There is SO much to do there. We bought a CD (comes with a book)that takes you on the auto tour through the battlefield. It was about $20. We chose this instead of the guided bus tour because we could stop when we wanted (had a picnic at the VA monument), we could take our time, and it was much cheaper.

Make sure you go to the visitor center. Lots of info and great books!!!!

We have done Mark Nesbitt's Ghost Tour twice. It was a walking tour and each time it was different. We enjoyed it and so did our DSs- 12 and 13 at the time. Get tickets early as they sell out quick, especially in the warm months.

Lots of B&B's and also nice motels.

If you wnat more info on the CD we bought and the Ghost Tour or anything else, sned me a PM or e-mail!

Karen

 

[Towncrier]

I challenge you to find the "Corn Exchange" monument while you're at Gettysburg. Our last trip there was also with a group of Boy Scouts. One of the leaders in my son's troop is an expert on Gettysburg and helped us find this very hard to find monument to the 118th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

I would suggest a visit to Eisenhower's home while you are there.

My wife was disappointed by the ghost tour because you don't actually get to go inside any of the buildings on the tour.

I've seen a show on the Travel Channel about a bed & breakfast at Gettysburg where the owners dress in period costumes. It sounds like a fun place to stay (if I could only remember the name).

 

[mom2boys]

I would also suggest the Eisenhower Farm. I live about 45 minutes away. There is a new "battle" in Gettysburg - it is the old downtown shops vs. the new outlet center just outside of town. I didn't have much luck the day I went to the outlets.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

A great place to eat is the Dobbin House, it is the oldest building in Gettysburg. Be sure to make reservations. The restaurant is very easy to find in downtown. There is a web site for the restaurant www.dobbinhouse.com
My family enjoys going to Gettysburg. Have a great trip.
PP

 

[pat fan]

We were there a few years ago on our way to N.C. and loved it!We only stayed two days and wished we had alloted more time,but we're hoping to go back some day.

We camped at the Gettysburg KOA,a wonderful campground(we have a pop-up).If camping sounds intersting to you but you don't have a camper/tent they also have cabins for rent.They had a movie night for kids with free popcorn,a live band another night and I think it was on Fridays,the owners daughter sells stuff from her bakery.Delicious!

There was also this great place we ate at,but I can't remember the name .We bought the driving tape right at the KOA which is supposed to last 2 hours.Yeah,right.We went most of the day and never fininshed it.It must be two hours if you never get out and look around