Gettysburg, PA Must See/DO

[eeyorethegreat]

We are headed to Gettysburg Monday for 6 days. Besides the battle fields and Visitor Center adjacent, what should we not miss seeing or doing??? I have 4 kids ages 14, 12, 11, & 9.

We will also be staying in Chambersburg and plan on meeting a family we are friends with who moved to Western PA their kids are 8, 8, & 7. Anything fun to do with seven kids in those age groups on a Saturday in Chambersburg, PA??

Thanks for ideas. I usually plan the heck out of any trip we take but as we were waiting on the availablility of this other family I wasn't sure how much or what to plan until like yesterday!

 

[Ran]

I always thought one of those ghost tours would be fun

 

[Jewel1310]

Battlefield tours can be very interesting. You can get live tour guides to show you around which can make it much more interesting. There is the land of little horses if your family likes animals. There are several civil war attractions. The Dobbin house is a great place to eat. Formal dining upstairs and sandwhiches and the likes in the lower level (kind of dungeony like).

there are some state parks in the area and the appalacian trail goes through the chambersburg/Gettysburg area if you like hiking.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Yeah DH and I thought about that but our two youngers wouldn't be able to deal with it I don't think. They would be convinced there were ghosts every where, out to get them! We thought of leaving the kids with my Mom who is coming with us we'll see. I do think it would be interesting.

 

[Jewel1310]

Should you get bored of Gettysburg, Washington and Baltimore are only about 1.5 hours away. The inner harbour in Baltimore is great and Washington is full of stuff to do.

 

[Tracy Savage]

10 Things To Do In Gettysburg (Besides Visit The Battlefield)
January 15th, 2009 | Posted in Adams County, Arts, Biglerville, Day Trips, Elsewhere, Events, Gettysburg, History, Motorcycles/Harleys, Museums, Recreation, Small Towns, Tours, washington d.c.
Visitors to Gettysburg, Pa. often don’t realize the many great things you can do here without visiting the battlefield. Of course, I’m not saying you shouldn’t see the bloodiest ground on the face of the earth. I’m just saying don’t stop there and stay. Here are 10 other wonderful things to do while in town:

Ski Liberty - Just a couple of miles out of town and slopes for the entire family.
Visit the National Apple Museum - Located in Biglerville, just a stone’s throw away from Gettysburg. A must see for the whole family using a pre-Civil War built barn as a museum to honor the nation’s fruit.
Eisenhower Farm - Actually located in Gettysburg and one of the favorite sites among visitors to Gettysburg.
Take a ghost tour - I think Gettysburg has more ghost tours than we have ghosts. Really. It’s not hard to find a ghost tour in Gettysburg any time of the year. And it’s something you’ve got to do at least once.
Eastern Museum Of Motor Racing - Located in York Springs, Pennsylvania near the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds, this museum houses vintage racing cars and memorabilia of one of America’s favorite sports.
Go on a scenic train ride - For 75 minutes, or three hours if you prefer, you can take a train tour through Adams County and see the beautiful landscapes from a different perspective.
Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival - Like music? Like Bluegrass music? Then you can enjoy great Bluegrass music twice a year at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. Takes place between Gettysburg and Fairfield in the spring and fall each year.
Golf - The Links at Gettysburg is an 18-hole golf course carved out of indigenous red rock formations and meandering streams.
Visit Washington D.C. - The nation’s capital is just a two-hour drive away.
Ride a Harley - Every year, thousands of bike riders descend upon Gettysburg for Bike Week. You can join them.
There are lots more things to do in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Don’t wait for an invitation.

I found above online-- We love Gettysburg. the ghost tours can seem abit cheesy but fun. Two things we like- Abes Antiques- Just stop in and check out the owner. Abe Lincoln himself! Also have lunch at the Dobbin House in the cellar. It's a cool old house and still has the spring running thru it. The last time we were there we saw a outdoor fun zone type of place just outside of town. I don't know the name of it but you could ask around. You can buy a CD and drive the battlefields while the CD tells you all the history of what you are driving by. Most of the gift shops have the CDs. Have fun!

 

[oybolshoi]

We did a ghost tour one night when we last visited Gettysburg - it was really interesting (the storytellers are very good) and a little creepy because you're walking around town in the dark with nothing but a few lanterns to light your way.

If you'd like a good meal, the Farnsworth House Tavern serves a really tasty dinner ... it's a little expensive but worth it. Their menu is similar to the cuisine served at the taverns in Williamsburg if you've ever been there.

Edited to add ... if you or members of your family aren't overly familiar with the battle I'd strongly suggest hiring a tour guide at the battlefield welcome center. These people are licensed by the park service and are experts in the battle and the Civil War. Even for people like my husband and I who've studied the era and the battle a guide is really helpful and informative - well worth the money!

 

[juligrl]

We are headed to Gettysburg Monday for 6 days. Besides the battle fields and Visitor Center adjacent, what should we not miss seeing or doing??? I have 4 kids ages 14, 12, 11, & 9.

We will also be staying in Chambersburg and plan on meeting a family we are friends with who moved to Western PA their kids are 8, 8, & 7. Anything fun to do with seven kids in those age groups on a Saturday in Chambersburg, PA??

Thanks for ideas. I usually plan the heck out of any trip we take but as we were waiting on the availablility of this other family I wasn't sure how much or what to plan until like yesterday!

One neat thing the kids might enjoy is the Civil War Wax Museum. Also check out the Jennie Wade House. I know some have suggested the ghost tours, but if you think those might scare the kids, there are several places that offer non-ghost history tours that would be more agreeable to active imaginations.

Check out this site fore more information: http://www.gettysburg.com/. Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyGirl421]

I would definitely say do a ghost tour, they are always fun. Ghosts of Gettysburg has some great tour guides.
The Boyds Bears factory is cool too.
Of course do a battlefield tour. And playing around the rocks near Devil's Den is always fun. Don't forget to go to the Peace Light too. Especially at night. The battlefield at sunset is gorgeous.
There's a couple fun mini-golf places around too. I forget the names right now, but I believe one of them is on Baltimore Street.
And the outlets are always there if you want to shop.

And of course you can tour around the college! It's really a beautiful campus. (can you tell I'm a student? )

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Thanks for the input folks. I never plan like this, at the last minute! Sounds like there is plenty to do! I'm looking foward to it!