Hershey PA and Gettysburg

[Wish Upon A Star]

Looks like we won't be going to WDW this year . . .

I talked DH into driving to Hershey, PA and figured while we were there, maybe we'd go to Gettysburg for a couple days.

I sent away for Hershey PA and Gettysburg information, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on hotels, places to see, etc . . .

We are thinking of staying at The Hershey Lodge but have no clue as to where to stay in Gettysburg.

Also, does anyone know the time/distance from Hershey to Gettysburg?

Thanks in advance . . .

 

[Waffles]

Living in Gettysburg, I can tell you it's about a 45 minute drive from Hershey, but that's with pretty much no traffic. I'd recommend checking out Chocolate World at Hershey Park.
Gettysburg is nice, but it can get very crowded in the summer. If you're coming in July, be sure to check out the reinactment that we have every year. It's huge, and a lot of fun! (I've never been, don't do well with loud stuff, but my family loves it.)
If you have any more questions, let me know! I'll be checkin gin as often as I can today, but we're driving home from NY this afternoon.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Just make sure you take advantage of the great deal HersheyPark has... Buy your admission for the NEXT day two hour before park closing the DAY BEFORE and they let you in FREE that evening. Your parking is covered for the next day, too. You can scoot in, ride all the major rides with minimal or no waits and then enjoy a slower paced day the next day! You'll like HP. It's awesome.

We usually camp, but I understand that if you can afford it the Hershey Lodge is WONDERFUL!

Can't help you on the Gettysburg thing!

 

[DoeWDW]

I live close to the Hershey area. The Hershey Lodge is very nice and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there, from all I've heard about it. They even have shuttle service to and from Hershey Park. I've been to the Lodge during the day for business events but have never stayed there.

There's a Friendly's close by that's clean and well-run. There's a Fuddruckers and an Applebee's in the area also, as well as the usual fast food stuff - Wendy's, KFC, McDonald's, etc.

The Hershey Outlet Center is next to the park, if you like to shop.

I can't help much with Gettysburg - haven't been there in years.

Does your family have any special interests or hobbies - horses, music, sports, trains, etc.? I could point you in the direction of things in the area that you'd be interested in.

Also, do you have any idea of when you'd be travelling, so I can see what special events might be going on while you're in the area?

 

[tkd lisa]

We went last year and stayed at a Country Inn & Suites in East Harrisburg. It was a short 20 minute ride by back roads from the park, and was about $50 cheaper than most other hotels in Hershey (not including the lodge, which is REALLY expensive!). We went up on a Sunday evening, and did the preview that night, then went all day Monday. We did it that way because the weekends are pretty busy there, but we were able to do most everything Monday with very little wait time.

It was a lot of fun, with some really awesome coasters!

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

...I don't think you'll need more'n a day at Gettysburg. Our 8th graders visit Gettysburg/HersheyPark every year in June. Plan your vaca so that more time will be spent at Hershey. Here's another idea: make a day trip out of Lancaster, Pa.

 

[2bemarried]

You can definitely do Gettysburg in one day...but if you've never been...plan two days. I suggest taking the 2 hour bus tour..and then doing a seperate car tour. There are many things in town for your to do too. We were there in August '01 and stayed at the Sheraton 4points in Harrisburg. It was about 30 to 45 minutes to Gettysburg and 15 to Hershey. The park was very cool but extremely crowded. Our favorite place was the flower garden...but I'm also biased since my husband proposed there

 

[PenskeSth1]

I use to go to Gettysburg and Hershey park on field trips in school. In my opinion both are great places to visit. Gettysburg is a great educational vacation. When our family would go on vacations we would also stop at both these places along with Lancaster.
Now Dh and our family stop at Hershey park right at Christmas on our way to New York. We enjoy the Christmas Decorations and Chocolate factory. Although I think the folks up there are nuts for riding rides at that time of the year. I Guess they are use to the cold though. They have some good rides their and Hershey is beautiful. We stay at the Econo Lodge Suites. Nice rooms with a nice price. Just off the interstate

 

[cubsfan]

Also, if you like Teddy Bears, Boyd's Bears is located in or very near to Gettysburg and I believe they do tours now. Just something else to consider.

 

[Otto's Doll]

We are headed for Hershey Park ourselves in June. We are doing the Family Fun package at the Hershey Lodge. Have a great time. When are you planning to go? I know there is a DIS meet planned for early June, check out the DIS meet board for more info on it.

 

[Krisu]

We're 20 min from you and it took us 5 hours (probably longer for us since we had our RV) Ghost tour at night is fun. If you like history, Gettysburg is the place. Also, do not miss the Boyd's Bear Country!! Not sure when you are going, we were there last April and Hershey Park was not open during the week,but Chocolate World was. I think it took us a little over an hour from Gettysburg to Hershey.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Otto's Doll
We are headed for Hershey Park ourselves in June. We are doing the Family Fun package at the Hershey Lodge. Have a great time. When are you planning to go? I know there is a DIS meet planned for early June, check out the DIS meet board for more info on it.

if you are referring to barry's meet it's now tentatively July instead of June..

 

[macs4us]

We did the "tape in the car" tour. Also bought the ghost tape tour and did that at dusk, which was really fun. We stayed in camping cabins at Catoctin Mountain Park, which is where Camp David is located. Unfortunately, we didn't know the President and Blair would be there that weekend, so a lot of the park was closed off, and we could hear the helicopters all night on our second night. Here is a link to the cabins if your interested: http://www.nps.gov/cato/recr/misty.htm

We are into the National Park thing, and didn't mind the drive - it's 20 miles south of Gettysburg, and 37 miles north of Harper's Ferry. It was our first trip to the DC area, so we enjoyed the scenery.

Have a wonderful time...

 

[Otto's Doll]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
if you are referring to barry's meet it's now tentatively July instead of June..

Thanks for the info.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I love Gettysburg. We go camping there every October for the Apple Festival. The night time ghost tour is fun, and be sure to visit Devil's Den. I second seeing one of the reenactments. Do check out Lancaster too if you get the chance.

 

[Kallison]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn (South I believe) right in Gettysburg. It is right next door to the Jennie Wade House. Great location you can walk all over town. Cute ice cream place across the street - Kilwin's. We ate at a wonderful historic tavern, can't remember the name, I think it is the oldest tavern. Make sure you walk around town and see all the historic buildings, bullet holes in buildings. It's incredible when you think about them marching through town. We hired a guide, he was wonderful. We also drove through on our own with a tape, so we could stop and check out the different battlefields. The kids got bored but we loved it. We are both history buffs. Book a tour or guide early, they get sold out pretty fast.

 

[kpgclark]

I love the Hershey Lodge. We've stayed there before and we're going again in May. Take a day to enjoy the hotel. You can swim in the indoor pool and then take part in the organized activities such as chocolate BINGO and arts and crafts. Go to Hersheyworld and take the ride/tour of the "factory". They have a beautiful garden near there as well. There is a Hershey Museum which was interesting and fun for children. You will have a great time!

 

[Beast]

We live about two hours north of Gettysburg and go there multiple times every year. That having been said......

Anyone who says that you can "do Gettysburg in a day" either hates history or knows nothing about history. We've been going there since 1989 and there is still so much we haven't done. I'm NOT suggesting you do this, but you could easily spend five days there and do something different everyday.

Be sure to check out the "Park Ranger Tours" but go prepaired for hot weather.

Also, on a slightly different note. If you haven't already done this, rent or buy (it's cheap and YES it is available again) the movie "Gettysburg". The one with Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels and (yuck) Martin Sheen. It's long but it REALLY captures the feel of the battle. Please keep in mind that it's a movie adaptation of a novel based on history (boy! and the Lord of the Rings fans thought THEY had gripes!!!), but it really is outstanding.

PM questions welcome.

 

[Krisu]

Good idea to watch the movie first! We had a better understanding of the battles when we visited after seeing the movie.

 

[FloraFauna]

We went to Gettysberg 4 years ago. I don't know if it is still there, but Land of the Little Horses was very cute. It was a little farm with pigs, different types of birds, and horses that were about the size of a large dog. My kids really enjoyed this. Also, eat at Dobbin House, which is an old house that was built in the 1600's I think. It has been turned into a restaurant and it was very good. When we sat down at our table, the waiter brought a breadbasket with bananna bread and chocolate chip bread. It was great, like having dessert before your meal.