Getting Around
Gettysburg is located in south central Pennsylvania, 118 miles west of Philadelphia, 58 miles west of Lancaster, 180 miles east of Pittsburgh, and 50 miles northwest of Baltimore. Other major Civil War battle sites, including Antietam in Sharpsburg and Monocacy in Frederick, Maryland are within an hour's drive.
When to Go
Avoid visiting on weekends from May through October. A midweek getaway will minimize traffic, ease restaurant reservations, and save money on accommodations.
Sights & Activities
The Battle of Gettysburg: Before you go, pick up a copy of Michael Shaara's novel, The Killer Angels, highly recommended for all visitors. Battlefield monuments and peaceful rolling meadows now belie the carnage that occurred here from July 1-3, 1863. Allow ample time to see the visitor's center museum, the adjacent Cyclorama, and the 26 miles of road covering Gettysburg National Military Park. Hire a licensed battlefield guide; the $35 fee for a two-hour tour is worth every cent (gratuities welcome), and he'll drive your car so you can see it all.
Other historic sites: Choices are limited only by the time available and your areas of interest, from a walking tour of historic Gettysburg itself to General Lee's Headquarters to the Eisenhower farm house.
Other activities: Head to the South Mountain Fairgrounds in Arendtsville for the Apple Harvest Festival, held the first two weekends of October with great crafts, music, and food. If you want to bring a piece of history home, you'll enjoy visiting the scores of antiques dealers in the historic village of New Oxford, ten miles east of Gettysburg. Prefer hiking, train rides, outlet shopping, riverboating, or golf? More info...
Restaurants: Your innkeeper can recommend a wide variety of area restaurants, but we were delighted with the genuine historic atmosphere, tasty food, and friendly, competent service at the 1776 Dobbin House Tavern.
Gettysburg B&Bs:
Historic downtown area: The following B&Bs are within walking distance of all downtown restaurants and attractions, and provide off-street parking.
All the guest rooms at the 200-year-old Brafferton Inn are appealing, but the most historic flavor can be found in the aptly named Battle Room, complete with a bullet still lodged in the mantelpiece, a memento of the hours when the Federal and Confederate forces fought for control of the town. In addition to delicious breakfasts, the dining room is enlivened by a charming folk mural, depicting 19th century Gettysburg.
Though the décor varies from room to room, the clean, crisp, uncluttered ambience of the Victorian-era Brickhouse Inn carries throughout this inviting, family-friendly B&B. Innkeepers Marion and Craig Schmitz will keep you well fueled with hearty breakfasts, including their signature shoo fly pie, and welcome you back home with spiced cider and cookies.
Civil War buffs will especially enjoy the Baltimore Street B&B, owned by re-enactors Jan and George Newton. The inn is highlighted with artwork, artifacts, antiques and a 600-volume library honoring the area's Civil War heritage.
Built in 1872, most bright and airy guest rooms in the Gaslight Inn have fireplaces, and many have double steam showers or whirlpool tubs. An old-fashioned sitting porch invites guest to relax with a steaming cup of coffee or tea.
Nearby: The Doubleday Inn enjoys a peaceful location right on the battlefield, and is named for Abner Doubleday. Although his claim to have invented baseball is questionable, there's no doubt of his heroism during the battle of Gettysburg. Where now you'll now find the B&B’s inviting accommodations, Doubleday, commanding the First Corps, held off much larger Confederate forces for seven hours.
The history of the Herr Tavern dates back to 1828; it served as a temporary haven for Confederate wounded soldiers during the battle for Herr's Ridge. Today's visitors will find the restaurant, tavern, and banquet room on the main floor, with a variety of affordable and luxury guest rooms upstairs.
Nine miles west of town is Hickory Bridge Farm, serving farm-style dinners in the converted barn, decorated with wonderful antiques, and comfortable, low-key accommodations in the Old Farmhouse and several cottages.
Thirteen miles east of Gettysburg is the Beechmont Inn, where innkeepers Kathyn and Tom White extend a warm welcome to guests at their affordably priced inn, where business-friendly amenities are combined with historic charm.
David Spiese invites guests to share his 1794 New Oxford home, occupied in 1863 by Confederate General John Gordon of Georgia. Today's guests at the Barker House B&B can enjoy the canine welcoming committee, extensive antiques and memorabilia, and beautiful back yard gardens.
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