Free
Battlefield auto tour
A self-guided drive around the battlefield's ridges and fields, with stops at monuments and overlooks. Free.
South Central Pennsylvania
Gettysburg
A small Pennsylvania town surrounded by the fields of the Civil War's most famous battle, now a national military park, with apple country all around.
Photo: Fields and woods of the Gettysburg battlefield, Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0
In July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg was fought in the fields and ridges around this town. Gettysburg National Military Park now protects that landscape, with more than 1,300 monuments and a self-guided auto tour.
The town itself is lively, with old taverns, museums and Lincoln Square. Beyond it, Adams County's orchards cover the hills, so stop at a fruit stand on the way out.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Big Round Top and battlefield trails
Walking trails cross the battlefield, including woods on Big Round Top and paths around Devil's Den. Check Little Round Top status before you go.
Free
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve
Forest trails and streams in the hills near Fairfield, about 20 minutes away.
Free
Caledonia State Park
A forested park with a creek, swimming pool, trails and a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. About 25 minutes.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Soldiers' National Cemetery
The cemetery where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in November 1863.
Free
Lincoln Square
The town centre, with a statue of Lincoln outside the David Wills House, where he stayed.
Paid
Museum and Visitor Center
The film, the restored Gettysburg Cyclorama painting and the museum explain the battle.
Paid
Licensed Battlefield Guide
A two-hour tour in your own car with a licensed guide. Book ahead.
Paid
Eisenhower National Historic Site
The farm and home of President Eisenhower, beside the battlefield, reached by shuttle.
Paid
Seminary Ridge Museum
Exhibits in the seminary building that served as a lookout and field hospital during the battle.
Paid
Shriver House Museum
The story of a civilian family whose home was taken over by soldiers during the battle.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Paid
Adams County orchards and fruit stands
Apple and peach orchards fill the hills around town, with farm markets in season and an apple festival in October.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Museum, film and Cyclorama
Tickets for the Museum and Visitor Center experience.
Battlefield bus tour
Narrated bus tours of the battlefield.
Ghosts of Gettysburg candlelight walk
Evening ghost-story walking tours of the old town.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
Part of our South-central Pennsylvania guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The battlefield is huge. The auto tour, museum and cemetery easily take a full day.
- Evening walks and ghost tours of the old town are a Gettysburg tradition.
- Orchards, Caledonia State Park and the Appalachian Trail are close for a second day.
Nearby and worth the drive
Caledonia State Parkabout 25 min
Hersheyabout 60 min · Guide ↗Woods, a creek and the Appalachian Trail.
Chocolate World and Hersheypark.
Ready-made trips with Gettysburg
Good to know
- National park: nps.gov/gett. Grounds and roads are free; the museum and film are ticketed.
- Tourism: destinationgettysburg.com.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Fields and woods of the Gettysburg battlefield, Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Devil's Den boulders, Gettysburg, Northern-Virginia-Photographer, CC0
Photo: The Soldiers' National Monument, Soldiers' National Cemetery, Gettysburg, P. Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Eisenhower National Historic Site, Jlmachlin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The Seminary Ridge Museum building, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0