When to Go and Things to Do at Gettysburg Battlefield

Many historians agree that the hallowed ground of the Gettysburg Battlefield is where our nation was saved during the Civil War. If you have any interest in history…actually if you have any interest in America, the historical Battle of Gettysburg is an important event to understand. So, the next time you’re near Pennsylvania, make plans to visit Gettysburg Battlefield National Military Park. (Note: You’ll find more links at the end of the post to all the key information mentioned in this article.)

156 years ago, on July 1st thru 3rd, 1863 the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg took place. This battle was far different from the young men and women fighting across the seas that we read about today. During the Civil War, most families (North and South) had a relative serving in uniform. Fathers, sons, brothers, sisters, uncles, and friends of all ages sacrificed in America’s front yard. Pictured below is John Burns, a 69-year-old sharpshooter that joined in the Battle of Gettysburg, despite being turned away several times from enlisting in the Army.

160,000 soldiers fought in and around Gettysburg, the little town of 2,400, and for the first three days of July, homes and battlefields were indistinguishable.

Visiting Gettysburg Battlefield

History, as a subject, has usually not been of much interest to me. I tolerated the subject in school and memorized the abstract dates and details long enough to get through each exam. My husband is the biggest history fan in our family. That’s what brought us to Gettysburg the first time we visited. We didn’t plan it that way, but we were there on the anniversary dates of the battle itself. On that day of remembrance, there were events and emotions that I experienced that cemented this sacred place as one of my favorite historical destinations, even to this day.

If you’re interested in a private or semi-private tour you can make advance reservations through the Gettysburg Foundation by calling (877) 874-2478. Please Note: Advance reservations must be made at least three days prior to your scheduled visit to the park. See more below about other options for visiting the park.

Instead of the guided tour, we bought an audio driving tour to play in the car. We drove to each point along the route, then stopped and listened to the narrator describe the scene with battle sound effects playing in the background. Actors interspersed quotes from the diaries of men who had survived the battle. It was so valuable in reliving the events and evoking the emotions of those fateful days so long ago.

Civil War Re-enactors

Along the way, we also encountered a good number of men in blue or gray Civil War uniforms representing the Union and Confederate armies. There was to be a battlefield re-enactment the following day and they were getting the lay of the land. We noticed quickly that these men still expressed the same passion for their “side” as those who lived through the war. It seemed odd to me to be so opinionated about an issue that was decided over a hundred years ago. Maybe they were just staying in character…or maybe not.

Something about that place with the countless memorials, historical buildings, men in uniform and sounds of battle made a huge impression on me. Maybe it was the reality of remembering all the thousands of men that sacrificed their lives there. Perhaps it was reading the brief, but powerful Gettysburg Address. In any case, it was so inspiring! I hope you’ll take time to experience it and take your children and grandchildren.

Best Times to Go

If you want to avoid the heat and the biggest crowds, the best seasons to go are spring and fall, when daytime temperatures average below 80 degrees. Prices for accommodations are lower between November and March as well.

You may also want to consider that school field trips and gorgeous fruit tree blossoms are at their peak over school spring breaks and in April and May.

Every weekend from April to October, Civil War living historians are encamped on the Gettysburg battlefield in period costumes. Take time to explore their camps, interact with these knowledgeable historians, ask questions, and watch them demonstrate the tools, practices, and firepower of the battle.

Summer is peak season, due to school vacations and the anniversary of the battle. This is also when outdoor concerts and other events are offered in and around town. If you want the full immersive experience, with re-enactors roaming the park grounds, then July 1st thru 3rd is the perfect time to go. On the anniversary of the battle, the park offers special events and programs to commemorate this important chapter of our history.

October is a big month to see fall colors and experience the many ghost tours, along with your park visit.

November 19th also marks the anniversary of the dedication of Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg. This Cemetery is famous throughout the world as the site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

While the park is open every day of the year, except a few major holidays, winter months bring lower temperatures (20 to 40 degree average) and shorter hours, with some of the venues closed some or all of the season. Many of the ranger-led programs are limited too. The good news is that if you can brave the colder weather (and possibly snow) you won’t be sharing the park with any big crowds.

Expert Guided Tours

The most important advice I can give to make your visit stellar is to take a tour. There’s so much to learn and experience that you won’t find just wandering around the fields. The park offers a wide variety of battlefield tours that can be arranged at the Museum and Visitor Center.

The Gettysburg Foundation also offers guided tours seasonally with a Licensed Battlefield Guide in the convenience of your own vehicle, enjoy a tour by bicycle, or ride along with others on a tour bus accompanied by a guide. There is a fee for these guided tours.

At various times during the year, the National Park Service also offers free Ranger-led 2-hour Battlewalks during the day and 1-hour Campfire Programs in the evenings. The campfire programs are an awesome way to help the kids settle down for the night. Often these are focused on a specific time frame, topic, or theme rather than a general overview of the battle. It’s a great time for everyone to ask questions too.

Commercial bus tours of the park are available through other companies in Gettysburg. Tours on horseback, segway, scooter, bicycle, and carriage can also be booked if you’re interested in something a bit different. The horseback tours would certainly add another level of authenticity to the experience. In any case, I recommend vehicle tours of some kind. The battlefield is quite expansive, so it would take too long to walk to all the strategic points in one day.

Self-guided Tours

Maybe you prefer to go at your own pace, on a self-guided tour, like the one we did. A wide range of audio and book tours can be purchased online (link below) or at the Park bookstore.

You can also download the Gettysburg Driving Tour App (link below), available for Apple and Android users. This self-guided tour enriches your experience on the Gettysburg Battlefield National Military Park’s 16-stop auto tour. As you drive you’ll hear GPS-enabled turn-by-turn driving directions, GPS-enabled audio, and GPS-enabled videos. You can take your time and spend several hours exploring the battlefield or zip through in 90 minutes. (I recommend the former option for the best experience.)

There’s also a bookstore, a substantial museum, and a fully restored Gettysburg Cyclorama that dramatically depicts “Pickett’s Charge”. The Gettysburg Foundation also offers a wide variety of additional experiences for all ages, including several other historical sites, as well as the film “A New Birth of Freedom”, narrated by actor, Morgan Freeman, which focuses on the historical significance of Gettysburg. Needless to say, one day will probably not be long enough for your visit.

More Fun Things to Do at Gettysburg

Seminary Ridge Museum Focuses on Faith and Care

The Seminary Ridge Museum, on the campus of Gettysburg’s Lutheran Theological Seminary, is the only museum to focus on the care of the wounded and the role of faith in the war. You can also tour the famous Cupola and stand where Brigadier General John Buford and his staff stood on the morning of July 1, as the Battle of Gettysburg began. 

Have you been to Gettysburg Battlefield?  What was most memorable for you? It’s clearly a place where a person could spend weeks without exhausting their “To-do” list. I’m hoping to get back there soon and spend more time. I’d love to hear your “must-see” suggestions.

Where to Stay Near Gettysburg

Booking.com has a wide variety of lodging options in and around town, including historical homes, Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, quaint inns, cottages, budget hotels and so much more. Click here for all the options available at Booking.com. You’ll also find several private campgrounds near Gettysburg.

At one time you could rent the historic 3-bedroom Bushman House just 3 miles south of Gettysburg. It is currently closed, but be sure to check the Recreation.gov website to see when it reopens. It’s a unique and memorable place for a family or group to stay.

Learn more about Gettysburg:

• 2023 is the 160th Anniversary of the Battle – Special Programs each year July 1st – 3rd
• Dedication Day Events – Novemer 19th – will be posted on this page as the date gets closer.
• Licensed Battlefield Guided Tours – reserve through the Gettysburg Foundation
• Gettysburg Driving Tour App
• More Tips on Best Times to Visit Gettysburg – from U.S. News – Travel
• Gettysburg Audio Tours on Amazon
• Civil War History and First Hand Accounts – Ken Burns: “The Civil War” Documentary on DVD or Blu-ray – Excellent Series!
• John L. Burns – 69 year-old sharpshooter and oldest man in the battle
• Civil War Soldiers – To enrich your experience, you can also search here for relatives that were Soldiers and Sailors in the Civil War
• Gettysburg Convention and Visitor’s Bureau – Official site with an interactive map, calendar of events, photo gallery and more
• National Park Service Events – NPS List of Events at Gettysburg – Don’t miss the Living History events
• Ranger-led Battlewalks and Campfires Schedule
• Living History Programs – April to October
• Things to Do in and around Gettysburg – Ghost tours, home tours, wineries, farm tours, Bluegrass Festival and more
• Activities for Kids – National Parks Junior Rangers, learn what its like to be in the Gettysburg Army, group activities
• Gettysburg Tools For Teachers – Teacher workshops, field trip planning kit, helpful blog, and traveling trunks
• Are you a Civil War History expert? Then you may be able to pass the 5 steps to become a Licensed Battlefield Guide.
• Or maybe you’re in college and interested in Summer Internships?
• Volunteer Opportunities are also available through the Gettysburg Foundation, if you live in the area.
• Read History Books About the Battle of Gettysburg

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