We have visited Gettysburg every year for the past 10 years and have enjoyed different activities each time. This itinerary spotlights the history that is so prevalent in this area, but also includes a day in nature because some of our favorite activities include spending time in nature.
Gettysburg is a short hour and a half drive from Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD and about 2 hours from Philadelphia. It’s a great place for a family friendly long weekend.
Day 1: President Eisenhower and President Lincoln
You can easily start your trip in Washington, Baltimore or Philadelphia and start your time in Gettysburg in the late morning. If you get there early, you may prefer to swap days 1 and 2 so that your visit is in historical order.
Start your trip at the Eisenhower National Historical Site. The farm, which is now run by the National Park Service, is where President Eisenhower and his family escaped the White House on weekends and where world leaders met. This is also where they lived after his presidency.
Typically, you purchase tickets at the Visitor Center and arrive by bus. You can tour the house and the grounds and kids can become Junior Secret Service agents by completing the activity book. Read more about our visit here.
After you’re done at the farm, head into the center of town, called The Square. As you drive north towards town, you’ll pass through the area of the battlefield where Pickett’s Charge and the High Water Mark are. You’ll visit those tomorrow.
If you’re lucky enough to find a parking spot on the square, that’s great. If not, there’s a parking garage behind the Gettysburg Hotel. From here it’s a short block to the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station, where President Lincoln arrived when he came to Gettysburg to dedicate the Soldier’s National Cemetery in November 1863. Visiting the train station is a free and quick stop.
From here, you can walk, as Lincoln did, into the square to David Wills House. David Wills was a local attorney, who hosted Lincoln during his stay. Today the home serves as a museum to Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address that he penned in the upstairs bedroom he stayed in. The museum also talks about the town after the battle and the dedication of the cemetery. The boys loved hearing the Gettysburg Address and seeing what the town looked like in 1863. Be sure to get a picture with Abe when you leave.
There are so many restaurants in Gettysburg that it’s hard to decide. The Farnsworth House Inn, Dobbin House Tavern and Herr Tavern are three great historical choices. Mela Kitchen, which is a hidden gem just outside of town, is one of our favorites. Jack’s Cider, made from local apples, is sold there in a variety of flavors. The menu is diverse and everything we’ve had there was good. They also have several wines, made from locally grown grapes and a selection of local beers.
Day 2: The Battle of Gettysburg
Start today at the Gettysburg Visitor Center, visit the museum, see the film and don’t miss the cyclorama. While you’re here you can pick up your Junior Ranger book. There are many ways to see the battlefield. If you’re interested in a guided tour be sure to ask about tickets here. If you’d rather do an audio tour or self guided tour, you can head out from here to tour the battlefield on your own. See our overview of one day on the battlefield for more details and learn about our favorite place – Devil’s Den.
For dinner, Fourscore Beer Co., which is just off Steinwehr Avenue, is a very convenient spot between the battlefield and town. With its casual setting and available outdoor seating, it was the perfect spot for a quick meal. They have sandwiches, small bites and regular specials and the beer is excellent. Plus the staff is very polite and helpful when deciding between all those choices!
From here, it’s very quick to get to the Ghosts of Gettysburg Tour office. Mark Nesbit, a former park ranger, has authored many books documenting the unusual paranormal activity throughout the town. In 1994 he created the first ghost tour of Gettysburg. You can join a group led by a guide in Civil War attire, carrying a lantern. They will lead you down the street stopping along the way to point out buildings and landmarks and share stories about them. None of the stories are scary, just a little spooky and hard to explain, so it is a fun nighttime activity for the whole family. Plus kids under 7 are free! They have a variety of tours to consider, so check out their website ahead of time to decide which one you want to try.
Day 3: A Day in Nature
Some of our favorite things to do in Gettysburg involve spending time in nature. If you’re heading to Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD, a stop at Catoctin National Park is along the way. Admission to the park is free. The Visitor Center includes a hands-on Discovery Center for kids and a chance to pick up a Junior Ranger Book. The kids learned about fire safety, local plants and animals, the history of this area, including the Job Corps, and geology as we completed the books’ activities. We enjoyed an easy hike to Wolf Rock, but there are many other, longer hikes to consider as well.
