"Visiting Gettysburg" Topic

I may take my teenage son to Gettysburg during spring break. If I were to stay for two days what should we visit/do?

The visitor center is great and so is the Lutheran theological seminary museum.

The visitor's center is a great starting point. Hiring a battlefield guide is also recommended. Our guide was wonderful, really understood the battle, terrain, characters, etc.

There's an audio driving tour. You can buy the CD at the Visitor Center. But I would make a point of walking the Fishhook Line end to end, and it might be worth walking either Longstreet's Second Day attack or Picket's Charge. Walking something is very different from driving it, and the roads don't always go where the troops went anyway. At least consider the Cyclorama.

But have him read a friendly one-volume history before he goes--the sort of thing with lots of maps and illustrations. It's a lot easier to appreciate the ground and the tactical decisions if you aren't still sorting through what happened on what day.

If you can at this time of year do a horse ride. Best Tour I've every had was by Horseback. You get to place others never go.

Walk both Little and Big Round Top – then head down to devils den and around from there

Another vote to do at least Little round top and devils den.

Antietam is close by if you at here for several days.

Two days? Visitor's center first, with a visit to the Cyclorama. Then do the generic driving tour to get a feel for the entire battlefield. During the tour you can walk Little and Big Round Top. Figure out what place intrigues you the most, and then get a guide to take you there on the second day and go into that area in more detail. You will find that there is so much to see that two days will be overwhelming in choices. Getting the overall feel, then focusing on a portion that captures your attention will allow you to take in the overarching story, then get into the weeds a bit, so to speak. Then go back every year. :)

I second the riding your. But a basic tour with a licensed guide from the visitors center is tremendous . About 2 hours. They drive you around in your vehicle. Buckeyes approach is a good one.

Also, if you can squeeze it in, Eisenhower's home.

The park ranger long tours (2+ hours) are even better than the LBGs IMHO. Both are good though.

Do like we did and go up the side of Little Round Top from Devil's Den. You'll Really get an appreciation for the terrain then.

There is a great little hobby shop on the main drag that has LOTS of miniatures in stock – actually on the shelves!!! One of the few brick and mortar shops still around. I stop there every time that I am in Gettysburg. Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers. Highly recommended! I would also recommend Hunt's Café. It is a tiny little restaurant right on Steinwehr Ave and is actually a house converted into a restaurant. There is not a lot of space inside so you may not be able to get in, but the food was amazing.

On your second day, try and get up early and onto the field about 6. It will be largely deserted, there will likely be mist in the hollows, and it is incredibly atmospheric. Did it one year in the woods around Little Round Top and was surprised as three deer broke cover about ten yards away and shot off into the distance. Overall, it is a magical place. You have had some great advice so far, but don't forget the actions of the first day north of town. You get a great view from Oak Ridge,and you can even call in at the Herr Tavern for lunch in the Grill, Wednesday to Saturday! Good luck.

On weekends there are often living history groups at the Pennsylvania Monument and Pitzers Woods (on the Confederate side). Check them out if you have time.

Considering it is only a month away, where is a good place to stay?

I stayed at the Federal Pointe Inn. Very nice and close to the centre of town.

Find good battle maps showing positions.

Sunsets from Little Round Top are pretty amazing as well.

There is also an Irish pub on the same street as the hobby shop a block or so away has the best meatloaf with mash potatoes and Guinness gravy.

The 1863 Inn at Gettysburg is a nice place to stay. The Gettysburg Hotel is even nicer, but rather pricy. There are dozens of other places in the vicinity. In early April it shouldn't be hard to find a vacancy.

At the 1863 Inn try to get a room on the top floor on the front for a good view from the outdoor walkway.

Tom

Antietam is an hour away. If I go for a day what should we do?

The Gettysburg Museum at the visitor center is excellent. We stayed at the Federal Pointe Inn in town and it was outstanding. We spent three days at Gettysburg and three days at Antietam.

You have to walk Pickett's Charge and walk up Little Round Top. Truly amazing. Don't forget to visit Cavalry Field. Overall I found Antietam to be the better preserved battlefield. Both are great.

federalpointeinn.com

At Antietam you want to see all the major parts of the battle.

Dunker Church and the West Woods
Burnsides Bridge (go to the area where the Georgians were positioned).
Miller's Cornfield
Bloody Lane
Pry House Field Hospital Museum
Visitor Center
North Woods
Some of the preserved farm houses.

Get yourself a copy of "The US Army War College Guide to The Battle of Antietam". Do some reading before you go on both battles as it will enhance your visit.

Here are the links to the NPS visit planning. The NPS does a marvelous job with these parks on a very limited budget.

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