Gettysburg and around

I%26#39;m travelling with my parents to washington dc for 7 days at the end of October. We%26#39;ll be staying in Arlington with relatives for most of the time but are planning a trip out of washington for a couple of days. Our current plan is to base ourselves in Gettysburg for 2/3 nights. Our other thought is to maybe go down around Montecello for that time, see shendoahs etc. We%26#39;re leaning towards Gettysburg at the moment because my Dad is really interested in American history and would love to see the battlefields. Also, its a much closer drive. We%26#39;ll be hiring a car but its been a while since my parents have driven in the States (we%26#39;re irish) and I%26#39;ve never driven in the US. My question is, apart from the sights in Gettysburg itself what else could we see or do? And not just necessarily in Gettysburg....is there anything of interest in the surrounding area. What could we do to fill 3 days? As I said, we%26#39;ll have a car so a bit of driving won%26#39;t be a problem

Appreciate the help

Gettysburg and around

We do Gettysburg as a day trip from Arlington every year (my son is a Civil War history fan) and always seem to have enough time to drive through the battlefield, stop to climb the two towers which overlook the battlefield and walk through a portion or two of the battlefield. However, since you%26#39;re going in late October when it gets dark earlier, I might suggest that you do this as an overnight trip. That would give you and your father enough time to extensively walk and drive through the battlefield, tour the Visitor%26#39;s Center and visit the National Cemetary where so many of the Union soldiers who died in the battle are buried.

Although we have never hired one of the registered battlefield guides from the Visitor%26#39;s Center, they are HIGHLY recommended and, having heard part of their presentation, I can tell you that they are both well-informed and interesting. Your father might really appreciate having a private guide. The guides ride with you in your car, so you%26#39;d need a seat for them.

In the evening, you could go on a ghost tour of Gettysburg (which would be particularly appropriate since Halloween is October 31st.) There are many tour groups to choose from and I think a search of TA will give you more info on who%26#39;s good and who%26#39;s not.

Finally, on the way back to Arlington the next day, you could stop to tour the Antietam battlefield at Sharpsburg, Maryland. This was the bloodiest one-day battle of the Civil War. The battlefield is smaller here, so you could easily do it all in a few hours.

Although I think that one night would be sufficient for Gettysburg, if you want to stay longer, you could drive up to the Lancaster area and see some of the sights of ';Amish country';. I, however, think it would be preferable to then go down to Monticello, a beautiful part of the state with a lot of history and/or Shenandoah National Park, one of my favorite places in Virginia.

P.S. There are several good spots for Civil War battlefields that are an easy drive from Arlington. Closest is the Manassas Battlefield, which is probably a 35-to45-minute drive from Arlington. Another is Fredericksburg which is about an hour%26#39;s drive from Arlington.

Gettysburg and around

I%26#39;m assuming that you already have plans for a day or two of Gettysburg, so here are some ideas that can link up with those.

If your dad is interested in American history, a trip to Harper%26#39;s Ferry is not to be missed. It%26#39;s a beautiful little town/national park which has witnessed many historic eras and events. The park is nicely done, with many buildings restored as museums. Private shops line several of the streets, adding to the atmosphere. Every time I go there I learn something new. It%26#39;s about an hour and a half from Gettysburg, but would be an easy trip on your way to/from Gettysburg. (Side note: You can also walk along the Appalachian Trail, a famous trail that goes from Maine to Georgia, and cross a pedestrian bridge to the C %26amp; O Canal Towpath.)

Another nice trip would be to Hershey. It%26#39;s about forty-five minutes northeast of Gettysburg. Many tourists go there for the amusement park, but there is a neat free attraction called Chocolate World, a lovely garden, and a decent museum. Even just driving through the town is interesting. (Lights shaped like Hershey Kisses!)

If you are interested in Gettysburg, you should definitely visit The National Civil War Museum, located in Harrisburg, PA - just 45 minutes north of Gettysburg and worth the visit. The grounds and building are beautiful and it could take up to 3 hours if you linger to go through the galleries. Check out their schedule of events on their website to see if there are any activites going on at that time.

Thanks for the suggestions. I really like the idea of Harper%26#39;s Ferry and the trail. You%26#39;ve given me a lot to think about!

I agree with Harpers Ferry! If you go be sure to go into the chruch at the top of the hill. Look in all corners so you dont miss what most tourists do!!! Then walk up to the cemetary on top of the hill above the chruch. Very cool. I love sitting by the pink quartz tombstone and sinking it all in.

I agree...especially the time of year you are coming...beautiful autumn...a trip to Harper%26#39;s Ferry would be absolutely amazing. Gettysburg is located in Adam%26#39;s County which is one of the largest apple growing counties in the country...and it will be apple picking time. A 5 mile drive west of Gettysburg is the Adam%26#39;s County winery which is located in the heart of apple orchards...

You can easily do Harper%26#39;s Ferry, then drive to Sharpesburg (Antietam) - about 10 miles north, then east to Frederick, Maryland where they have the Civil War Medical Museum and then a quick 20 miles north to Gettysburg. I also agree hiring a Licensed Battlefield Guide - about $45/2 hours and they drive your car...plus a tip. That%26#39;s your best bang for your money because it is personal, you can ask all the questions you like and can go at your own speed. Enjoy!

Be sure to visit the Eisenhower house near the battlefields. Very interesting.

The wax museum is not really worth the few dollars of admission. The faces are not remotely like real life.

Be sure to do the electric map at the battlefield.

Be SURE to eat at the cashtown inn. Food there is fabulous!

Cheers!

While in Gettysburg, certainly hire a battlefield guide. Others here have recommended it, but I will chime in too. They%26#39;re a great way - the best way - to see the battlefields. The ones I have had are all good, and there are a few mentioned by name in this forum. You can probably request one of them if you want to. Not a bad idea to reserve your guide, because though they%26#39;re usually available on the day you%26#39;re there, I have seen people turned away when demand exceeds available guides. You don%26#39;t want to come all the way from your beautiful green island and miss out or be disappointed.

The suggestions about Harpers Ferry and Antietam are excellent, and the two are only a few miles apart.

Also since you%26#39;ll be in the DC area do not miss Mount Vernon (Washington%26#39;s home). Fantastic place.

Philadelphia and Valley Forge are a couple hours by car from Gettysburg. Lots to see there.

There is a tremendous amount of American history within a few short hours of either DC or Gettysburg. Almost too much to catalog. So these suggestions are but a few.

Have a wonderful trip!!