Posted on 04/14/2005 6:31:24 AM PDT by John Robertson
Wife, self and 11-year-old son are driving to Gettysburg this weekend, to spend two days with dear New Yorker friends whose son will be an incoming freshman at Gettysburg College this fall.
People who know the area: What are the must-sees? Where should we eat (especially breakfast)? Anything else? Appreciate it, folks. Have a great weekend yourselves.
Well, be sure to see the battlefield. The gift store has a nice audio tour CD that you can drive around and listen to. It's quite a place.
Make sure you do a guided tour of the Battlefield with one of the Park Service Guides. they take you in your car and do a great job of explaining the field. We had a real treat going to Artillery Ridge Stables. They have a battlefield ride with audio tape narration. We got to do it on July 3, the anniversary of the Third Day. The Ghost tour is fun in the evening.
Any suggestions to help out the poster here ping?
Be sure you visit the Museum to view uniforms, equipment and the like. The diarama at the Artillery Ridge campground (right across from the battlefield on Taneytown Road) gives a wonderful oversight of the conduct of the 3-day battle. Be sure to get to Devil's Den on the battlefield.
Of course you have to see the Battlefield. It's an opportunity to not only study the tactics of the battle, but reflect on what motivated those who fought and died on both sides; it surely wasn't the money. BTW one of the best ways to view the battlefield was from the tower, but the "frigging idiots" tore it down. If you have a van or an RV then hire a private guide to ride with you around the battlefield. It's very reasonable, you get a personal tour, and it's a lot more fun. You can call ahead and reserve one.
Only went to Gettysburg once, the tour of the Battlefield ..of course. There are lots of nice eateries in the town of Gettysburg. Can not even remember the restaurant we ate went to, but it was good. There just seemed to be lots of Choices in dining there.
There's a "haunted hotel" out there.....bar/restaurant...I forgot the name but I'm sure you'll a lot of information about it if you check on line.
"BTW one of the best ways to view the battlefield was from the tower, but the "frigging idiots" tore it down."
I agree. . . :-(
If the park service has started already, skip the "slavery was the reason for the War of Northern Aggression". The PC crowd has been jumping up and down to get slavery induced into any battle field tour. Just get a map and audio tape and do the tour yourself, you'll be fine.
Go to the visitor center, tour see the movie. Get the audio tape for your car and drive the perimeter.
make sure you take a personal tour of the battlefield... around 12am or so. You will probably meet many interesting 'people' who can give you first hand knowledge of the actual battle.
Be prepared for an emotional experience. Get out of the car and walk around by yourselves. My wife, who is foreign born and came here when she was nine, had no idea of the history. She was moved to tears by the very atmosphere at the Corn Field. The place is haunted.
Eisenhower National Historic Site is the presidential and retirement home of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Purchased by Eisenhower in 1950, the 189 acre farm sported a show herd of Angus cattle and served as a presidential retreat, temporary White House, and meeting place for world leaders. Located adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, the site today comprises 690 acres and is still maintained as a working farm.
I haven't been there , so I can't vouch for it.
It refreshes you on the background of each stage in the battle and unlike a live guide, you can pause the CD at your leisure and walk around the sites that are most interesting to you at the pace you feel comfortable with.
There is also an inn called, I think, the Battlefield Bed and Breakfast. The property borders the battlefield and the proprietor is an expert on the history - he gives an interesting lecture on some aspect every morning. He also gives carriage rides from the stable he has on the property. His food is good too.
gettysburg ping
Lincoln grill. It's next to the old depot. Excellent breakfasts at good prices.
Go to Devil's Den and Little Round Top. I reennact there almost every year and usually get killed by the second day...
Forget the 'ghost tours' and such, theiy are ok but just walking around will give you a feel for the place. If you want to get creeped out visit Antitiam and walk the sunken road. If you don't feel something there then you may be dead yourself.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.