[manc]

could you give me some hints , maybe via private message please as we are going this summer and would love to get as many tips as possible to have a safe and easier trip.

[Vigilanteman]

That's probably a good question for all Freepers who have been on multiple visits to Gettysburg. Here's a few:

1. Weekdays and early mornings are always better than weekends and afternoons, especially in the summertime.
   
2. Some of the guides are very, very good but your random reenactor is still better than your average government/park service guide.
   
3. Try to brown bag or take a cooler as much as possible. There is nothing worse than really getting into a site and having one or more of your group getting an attack by the hungry monster. Not that there is a shortage of places to eat around Gettysburg, but because they are all going to be crowded and you will lose your flow.
   
4. Plan on a minimum of three days or three visits; one day for each day of the battle.
   
5. The central visitors center (and cyclorama) is a great place to start, but be an early bird since the crowds thicken as the day wears on.
   
6. Most of the sites for the first day of the battle (northwest of town) are also the least competitive in terms of crowds and parking. Save them for the thickest part of the day.
   
7. Be prepared to hike for the sites on the south side of town, especially. These cover the second day of the battle, Devil's Den, Little Round Top, etc. A good pair of walking shoes or boots is a must. If you have people in your party who can't handle the hike, put them on one of the parking/observation points where they can at least get a good view of the battlefield while the rest of you do.
   
8. Don't think you have to stay right in Gettysburg. There are a lot of nice, quaint nearby towns offering a variety of accommodations.
   
9. Don't be diverted by the cornucopia of souvenir and other shops, satellite and private museums. Most of them remain open after the battle field sites close and, if there is really anything worthwhile, a good guidebook such as the one published by AAA will help you winnow what's really important for your group.
   
10. Get up early and have a big breakfast, even if you aren't used to eating breakfasts. This will keep you and your group going like the Energizer bunny when the rest of the crowd has to start retreating for lunch.