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When you hear “Gettysburg,” you probably think of the famous Civil War battle, and you’d be right.
This little Pennsylvania town was the site of the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, fought over three days in July 1863, and it was the turning point of the whole war.
A few months later, President Lincoln stood here and delivered the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in history.
But here’s what surprised me: Gettysburg is so much more than the battlefield.
It’s also a genuinely beautiful, walkable little town, full of historic houses, independent shops, cozy taverns and (thanks to its history) some seriously spooky ghost tours.
I knew I would like it because I love history but in all honesty, I didn’t expect it to be such a complete getaway.
Whether you’re a total history buff or just passing through, here are the 12 best things to do in Gettysburg.
🎖️ 1. Explore the Gettysburg National Military Park
This is the main event, and it’s extraordinary.
The battlefield is part of the Gettysburg National Military Park, and the grounds are completely free to visit, open daily from sunrise to sunset, with free parking too.
Plan to spend at least two hours here, ideally more.
There are a few lovely ways to see it:
- On your own: follow the self-guided auto tour, which loops around all the key sites. Download the free Battle App from the American Battlefield Trust for GPS-guided audio that plays automatically as you drive.
- With a guide in your car: you can hire a Licensed Battlefield Guide to ride along in your own car and talk you through it all
- By horse carriage: a relaxed, scenic way to take it in with a licensed guide.
- On horseback: for something really memorable, you can ride the battlefield on a guided horseback tour.
However you choose to do it, take your time. Standing on the actual ground where it all happened is genuinely moving.
🏛️ 2. Visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center
Before exploring the battlefield, the Museum and Visitor Center is the perfect place to get your bearings.
The building itself is free to enter, but there is a fee for the combined experience.
It includes the museum, the film ‘A New Birth of Freedom’ (narrated by Morgan Freeman), and the incredible Gettysburg Cyclorama, a giant 360-degree painting of Pickett’s Charge that completely surrounds you.
It really helps the whole battlefield make sense before you head out.
🍽️ 3. Eat at the Dobbin House Tavern
The Dobbin House is the oldest building in Gettysburg, built all the way back in 1776, and eating here feels like stepping back in time.
Upstairs is a more formal candlelit restaurant, while downstairs you’ll find the cozy Springhouse Tavern, where the servers are in period dress and you eat by candlelight.
The house was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, and you can still see the hiding space. Atmospheric, historic and delicious, it’s a must.
🚶 4. Walk up and down Baltimore Street
Baltimore Street is one of the most historic streets in town, lined with original buildings that survived the battle.
Lots of the houses have little signs out front explaining exactly what happened there, so it’s fascinating to just stroll along and read as you go.
Keep an eye out for the Shriver House Museum, and for Dirty Billy’s Hats, a shop selling historically accurate reproduction hats that’s so popular people were standing in line before it even opened!
If you like ice cream, I would also recommend going to Mr G’s Ice Cream. Their homemade ice cream is delicious!
It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk from downtown to Gettysburg National Cemetery and it’s a nice walk.
🏚️ 5. Visit the Jennie Wade House Museum
This one is a little sad, but really moving.
Jennie Wade was the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, struck by a stray bullet on July 3rd, 1863, while she was baking bread in her sister’s kitchen. She was just 20 years old.
The house is now a museum (the oldest in Gettysburg, opened in 1901), and guided tours walk you through her story.
Unsurprisingly, it’s also said to be one of the most haunted spots in town.
👻 6. Go on a ghost tour to discover haunted Gettysburg
Gettysburg is regularly called one of the most haunted towns in America, which makes total sense given everything that happened here, so a ghost tour is almost a rite of passage.
There are loads to choose from, but I’d look at a guided evening walk like this Civil War Ghosts tour, where you’ll hear chilling stories as you walk the dark streets.
It’s especially atmospheric (and especially popular) around Halloween.
🏘️ 7. Roam around the historic downtown
Beyond Baltimore Street, the heart of town around Lincoln Square is lovely to wander.
Pop into the David Wills House, the very place Lincoln stayed the night before delivering the Gettysburg Address (it’s free to visit on select days).
Look out for the ‘Return Visit’ statue of Lincoln on the square, browse the general store, and don’t leave without an old-fashioned ice cream from Mr G’s, which is a real local institution.
🚂 8. Enjoy a train ride on the Gettysburg Railway
For something a bit different, hop aboard the Gettysburg Railway for a narrated scenic ride.
The 75-minute journey leaves from the historic 1884 depot in beautifully restored 1950s carriages, and the commentary brings the surrounding countryside and its Civil War history to life.
It’s a relaxing way to see the area, and great if you’re traveling with kids.
🗺️ 9. Discover the history of Gettysburg with a walking tour
If you’d rather have a local expert guide you through the town itself (rather than the battlefield), a historic walking tour is a brilliant option.
You’ll hear the stories behind the buildings, the battle and the people who lived through it, all while exploring on foot.
It’s one of the best ways to really understand what this town went through.
🐱 10. Visit the Civil War Tails Diorama Museum
Okay, this one is wonderfully quirky…
The Civil War Tails Diorama Museum tells the story of the battle through incredibly detailed handmade dioramas, except every single soldier is a tiny clay cat!
There are over 10,000 of them, all made by hand by twin sisters Rebecca and Ruth Brown.
It’s surprisingly informative (each diorama is built to scale), genuinely charming, and great for kids and adults alike.
Tickets are only a few dollars.
🍺 11. Go on a haunted pub crawl
If you want to mix the spooky history with a bit of fun, a haunted pub crawl is a great night out.
You’ll hop between some of Gettysburg’s historic (and reportedly haunted) taverns, hearing ghost stories and Civil War tales along the way, with a drink in hand.
The perfect combination of history and a good evening out!
🍴 12. Go on a food tour in the historic downtown
Finally, if you love eating your way around a place like I do, a food tour of the historic downtown is a delicious way to explore.
You’ll sample local specialties at a handful of spots while learning about the town’s history between bites.
It’s a great way to discover places you might otherwise walk straight past.
❓ So, is Gettysburg worth visiting?
Absolutely. Gettysburg really took me by surprise. I went expecting a battlefield and a history lesson, and I left having completely fallen for the whole town.
Give yourself at least a full day, two if you can, and let yourself wander between the history, the shops and the ghost stories. It’s one of those places that stays with you long after you leave.
Map of the Things To Do in Gettysburg
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