Gettysburg Battlefield/Need info
 

I visited The Gettysburg Battlefield in 1950 when I 14 and it left a lasting impression on me. I'm going to visit it again this year and would like to know what is the best time of the year to go there, where to stay and any other information would be very much appriciated. Yhank You

Just returned from Gettysburg the end of October and had a wonderful time. The leaves were changing. A little cool(low 50's)but I didn't mind it. I love historic hotels so we stayed at the Farnsworth House Inn where snipers stayed during the civil war & is still rattled with bullets. Also it is said to be haunted, though we stayed in the newer rooms we didn't get to catch any of the reported ghosts. You'll be able to get all the touring info at the Visitors Center, the guided bus tours depart from there or if you choose you could have a guided narrarator join in your car. I think you may see not much has changed, I grew up about 3 hrs away and everything has pretty much stayed the same over the last 20+ yrs I remember =) Hope you have a nice visit.

Jim:<BR><BR>I'd say visit over July 4th weekend and make reservations immediately (the hotels fill up fast). It is/will be uncomfortable re: weather, more so than if you went in October, but there are Civil War reinactments during that time (Picketts Charge).

Jim, Be aware that the reenactments bring in a large crowd and are not held on the battlefield itself.If it`s the battlefield that you really want to explore I would suggest a midweek visit.I like to stay at the Quality Inn on Steinwehr Ave. This is walking distance to the battlefield and visitor center.There are other lodgings on Steinwehr and I don`t think you would go wrong in this area.

In terms of when, I'd think about it in terms of my willingness to deal with crowds. I've gone twice, mid-week both times, as I prefer it to be a little less crowded so that I can walk around in relative quiet. <BR><BR>Of course, if you want to see reenactors and don't mind the crowds, 4th of July weekend might be the best time to go, given the significance of that date in Gettysburg. <BR><BR>There are numerous hotels and motels in the town center. <BR><BR>P.S. If you haven't already done so and are interested in such a thing, I'd highly recommend a copy of &quot;The Killer Angels&quot; by Michael Shaara. It's a terrific book that proivdes a historical dramatization of the event. For a more historically accurate and detailed account, try the excerpt &quot;Stars in thier courses&quot; by Shelby Foote. (It's the Gettysburg excerpt from his three volume civil war novel.)

I was there in August and there were no crowds to speak of. We brought our bikes and had a great time. We parked near Little Round Top and used the bikes to visit Devil's Den, the Wheat Field, the Peach Orchard,... drove to entire road past Lee's memorial (near the start of Pickett's charge) and around to the Angle.<BR><BR>Read the Gettysburg Address just before arriving. It really put me in the proper mood to appreciate what went on those three days.<BR><BR>

I have been in mid-September and late October. Both were very nice, and I would expect the spring would be as well. This year's July events at Gettysburg will be extra special because it is the 140th anniversary. I just attended a similar commemoration at Antietam. There will be an even larger than usual re-enactment off-site (I bet there will be at least 20,000 participants based on last year's Antietam event and past Gettysburg events). There should also be lots going on at the battlefield. You will probably even run into quite a few re-enactors there. I completely agree with everyone else on going mid-week; it will make a world of difference in your experience. Also take advantage of the long hours at Gettysburg, which opens early and closes late compared to many places. The early morning is particularly free of crowds and provides beautifully lit vistas, especially from Little Round Top, and it is about the only time you may be able to have the Angle all to yourself. <BR><BR>I have no idea of your interest level or knowledge of the subject, but I completely agree with the recommendations on reading matter. &quot;Stars in Their Courses&quot; is probably the best book for those wanting an easy-to-read, accurate, and well-written account of the whole battle. If you want to delve deeper and understand the battlefield in more detail, take a look at Harry Pfanz's two books on the first and second days of the battle. He also has a separate book on Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill. All are quite detailed. Noah Andre Trudeau recently released the first comprehensive book on the battle to be released in quite some time (Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage&quot;). I haven't read it yet (have a copy on order) but have read mostly favorable reviews. Trudeau's other work tends to have a lot of first-person perspective that can be a pleasant read. George Stewart's book - &quot;Pickett's Charge - A Microhistory&quot; has been around a long time and will make you feel as if you were there as he tells the story of the charge in minute detail (you can get a copy at the bookstore for only around $15). I also highly advise picking up an atlas of the battlefield to carry along.<BR><BR>You might also like to take a look at my Web site at www.oneeyed.homestead.com for more information and photos. I also enjoy looking at the following site, http://users.snip.net/~hart/, which includes many less-visited spots and hundreds of photos.<BR>

I live about an hour away from Gettysburg and go once or twice a year. What time of year to go depends on what you want. As mentioned, the best time of year is beginning of July for re-enactment ... although that week is usally devishish hot as was witnessed by the troops during the battle. Fall is beautiful because of the leaves and spring is beautiful because of the red buds. Gettysburg is an old town and traffic can be a problem ... always worse in the summer. The best place to stay is not in the square ... you would have to drive to most sites. Try to find hotel around Steinwehr Avenue so you can walk to the visitor's center and many shops/restaurants. The Dobbin House (build in 1776 and served as hospital during the war) has wonderful restaurant, some B&amp;B rooms (I just went for dinner last week - have never stayed over night), and is located on Steinwehr. While in Gettysburg, you may also want to check out Eisenhower's home. You can get info on all sites at the visitor's center. Enjoy.

I was just there in October, beautiful weather...perfect. I stayed and highly recommend the Doubleday Inn Bed &amp; Breakfast which is located on the battlefield. Not only will they arrange to have a licensed battlefield guide for you but if you are staying over on a Saturday evening a licensed guide comes to the Inn and has an informal 2 hour talk session in the parlor from 9 to 11 pm. I felt like I died and went to heaven that evening with the battlefield discussions we had. Also the next morning at the breakfast table another guide to talk with there was even a gentleman from England staying at the inn. It seems that he comes once or twice a year and gets his civil war fix. He always stays at this inn and gets the same guide everytime. Anyway can't say enough about the licensed guides, highly recommend them then when your done. I think it was either $35 or $40 for 2 hours and you take your own car. Hope this helps.

Jim,<BR><BR>I know someone mentioned staying at the Farnsworth House Inn. It has a wonderful restaurant as well. Great food, service, and ambience. Make reservations on weekends or during the busiest times of year to assure a spot. You can make them online very easily if you choose.

When we went we actually arrived about 5:00pm and everyone (i.e. the tour buses) were gone. It was really amazing. I thought it was very moving to see it at sunset, and quite empty. We went back the next day, but with all the people and cars all over the place it just didn't seem as, well, historical.

To Dan: I've just bookmarked (and taken a quick gander at) your site - it looks great and I look forward to exploring it more. I know, from reading over the years, that your advice re Gettysburg is always extremely worthwhile. Just wanted to say thanks!

Another recommendation for the Doubleday Inn. Room prices are reasonable, great breakfast, and the Civil War speaker is excellent (according to my husband--I didn't attend). Definitely spring for the private guide--I think it costs about $35 plus tip for the whole tour. He/she will drive your car so that you can look as the battle site areas are explained. I'm not even a Civil War fan (but my husband makes up for it), and I found it incredibly interesting. I recommend eating at Farnsworth House or Dobbin House. Farnsworth also has a ghost tour if that interest you. We visited in the fall (late October) and it was picturesque with the foliage changing. Still somewhat crowded, though. If you didn't show up early in the morning to reserve a guide, you were out of luck. I think you may be able to do this in advance via telephone or e-mail now if you prepay.

Dan,<BR>Just looked at you webpage, the photos are great. Thanks for sharing them. I particularly liked the GK Warren statue with the mist rising in the background. Your photos are the one's I wish I had taken when I visited there. <BR><BR>Thanks again.

The Gettysburg Hotel is nice it is in the center of town. They also have fireplaces in them for the cool evenings. Spring is the best time to go.says my husband who has been 7 times!<BR>As a poster said earlier Farnsworth House is REally good, home made food and lots of history. Make reservations for dinner.