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-   -   Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tour? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/gettysburg-licensed-battlefield-guide-tour-1645890/)

maitaitom Jan 10th, 2018 07:43 AM

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Tour?
 
I was actually invited to a local Civil War Meeting recently from someone who reads stuff on my website (I knew there was someone). All the Civil War buffs who had visited Gettysburg highly recommended the Licensed Battlefield Guide Tour where someone rides along with you in the car and tells you all about the history. Has anyone gone on this particular tour, and if so, what did you think? Thanks.

((H))

abram Jan 10th, 2018 08:12 AM

We haven't done that, but loved an audio tour. We learned a lot and were able to go at our own pace. I'm sorry that I don't remember where DH downloaded the tour.

Bette Jan 10th, 2018 08:56 AM

HI,

We did this a few years ago and had an excellent guide arranged thru our B & B. Just found his card:

George Newton (Licensed Battlefield Guide, Badge # 216)
[email protected]
Tel: 717-334-6563

maitaitom Jan 10th, 2018 12:20 PM

Thanks Abram and Betty!

Rich Jan 10th, 2018 05:02 PM

We also did this a few years ago and had a wonderful experience. Our guide tailored his tour to the state we were from ( Texas ) and had an incredible working knowledge of th battle

Nikki Jan 11th, 2018 09:44 AM

We did this, we signed up for a guide, I forget how, maybe from the website. And he drove our car through the battlefields and was incredibly well informed. Well worth it.

5alive Jan 11th, 2018 11:30 AM

Bookmarking.

MaggieOB Jan 11th, 2018 12:00 PM

We also hired a licensed guide and it was was one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide (like all of them , I would guess) was incredibly knowledgeable. If you have specific areas of interest they will cater the tour to those. Ours had such a strong interest in the civil war she had moved to Gettysburg to be able to be a guide!!!!

Nelson Jan 12th, 2018 09:44 AM

We were able to eavesdrop for a couple minutes on 2 or 3 licensed guides as they stood near us. They were uniformly informative and engaging.

But, as an FYI for another option, we bought this audio tour booklet at one of the visitor centers. We used the CD in our rental car and you follow it's directions to the various locations.
Then you sat there and listened to the lecture, and you could get out and walk around afterward. The advantage is you could move at your own pace (we are slow), and in fact we spread it out over two days.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e8788ebcd6.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eb34fbbf00.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5788ed4802.jpg

But I'd not hesitate at getting a guide.
Leave some time for the excellent museum as well. Have a great trip!

maitaitom Jan 12th, 2018 02:53 PM

Thank everyone.

Nelson...good way to use the new forum.

((H))

maitaitom Mar 1st, 2018 04:52 PM

Quick update:

Bette, we called George, and he is going to be our guide for Gettysburg (unless someone warns him about us). He said he'd heard about my driving, and that he will take the controls for our three-hour visit (start at 9 a.m., meaning we leave Philly very, very early). Thanks to you all.

((H))

basingstoke2 Mar 1st, 2018 07:57 PM

We did that. Our guide knew his stuff and IMO it is the very best way to visit the battlefield.

Bette Mar 2nd, 2018 09:21 AM

You will very much enjoy his dry sense of humor. It was a very good day and a great way to see all the important sites.
After reading all of your wonderful trip reports, I am so happy to be able to assist you a little bit. Enjoy! (I'm actually working on Scotland and refer to your report often).


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