25 Best & Fun Things To Do In Gettysburg (Pennsylvania)

While there is so much to take your mind off a vacation in Gettysburg, there are a lot more enticing propositions.

Gettysburg, although hit by a tearful piece of history, is one of the top places in the United States to plan a vacation.

A tour through memorials and monuments revolving round the civil war or even a tour round train museums.

Regardless of what you choose to do around Gettysburg, there is a whole list of enticing activities.

Wondering what to do around Gettysburg?

Below is a list of some of the best things to do in the city. 

Things To Do In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 

1. Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg was the swiveling point of the Civil War, its deadliest combat, and the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address.” 

The Gettysburg National Military Park safeguarded the battleground and educate tourists about its scenery and history.

This park includes the battlefield, war support locations such as reserves and hospitals, as well as various non-battle areas like the Gettysburg National Cemetery. 

One of the finest things to do in Gettysburg is to visit the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, which houses the majority of the park’s 43,000 Civil War relics. 

Relics with a lot of history attached.

If you’re a history lover, you’ll understand the significance and value of these souvenirs and their worth.

Every year, the park hosts a number of war reenactments and commemorative activities.

The park personnel are also in charge of replacing the original woods and other flora that were present in the region during the fight.

Although you cannot find the originals of these materials, their replicas are simply outstanding.

Visitors can take a tour of this military park while seizing the opportunity to go back in time.

Besides, it comes for free and is relatively fun to do.

Consider making a stop at this park while touring Gettysburg.

Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike (Route 97), Gettysburg, PA 17325-2804, United States

2. Gettysburg Chocolate Market

Styled like a relic soda pub, the Gettysburg Chocolate Market has a vast assortment of offerings just a few strides off Lincoln Square. 

This new extension to shopping in downtown Gettysburg amasses tons of treats to take with you, from gourmet truffles to fudge and candy.

If you want to stop for a bit, explore their wide assortment of classic sodas, espresso drinks, teas, ice cream, and delicious chocolate.  

Address: 9 Baltimore St Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States

3. Gettysburg National Cemetery

Anyone would love to pay respects to the lives lost following the Gettysburg civil war.

Gettysburg National Cemetery was built immediately following the Battle of Gettysburg, which killed over 51,000 lives. 

President Lincoln dedicated the cemetery to his famous Gettysburg Address, reminding Americans of the lives lost in order to preserve the Union intact. 

This cemetery, which is part of the Gettysburg National Military Park, is the final resting place of over 3,500 Union troops who perished during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The National Park Service is in charge of the cemetery.

It features a number of noteworthy monuments, including the Soldiers’ National Monument, which was finished in 1869.

At its corner, there is a rostrum, which was erected in 1879 and stands near the entrance on Taneytown Road.

Many presidents, including both Roosevelt and Eisenhower, delivered remarks from this brick rostrum while attending the annual Gettysburg Battle commemoration ceremonies.

Address: 97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States.

4. The Gettysburg Diorama

Another great find around Gettysburg is the Gettysburg Diorama.

It’s one of the biggest side attractions in the state and draws a lot of attention.

The Gettysburg Diorama is a diorama that meticulously recreates the Battle of Gettysburg. 

More than 20,000 hand-painted troops, horses, weaponry, and buildings fill the 800-square-foot tableau.

This diorama has audio with narrations that depict the account of the Battle of Gettysburg in 30 minutes.

It also serves as a fantastic instructional tool for youth groups. 

Visitors who decide to check out this diorama can view additional interesting Civil War items just feet away from the diorama. 

A bookshop on-site offers a wide selection of books, souvenirs, toys, and apparel visitors can enjoy.

After seeing the Gettysburg Diorama, there is a list of side attractions you’ll find close to it.

Address: 241 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, United States 

5. Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides

It all began while the Gettysburg battlefield fires were still raging and the blood had hardly dried. 

As soon as the army withdrew, relatives of dead soldiers and interested people began to arrive, and local inhabitants began to show them around. 

Since 1863, several groups and individuals who claimed to have some understanding of what actually happened and where have assumed educative roles.

They continually guide scholars, relatives, veterans, and even visitors.

The battlefield was quickly becoming one of the most important Civil War memorials. 

Because there was a need for highly educated and competent guides who could deliver reliable information, the Federal Government developed a testing program for the guides in 1915 to assure the quality of the material.

After passing the tests, the guides became members of the Association of Licensed Guides. 

Licensed guides will guarantee that your tour to the Gettysburg Battlefield is both educational and enjoyable and that the information you get is both factual and interesting.

While there is a lot more fun exploring the city at your convenience, you’ll find this exception peculiar.

If you have the time, take the opportunity to tour the town with licensed battlefield guides.

Address: 241 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA, United States 

6. Evergreen Cemetery

The Evergreen Cemetery is one of the must-see places in Gettysburg.

In 1854, David McConaughy, a lawyer who lived through the Civil War, established the Evergreen Cemetery to memorialize Civil War troops. 

After a wholesome life, in 1902, McConaughy was put to rest in the same Evergreen Cemetery.

This cemetery is the sleeping place of several notable figures in Gettysburg.

Among those buried in Evergreen are Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade, the only civilian killed in the Battle of Gettysburg. 

There’s also the famous theologian, Samuel S. Schmucker, and Congressman Edward McPherson.

Visitors in factions of ten or more can take a 90-minute walking tour of the Evergreen Cemetery.

While there you can see memorials and the gravesites of famous Civil War-era figures.

If you’d delight in seeing the resting place of these figures, take the option for a tour here.

Address: 799 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

7. Eisenhower National Historic Site

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s home and farm are shown at Eisenhower National Historic Site (Eisenhower NHS). 

This historic site in Gettysburg is a major tourist attraction site and draws a number of visitors year-round.

The venue was formerly a gathering place for international leaders during Eisenhower’s administration. 

Presently, people now go from all over the world to view the 40,000 relics housed at Eisenhower’s former home.

However, if you do not want to spend time looking at relics, you can also try bird watching.

Bird watching is a top activity you can try while here.

Since this site holds 700 acres of unique and magnificent habitats for loggerhead shrikes, short-eared owls, and upland sandpipers. 

Take time capturing scenic bird photography or just watching birds.

You can also try picnicking in its nature-filled scenery and spend some time relaxing.

Pack a basket and sit out alone or with friends.

Stroll through its vast land or simply breathe in the fresh air.

Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

8. Savor Gettysburg Food Tours

Foods of a particular place tell its stories and say a lot about it.

In that regard, one of Gettysburg’s best-kept secrets is its cuisine. 

There’s no way you would visit Gettysburg and leave without simply taking a bite of its delicacies.

The Savor Gettysburg walking tour will take you through ancient streets and show you the historic and cultural landmarks while introducing you to some of the top eateries in town. 

This tour lasts around three hours and covers roughly one mile, so it is suited for persons of all fitness levels.

Visitors can dine at seven different establishments, including an ancient historic pub, an unusual ethnic restaurant, and a family-owned cafe. 

In between enjoying delicious meals at several restaurants, you will hear tales and anecdotes about Gettysburg’s past and present.

You can try a variety of meals from the confines of a gorgeous area.

With this much, you may finally appreciate gaining a true sense of this beautiful city.

Address: Chambersburg St, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

9. Gettysburg Museum of History

For something knowledge-enhancing, simply roam through the Gettysburg Museum of History.

Erik L. Dorr, the lessor, and curator of the Gettysburg Museum of History, has spent his whole life collecting American historic relics. 

Mr. Dorr is the fourth generation of a family whose land hosted the legendary Pickett’s Charge in 1863.

Following the incorporation of the farm into the Battlefield Park, the family relocated to the residence where Mr. Dorr now resides, which also houses the Gettysburg Museum of History. 

The museum’s collection includes not just objects acquired by Mr. Dorr’s relatives after the Battle of Gettysburg.

It also holds artifacts spanning the whole history of the United States, from its creation to the present day.

This personal collection, which surpasses many private museums in size and quality, is now free and available to the public as part of the Gettysburg Museum of History as part of community service.

Visitors can take a tour through this private museum’s extensive collection of military items.

Bullets, shells, buckles, buttons, and other Civil War relics discovered by the owner’s family while tilling their Gettysburg farm are still on display. 

Additionally, its holdings increased and extended to include more relics from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and even American presidents.

There’s a whole lot of history available to keep history lovers going and entertained.

Address: 219 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

10. Land of Little Horses

Lovers of animals and wildlife will find this piece of attraction fitting to visit.

Besides, it is one of the rare places of its kind you’ll find in Gettysburg.

Land of Little Horses is a unique performing animal attraction set in the fields near Gettysburg. 

The park has a tortoise and hare race, a performing animal show, and a parade of breeds.

On a visit, visitors can observe the numerous sorts of animals that dwell on the farm. 

There are even options to take photos of them or simply touch them.

Throughout the summer, Little Horse Land hosts unique camps for youngsters aged five to twelve.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for youngsters to go camping while interacting and making friends.

After a tour, visitors can purchase memorabilia, toys, and even games at the Little Horse Land’s gift store. 

One spectacular thing about this museum is that returning visitors can save money on future entry by purchasing season passes.

If you have the time and do want to see some animals perform, you’ll find this fitting.

Address: 125 Glenwood Drive, Gettysburg, PA, 17325, United States.

Planning a trip outside of Gettysburg? Why not check out our list of things to do in Erie, Bethlehem, Harrisburg, King of Prussia, and Scranton?

11. Shriver House Museum

It’s like going back in time when you visit the Shriver House Museum. 

The Shriver House Museum carries you directly to the 1860s and delivers a glimpse into the life of the Shriver family during the Civil War.

Its unusual viewpoint makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in Gettysburg, even for people who aren’t Civil War fanatics.

The painstakingly restored 1860 house serves as a view into an important time in American history.

Discover how citizens lived and what happened to them during the Battle of Gettysburg by simply wandering around its rooms.

Rooms at the Shriver House narrate the tale of George, Hettie, and their two young daughters as they made a life and then faced the presence of loss that war brings. 

You’ll learn about everything from George’s downstairs saloon to the house’s time as a sharpshooter post and hospital.

Moreover, medical materials were discovered during the restoration, showing that it was also utilized as a hospital for wounded troops.

Confederate sharpshooters took over this home and drilled two holes through its brick wall to fire at Union forces on nearby Cemetery Hill.

As you visit the faithfully rebuilt chambers, view the sharpshooters’ “nest,”.

You will witness the two sharpshooters who perished in the attic while sheltering during the conflict. 

Besides, the owner of the Shriver House gives regular tours herself, so you’re sure to get the full details. 

There are photographs tracing the process of preserving this uncommon look at the impact of the war.

Seize the chance to go on this top-rated downtown strolling tour.

Address: 309 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

12. Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum

The Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum spans 20,000 square feet and has interactive exhibitions as well as educational activities. 

Like most museums in Gettysburg, this museum revolves around the civil war too.

It focuses on three leading themes: the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg; the care provided to injured troops at Schmucker Hall, and moral issues from the Civil War era.

Visitors who tour this museum can spend time looking at exhibits and displays revolving around the civil war.

Its trails program is a popular outdoor feature among visitors. 

Also, major outdoor routes encircle the Lutheran Theological Seminary Campus and contain educational markers that explain Seminary Ridge’s significance in the Civil War. 

For visitors who choose this museum, you can explore this area on your own or with the assistance of one of the museum’s tours guides.

May not be a lot of fun, but sure has a whole bag of history.

Address: 111 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States.

13. Segway Tours of Gettysburg

Exploring Gettysburg is one thing, finding the best way to explore it is another.

There are several routes to explore key historic sites in Gettysburg, including buses, vehicles, horseback riding, and walking. 

If walking is too much for you and using the bus is too constraining, why not compromise and use a Segway? 

Segway PTsTM are ecologically friendly since they do not consume gas, emit no pollutants, and are almost entirely silent.

They are relatively the best way to take a tour around Gettysburg.

Even if you’ve never used one before, don’t be afraid – they’re simple to use.

You’ll have a great time traversing major landmarks.

Major side attractions like Pickett’s Charge, Little Round Top, and even the Lutheran Theological Seminary will be on target.

The bus tour also makes its way through the Peach Orchard, Devil’s Den, the High Water Mark, and even Wheatfield.

Although there are numerous cruises available, the most popular lasts around three hours. 

This route will take you roughly nine kilometers and four rest stations.

Take a bus tour while you can. You’ll be thrilled by how much you can cover in a short while.

Address: 22 Springs Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

14. Jennie Wade House

Visitors who take a tour around Gettysburg can never forfeit a tour to the Jennie Wade House.

The Jennie Wade House tells a very tearful tale of an unfortunate lady.

During the Civil War, the region around the Jennie Wade Home was considered “no-man’s-land,” but the house became an important historic landmark after 20-year-old Jennie Wade was shot while cooking bread for Union soldiers. 

She is the sole recorded civilian casualty of the Gettysburg Campaign.

Visitors can see the precise area where the bullet passed through two wooden doors before striking little Jennie Wade during a tour. 

However, it isn’t just a tour that is available at this historic home, there are shopping opportunities too.

At the corner of the house, there is a small store where visitors can purchase figurines, educational DVDs, flags, puzzles, and books.

If you can hold back all the tears, make a go for it.

Try shopping if you don’t want to do anything teary-eyed.

Address: 548 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 7325, United States 

15. Lincoln Train Museum

The Lincoln Train Museum provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about America’s past.

This museum has interactive displays about US presidents, police enforcement, and the military, as well as cultural exhibits about baseball, Hollywood, and western heroes.

Its major attraction is a life-size Lincoln burial car, which rounds off the museum’s comprehensive collection of model trains and railway technology. 

While you can take the time to look through displays here, you can explore a lot more opportunities.

Visitors can relax around its grounds or simply take pictures with exhibits.

You can also take a mind-calming session while roaming its grounds.

Finally, the museum provides special excursions to additional historical places in and around Steinwehr Avenue. 

However, admission to the Lincoln Train Museum varies based on age and party size.

Regardless, you’ll enjoy every step around this museum.

Address: 425 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States

16. Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours

Taking a bus tour around Gettysburg is another amazing way to enjoy and see the city.

However, a tour with a professional battlefield guide is the best way to view the battlefield and comprehend what occurred here. 

Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours offers two-hour guided bus tours of the famous Gettysburg battlefield. 

There are two tour choices available from the firm. 

Visitors can take a trip in their own automobile with a battlefield guide who will explain the history.

Or, you could join a two-hour Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tour with a guide who will point out the major spots of the three-day conflict.

The war in Gettysburg is pretty popular since most of the centers in the city talk of it and you’ll have the best time checking it out.

Guests can listen to an audio exhibition while traveling in an open-air double-decker bus around the field.

Each trip departs from the Main Gettysburg Tour Center.

Maybe you don’t feel comfortable touring with a guide. If so, there’s a better option.

You can purchase a self-guide from the museum shop. 

Aside from battlefield excursions, the bus firm also provides travel packages that include trips to other notable Civil War sites.

Tickets can be bought at a variety of Gettysburg hotels, motels, and campgrounds. 

Book yours now and ready yourself for a full-day trip around Gettysburg.

Address: 778 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States.

17. Gettysburg Railroad Station Museum

Another great way to spend time in Gettysburg is a tour of its Railroad Station Museum.

The Gettysburg Railroad Station Museum is one of the top tourist attraction centers in the city.

It is the exact station where Abraham Lincoln came in 1863 to dedicate a neighboring national cemetery.

Currently, it serves as the Pennsylvania Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission’s headquarters.

During the Battle of Gettysburg, the depot also served as a field hospital, treating almost 15,000 injured men. 

While roaming through this museum grounds, you’ll be able to unravel a lot of stories about the Gettysburg war.

Also, the museum hosts special exhibits throughout the year, and the entrance is always free.

Since it’s free, it’s one of the easy and cheap things to do in Gettysburg without hassle.

Address: 35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

18. Gettysburg Heritage Center

The Gettysburg Heritage Center focuses on educating tourists about what it was like to be present during the Battle of Gettysburg. 

It uses antiques, records, and interactive displays to teach visitors about the Battle of Gettysburg and its influence on the city.

Also, there are hundreds of unique testimonies that describe how residents reacted to one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles.

Visitors can simply roam through this heritage center looking up interactive displays and studying them.

If you want, you could even take photographs of them.

After roaming through its grounds, visit the gift shop.

There is a diverse selection of memorabilia, apparel, books, and toys on display.

You can pick some on your way out.

Address: 297 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States 

19. Stroll through downtown Gettysburg

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Gettysburg is to simply roam. 

Downtown has nearly 100 businesses selling about anything you might want.

To kill some time, shopping is one of the few things you can do for fun while in this part of Gettysburg.

The variety of items available ranges from antiques to clothing to Civil War artifacts. 

Visit “We adore Lark” for its thoughtful and one-of-a-kind presents.

Check out “Gallery 30” for its jewelry and handcrafts and Nerd Herd for its games and creative kits.

As you wander around the region, you will notice a number of Civil War-era structures that have sustained damage from the combat that took place in these streets. 

When you’ve gotten your fill of shopping and sightseeing, take a break at one of the numerous restaurants or tasting rooms.

There’s one that’ll definitely suit you.

Stay till the evening so you can experience the nightlife too.

Bright lights and decors beaming and shining all through.

Address: Gettysburg, PA, United States 

20. The Ronn Palm’s Museum of Civil War Images

For something slightly different from all the regular civil war museum touring, see pictures of the civil war in downtown Gettysburg.

If you’d enjoy looking through a vast collection of war pictures, this is ideal.

Ronn Palm has thousands of images from the American Civil War. 

Palm created his museum in a two-story log house built in 1802 in 2000. 

Palm’s pictures mostly depict Civil War troops from Pennsylvania who served in the state’s infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

Because many of the people in the pictures are unidentified, Palm is utilizing an online catalog system to gather as much information as possible on the males in his shots. 

His ultimate objective is to identify the names of every soldier portrayed in his collection of around 4,000 photographs. 

Pictures and images of each and everyone stand firmly in the museum hall with details on them.

The Ronn Palm Museum of Civil War Images is only open on weekends and is free to enter.

Literally, it is one of the few amazing and cheap things to do in Gettysburg on a visit.

Take the time to roam through this museum.

Address: 229 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States.

21. Adams County Winery

For something a little different from all the war centers in Gettysburg, go wine tasting.

A few wineries in Gettysburg offer one-of-a-kind wines.

Few have tasting spaces in the soul of the city and others have vineyards just out of town.

Amongst these few is the Adams County Winery.

Adams County Winery offers a vast variety of wines.

It shows off a handful of red and white wines, mainly from villa-grown fruits. 

The Adams County Pour is one of the adventures you should definitely try on a visit to Gettysburg.

At this winery, visitors can obtain stamps and earn prizes for visiting wineries, breweries, and more.

If you do choose to seize a tour, then you can try these places.

Downtown, halt by Reid’s Winery for cider or the Buddy Boy Winery tasting room for a vast option of white, red, and sweet wines.

Then, head down to Halbrendt Vineyard & Winery.

There, you’ll find gorgeous views of Gettysburg.

Finally, stop at the Adams County Winery where you can take a cruise around their production structures or just relish a glass on their patio.

Address: 251 Peach Tree Road. Orrtanna, PA 17353, United States 

22. Sachs Covered Bridge

The crimson Sachs Bridge, a 100-foot-long covered bridge across Marsh Creek, is one of Gettysburg’s most prominent aesthetic attractions. 

During the Civil War, the 100-foot bridge served as a crucial point for both Union and Confederate armies. 

Also, it served as a vital escape route for the Confederate army when it retreated to Virginia following the Battle of Gettysburg.

One spectacular highlight of this bridge is that it has one of the rarest forms of architecture in Gettysburg.

This bridge is built in the Town Truss style.

In 1938, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation listed this site as the “most historic bridge” in the state.

Sachs Covered Bridge was rebuilt multiple times throughout the 1900s to preserve its stability and lifespan. 

Moreover, this bridge is one of the few remaining Town truss bridges in Pennsylvania.

It is solely accessible to pedestrians.

Take the time to see this historic structure in the city, which still stands firm.

 Address: Waterworks Road (TR 509/TR 405), Gettysburg, PA 17325, United States.

23. Take a glimpse of the Christmas festival

There’s nothing more exciting than a Christmas vacation in Gettysburg.

A Christmas in Gettysburg can be quite the magic. 

If your trip schedule permits, make a stop here on expeditions. 

All through the season, there are shows, games, unique events, and lots of Christmas lanterns to get you in the festival mood. 

However, the best weekend to tour is during the Christmas festival.

During the first weekend of December, downtown is crammed to the brim with buyers and partiers heading to the Christmas festival. 

You’ll find food trucks, street entertainers, and live melodies all over Gettysburg. 

Plan to watch the annual Christmas parade.

Spend some time observing the magnificent gingerbread creations, and so much more.

Address: Gettysburg, PA, United States 

24. Eisenhower National Historic Site

Not all Gettysburg historical places are related to the epic conflict. 

President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s house is the only one they have ever owned.

It was purchased after his retirement from the Army in 1950.

The home is furnished exactly as Eisenhower used it as a weekend hideaway and a location to entertain and interact informally with foreign leaders.

Winston Churchill, Nikita Khrushchev, and Charles de Gaulle were notable guests here in the 1950s.

Mamie’s collections, White House relics, and foreign-country presents are also stunning relics on display

Take a decorative arts tour of this historic site and glance through a collection of Eisenhower’s paintings which he used to paint on his porch.

A farm trip is among the highlights, as well as a treasure hunt.

Try a treasure hunt by simply going on a farm trip.

There’s a shuttle bus that leaves from the National Park Visitor Center, where you can buy tickets.

25. See Monuments and Memorials

About 1,400 monuments and statues are scattered across Gettysburg’s vast battlefield, making it one of the world’s biggest collections of outdoor sculptures. 

The majority of these memorials exist where the specific troops fought, with little square stones identifying the formation lines of the unit.

While today’s memorials honor both armies, Union soldiers initially opposed any recognition of the South. 

Significant sites and conflicts at Seminary Ridge, Cemetery Ridge, and Oak Ridge are commemorated with monuments.

One of the most notable Confederate positions atop Seminary Ridge is the North Carolina Memorial.

North Carolina Memorial depicts five troops marching in Pickett’s Charge.

Another major highlight is the Virginia State Memorial.

The Virginia State Memorial rises atop the ridge, with a youthful bugler and color bearer with five other soldiers. 

General Robert E. Lee on his horse Traveler, made in bronze by Louis Tiffany & Sons, stands above them, as though still controlling the mountain.

If seeing memorials and monuments sounds interesting to you, you’ll enjoy every time you spend here.

Address: Gettysburg, PA, United States 

Final Remarks

Literally, all of Gettysburg shows the remains of a town shaken up by war.

Nevertheless, you’ll find several fun activities to do in the city and you’ll enjoy every opportunity of seeing them all.

There’s so much to do within your reach.

Take the time to find them all.

Finally, create memories and leave smiling.

Safe Travels.