Many people visit Gettysburg for its history, but there is a lot more to this small Pennsylvania town than just the famous battlefield. Brick sidewalks, charming restaurants and lots of unique shops make it the perfect destination for a memorable weekend getaway. You may not have time to see everything, but here are some must-visit landmarks, hidden gems, and delightful experiences that can help make one weekend in Gettysburg truly unforgettable.
Side note: This post was written by Jessica a life-long local of Gettysburg. This way, you can be sure you are reading the best and most accurate 3-day Gettysburg itinerary. Locals know best! See the author’s bio at the end for more information.
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Table of Contents
How do I get to Gettysburg?
Even though Gettysburg is located in a rural area of southcentral Pennsylvania, there are a number of major airports within a 2-hour drive. The closest, at about an hour away, is Harrisburg International Airport. The Baltimore-Washington airports of Dulles, BWI and Reagan are all 90 minutes to two hours away.
You will need a rental car to visit Gettysburg. There is no connecting mass transit and the Uber and Lyft options are practically non-existent.
Tip! Use the DiscoverCars search engine to find the best deal on rental cars for your 3-days in Gettysburg!
What is the best time to visit Gettysburg?
The best time to visit Gettysburg depends on what you want to see. The anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg is in July, so there are annual Civil War battle reenactments and many other special activities like living history encampments, live period music and author talks over the Fourth of July weekend.
Spring and Fall are beautiful times of year to visit Gettysburg, with many flowers in bloom between April and May. Peak Fall Foliage is October and November. Autumn means harvest time and there are numerous Farmers’ Markets where you can shop for pumpkins, mums, and other fall favorites.
The weekend closest to November 19 is a great time to visit because it commemorates the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address. The highlight of the weekend is the annual “Remembrance Day Parade,” which features hundreds of Civil War reenactors—both men and women in period dress, as well as horses, carriages and civilians.
Pro Tip: If you plan to visit Gettysburg in July or August, stay hydrated and be prepared for high temperatures and humidity. The crowds are also at their peak during the summer months.
Where should I stay in Gettysburg?
Gettysburg offers many different types of lodging, from historic Bed and Breakfasts in town to family-owned and chain hotels outside of town.
There are two distinct in-town lodging areas, one being downtown Gettysburg near Lincoln Square, and the other being in the tourist district on Steinwehr Avenue.
Since the distance between the two is only about one mile, you can stay downtown and walk to the tourist district or vice versa, quite easily.
The pros of staying either downtown or the tourist district is that you can park your car and walk to stores, museums and restaurants without trying to find parking, which is expensive and fairly hard to find.
The only cons of staying in Gettysburg is that the lodging is usually pricier and those along the main street may have traffic noise.
Where to Stay in Gettysburg Recommendations:
- Budget-friendly Option: The Budget Host Three Crown is a no-frills, family-owned hotel in the tourist district. It is reminiscent of the 1950s, but has a pool and a refrigerator in the room. You can’t beat the location.
- Mid-range Option: 1863 Inn of Gettysburg is located in the heart of the tourist district so you can walk to anything. It also sits right beside the Jennie Wade House which is one of the most visited museums in Gettysburg.
- Luxury Option: The Gettysburg Hotel is located on Lincoln Square and features a bar and restaurant. Premier rooms offer double queen or a king bed with gas fireplaces. Some include a Jacuzzi jetted tub.
- Dog-friendly Stay: The Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield is a family owned hotel on Steinwehr Avenue that is walkable to everything. They also have two pools, one inside and one outside.
- Unique Option (if applicable): The Battlefield Bed and Breakfast is located just far enough outside of town to be peaceful and quiet, but close enough to be convenient. They offer lots of special activities in this pre-Civil War house and also welcome dogs.
View more Gettysburg VRBOs or hotels on Kayak or Expedia!
Sample 3-Day Gettysburg Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 in Gettysburg:
Morning:
Get oriented at the Gettysburg National Park Visitor Center and browse through their massive gift shop and book store. If you want to get a good overview of the vast 6,000-acre battlefield before exploring on your own, you can grab a ticket for a 2-hour bus tour here.
Afternoon:
Take your time and explore the scenes of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place north and west of town. Don’t miss the Eternal Peace Light Memorial and the site where General John Reynolds was killed.
Evening:
Grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants on Steinwehr Avenue and then visit the Civil War Tails Museum. Not only is it the only museum in town that is open until 8 p.m., it features historically accurate dioramas of the Battle of Gettysburg and other significant Civil War battles. (Look closely because the soldiers in the dioramas have tails—they’re cats).
Tip! If you want a more guided or adventurous tour of the battlefield, be sure to check out this horse-drawn carriage tour or horseback tour.
Day 2 in Gettysburg:
Morning:
Hit the battlefield early so you can avoid the crowds and take some time to get out and walk. Day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg took place south of town and there is a lot to explore from the Peach Orchard and Wheatfield to Devil’s Den and Little Round Top.
Afternoon:
Time to hit some of the museums. To get an idea of the civilian perspective of the Battle of Gettysburg, check out the Jennie Wade House Museum (where Jennie Wade was killed while baking bread), and the Shriver House Museum. Both houses have ties to the battle and the stories of the occupants are stunning.
Evening:
Go on a ghost tour! You can do a haunted walking tour through the town or go on a real paranormal investigation in buildings that were once used as Civil War hospitals. As one of the most haunted towns in the U.S., Gettysburg has a limitless supply of chilling ghost stories.
Pro Tip: If you really want to get spooked, check out the Museum of Haunted Objects on Baltimore Street.
Day 3 in Gettysburg:
Morning:
Explore the sites of Day 3 of the Battle of Gettysburg, when Pickett’s Charge took place. You will definitely want to get out of the car on Confederate Avenue and look at the detail of the monuments that line this now-peaceful road. The Virginia Monument is one of the largest on the battlefield (Pennsylvania is bigger), and the Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi, are mesmerizing works of art.
Afternoon:
Visit the new Beyond the Battle Museum north of town and experience that Caught in the Crossfire Exhibit. After that, you can spend time walking around downtown Gettysburg and visiting the unique stores and coffee shops.
Evening:
Time to visit one of the many wineries, breweries or distilleries that are located around town, or take a Foodie Tour.
Pro Tip: Battlefield Brew Works is located just outside of town in a barn that was used as a Civil War hospital. You can grab a beer and some “spirits” here!
Other things to do in Gettysburg:
- Visit the haunted Sachs Covered Bridge. (Free). Both Confederate and Union troops used this bridge and it is considered one of the most haunted bridges in Pennsylvania.
- Look for the numerous artillery shells that are still lodged in buildings downtown. (Free).
- Take a Horseback Tour across the battlefield. There’s no way better to see and understand the battle than on the back of a horse! ($140 and up).
Where (else) to Eat in Gettysburg:
- The Dobbin House: You’ll probably need reservations at this popular historic tavern because of its reputation for good food and as a historical destination. When you’re done eating, ask about the Underground Railroad museum inside. This tavern is worth the visit just for the history, the food, and the great gift shop.
- The Farnsworth House: You can find period food here (like Pea Soup), but there are lots of other options too. Fine dining inside or sit outside and just grab a beverage in their beer garden.
- The Blue and Gray Bar & Grill: Just want some pub food and a drink? The Blue and Gray is famous for their wings and their huge hamburgers.
Other Tips to know before visiting Gettysburg:
- Parking is expensive and scarce. Booking a hotel in downtown Gettysburg or the tourist district is worth it because you can walk to everything.
- Speaking of parking, don’t try to get by without putting money in the meter. The parking department workers have super powers. Paying the meter is cheaper than a ticket.
One Weekend in Gettysburg Map: A 3-day Gettysburg Itinerary for History-lovers!
One Weekend In Gettysburg Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in the Gettysburg that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Gettysburg itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Gettysburg!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Gettysburg” Itinerary?
More Pennsylvania Weekend Getaways!
About the Author!
Jessica James is an award-winning novelist, and owner of Past Lane Travels, a history and travel blog. She is a life-long resident of Gettysburg and history enthusiast. and owner of Past Lane Travels, a history and travel blog. She is a life-long resident of Gettysburg and history enthusiast. Follow along in Jessica’s adventures on Instagram!
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