Things to do around Gettysburg

[Senator]

I am going to DC on business, and then my wife and I are going to a B&B on the Gettysburg battlefield. I have always wanted to go and now I have 5 days to do it.

Now, after I spend a few days walking around, what else is there around the area to do and see? Keep in mind DC is where I spend alot of my time and would like to stay away from there and around the Gettysburg area if I could. Plus I have to factor in the wife not wanting to spend 5 days walking over battlefields. I go to my source of information, FOFC!

[JeeberD]

I've never been there, so I can't really help you with what there is to do. But I can give you one piece of advice. Beware the ghosts! I've heard that the place is haunted... :(

[Anrhydeddu]

Was there last month and I was amazed at how huge the battlefield area was. It took two hours just travel the route by car. Even there are plenty of tourist traps in town, I was pleased that they retained much of the 19th century flavor, including ordinary residences and storefronts. Actually not sure how you could fill 5 days just there since even with a personal guide, you can cover the whole battlefield in one long day.

[Franklinnoble]

Isn't Hershey, PA nearby? When I was a kid, they had a pretty cool little theme park...

[Fonzie]

They've got a pretty slick little visitor's center/museum near the graveyard which features a giant "electronic battlefield" in the middle of an auditorium, complete with 1958-era light-bulb technology, which illustrates the flow of the battle. It looks like crap, but I found it entertaining.

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
Isn't Hershey, PA nearby? When I was a kid, they had a pretty cool little theme park...

It's still there. I believe it's called "Chocolate World" or something like that. It's a hoot.

[Franklinnoble]

It was "Hershey Park" when I was a kid.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by Fonzie
They've got a pretty slick little visitor's center/museum near the graveyard which features a giant "electronic battlefield" in the middle of an auditorium, complete with 1958-era light-bulb technology, which illustrates the flow of the battle. It looks like crap, but I found it entertaining.

It's surprisingly good, despite the antiquated technology. I suppose little 3-D CGI Confederate and Union soldiers running about and killing each other would be more entertaining, but if you really want that, there's probably a Civ3 modpack that'll do it for you...

[bosshogg23]

Hershey Park is the amusement ride section of the park. Chocolate World is the tour the factory sorta thing. I have to go their next month and am not looking forward to it. WAY too many people for their rides. Cedar Point in OH is much better.

[Anrhydeddu]

That's funny, I hadn't known about the Eletronic Map. After paying the admission, I had thought it was some cool multi-media, holographic display. Serves me right for thinking like a kewld00d instead of an old fart. But despite the low-techness, it was very informative and sets the stage for those not familiar with the 3-day battle.

[Senator]

A personal guide sounds different. I wonder if they are streaming around like they do at the Juarez border?

I also read somewhere that you could take a horse tour of the battlefield, and you ride the length of Pickett's Charge. I think that would be something.

[Anrhydeddu]

Pickett's Charge being only 1 miles, it wouldn't be too long of a ride. As far as the personal guide, I was surprised by that. The NPS has a guide that goes along with you in your car and not only directs but tells you want happened. I thought it was something different (didn't need to have one myself) but inviting a stranger into your car seems kinda weird.

Thought of something else. I think from reading mags and brochures, there are private (non-NPS) tours and guides that are available in town. Some are part of a club or a group that would go out and focus on a particular subject matter (like the role of artillery in the battle). I thought this would be good after getting a feel for the whole battle since you are going to be there a while.

http://www.gettysburg.com/

[Senator]

Thanks for the leads.

[WSUCougar]

Here's the NPS website for the battlefield (be sure to explore the blue "In Depth" button on the right):

Gettysburg National Battlefield (http://www.nps.gov/gett/)

[Fritz]

Senator, just enjoy the drive up US 15. Traffic can be bad heading into town, so make sure you make any needed bathroom breaks before you get too close.

The 20th Maine's defense of Little Round Top was a required study in a class, so I spent some time on that part of the battfield. The rest of my time was spent looking at the unit/state monuments.

I hear the Eisenhower's place is worth some time.

[Anrhydeddu]

Hate to be picky, but there were something said in the narrative on electronic map as well as some display that were wrong or at least, can be misinterpreted. It even extends to the front page of the NPS site WSUCougar linked

Located 50 miles northwest of Baltimore, the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of the largest Civil War battle ever waged in the Western Hemisphere.

That's just a weird statement. I would be hard pressed to find a battle that was not fought in the Western Hemisphere. If it meant all Civil Wars in the Western Hemisphere, that still would be a stupid thing to say, imo.

It was also a major turning point in the war. Historians have referred to the Battle of Gettysburg as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy."

In the e-map and display, it was stated as "the" turning point. That is incorrect, imo. The last Summer of 1862 was the true "high water mark" where the Confederacy had made or were about to make significant gains on all fronts, in the East, West and with Europe. With the loss at Antietam, turning back of the invasion into Kentucky, the announcement of the E. Proclamation and the decline of European recognition, that was truly the turning point for the Confederacy. Besides, the famous "high water" marker at Gettysburg was technically incorrect. They had been further up in Harrisburg and York. And to top it off, there was almost no chance of the charge to succeed. Even if they were able to break the center, the flanks would have collapsed upon the spent troops and would have had the risk of more than just a four divisions lost or captured.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu

In the e-map and display, it was stated as "the" turning point. That is incorrect, imo. The last Summer of 1862 was the true "high water mark" where the Confederacy had made or were about to make significant gains on all fronts, in the East, West and with Europe. With the loss at Antietam, turning back of the invasion into Kentucky, the announcement of the E. Proclamation and the decline of European recognition, that was truly the turning point for the Confederacy. Besides, the famous "high water" marker at Gettysburg was technically incorrect. They had been further up in Harrisburg and York. And to top it off, there was almost no chance of the charge to succeed. Even if they were able to break the center, the flanks would have collapsed upon the spent troops and would have had the risk of more than just a four divisions lost or captured.

As a guy who often does the same thing with popular history, you are being "that guy."

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by Fritz

I hear the Eisenhower's place is worth some time.

Good point... I had forgotten about that. I've been there... it's pretty cool.

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Fritz
Senator, just enjoy the drive up US 15. Traffic can be bad heading into town, so make sure you make any needed bathroom breaks before you get too close.

The 20th Maine's defense of Little Round Top was a required study in a class, so I spent some time on that part of the battfield. The rest of my time was spent looking at the unit/state monuments.

I hear the Eisenhower's place is worth some time.

Traffic shouldn't be too bad, if you mean heading into G'burg itself. I know, I drive here every day from Frederick (of course I do get here around 7:30AM). Once you get past Frederick, you should have easy sailing. It's a nice relaxing drive.

Speaking of which, Frederick is about 30-40 minutes away, you could spend a day there, there is a nice "downtown" area with antique shops, restaurants, etc. I believe the Keys (http://www.frederickkeys.com/) are in town this weekend if you're interested in minor league bb. Hmm, looks like there's a wine tasting there on Sunday.

Up US-15 between Frederick and Gettysburg is Thurmont, which is right by Camp David. There's the Catoctin Wildlife Reserve, which I've never been to but will go to sometime. There's also an Inn/Restaurant called the Cozy, which a lot of the media types used to go to when covering the Pres. There are a few shops there too. More quaint than anything, but the area around Thurmont is pretty.

In Gettysburg towards the south of town are the Gettysburg Village Factory stores (http://www.gettysburgoutlets.com/). Nothing out of the ordinary here, but something to do.

The Boyd's Bears headquarters is also in Gettysburg - http://www.boydsbearcountry.com/ .

As was said, Hershey isn't all that far. Dutch Wonderland (http://www.dutchwonderland.com/) in Lancaster is closer. Again, I haven't been there, and it's probably geared more towards kids. There are also MANY MANY outlet stores in Lancaster.

[Senator]

cuervo72,

Thanks for all the pointers. I am trying to make this trip as enjoyable for my long suffering wife as I am for myself, and if that has to include shopping at "quaint shops" then that is the price I will pay. The Wine Tasting thing is on the agenda.

Just driving around beautiful parts of the country I have never seen can sometimes be all I need for s destination. Hopefully we can do all this at a snail's pace and just enjoy a few days off from the battle of life.

[scooper]

My dad and I once retraced Pickett's charge. When we reached "The Angle," Grandpa didn't put up much of a fight. It was the highwater mark of our trip.

[cuervo72]

Originally posted by Senator
cuervo72,

Thanks for all the pointers. I am trying to make this trip as enjoyable for my long suffering wife as I am for myself, and if that has to include shopping at "quaint shops" then that is the price I will pay. The Wine Tasting thing is on the agenda.

Just driving around beautiful parts of the country I have never seen can sometimes be all I need for s destination. Hopefully we can do all this at a snail's pace and just enjoy a few days off from the battle of life.

No problem. Now, if my wife and I could have time to get out and do many of these things (as the kids become more "portable" I think we will ;) ).

Oh, I also forgot to mention Harper's Ferry, WV. There is a park there (http://www.nps.gov/hafe/home.htm), and you can do some rafting if interested. Not very relaxing though :)

[WSUCougar]

Originally posted by Anrhydeddu
In the e-map and display, it was stated as "the" turning point. That is incorrect, imo. The last Summer of 1862 was the true "high water mark" where the Confederacy had made or were about to make significant gains on all fronts, in the East, West and with Europe. With the loss at Antietam, turning back of the invasion into Kentucky, the announcement of the E. Proclamation and the decline of European recognition, that was truly the turning point for the Confederacy. Besides, the famous "high water" marker at Gettysburg was technically incorrect. They had been further up in Harrisburg and York. And to top it off, there was almost no chance of the charge to succeed. Even if they were able to break the center, the flanks would have collapsed upon the spent troops and would have had the risk of more than just a four divisions lost or captured.
Although I agree with you in general, Steve, I think a case can be made for Gettysburg as "a" significant turning point. Antietam was a repulse for the Confederates (and Lee in particular), but it was not a resounding one. McClellan's failure to pursue and seal the deal left the ANV live and kicking, as evidenced by the subsequent summer campaigns. The failed Kentucky invasion was indeed a blow. But Lee went north seeking a dramatic victory in battle on northern soil, and I think if he'd achieved that the war was still winnable for the Confederacy in the sense that the north would/might have been ready to negotiate a peace. Of course Vicksburg's fall (the true turning point, imo) crippled the Confederacy as a whole, but a win in Pennsylvania had the dramatic quality that Lee was seeking. Of course he did not get it, and would never come close again.

The recent 140th anniversary of Gettysburg issue of North & South discussed Lee in great detail. There was also a lot of commentary by historians debating the overall generalship in the battle. Interesting stuff. I am surprised that some consider Pickett's Charge a closer call than is generally accepted.

[Noble_Platypus]

wish I would have seen this earlier dude. I live in Harrisburg, about 30 minutes from Gettysburg. I could have given you the lowdown. If you havent went yet shoot me an email and I will hook you up. [email protected]