Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The charming town of Gettysburg is alive and well with tales from the past and present. Gettysburg is the ideal place for history buffs, wine and cider lovers, golf aficionados, and paranormal enthusiasts. During the day, relive history at the Gettysburg Battlefield, play a round at The Links, and sample the local cuisine. In the evening, go on a candlelit walking tour--if you dare! In this video, we’ll share where to go for gorgeous scenery, farm to table food, delicious wines and ciders, haunted covered bridges, and secrets revealed by the locals.

My most recent trip was in October of 2018 to shoot an episode of "Beyond Your Backyard" for PBS.

fast facts

Destination Name: Gettysburg
State: Pennsylvania
Closest Major Airport(s): BWI (Baltimore, MD), PHL (Philadelphia, PA)

Time Zone: Eastern
Currency: US Dollar
Continent: North America
Country: USA
Primary Language: English

get there and arounD

Location: Gettysburg is located just 10 miles from PA’s southern border. It’s close to metropolitan areas like New York City, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. In fact, due to its location in the southern part of the state, it is closer in distance to Baltimore and Washington D.C. than it is to Philadelphia. Gettysburg is also located an hour south from Harrisburg along US-Highway 15.

Air: BWI (Baltimore) is the closest major airport.

Car: I suggest you either arrive by car or rent one while you are in Gettysburg.

Train: Amtrak does not have a station in Gettysburg. However, you can train to Harrisburg and then rent a car.

when to go - VIDEO

While I highly recommend a summer visit to Gettysburg, be aware that is peak season. During fall, the foliage is gorgeous. As you travel to Gettysburg in spring, check out the flowers blooming at the Philadelphia Flower Show and in the Amish countryside. A winter visit provides the best value. Winter in Gettysburg is perfect for sipping cups of cocoa or sitting by a roaring fireplace at one of the bed & breakfasts in the area.

Peak Season(s): Summer & Fall
Value Season: Winter
Shoulder Season: Spring

where to stay

Gettysburg has plenty of hotels, motels, B&B's and Air B&B's from which to choose.

Our itinerary has several excellent recommendations:

Gettysburg Itinerary

what to do - video

Whether you're on a family vacation, a golf retreat, or a romantic getaway, Gettysburg offers plenty to do!

We recommend the following as must-dos:
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Cemetery
Reid’s Orchard and Winery Tasting Room
The Links at Gettysburg

what/WHERE to eat - video

A few of my Gettysburg favorites include:

Lincoln Diner
Gettysburg Family Restaurant
Food 101
Garryowen Irish Pub
Historic Farnsworth House Inn

gettysburg reenactments - VIDEO

Annually, from July 1-3, The Battle of Gettysburg is reenacted. It is a stunning display of courage and commitment to the largest battle ever fought on U.S. soil.

official tourism resources

Most destinations in the U.S. have an official tourism bureau. Learn more by watching this video. In addition, here are links to the official bureaus for this destination, the state and the USA.

Official Gettysburg, Pennsylvania CVB

Official State Tourism Bureau Site

Official USA Tourism Site

suggested itinerary

Gettysburg, PA Itinerary

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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is a destination worth your vacation attention. Our exclusive itinerary details where to stay, the coolest restaurants and the activities you simply must do on your next trip to this historic and iconic place.

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broadcast episode

Gettysburg, PA was the first episode of "Beyond Your Backyard". The worldwide broadcast premiere was April 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. EST. PBS PASSPORT members can watch the full episode here.