Things to do in Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just got back from a week-long visit to my sister, the lovely Cambria from Live to be Inspired. She moved across the country to Pennsylvania and just had her first beautiful baby girl! I was spoiled with dozens of newborn snuggles – in between making meals and doing tiny, adorable laundry, of course.

On the last day of our visit my sister decided that she was up for a road trip. We made the drive to Gettysburg and had just enough time to see the highlights of the historic city. Here are our top five recommendations if you only have a day or a few hours in this amazing place!

Things to do in Gettysburg - Davis Hills House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. David Wills House

Many of the museums close between 4-5 pm, but we were able to spend about 45 minutes at the The David Wills House. This was perfect to help us get our bearings of the city! The Civil War refresher course was definitely needed as well. With several interactive exhibits and short films, it easily kept the attention of my five year old nephew. Plus we were able to get maps and brochures to help us navigate the rest of Gettysburg.

Things to do in Gettysburg - David Wills House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing the room Abraham Lincoln slept in and must have pondered the Gettysburg address in was awe-inspiring. There is something uniquely special about learning history in the places where it actually occurred. I could scarcely imagine the more than 50,000 soldiers descending upon this tiny town, much less losing their lives there. The statistics were astounding and the accounts of brother vs. brother, friend vs. friend where heart-wrenching.

Things to do in Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Gettysburg National Military Park

My father, the history officiando who we had on speed dial during our trip, highly recommends beginning your visit at the National Park Service and Museum for the Gettysburg National Military Park. We arrived after hours so we were out of luck! But if you do have time, the Gettysburg Cyclorama is an excellent way to see the scope of the battle before going out into the fields.

You could truly spend hours walking the paths, but with evening approaching we spent a few quiet moments on the ridge across from the cemetery admiring the beauty of Gettysburg and feeling humbled by what took place there.

Things to do in Gettysburg - Soldiers National Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. The Soldiers National Cemetery 

We crossed the road to the Soldiers National Cemetery – something I definitely did not want to miss as part of our evening in Gettysburg. My sister paused at the entrance with her little boy to talk about silence and respect for the soldiers and what took place there. It was a sweet moment to witness. It is important to teach our children facts and dates, but it is just as vital to teach them the morals and feelings that encompassed such events.

Things to do in Gettysburg - Teaching Children Reverence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you walk the paths of the cemetery, you truly get a feeling of treading on hallowed ground. The sacrifice of each man buried there became very apparent and embedded in my heart.

Things to do in Gettysburg - Soldiers National Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Places to eat in Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. The Pub & Restaurant

To round out our visit to Gettysburg, our last stop was dinner. As we poured over restaurant recommendations in the area, we all agreed that we wanted to eat somewhere unique to Gettysburg. Hoping to find a place with a touch of history, we discovered The Pub & Restaurant in Historic Lincoln Square. Right across the street from the David Wells House! Our request to eat out on the patio gave us a perfect view of the history-steeped establishments on the square. Be sure to have quarters on hand for the parking meters around the square.

Places to eat in Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love dining family style so we selected several appetizers and a pizza to share. The food was as amazing as the surroundings. The fresh baked Italian bread smothered in cheese and flavored with garlic was a favorite as well as the Southwest egg rolls with an avocado dipping sauce that stole the show. The Caprese pizza was just as much a crowd-pleasure with its fresh spinach, house Bruschetta mix, and mozzarella and Fontina cheeses. Feast your eyes on the ooey-gooey yumminess!

Places to eat in Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Places to eat in Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Places to eat in Gettysburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Child-Friendly Gettysburg

Our visit to Gettysburg was relatively child friendly. With more time I would do the junior ranger program for children at the Visitors Center. The interactive programs allow the children to experience for themselves what it was like to be a soldier in the Civil War by handling equipment, documents, and uniforms from the era (in a safe and age-appropriate manner, of course!)

While I was at the David Wills House, I picked selected a board book, The Story of Abraham Lincoln for my children’s souvenir. My children are ages 2-7 years old so it was right on their level of reading and understanding. It is available for purchase at the store or you can order it ahead of time to prepare your children for their visit to Gettysburg. My five year old nephew and I talked about Gettysburg in a simplified manner on the ride there and I think that it helped to pique his curiousity.

My evening in Gettysburg was just enough to whet my appetite for a return visit. While I am grateful for the brief time I had to walk the hallowed paths, I am eager to return to places of such historic significance. There is so much we can learn from our past and pass on to our children!

Have you been to Gettysburg?

What is your favorite historical place that you have visited?

What historical place is on your bucket list to visit?

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36 Comments

Pam @ Over the Big Moon · August 13, 2014 at 7:45 am

I love historic travels – I did a trip to DC and so badly wanted to head up there, but didn’t have time. I need to plan another trip soon that includes a stop in PA! Thanks for the ideas!!

    Taralyn · August 13, 2014 at 10:07 am

    There is so much to see back East! I completely agree. I love DC, too!

Kelli A · August 13, 2014 at 7:50 am

I still remember visiting Gettysburg as a child and it is one place I would love to take my kids and still havn’t I always seem to forget about it and then I see or hear it and think why havn’t I yet!! I really need to write it down!

Lisa @ Pebbles & Piggytails · August 13, 2014 at 9:10 am

This is a great resource! I hope to go there soon!!!

Vidya Sudarsan · August 13, 2014 at 10:41 am

I’ve been to Gettysburg a few times when we used to live in the DC area.. feel nostalgic after reading your post!

Danielle · August 13, 2014 at 10:42 am

This looks like an incredible day was had! Love the photos, such sweet children. And the food looks delicious!

Lois Alter Mark · August 13, 2014 at 11:18 am

Sounds like a great day! Love the pictures and am drooling over the food!

brett · August 13, 2014 at 11:57 am

one day I WILL make it to Gettysburg!! i’ve always wanted to go

Rosey · August 13, 2014 at 2:42 pm

We have been there, and we loved it. I think the moment with your son and sister is sweet too. Even sweeter because she’s got her little one in her arms, def. an awww picture. 🙂

Kimberly @ Stuffed Suitcase · August 13, 2014 at 4:29 pm

Looks like a fun trip!

Tonya · August 13, 2014 at 4:30 pm

I’ve not been to Gettysburg, but I’m hoping that will change. I’d love to go to see the monuments and memorials. And I’d likely only have one day so this is really helpful.

Angela S · August 13, 2014 at 4:43 pm

You were able to do so much in a day! It looks like you had a lot of fun.

Mama to 5 BLessings · August 13, 2014 at 6:52 pm

What a great place to take children. Love the educational aspects. Sounds amazing.

Amy Desrosiers · August 13, 2014 at 7:06 pm

Wow, what a historic place to visit! The food look so great too!

Annie {Stowed Stuff} · August 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm

I have never been to Gettysburg, but hope to get there one day. So much history!

Lisa · August 13, 2014 at 8:17 pm

We are hoping to visit there next year!

Debbie Denny · August 14, 2014 at 4:30 am

Looks like fun. I would have to stay longer to see it all. I am a history buff.

Amanda Love - Growing Up Madison · August 14, 2014 at 5:58 am

This is awesome if you’re ever there for a day. I’ve never visited before but have always wanted to. Thanks for the input.

Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas · August 14, 2014 at 6:20 am

I live pretty close to Gettysburg and you’re right – it’s a great place with tons of interesting history!

Shanna · August 14, 2014 at 9:02 am

We visited Gettysburg in junior high. I’ve been meaning to get back.

Annette Belnap · August 14, 2014 at 11:53 am

I am definitely pinning this for future reference! Thanks!

Ann Bacciaglia · August 14, 2014 at 6:05 pm

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Looks like you had a great time.

Catherine L. · August 14, 2014 at 7:15 pm

I haven’t been to Gettysburg, but it sounds like a great place to visit. I have the French Quarter in New Orleans on my bucket list.

Britany · August 18, 2014 at 9:54 pm

That pizza looks delish! I’ve never been to Gettysburg, but it looks like a great place to spend a day. 🙂

Hannah · August 19, 2014 at 3:18 pm

Sounds like a fantastic way to spend a day and get in a little bit of history! BTW that pizza looks soooo good!

Melissa | Suitcase and Heels · August 19, 2014 at 6:32 pm

There’s nothing quite like standing right on the ground where history happened. Gives me goosebumps.

Mel {MamaBuzz} · August 19, 2014 at 8:42 pm

We love visiting historical places. Gettysburg is definitely on our list. We just got back from a trip to Colorado; while there, we found several old cemeteries on the top of a mountain and just meandered through them reading the graves, the dates, learning everything we could. I walked away with a desire to know their stories…. Thanks so much for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in this week’s issue.

aimee fauci · August 20, 2014 at 9:15 am

I’ve never been to Gettysburg and would like to go simply because that food you posted looks amazing! WOW.. the beauty of the land is wonderful but that food!!!!

Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) · August 20, 2014 at 9:18 am

VERY FUN! I have never been there! I’d like to visit one day!

Scott · August 20, 2014 at 10:11 am

We’re planning a trip out that way next summer! Thanks for the great ideas!

Jeanae · August 20, 2014 at 10:04 pm

We plan to visit many historical sites this school year, and I look forward to sharing them with our young son. It was so touching to see your sister explaining the significance and sentiment of the location!

Kelly · August 21, 2014 at 8:56 pm

Just returned from Gettysburg as well. You really can get lost in thought walking the battlefield and cemetery. You are right, so many heartbreaking stories. We also had a bit of fun ghost hunting with the Gettysburg Paranormal crew late night, but my kids are all in their teens.

Camille · August 28, 2014 at 7:59 am

Sounds wonderful. Can’t wait until I get to go.

Heidi · August 29, 2014 at 8:31 am

Thanks so much for these ideas! I really hope to take my family there someday.

WendysHat · August 31, 2014 at 10:50 pm

How fun! I love visiting historical spots too. My daughter just started her second year at Penn Sate University and I’ve been so lucky to take her back to school each year and tour around Pennsylvania. I love it there and so much history. Thanks for sharing this.

Lexie Lane · September 11, 2014 at 1:30 am

I absolutely love places like this where there’s a lot of history. Children learn so fast. It’s great to be able to share stuff like this with them and love that it’s kid-friendly. Oh! That dinner looks so hearty and delicious!

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