Spend a Perfect Weekend in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The charming town of Gettysburg, PA is probably best known for the famed Gettysburg National Battlefield, which is part of the Gettysburg National Military Park. Although visiting this treasured historical site is a "must" for anyone visiting the area, there are plenty more things to do in Gettysburg, PA. 

Gettysburg, PA is located about 2.5 hours west of Philadelphia, 90 minutes north of Baltimore, two hours north of Washington DC, and about 3.5 hours east of Pittsburg. Being within easy reach of so many major metropolitan areas makes it a fantastic getaway destination - and not just because it offers visitors an unparalleled glimpse into our Civil War history.  There are various great things to do in Gettysburg, and the battlefield is just the beginning. 

Gettysburg is located in Adams County, a beautiful part of Pennsylvania. The town itself is filled with beautiful Victorian homes, quaint shops, great restaurants and breweries, and so much more. It's also a beautiful part of the state and positively ripe for various outdoor adventures. 

The only thing that can make a getaway to Gettysburg, PA better is staying at one of our Pennsylvania Bed and Breakfasts near Gettysburg. For 50 years, Select Registry has provided exceptional hospitality in Select destinations around the country. Providing clean and reputable accommodations is just the beginning. When you Stay Select, you're choosing a level of service and hospitality that far exceeds what you'll find in traditional hotels. 

Like our destinations, each of our properties is unique - offering you an unparalleled opportunity to truly experience a given area. Get out and explore this amazing country with us this year, starting with these fantastic things to do in Gettysburg, PA!

Best Things to do in Gettysburg, PA

Though there are many incredible cities to visit across the nation, there's something exceptional about visiting small towns and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Though Gettysburg isn't necessarily off the beaten path, it is a small town and a destination that may not be at the forefront of your mind to visit - unless you're a massive Civil War and history buff. 

History aside, there is a fantastic array of things to do in Gettysburg. Of course, a visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park is more than worth the time. Even so, it's only one of the things to do in Gettysburg that makes our list. If you're looking for an authentic small-town adventure in beautiful Pennsylvania, keep reading to learn about our favorite things to do in Gettysburg, PA. 

1. We've mentioned it several times already, but one of the most important things to do in Gettysburg, PA, is to visit the Gettysburg National Military Park and Battlefield. We'll discuss this landmark destination in more detail below. 
2. Visit Gettysburg's Historic Round Barn and Farm Market. It is one of the last round bars remaining in the country, but it's a great place to embrace the agricultural legacy of this part of the state. 
3. Don't miss your chance to visit the Sachs Covered Bridge, known as Pennsylvania's most historic bridge.  It's a fantastic shot to share on Instagram and is even considered a paranormal hotspot if you're into that!
4. Visit Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg.
5. If you're looking to experience the great outdoors, take the Pole Steeple Trail and enjoy the vista from the top. The Appalachian Trail also runs through the area for more great hiking opportunities. 
6. Fans of paranormal activity have long considered Gettysburg a "must visit." There are several ghost tours worth taking in the town, and it's one of the top-rated things to do in Gettysburg, PA. 
7. There are some great breweries in downtown Gettysburg, including Appalachian Brewing Company and FourScore Beer Co. Winding down with a great beer or craft cocktail is one of the best things to do in Gettysburg, PA. For even more great beverages, test out the Adams County Pour Tour. 
8. You'll need a bite to eat while in town, and the restaurants in Gettysburg, PA won't disappoint. Popular things to eat in town include French onion soup and apple cider donuts, but with a broad range of farm-to-table restaurants in Gettysburg, Pa, you can find just about anything you crave. 
9. There are plenty of trendy boutiques and country markets in downtown Gettysburg, PA - and an afternoon of shopping makes for a fun way to spend the day.
10. Celebrate the area's agricultural history on the Adams County Crop Hop, a delightful farm and market trail through the countryside.  
11. Visit the Eisenhower National Historic Site, home of the historic home and farm of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. 
12. Take a walking tour of downtown Gettysburg. It's not just one of our favorite things to do in Gettysburg, but it's a great way to get oriented to the city. 

This list really is just the tip of the iceberg for unique things to do in Gettysburg, PA. The town offers some wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experiences for those seeking an elevated adventure, too. 

Visit Gettysburg National Battlefield

No visit to Gettysburg is complete without a visit to the Gettysburg National Battlefield, which proved to be a significant turning point in the American Civil War. It is, after all, #1 on the list of things to do in Gettysburg, PA. The Gettysburg National Battlefield, part of the Gettysburg National Military Park, offers visitors much more than a historic battlefield, though. 

The park also includes the Gettysburg Museum and Visitors Center, which has a variety of Civil War Artifacts on display and the Gettysburg National Cemetery, and the memorial marking the site of Abraham Lincoln's 1983 Gettysburg Address. Here are a few highlights of things to do while visiting the Gettysburg National Military Park: 

1. We recommend starting your visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park at the Visitor's Center, where you'll find all the information you need to make the most of your time in the park. 
2. Make sure to stop by the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, which showcases one of the largest collections of Civil War relics. 
3. Take a tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield with one of the licensed Battlefield guides. They offer two-hour car and bus tours from the Museum and Visitor Center, available daily on a first-come, first-served basis. There's also a self-guided driving tour of the Battlefields you can take. 
4. Visit the David Wills House, known as the place where President Lincoln put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg Address.
5. Visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the final resting place for more than 3,500 Union Soldiers. 
6. Don't miss the memorial where Abraham Lincoln stood and gave his famed Gettysburg Address.
7. You should also visit the Seminary Ridge Museum.  Make sure you take in the view from the Cupola, where Brigadier General John Buford witnessed the start of this epic battle. 

As you can see, there is several days' worth of things to do in Gettysburg, especially when you add a visit to the Gettysburg National Military Museum. To ensure you have enough time to explore this fantastic place, stay at one of the wonderful Pennsylvania Bed and Breakfasts in or near Gettysburg - and feel the difference choosing to Stay Select makes in your getaway. 

Best Places to Stay in Gettysburg, PA

Hickory Bridge Farm Restaurant - Bed & Breakfast

Welcome to Hickory Bridge Farm Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast. Our family has been members of the Select Registry since 1975. Our involvement has enhanced the importance of hospitality at Hickory Bridge Farm. Guests at our Orrtanna, Pennsylvania bed and breakfast will experience a visit that will make them want to return again.

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Antrim 1844

Owners Dort and Richard Mollett saw Antrim 1844 in 1988 and instantly fell in love with its charm. From the beginning, Dort and Richard have poured their heart and soul into making Antrim 1844 a success. They had a mission to return the neglected property back to its original splendor, which would be a complex and unique challenge in the restoration and maintenance of this important historic gem. By the end of 1988, Antrim opened the first and second floor of the mansion as a bed and breakfast destination which offered four handsome guestrooms with private baths, a delicious breakfast, a peaceful estate away from the hustle and bustle of life but within close proximity to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

With the purchase of 5 additional houses on adjoining Mill Avenue, Antrim presently enjoys the distinguished honor of a luxurious boutique 40 room Country House Hotel with an award winning Smokehouse Restaurant and expansive wine cellar. Additionally, the glass-enclosed pavilion lends itself beautifully for weddings and corporate retreats.

Guests of Antrim 1844 will enjoy a wide range of amenities including our swimming pool, Croquet Lawn, Tennis, Badminton horseshoes, badminton and a nature trail by the stream for their guests enjoyment. It has been an amazing transformation to see Antrim’s rebirth. All hotel guests receive a Full Country Breakfast in The Smokehouse Restaurant each day. Make a reservation to stay overnight & dine in our Smokehouse Restaurant, recently named Best Historic Restaurant in America.

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