“At a sleepy crossroads town in Pennsylvania, in 1863 . . .”
You know what’s next. Or do you? Our very own Gettysburg, known worldwide for a mighty clash of armies, has blossomed into a haven of sophisticated and diverse pursuits. Taste the bounty of the countryside at unique eateries. Tap into craft beers and spirits. Sip local wines. Dive into culture. It’s all here in Gettysburg and the rolling hills of Adams County.
Stay & Go
Haven:
Sleep soundly while steeped in history at the serene, possibly haunted, dog- and family-friendly Battlefield B&B Inn. The stone home, built by abolitionists, housed Union General Wesley Merritt during the Battle of Gettysburg. The barn served as a field hospital. Breakfast comes with a real treat—re-enactors and historians sharing tales of the battle and the people who fought it. You might even get to load and shoot a Civil War-era rifle.
Battlefield B&B Inn / gettysburgbattlefield.com
Image Courtesy Federal Pointe Inn
Upscale style:
In the heart of town, the new Federal Pointe Inn offers relaxed luxury in a former schoolhouse. The high ceilings of yesteryear complement distinctly contemporary bathrooms crafted in granite at this Ascend Hotel Collection member. Step into the cozy Pointe Pub in the basement for a nosh, a brew or local wine.
Federal Pointe Inn / federalpointeinn.com
See & Do
Apple of your eye:
When in Adams County, do as Adams Countians do. Eat apples in every way, shape and form, picked fresh from the orchards of lush local fields. The family-owned Hollabaugh Bros., Biglerville, offers the full apple experience. Tour the orchards. Pick your own. Munch an apple cider donut, with an apple cider chaser.
Hollabaugh Bros. / hollabaughbros.com
Image Courtesy David Wills House
It happened here:
It’s often forgotten that after the Battle of Gettysburg, a shattered town sought healing and reclamation. The David Wills House, beautifully restored by the National Park Service in 2009, brings the aftermath of battle into sharp relief. See where Wills brought comfort to the survivors of soldiers by helping plan a cemetery for burying their loved ones. Experience the spot where a guest named Abraham Lincoln put the finishing touches on his dedication speech for that cemetery, with words meant to unite a divided nation.
David Wills House / nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/david-wills-house.htm
Spirited encounters:
How do you like your spirits? By daytime or nighttime, in town or on the battlefield, Gettysburg’s array of ghost tours offers your choice of hallowed haunting. Sip wine, delve into the history behind the haunts, or conduct a real-life paranormal investigation with all the ghost-hunting equipment.
Ghost tours / destinationgettysburg.com/things-to-do/gettysburg-ghost-tours.asp
Image Courtesy The Majestic Theater
The majesty of it all:
Gettysburg has embraced the reborn Majestic Theater as its cultural centerpiece. The former vaudeville and movie palace is now the place to immerse yourself in an HD broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City or the National Theatre in London. Catch a world-class rock or classical act on tour. Enjoy kids’ shows and local theatrical productions, or pop in to one of the Majestic’s new cinemas for an indie or classic film showing.
The Majestic Theater / gettysburgmajestic.org
The artist’s eye:
The sparkling gallery of the Adams County Arts Council showcases the work, whether soothing or thought-provoking, of local and statewide artists. Take an art class to give voice to your inner artist.
Adams County Arts Council / adamsarts.org
Shop
Find your center:
Jewelry, artwork, bath and body items, and candles from local artisans and fair trade suppliers fill the shelves at Zen and Now. Find spiritual healing through a reading.
Zen and Now / shopzenandnow.com
Image Courtesy The Historic Round Barn & Farm Market
Farm fresh:
The Historic Round Barn & Farm Market is worth a trip just to see that historic barn, but in the delightful market, your cart will be bursting with local goodies and flavors. First, the barn. It really is round. This wonder of 1914 design and engineering features a jaw-dropping spoked ceiling of 37-foot, one-piece beams. As for the market, load up on fresh baked and canned goods, and splurge on all those local apples for luscious pies, sweet caramel apple treats, or just plain good eating.
The Historic Round Barn & Farm Market / roundbarn.farm
You won’t believe what you just found:
Unleash your inner dork at Nerd Herd Gifts & Games. All your pop culture dreams are here, in a store run by eight teenaged friends who put their group nickname on the venture founded by one of their moms. Here, they gain experience in retail and finance. Find your favorite card games, video games, board games, and quite possibly a Captain America hat. Gift your techno-dweeb friends with a drone. Surprise your husband with that wall-climbing car he’s always wanted.
The Nerd Herd Gifts & Games / nerdherdgettysburg.com
Fashion forward:
Leave town looking even better than when you arrived, with a stop at Fresh Boutique. This airy space in a Civil War-era building is stocked with the latest and sassiest in shoes, jewelry, accessories and lingerie, including cat and dog panties. Fashion spans from denim to occasion wear and everything in between, all from unique lines and designers. How do you find it? Just look for the red “Hello Gorgeous” bench on Chambersburg Street.
Fresh Boutique / freshboutiquei.com
Sip & Savor
Colonial retreat:
Dobbin House Tavern, Gettysburg’s oldest building, was built in 1776 for a parson and his family—soon to be a blended household of 19 children! Upstairs, dine under a canopy bed. Downstairs, descend into the snugly atmospheric, stone-walled Springhouse Tavern. Today’s remarkably preserved Dobbin House Tavern offers a glimpse into Colonial life and Underground Railroad history, while offering delectable classic dishes. The baked king’s onion soup, brimming with cheese and bits of beef, is justifiably famous.
Dobbin House Tavern / dobbinhouse.com
Relax in style:
The atmosphere at Food 101 is casually retro-contemporary. The food is delectable. Imaginative salads might include the refreshing prosciutto-wrapped honeycrisp apple. Try the tuna “burger” of seared Ahi tuna, olive tapenade, red onion, roasted red peppers, romaine and Dijon mayo, all on a fresh baguette. And how about a side of house-cut truffle parmesan fries?
Food 101 / food101gettysburg.com
Foodie heaven:
It’s well worth a jaunt off the beaten path to find Fidler & Co., the craft kitchen and grocery in Biglerville. Chef Josh Fidler is passionate about his network of local farms and the ingredients they provide for his scrumptious salads, entrees and brick oven pizzas. Weekend brunch choices are impossibly awesome (chicken and sourdough waffles or breakfast pizza?) and never to be forgotten.
Fidler & Co. / fidlerandcompany.com
Still passionate:
Anyone who builds a liquor still at 11 years old, based on sketches his grandfather made on a cocktail napkin, is destined for distilling greatness. Yianni Barakos founded Mason Dixon Distillery in a former furniture factory, spruced up in industrial chic comfort. And, boy, these aren’t your State Store spirits. Corn whiskey reveals the goodness of local corn. The complex rum bursts with flavors derived solely from lovingly tended molasses. Vodka is made from wheat grown right on Gettysburg battlefield farmlands. While you’re there, try the plates, bites and sandwiches. We dare you to pass up on the goat cheese brulee.
Mason-Dixon Distillery / masondixondistillery.com
Image Courtesy Hauser Estate Winery
Wine with a view:
One look at the breathtaking view of hills and orchards from Hauser Estate Winery’s deck or glass-enclosed tasting room explains why the wine and cider are so delicious here. With its rich soil and rolling terrain, this region is nature’s fruit stand. Sample your favorite red, white and reserve wines from this legendary estate, and try a flight of Jack’s Hard Ciders, pressed fresh from the apples right here at Hauser’s.
Hauser Estate Winery / hauserestate.com
Brew makers:
The historic farms of Adams County testify to the grit and determination of battle survivors, whether wounded soldiers on the mend or civilians recovering from the utter devastation wrought by the fighting. Battlefield Brew Works, in a renovated barn that served as a Confederate field hospital, pays tribute to that spirit with its own handcrafted beers and spirits. Their true syrups forgo the high fructose corn syrup found in commercial products for tonic, grenadine and kola that blend effortlessly in your cocktails.
Battlefield Brew Works / battlefieldbrewworks.com
Favor the savor:
For a well-rounded taste of Gettysburg, reserve your spot in a Savor Gettysburg Food Tour. Stroll and munch your way through the downtown dining scene amid Gettysburg’s historic splendor, or trip the light fantastic through the downtown tasting rooms of the region’s distinctive wineries and cideries. Plan ahead, because bookings fill up quickly.
Savor Gettysburg Food Tours / savorgettysburgfoodtours.com
