Where It All Started
Gettysburg in 1863 was the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address there. Heroes on both sides—Confederate and Union— fought for what they believed in, and all too many paid with their lives. The 6,000-acre battlefield holds compelling stories
about the soldiers, narrated by monuments and extremely well-informed park guides. Even if you know a lot about what went on there, Gettysburg always offers the promise of some new tidbit of knowledge, since there are ongoing discoveries.
A New Take
Okay, so history is king in Gettysburg. But if you’re not a history buff, take heart. You can spend days there immersing yourself in art, antiques, architecture, music and more. We’ve categorized a few ideas for you, so head to Gettysburg—where antiquity and contemporary life meet. First,
though, we’ll look at ways to get around this famous small town.
The 6,000-acre battlefield holds compelling stories about the soldiers, narrated by monuments and extremely well-informed park guides.
You can walk around by yourself, browsing in the intriguing one-off shops or discovering treats like Hunt’s Battlefield Fries. When it comes to taking in the miles of sights, though, we recommend seeing Gettysburg in a new way. Venture out; there are bike paths, wine and fruit trails, scooter trips and ghost walks. There are underground railroad pilgrimages, bus tours, horseback rides, and even helicopter outings. But the Segway tours are perhaps the most awesome way to see Gettysburg. They truly get you “out and about in Gettysburg.”
Cultural & Shopping
There’s a new Lincoln in town, in a gallery a few blocks off the square. While you’ll recognize this legendary president in the paintings at Lincoln Into Art, we’re betting you’ve never seen him quite like this. “I love his face,” explains artist Wendy Allen. “It’s iconic. For me his face is the American landscape.” Allen, who paints entirely with her hands, has been “obsessively” producing colorful, contemporary renditions of this pivotal figure for the past 30 years.
Nearby is the Majestic Theater, a Colonial Revival showcase from 1925, with its retro marquee and glam interior. There are treasures to be found, from Russian matryoshkas and Civil War relics to skeleton keys, oyster plates and vintage Ronald McDonald plates. Not to mention the lineup of shows being presented there. A complete schedule is online at www.gettysburgmajestic.org.
Local wineries offer special vintages—like “Tears of Gettysburg,” a Niagara blend from Adams County Winery—and events at the Hauser Estates winery feature live music and a stunning view. A must-see is Lion Pottery on Taneytown Road, where you’ll find artistically-glazed bowls, freshly-picked produce and their awesome jams (including Peach & Brandy, Raspberry Amaretto and Strawberry Triple Sec). Back in town, various classes teach you how to make anything from sourdough to fused glass.
“People from all over the world come here, so it is such a diverse population. It’s completely eclectic and local. Just walking around and looking at the buildings or browsing in the unique shops is amazing.”
Gettysburg has its culinary side, too (see our “Good Eats Guide" to Gettysburg, page 78). For a snack, try Kilwin’s dark chocolate sea salt caramels or an old-fashioned egg custard at the Cannonball Olde Tyme Malt Shoppe, named for the cannonball embedded above the sign. On the square, The Pub’s “Black & Bleu Burger,” featuring chocolate chips and bleu cheese, can be paired with Grimster’s Brew, concocted of fruit, 3 Sheets to the Wind, Cointreau, Hpnotiq and Razzmatazz. Or, for something a bit more romantic, try the Hotel Gettysburg's Centuries on the Square, where tables surround a large fireplace and the cuisine is prepared by a team of talented chefs.
For Kids
Offer your children a version of Gettysburg that they’ve never experienced—a magical mystery tour called Lincoln’s Lost Treasure and Downtown Adventure. This interactive, improvisational adventure echoes National Treasure and is described as “like being in a movie.” Encountering cat burglars, spies and more, each group seeks a fictitious lost cache of gold and makes a shocking discovery. Alternatively, at the Eisenhower National Historic Site, kids can earn Junior Secret Agent status, using codes, spy tools and binoculars to investigate “suspicious-looking persons.” A stop at one of the photography studios lets you pose in period costume for the ultimate souvenir, or you can “see the battle from the saddle” with Confederate Trails.
Gettysburg has plenty of attractions for kids who "can't take another monument," including four-footed superheoes at The Land of Little Horses.
But when, as Dawne Smith predicts, “the kids are at the point where they can’t take another monument,” go see four-footed superheroes at her workplace, The Land of Little Horses. Witness The Horse with the Human Brain, who can multiply, divide and possibly even read. Photograph your kids having Close Encounters with the roaming donkey and his pals. But watch out—they’ll put your kids in “jail” if they get “too rowdy in the saloon.” Another option is Explore & More, where kids can make crafts, get inside the bubble machine and invent playscapes using historical and contemporary props.
Festivals
Whether your favorite scenarios involve soundscapes (bluegrass, Irish or patriotic) or not, the many festivals in town give you an excuse to visit Gettysburg all year. Take your guests—or go on your own—and enjoy 19th century baseball, an Eisenhower Christmas, Bike Week, the Apple Blossom Festival or the Civil War Music Muster, complete with fife and drum, parlor music, and period dancers. There’s the two-week-long Gettysburg Festival, and artists from all over bring their easels to the annual Plein Air Paint Out.
History
As 2013, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, approaches, the whole town is gearing up, and the re-enactors are psyched. “Exciting battles daily!” advertises one website. The traditional stops are powerful—Devil’s Den and Round Top, the Soldiers National Cemetery, the newly restored Cyclorama. The Union Drummer Boy has artifacts galore that chronicle the lives of individuals, from slaves to generals. But to bring the past alive—literally—check out the Museum of Spiritual Investigations (with an immersive gaming room), a vintage magic show at the Civil War Era Dinner Theater or the town’s many ghost tours. Go deeper with the Paranormal Ghost Hunt Package at the Brickhouse Inn. And of course,
there are historic walking tours where they’ll point out the very room where Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address and other celebrated touchpoints.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s all about yesterday. Resident Kelly Zimmerman says, “People from all over the world come here, so it is such a diverse population. It’s completely eclectic and local. Just walking around and looking at the buildings or browsing in the unique shops is amazing.”
The point is, whether you love history or not, another trip to Gettysburg is due. Discover something you never knew. Check out the restaurants, shops and galleries that have just opened, and take pictures of the Round Barn. Chances are you’ll see something new, learn something new, or just take it all in from a new view.
The Witness Tree
Even 150 years later, you can witness, albeit indirectly, the famous events of 1863. Historic Gettysburg–Adams County sells seedlings of a historic honey locust tree. It’s one of very few surviving “witness trees,” so called because Civil War–era bullets have been found embedded in their bark. These trees bore witness to the actual battle, so if you’re a Gettysburg buff, consider planting a piece of living history in your own yard.
Story and Photography by Cindy Kalinoski
