Who's been to Gettysburg?

nikster · #1 02-27-2012, 08:55 AM

My wife & I are going to spend a week in Harisburg to visit our Daughter. I'm gonna take off 1 day & visit Gettysburg to get out of their hair. being 45min., away I feel I could spend a day there & get to see ALOT?

It's easy for the novice to get trapped into the hype of ads, go here, don't miss this, a MUST to see, & on & on.

Does any-one on this site know 1st. hand on what a 1 day trip should entail? Like attractions that aren't hyped up but a MUST SEE?

I've read numerous articles about the Civil War & watched many shows on the History Ch., Discover, etc.. But nothing compares to 1st. hand knowledge of an individual thats been there.

Thanks SO MUCH anything would be greatly appreciated.

Nik,

oh, I also contacted the visitors bureau, & requested what ever literature they can send.

CADplans · #2 02-27-2012, 09:12 AM

Only 15 minutes away is my favorite stop.

http://www.sledworks.com/

I have a hard time leaving without a few dollars worth of tools.

I got these Weed tire chain pliers there.

cubdrummer · #3 02-27-2012, 11:49 AM

They recently built a new visitors center. If its anything like the old one,its worth checking out if your a civil war buff. If the weather is nice take a hike to Devils Den. The downstairs pub at The Dobbin House has good food and some good brews on tap.

lagerboy · #4 02-27-2012, 01:59 PM

I have been there a few times since I live an hour away and drive right by it on my way to work. The vistors center is nice. If you want to spend some money a giuded tour is nice as you learn a little as you drive though the battlefield. But just driving yourself (maps available at visitors center) around you can park and walk the various hills and ridge's and it really gives you the feel of the battle to stand where so many died. If you are there at night, the historic ghost walks are kind of cool. If you need some more info and the vistors center doesn't help, let me know as I get by there twice a week.

HotDawg Cubs · #5 02-27-2012, 10:35 PM

A neighbor and I took our boys a few years ago. We split the cost of a tourguide. I'd do that again in a heartbeat! I asked him if he replays the facts the same way every time he guides tourists, and he said NO! He said some days he remembers details that other days escape him. Hope this helps.

nikster · #6 02-28-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotDawg Cubs

A neighbor and I took our boys a few years ago. We split the cost of a tourguide. I'd do that again in a heartbeat! I asked him if he replays the facts the same way every time he guides tourists, and he said NO! He said some days he remembers details that other days escape him. Hope this helps.

Tour guide? By car, bus, walk, horseback?

Nik,

Shaner · #7 02-28-2012, 01:45 PM

i love history about wars. Civil war is one of my favorites. i always wanted to go to Gettysburg. someday...just need to make a travel date.

HotDawg Cubs · #8 02-28-2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikster

Tour guide? By car, bus, walk, horseback?

Nik,

We hired the tourguide at the tourist center, and the next guide available was ours for the taking! He hopped in the car with us.... we would stop when he said, and we'd hop out --- and we'd walk around with him while he seriously brought that location to life! Then we'd hop back in the car and go on until he said STOP again!

A great learning experience for peeps of ev'ry age!

TSWolf · #9 02-28-2012, 10:27 PM

I live about 20 minutes from Gettysburg. When family visits, that is one place we usually go. I can honestly say the new visitors center is not as good as the old one, but is still very much worth seeing. I would go there and get a map, then decide which places you want to see, and drive yourself around.

nikster · #10 02-29-2012, 01:41 PM

I would like to THANK EVERYONE for comments.

Spent about 3 hours at our local library doing a bit of reading & checked out 3 books. Also requested 3 cd's that will be coming from other libraries & should have them by next week.
One is an actual tour by a official tour guide.

Ah, the wonderful cyber world.

Since prolonged walking is at times a problem for me, I'm also going to make a reservation for the 2 SKEGWAY tours. One being 3 hrs. Long & another more obscure tour of 2 hous. As explained in the tour video the 2 hour tour gets to some out of the way places that most don't see.

Some might think that I'm going over board with this trip but I think that in whole, Gettysburg is that important. at least to me it is?

Being so close when visiting my Daughter (harisburg) 45 min., that we are going one day 4 adults & 2 children & then go back alone for another quickie.

Keep up with comments if it pops into your mind,

Thanks again,

Nik,