Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Military Park
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the Civil War, was the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion," Gettysburg was the Civil War's bloodiest battle and was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address."
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • Bill B
    Bel Air, Maryland8,194 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Majestic statuary spread across the natural fields
    The park was impressive not just because of the statuary representing many states but also because of the combination of natural, rustic, and memorial scenes. There was a formal cemetery, but also monuments to far flung locations from Maine to Minnesota. I was particularly attracted to the green patina on many of the cannons. The statuary was well spaced, not cluttered, so the majesty of the rolling hills and rocky outcroppings were visible.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 31, 2023
  • Ken F
    High Point, North Carolina197 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great way to spend a day or two!
    Took the museum tour, watched the cyclorama display, and took a two hour guided tour (driver in your car). An absolutely great experience and seriously recommend the museum and show before the tour. Do get a personal guide in your vehicle, it is well worth the cost. This is a great trip for all ages! Fascinating to think what our country might look like today if the battle of Gettysburg happened differently!
    Visited March 2023
    Written April 1, 2023
  • charlDBN
    Goshen, Indiana100 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just uterrly outstanding
    After visiting numerous National Militaty battlefield, this one certainly came across as the grendaddy of all parks. It is well organized and easy to follow the various tours though we did particiapte in a bus tour we drove along from site to site. The visitor center museum is very good and time consuming. I really appreciated the segment on the aftermath of the battle. This was well worth the trip..
    Visited March 2023
    Written April 7, 2023
  • Sheila B
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful visit with a personal guide
    Brilliant place to visit if you're interested in American Civil War history. Thanks to the recommendations on this site we hired a personal guide, Bill Thomas, who drove our car round the battlefield and gave us an amazing talk and insight into the battle. I don't think the visit would have been half as good if we'd attempted it ourselves, the area is so huge and there are so many different aspects to the three day battle. We had a three hour tour and that was barely time enough to fit it all in.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 21, 2023
  • NJTRAVELER4097
    St. Petersburg, Russia138 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Everyone should see
    We were passing by on the way home from the Shanksville Memorial and decided to stop. We didn’t have much time so we did a couple stops on the auto tour. This is something everyone should see. We will return to see more. Makes you proud to be an American!
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 22, 2023
  • Maria718
    Amherst, Massachusetts117 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It’s an amazing park. Take 2 days
    What an incredible experience! The park is right there where people drive through to go to school, work, in the store. The visitor center was very helpful and friendly. I bought the guided tour with the CDs so that I can drive through it. and know what I was looking at. That was very informative and it is it definitely a keepsake item. It’s better to take two days for this amazing look back into history. The town is very nice as well and the restaurants are pretty friendly as well.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 23, 2023
  • gibson737
    Ottawa, Canada373 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Inspiring
    A beautiful tribute to such an important time in American history. The battlefields, visitor's center and graveyard are all must sees. The various monuments throughout the site add to the story of this event. Emotional, sad, and yet inspiring.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 24, 2023
  • yazdragonfly
    426 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Large and beautiful
    As most National parks, this is a self driving tour so you go at your pace. We went on a very cold April morning so it was nice being in a warm car. The park has a very odd layout as it surrounds private homes and businesses. It’s best to go to the visitor center for a map and a few instructions. Most parks are one entrance/exit but this one has you crossing roads and highways, so it can get confusing. You must keep in mind that many young men died here so the trip at times becomes solemn when reading the monument dedications. But it is a beautifully preserved part of our great country’s history.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 20, 2023
  • 🥳 🎉 🥳 Keep Life Simple 🥳🎉🥳
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania92,849 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic
    The Gettysburg battlefield is fantastic for everyone. What's nice is you can drive through it with monuments and plaques explaining what happens. You can also purchase a tour for your phone or take a tour bus. It's your choice pay or free . You can stop almost everywhere along the route.I enjoyed doing it at my pace. Give yourself time and don't be on a schedule to enjoy.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 25, 2023
  • Arlene H
    Northport, New York151 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must see if you are in the area
    We were guests at a wedding in the area and decided on our free day to stop in the visitor center… WOW. The Film Cyclorama & Museum was a true treat. An inter generational experience. History and art surrounded us . Impressive and educational exhibit. A true American gem
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles8,469 reviews
Excellent
7,605
Very good
738
Average
100
Poor
21
Terrible
5

cubana1952
Shirley, NY169 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
We spent the day here and I would recommend that if you only have a day that you purchase the combination ticket that gives you admission to the museum, the movie and cyclorama and the 2 hour guided bus tour. It was well worth the money and gave you a very good idea of the events of the battle of Gettysburg. The museum was impressive and we actually went back to it later in the day because in the morning when we first went in there were many school groups there and it was very loud and distracting. The 2 hour tour was great, the tour guides are very knowledgeable and were able to make history come alive.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fssutton1
Charleston, SC871 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
I would recommend that the first thing you do is go to the visitor center, pay the fee and see the film, then you will be allowed to enter the cyclometer (sp) and then visit the museum. After that, begin (at some point)the auto/bike tour of the battlefields. This is very extensive and there are over 1000 monuments. If you do not do anything else go to Little Big Top and the Devils Den and get out of the car and take it all in. It will take all of the previous exposures and whatever you learned/did not learn/retain in school to grasp what actually occurred. You can drive the auto route without paying but you will miss all of the data you get by visiting the visitor center
Written October 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sloomis31
Bristol, WI1,058 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
If you have ever visited a Civil War battlefield you have probably seen park service signs, a few open fields, and a monument or two. Then you try to place yourself in the moment over 150 years ago. A trip to Gettysburg is similar except you have upwards of 10 different areas (Devils Den, Culps Hill, Little Round Top, etc.), over 1,400 monuments, and an entire town that was literally in the middle of the fighting. Even the most amateur Civil War historian needs 3 days here to see everything. Tip - Believe what they say and start your tour at the Visitors Center. The museum is incredible with all sorts of artifacts and movies that describe the three days of the battle. The movie tells the history of the Civil War and explains how crucial Gettysburg was to deciding the conflict. Then go to the cyclorama, but be sure to move to the 12 o'clock position as you enter. That gives you the best view of Picket's charge. The gift shop has a huge selection of books to choose from.

TIP - We did our own self-driving car tour using the HereStory App narrated by Stephen Lang. Downloading it from the app store is cheaper than buying it in the bookstore, but you don't get the maps and accompanying book. It worked well, but you should really listen to it first so you know what to expect and where to turn once you get out on these hallowed grounds.
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fred B
109 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
Wife and I drove an hour from our hotel to Gettysburg to see this park.

The visitor center is spacious and cool and had some of the cleanest restrooms we have seen.

After getting the maps for the tour we walked through the exhibits which are free to see. If you want access to the Civil War Museum or the Cyclorama or any thing else, you have to pay for it. We found that disappointing.

The auto tour is fairly easy to follow as it is marked with auto tour stars along the route.

It took us a little over two hours to drive the route we did. Because of the heat, we were not able to get out and walk the trails.

NOTE- there are over a thousand monuments and markers in the park dedicated to every unit involved in the battle. If you want the immersive experience, plan on being there all day.
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nature-seer
Pennsylvania101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
I'm always emotional touring the battlefield. It puts into perspective how many people fought and died, not just here but in all the battles of the Civil War, for causes they believed in. Whether you side more closely with Northern or Southern ideals, one must not forget the sacrifices that these brave men, and women, made in defense of their way of life and freedom as they saw it. We had gotten so divided as a nation that the country literally took up arms against itself and tried to tear itself apart. Brother fought brother and father fought son, and the bloodiest combat took place right here.

Let's be clear that to tour the battlefield and read every marker, monument and memorial would take months. Any tour you choose is going to hit the highlights.

There are of course numerous tours to take you around the battlefield, but I think this last trip has been the most rewarding in recent history. I normally follow the Auto Tour, but this time I wanted to do with an updated guide. There are two CD's/DVDs for sale in the Visitors Center gift shop, each one costing $30.00, and only one of which is available for Android. However, I was able to find one on Google Play, simply called the Gettysburg Battlefield (and found by searching for Gettysburg Battlefield Auto Tour) for $7.00. It guides you through all the tour stops, plus provides background information between stops on lesser known aspects of the battle. Additionally, each stop has a Learn More button for even deeper information. Unlike earlier versions of the "official" tour I have used, this one also includes Devil's Den, which was also the site of fierce fighting throughout the battle. I was able to find sections of the field I had not visited in years, and are very key places of the fighting.

Also be aware that you will start at the Visitors Center, then go back through the Visitors Center to get to stops 13 and 14, and pass it again to get to stops 15 and 16 to end the tour. This is the first time in a long time I was able to follow the entire route, and it was confusing for a while.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HayTravels16
Belle Vernon, PA52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
We toured the museum, which includes an amazing introductory video about The Civil War and The Battle of Gettysburg. The cyclorama is also a must-see. The rest of the museum is extremely detailed and touching. We downloaded the app to do the auto tour of the battlefields, and it was a great experience. The “medium” tour was very long, and I would recommend dedicating at least 4-5 hours for it. Great monuments, great upkeep of the park, and wonderful information provided by the auto tour and the historical signs at the park.
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

R7853FWsusanr
Amherst, VA112 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Family
My husband and I came to Gettysburg for my daughter’s birthday. We also brought her young children. We were very impressed with Pennsylvania’s COVID regulations and the security at the park enforced them quite well so we felt very safe. The movie and Cyclerama was a perfect way to start. We then proceeded into the battlefield. We purchased the guide from the gift shop and were able to download an app and had a tour guide in the car as we went following the Auto Tour. The battlefield is amazing. The monuments are beautiful and I came away having learned a lot I did not know about the battle and the impact of Gettysburg on the Civil War. I highly recommend it, especially for history buffs out there and families with children.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve
McKinney, TX11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
The Battle for Gettysburg is well remembered here. The museum is full of artifacts and information, although the video exhibits were out of service for COVID precautions. The movie was a good summary of the battle. After the movie, an escalator takes you upstairs to the cyclorama, which is a stunning 360 degree oil painting of Pickett's charge. The story is effectively told through narration, sound and lights. It us 377 feet long, 42 feet high, and weighs12.5 tons. It is a sight to behold.
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ldjs
Fort Lee, NJ692 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Really amazing experience for everyone interested in American and military history.
We took a 3 hour tour with licensed guide, very informative, gives a detailed perspective of the battle and the war and in particular of battlefield snd monuments.
There are bus tours, horseback tours, self guided tours and more.
We saw two re-enactments on a Saturday tour.
I would recommend visiting Museum prior to the tour to be knowledgeable of basics prior to very detailed overview.
Licensed guides are quite passionate and knowledgeable, and I would suggest to tour with the guide for sure.
They offer an option of driving in the car with you or you can follow their car.
There are really breathtaking views on the tour and the guides can tailor the route to your interests as there is a lot to see.
The park is expansive, well maintained and with good signage.
Highly recommend a visit.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BobH22
Fishersville, VA264 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
We purchased the car app/tour for $30. You can drive on your own at your own pace. Enjoyed the excellent audio that came with the app, the postings along the way, and the well maintained Battlefield exhibits and facilities. Very impressive! We spent over three hours on the car tour. You could spend more or less depending on your pace, if you stop to read exhibits, etc. The information presented was very informative and insightful relative to what actual happened and the sequence of events that took place during the three day battle. Several stories of human interest are also provided which further adds to an excellent presentation.
Written September 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Gettysburg National Military Park

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