Gettysburg National Military Park Overview
Three days was not enough to see everything but I gave it a good go. It was hot weekend in the summer of 2019 but I enjoyed myself. I even meet an actor that was part of the reenactment and had several great conversations with him about the Civil War and other stuff.
If you can go during the reenactment, then it is great. The event was sold out the weekend that I went, so get tickets first thing or before you leave home.
The reenactment is not done on the original site due to the fact that it was destroying the battlefield but they have it just down the way.
Below is just about the Gettysburg National Military Park-Museum & Visitor Center but other post will have more details about each item as there is a lot to see.
Gettysburg National Military Park-Museum & Visitor Center
The Gettysburg National Military Park-Museum & Visitor Center is the best place to start. The lines start early so get here early as you can. Or look at buying tickets on line at Gettysburg Foundation for tours and special events in advance.
Also check for value packs for many of the items with a bit of a discount for doing a few at the same time. Check for discounts for AAA, Seniors over 65, Military veterans, and free items for active duty U.S. Military personnel.
The Center offers several items: the Museum, the Film & Cyclorama, Licensed Battlefield Guides-Car & Bus Tours, Eisenhower National Historic Site, and David Wills House. Except for the David Wills House, all the items above start at the Center.
Parking can be an issue so get here soon for parking close. Or go straight to the second lot where they have a shuttle bus to take you straight to the museum.
Summer hours are 8 am to 6 pm; Winter Hours are 9 am to 5 pm.
Museum, Film, and Cyclorama
This is the best place to start your day. The Museum and the Film which is about 22 minutes long gives a good overview of the why we went to war. But then you move up to the Cyclorama after the film which is incredible 360 degree painting of battlefield.
I can’t even find the words to describe how wonderful the Cyclorama is and they have a lovely chat which shows who, what, when, and where items happened during the Gettysburg Battle. This was my favorite thing that I did the whole time I was in Gettysburg.
The Cyclorama was opened in Boston in 1884, and it still has an way to take your breath away. The detail of the painting is so perfectly detailed and extraordinary that it makes the Gettysburg come to life. If you skip anything, this is not the one that you want to skip.
The Museum without the Film and Cyclorama is $9 for those over 13 years old, $7 for 6 to 12 years old, and free for 5 years old and under.
Tickets for the Film, Cyclorama, and Museum Experience is $15 for those over 13 years old, $10 for 6 to 12 years old, and free for 5 years old and under.
Check out the value packs as they have discount for more then one item bought at a time and other discounts for senior, veterans, and free for active duty service members.
Car & Bus Tours for the Battlefield
After the museum, they also have Car Tours and Bus Tours. I took the bus tour and it was wonderful. The Bus tour will be different for each person as the guides all have a general knowledge about the sites and then they specialize in their area of interest.
I strongly recommend taking the tour then going back to look at the things that you enjoyed best. The tour is about 2 hours long but you can’t see everything in two hours but it is a great overview of the Battlefields sites.
If you have an extra spot in your car and under 6 people, then they will send a guide with you for $75 dollars. Larger groups are more.
The bus is $35 per person over 13 and $21 for children 12 to 6 years old, and free for those under 5 years old.
Check out the value packs as they have discount for more then one item bought at a time and other discounts for senior, veterans, and for active duty service members.
Eisenhower National Historic Site
The Eisenhower National Historic Site is available only by bus from the Gettysburg National Museum and Visitor Center. The site does not have parking so even if you drive by it, you can’t go in.
I loved visiting the house and it’s grounds but I hated the fact that I had to get back for the bus. The bus only comes I believe every half hour. I needed another 10 minute but not another 30 minute.
The site includes the President Eisenhower’s home, barns, and farm. It cost $9 per person over 13 and $5 for children 12 to 6 years old, and free for those under 5 years old.
Check out the value packs as they have discounts for more then one item bought at a time and other discounts for senior, veterans, and for active duty service members.
David Wills House
The David Wills House is the place that President Lincoln completed the Gettysburg Address, slept in, used as a hospital, and so much more. The house is in the downtown area and you can buy ticket either at the house or at the Museum.
The house was that of David Wills who was an attorney in Gettysburg at the time of the civil war. The house has a bit of museum and a bit of house to it. They have the bedroom where Lincoln stayed and the place where he completed the Gettysburg Address.
The cost is $7 per person over 13 and $4 for children 12 to 6 years old, and free for those under 5 years old.
Check out the value packs as they have discount for more then one item bought at a time and other discounts for senior, veterans, and for active duty service members.
The house is open every day May to August from 10 am to 5 pm. The house is open every day except Tuesday from 10 am to 4 pm for the months of March, April, September, and October.
The house is closed for the month of January. Check the schedule for February, November, and December because they have special days that it is open and special times but mainly it is only open on weekend and holidays.