Maximizing Your Experience: A Comprehensive Guide to the Gettysburg Self Guided Driving Tour

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is far more than a battlefield. It's a living memorial, a preserved piece of American history, and a travel destination filled with compelling stories, immersive experiences, and exceptional hospitality. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Civil War enthusiast returning for deeper exploration, this guide covers everything you need to make your trip unforgettable.

Battlefield Experiences and Self-Guided Driving Tours in Gettysburg

The Soldiers’ National Monument stands at the heart of Gettysburg National Cemetery, a key stop along self guided driving tours.

Licensed Battlefield Guide: The gold standard of Gettysburg tours. These knowledgeable guides accompany you in your own car or on a bus, delivering powerful storytelling and insight at each major site on the battlefield.

• Private Car Tours – $82 for 2 hours (1–6 people), $117 for 3 hours. Meet at the Visitor Center.

• Bus Tours – $40 adults, $25 youth, under 5 free. Includes multiple battlefield stops.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Specialty Tours

• Horseback Tours – Hickory Hollow and National Riding Stables offer 1.5 to 2-hour scenic rides with Licensed Battlefield Guides, traveling through key sites like the Virginia Monument and Spangler Farm. Suitable for riders 7+, weight limits apply.

• Horse-Drawn Carriages – Horse Tours of Gettysburg offers narrated rides through the town and battlefield, ideal for a romantic or relaxing historical ride.

• Walking Tours – Guided tours offered by Gettysburg Licensed Town Guides and the Heritage Center include civilian-focused tours, battlefield walks, and ghost-themed options. Self-guided options are available via mobile apps.

  
  

Self-Guided Tours

• Auto Tour Route – Follow 16 marked stops with the National Park Service map.

• Audio Tours & Mobile Apps – GPS-based guides that narrate as you drive. Offline versions are available for flexibility.

  
  

Living History Events & Reenactments

• Gettysburg Anniversary Committee Reenactments – Held annually July 1–3 with full-scale troop recreations.

• Park Service Demos – Musket and cannon firings on summer weekends, plus ranger talks and costumed interpreters throughout the season.

  
  

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

• Film & Cyclorama – $15–$18. Includes "A New Birth of Freedom" narrated by Morgan Freeman and the 360° Cyclorama painting depicting Pickett’s Charge.

• Exhibits – Over 22,000 sq ft of Civil War artifacts, maps, and immersive displays, including Lincoln memorabilia and soldier diaries.

• Virtual Reality Experience – "Ticket to the Past" allows visitors to digitally experience Gettysburg in 1863.

• Children’s Activities – Junior Ranger programs, interactive kiosks, and the massive Gettysburg Diorama.

  
  

Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM (March–Nov); 9 AM – 4 PM (Dec–Feb); Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day. Closes early Christmas Eve.

Parking, Fees, and Access

• Battlefield Access – Free

• Museum Admission – $15–$18 (varies by age)

• Parking – Free at Visitor Center; metered in downtown ($1.50/hr)

• EV Charging – $5 first hour, $3/hour after (Bus Lot)

• Battlefield Hours – Open 30 mins before sunrise to 30 mins after sunset

  
  

Where to Stay: Top Lodging Options in Gettysburg

Historic Inns & B&Bs

• Baladerry Inn – 1812 field hospital-turned-inn, with 9 rooms, 3-course breakfasts, gardens, and proximity to Spangler’s Spring.

• Keystone Inn – Elegant 1913 home near downtown with six well-appointed rooms, wraparound porch, and homemade breakfasts.

• Battlefield Bed & Breakfast Inn – On 30 acres of battlefield land with farm animals, daily living history, and themed rooms.

  
  

Hotels Near the Battlefield

• Best Western Gettysburg – Battlefield views, indoor pool, hot breakfast.

• Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield – Across from the Visitor Center, known for friendly service and free breakfast.

• Hilton Garden Inn – Just outside town with a full-service restaurant and family amenities.

  
  

Unique & Haunted Stays

• Cashtown Inn – Used by Confederate officers in 1863, featured on ghost hunting shows, charming restaurant onsite.

• The Lodges at Gettysburg – Private lodges on 63 acres overlooking the battlefield, popular for couples and retreats.

  
  

Themed Dining in Gettysburg

Dobbin House Tavern: Built in 1776, this colonial inn serves traditional dishes by candlelight. Try the tavern fare downstairs or fine dining upstairs.

Farnsworth House Inn: With a period-inspired menu with servers in costume. Bullet-riddled walls and nightly ghost storytelling.

Blue & Gray Bar & Grill: A modern sports bar with burgers named after Civil War generals. Casual vibe with Gettysburg decor.

One Lincoln Food & Spirits: Upscale dining in the Gettysburg Hotel with elevated American classics in a Lincoln-themed setting.

Ghost Tours and Evening Entertainment

Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight Walking Tour was founded by Mark Nesbitt, author of the Ghosts of Gettysburg book series. Guides take you through haunted buildings and alleyways with authentic local tales.

Farnsworth House Ghost Walk Tours start from the inn’s garden, with costumed guides using lanterns to explore the battlefield’s spectral legends.

Battlefield Paranormal Investigations Join a real paranormal investigation team and use EMF detectors and spirit boxes to explore haunted areas like Sachs Bridge or Reynolds Woods.

Outdoor Activities and Hiking Trails

• Culp’s Hill Trail – Steep climb with observation tower, rifle pits, and commanding views.

• Spangler’s Spring – Shady walking trail near where Union and Confederate troops once filled canteens.

• Eternal Light Peace Memorial Loop – Short, paved trail with scenic overlooks and monuments.

• Cycling – Allowed on all battlefield roads; rent from GettyPeds or bring your own.

  
  

Suggested Itineraries for Your Self-Guided Driving Tour

1-Day Itinerary

• Start at the Visitor Center

• 2-hour Licensed Guide Car Tour

• Lunch at Blue & Gray Bar & Grill

• Walk Little Round Top and Culp’s Hill

• Dinner at Dobbin House

• Ghost Tour after dark

  
  

2-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Cyclorama + Museum, Self-Guided Driving Tour

• Day 2: Walking Tour + Cemetery + Shopping in town, Dinner at Farnsworth

  
  

Weekend Getaway

• Add day trips to Antietam, Harpers Ferry, or the Civil War Museum of Harrisburg

  
  

Nearby Destinations

• Antietam National Battlefield – Sharpsburg, MD (1 hour)

• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park – WV (1.5 hours)

• Hershey, PA – Fun for families and chocolate lovers (1.25 hours)

  
  

Quick Reference Table

Feature	Info
Visitor Center Hours	8 AM – 5 PM (seasonal)
Battlefield Entry Fee	Free
Museum Admission	$15–$18
Parking	Free at Visitor Center; metered downtown
Best Visit Time	Spring/Fall, or July 1–3 for reenactments
Guided Tours	Book 2+ weeks ahead in peak season
Accessibility	Most tours and facilities are ADA accessible

Start your Gettysburg self guided driving tour with confidence. This is the most complete guide to tours, lodging, and Civil War history available online — and it's just the beginning.

Wayback Tours is developing a GPS-guided audio tour app to enhance self-guided driving and walking experiences across America’s historic battlefields. Join the waitlist at WaybackTours.com and be the first to explore history your way.