Gettysburg National Military Park
add photos
13 Reviews for Gettysburg National Military Park
25
00 families found this helpful
"Wish I had spent more time"
This was an impromtu stop on our honeymoon. We honeymooned in D.C., and decided at the last minute to drive an hour north to check out Gettysburg and were so glad we did. We only spent three hours there, but my husband said it was his favorite stop during our entire week long honeymoon. He is a civil war buff and was totally in heaven. As a photographer, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and have the pictures to prove it. We are planning another trip back, and this time, we will be staying a while.
Send a Message 
Send a Compliment
It's helpful
1 family found this helpful
"A Must See Historical Site"
Everyone should visit Gettysburg at least once. Not only to educate yourself on some amazing historical events of this country, but also to take in the beautiful scenery of the area. We have taken young children, but there is a lot to see, a lot of reading, and a lot of walking so it would probably be best to save it until they are a little older. I highly recomend splurging for your own personal guide who wil take you around in a van. This way you can ask questions and get a much more information
0 families found this helpful
"More for teenagers"
Be sure to watch the movie "Gettysburg" before you head out to see the battlefield. Nice driving tour and cool place to take out of town visitors. Little kids might get bored. But teens or history buffs will love it. The downtown area is cool but getting a little too corporate and busy. Go in the winter. You get a REAL feel for what these soldiers endured during harsh weather.
0 families found this helpful
"Good idea for adults"
This is not the most kid friendly place to go. They will get bored. They will get rambunctious. But for older kids ( 12 +) and adults this an educational place outside where you can enjoy the sunshine and your family. I would also recommend this as a fieldtrip for older kids, as well as homeschooled children.
0 families found this helpful
"Truly Great!"
Gettysburg National Military Park is simply awesome! I wouldnt say its great for toddler/infant age because they might get bored, and infants might get crabby going through the whole park tour, lol. The price isnt too bad...its definitely worth it eitherway though.
0 families found this helpful
"The Gettysburg National military park is surprisingly interesting."
I really did not think that I would enjoy going to the Gettysburg National Military Park at all. I thought it would just be a large field where the battle was fought. It is much bigger than I thought. I really enjoyed the car trails. They go on for miles and have statues relating to who fought in each area as well as special events that occurred. The casualties for each army are clearly shown in the areas in which that army fought. I found it interesting that each state had it's own army. It truly gives you a feeling of what it may have been like to wander through there at that time.
0 families found this helpful
"It's a great place to be active and learn at the same time"
We only live about 4 hours away from G-burg so we try to go AT LEAST once a year. There is always something to do and learn. One year we were fortunate enough to go on July 4th weekend and see the re-enactment of Pickett's Charge. My son was in awe. In one of the gift shops he ended up spending his birthday money on a book and dvd of the battle in Gettysburg. I was impressed, as he is more likely to spend his money on candy and junk.
We also went around halloween, and toured the battlefield. My son kept saying the ghosts made his camera shut off in Triangle Field. He loves Devils Den, and he also loves the dam behind Sach's Bridge. I just love it when we go because the battlefield is a place where he can learn and be active at the same time.
1 family found this helpful
"Gettysburg is great for history!"
I remember Gettysburg as a lovely family trip for us! We packed our bikes and toured this wonderful park with a tour group. It is very beautiful and the tour guide we had was very informative and taught us to much about Gettysburg and the war and gave us a real appreciation for our military and the history of our nation. This is a wonderful trip to impress young children with stories of bravery and honor!
'11
1 family found this helpful
"Educational, Beautiful, Family Friendly"
Like many other national parks, Gettysburg has a good mixture of everything.
I have been making trips to Gettysburg since I was a kid myself.
History: Gettysburg was the setting for one of the biggest battles in the American Civil War. Fought from 7/1-7/3 in 1863, the North and the South all but collided in a massive fire fight in the fields and on the hills surrounding the town.
Battlefield: Pristinely kept, the battlefield reaches for miles. You can stop by the visitor's center and grab a free driving tour brochure. The brochure will guide you through the whole battlefield and provide some information on what happened and where. Leave a few hours for this tour, as you might want to climb out of your car every few stops to take pictures and walk around.
Best view: Little Round Top! Take the kids to Devil's Den- a huge boulder formation at the base of Little Round Top. It's fun to climb and neat to see. Little Round Top is the most beautiful view of Gettysburg- just breathtaking!
Gettysburg is full of activities for the young and old. Ghost tours, museums, shops- it has it all. Restaurants are available at every turn- everything from a McDonald's to upscale fine dining.
0 families found this helpful
"Felt Uninformed"
My husband knows alot about the civil war battles, but I really don't. We drove through the park and got out and walked around on our own.
I would have gotten more out of it if I had some reading material, or an audio tour would have been nice.
The scenery is beautiful and there are a few things to read at the sites, but I wanted more!
0 families found this helpful
"Great for history buffs..."
Especially if you attend over the weekend of Fourth of July when they have re-enactments of the battle. There is nothing like being a spectator at a LARGE War Between the States re-enactment. It is unforgettable. The driving tour of the park is beautiful and educational. Makes a great family field trip.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
A visit to this ghostly battlefield can be a truly moving experience. Gettysburg National Military Park brings to life the story of three days in July 1863. About 400 artillery guns stand along the Union and Confederate battle lines, and more than 1,300 monuments help visitors picture what happened here.
The National Park Service has invested millions in new ways to interpret the great battle, including a new visitor center and museum. That’s where the famous Gettysburg Cyclorama is displayed. After a four-year restoration project, the giant panoramic depiction of the battle by Paul Phillippoteaux reopened April 2008.
There is a self-guided driving tour that takes about two or three hours. The park roads are open at 6:00 A.M. and close between 7pm and 10pm depending on the season. Hikers, bikers, and horses are welcome. Licensed battlefield guides are also available from the National Park Visitor Center. Tours begin at 8:00 A.M. and depart hourly. A fee per car is required for each two-hour tour.
Gettysburg National Military Park offers a Junior Ranger program for children ages 5-13. Go to the information desk to pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet.
From mid-June to mid-August, the park offers a free kids’ program called “Join the Army.” This hour-long program takes place daily at 11:00 A.M. (Just sign up at the Visitor's Center information booth) You’ll learn how to march and drill, get to try out the job of captain or drummer, and even get to charge. The program is designed for children ages 6-12 only.
We found that when children have prepared by studying the battle before their trip, many are able to imagine themselves as soldiers on the field. When “reenacting” Pickett’s Charge with our kids, we heard them say, “That was really hard! Imagine how hard it would be if we were carrying rifles and surrounded by cannon smoke!”
For information about Living History Encampments by units of the Gettysburg National Military Pak and American Civil War Museum, call (717) 334–1124, ext. 446.
0 families found this helpful
"Be sure to get the Junior Ranger booklets!"
The new visitor center is beautiful, but somewhat confusing. Be sure to find the National Park Service information booth (separate from the ticket window) and request Junior Ranger booklets for your school-aged kids. It will make the film, museum, and driving tour a lot more fun if they are working on these activities. Also, the Cyclorama was loud and scared my little ones. Other than that, this is a beautiful place with excellent multimedia information about this period of our nation's history.
What's Nearby? Hotels » Activities »
Find Hotels near Gettysburg National Military Park »
Find Activities near Gettysburg National Military Park »
Find Restaurants near Gettysburg National Military Park »
Get the inside scoop from parents who have been there!
