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How To Plan A Family Trip To Gettysburg: 5 Things You Must Go Do

Looking for what to do in Gettysburg? As you all know, we spent some time heading out to the east coast earlier this month. One of our first spots we stopped in was Gettysburg. The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center is a must stop. This ended up being one of our favorite parts of our trip! That being said, here are 5 things you must do while at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center:

  1. George Spangler Farm Civil War (aff) Field Hospital site
  2. Watch the film “A New Birth of Freedom”
  3. Cyclorama painting of Pickett's Charge
  4. Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War (aff)
  5. Licensed Battlefield (aff) Guide car tour

George Spangler Farm Civil War Field Hospital site

June 9 through August 13 of this year, theGettysburg Foundation opened the historic George Spangler Farm Civil War Field Hospital site. Wow, is all I can say. Now, it is a preserved historic site, but with the excellent guides there, you can imagine what it was like in 1863.

We were transported back to July and August of 1863 as we walked in the footsteps of those who experienced the carnage left from the aftermath of the battle of Gettysburg.

The George Spangler Farm is one of the best examples of a Civil War field hospital site on the battlefield (aff) today, where upwards of 1,900 men, including Confederate Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead, were treated for wounds both minor and fatal.

Most of the buildings that you see in the first section of this post were there during the Civil War, with the exception of the Smokehouse. There have been efforts to preserve and restore the buildings!

When we arrived on site, we were all given a person. That's who we were while we were on the farm.

Outside we learned what the doctors went through. We learned about what tools they had and what medical procedures they had at the beginning of the war vs. the end. (Yes, things changed drastically during the war).

Can you imagine being worked on with these items?

We also learned what the soldiers went through. Did you know that if you were hit in the gut area that you were pretty much a goner?

This photo shows some of the things pulled out of the soldiers at the time! Crazy, right?

Watch the film “A New Birth of Freedom”

Everything you thought you knew about the Civil War (or at least it was for me) was wrong. It was about economics as much as it was about freeing the slaves! This film gives you a great understanding of the “whys” of the war.

Cyclorama painting of Pickett's Charge

Pickett's Charge was the climactic Confederate attack on the Union forces during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3 (aff), 1863. It is 360° cylindrical painting and is awe inspiring. You can stand anywhere in the room, and you get a different view. It is 42 feet high and 377 feet long. It has been restored to its originally glory, and gives you true glimpse into the scale of the battle.

Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War

We next stopped at theGettysburg Museum of the American Civil War. If it was up to Bill, he would have spent all day just in here! You learned about every step of the battle in and around Gettysburg.

Licensed Battlefield Guide car tour

We ended our day with a Licensed Battlefield Guide car tour. This is why we came to Gettysburg — my best friend's parents had one of these tours over 20 years ago and highly recommended it. I also recommend it. You get a one on one tour guide who can answer all your questions. He/she drives you around Gettysburg, and you get a way more in depth history of what exactly went down. A few shots I got during our tour:

We could have spent days here (which is what I recommend if you come to Gettysburg!). There's so much history to learn that wasn't taught in our history classes. I'm glad my kids got a great foundation of what really happened in the Civil War and how it effected a town. One of the facts that still floors me is that the people of Gettysburg understood that the battle fought here was important and started buying up the land almost immediately to save it. To have that kind of foresight absolutely amazes me. It also preserved so much of this town for us to come and enjoy. Where else can you walk down the street and see buildings with bullet marks on it or a cannon ball still in it?

What part of our Gettysburg trip do you think you'd like most? Have you been to Gettysburg?

Lisa Martin

In April 2006, Lisa began blogging to stay connected with distant relatives and friends. As she delved into blogging, she discovered the potential to assist others by sharing her experiences. Lisa has actively engaged in numerous exclusive media ventures. Notable among these are her participation in events such as the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event, a memorable yacht excursion with Lands End, collaborations with 1-800-Baskets, an exclusive tour for bloggers by Mrs. Prindable’s, partnerships with Hallmark, PopCap games, Chicago Cubs Mastercard Priceless Events, and Rug Doctor. In addition, she has collaborated with Nutrisystem on a weight loss initiative, teamed up with Buick and Chevy, and served as a brand ambassador for Sprint. Lisa's collaboration portfolio also extends to Disney, where she has participated in press trips for significant movies such as Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, McFarland USA, The Good Dinosaur, The BFG, and Cars 3. Notably, for projects like Frozen, The BFG, and Cars 3, she was granted the privilege of walking the red carpet and conducting interviews with celebrities. The impact of Lisa's blog has gained recognition, with The New York Times referencing her content. Moreover, she has been featured in interviews by respected publications such as the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside.

This Post Has 23 Comments

  1. Amber Myers

    We were in Gettysburg a few weeks ago and had so much fun! We didn’t do the hospital though. I think it was only open on Fridays and weekends, and we weren’t there then. But we did do the museum, which we loved.

  2. candy

    Here is one place I would really love to visit one day. Giving you a person really brings is to a personal level which I truly enjoy. Love anything about our history and seeing it in person is always the best.

  3. Jeanette

    I am hoping to get to Gettysburg at some point. I am definitely a history buff and Gettysburg is high on my list to get for that reason. Thank you for sharing your vacation because it just makes me want to go more.

  4. GiGi Eats

    I do believe I went there MANY EONS ago… When I was a little lady and didn’t appreciate ANYTHING!!! Ha! I need to go back and actually SOAK UP the history!

  5. Debra J Hawkins

    Gettysburg is really high on my list of places that I want to go visit. My husband and I have always wanted to go and your pictures make it look like an incredible experience.

  6. Franc Ramon

    Gettysburg war heritage is still so rich and a visit here can really help you appreciate the valor and bravery of soldiers. It’s also educational getting to know about the town’s history.

  7. Christy Maurer

    I know my son would really like to visit Gettysburg. We’d have to make a trip to Hershey to make my daughter happy lol. I have been there…before they were born…and it really is amazing to see.

  8. Sarah Bailey

    Gettysburg seems like such an amazing place to be able to explore, I can imagine in some ways it is a bit of an overwhelming experience to visit such a place.

  9. Miranda

    I’ve never heard of Gettysburg! Being able to view all the equipment up close and person must’ve really been something!

  10. Cheryl

    Gettysburg is on my list and my bf is a huge history buff. I think we’ll try to go in the fall.

  11. Liz Mays

    It’s amazing how much you can learn on a trip to Gettysburg. The museum might be a highlight for us!

  12. Rachel

    We’ve been to Gettysburg before and loved it. The Civil War Museum is a must see.

  13. Garcinia

    I JUST got back from Gettysburg. It was an amazing trip and I loved the museum!

  14. Catvills

    Oh goodness. The doctors sure did not have much to work with, do they. My husband would love to visit this place. He is such a history buff and I support his interests all the way.

  15. Jaime Nicole

    We were supposed to go to Gettysburg earlier this year but I got sidelined with a kidney stone. I can’t wait to take my girls there!

  16. sara

    We are planning a family trip to Gettysburg. Thank you for sharing these great places to visit.

  17. We’ve been to Pennsylvania a number of times but haven’t made it to Gettysburg as of yet. It sounds like an interesting place to visit, particularly if you’re into history.

  18. Bonnie G

    I have never been to Gettysburg before but would like to visit sometime now after seeing your post. I think the doctors kit is pretty neat and kind of scary too.

  19. Emily

    This would be such a fun and interesting trip! I remember learning about Gettysburg in school and always thought it would be amazing to go and visit. Now that my kids are older I hope to do more traveling with them. Thanks for all of this information!

  20. adriana

    There’s so many amazing things to do and see in Gettsyburg! So amazing, it’s great for everyone in the family to see also. I have to get there soon!

  21. Chris

    I’ve been there 3 times, once a a kid and twice since. The only addition to the list I would add is a trip up Little Round Top. It was awe inspiring to imagine the courage and heroism displayed here, and over the entire battlefield, especially after viewing the movie “Gettysburg.”

  22. Gretchen

    I live just outside of Gettysburg, and after 10 years I still feel like I have more to learn! It is an amazing place.

  23. Wammy

    Another way to see the battlefield from a different perspective, the soldiers perspective, is on a horse tour. Check out the National Riding Stables, their horses are rescues and are very calm and well behaved!!

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