The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the American Civil War. The historic battleground in Pennsylvania is now a national park, with set visiting hours, a museum, guided tours and horseback riding trails. The park includes the Soldiers' National Cemetery, the location of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Visiting the park requires a little planning and preparation.
Plan the day and time of your trip. The park is open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. from November through the end of March. From April until the end of October, it is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. If you will be spending time outdoors touring the grounds, schedule your visit for the second session, during the warmer months.
Travel to the national park. The Battle of Gettysburg occurred in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. You can get directions to the park from the park website.
Begin your visit at the National Park Service Museum and Visitor Center. You can view a film that covers the history of the Battle of Gettysburg. The museum also has artifacts and a gift shop.
Decide how you want to tour the battleground. You can walk freely throughout the park, or you can purchase an audio tour in the museum. You can also hire a private tour guide to go with your group and point out the important points of the battlefield. There is a charge for a private tour guide. The price varies with the size of your group.
Visit the Gettysburg re-enactment, which is held every year from July 1 through July 3, the days of the original battle. The site of the re-enactment is just outside of the national park on Pumping Station Road. There are visible signs you can follow to the re-enactment site.
