Trip to Gettysburg

[mark1j]

Planning a trip to Gettysburg this summer. Going through Shenandoah National Park then to Gettysburg. Will Probably go to Hershey Pa. too. Since Niagara falls is 5hrs away I guess we will go see it too just because. If anybody has been do yall have any recommendations on things to see and do along the way. How many days at each location?

 

[NE GA Pappy]

one day at Viagra Falls is plenty. View it during the day, and then again after they light it up at night. The museum on the Canadian side is pretty good, and the viewing tunnel that is carved thru the rock is a must see. You enter it thru the museum. We didn't ride the Queen of the Mist, but I think it would be pretty cool.

You won't be able to carry a weapon into Canada, so prepare in advance to lock it up somewhere.

 

[Whitefeather]

We did Cedar Point Ohio to Niagara Falls to Gettysburg several years ago. I’d recommend stopping in Williamsport Pa. (home of Little League World Series).

If you’re into roller coasters and thrill rides Cedar Point is the place to go.

Plan on 1.5 to 2 days in Gettysburg. If you go the first week of July on the anniversary dates theres re-enactments which is cool. Very interesting place both day and night.

 

[georgia_home]

If you’re doing coasters, Hershey park is ok.

Kenny wood, I think it’s called, near Pittsburg is good too..

Not sure what will be open with Rona, when you’ll be traveling.

Cedar point is GREAT, arguably the best! In the country, but that’s a good bit of a ride Past Gettysburg.

Going east After Gettysburg, and Hershey, then valley forge, philly and a lot of history in the PA loop.

Civil war and then revolutionary, is a good circle.

Then down 95 for more civil war stuff in Virginia.

A day with the museums in DC. Marine corps memorial and Arlington. Lots of stuff if you can tolerate the crowds.

 

[JSnake]

I haven't been to gettysburg yet but I've heard the "confederate trails" horseback tour is where it's at.

 

[ol bob]

Everyone should see one sunrise at Gettysburg also the best way to see it is on a bicycle.

 

[JustUs4All]

At Gettysburg The Visitor's Center/Museum is definitely the place to start. There are tours on tape (CDs) that take you over the entire battlefield. If you know the battle, this will give you a great overview of what you already know and what the ground looks like. There are many many guided battlefield tours. There are regularly scheduled ones by Park Service people that cover various aspects of the battle. If you are particularly interested in the portion of the battle where an ancestor fought one of these tours might cover it but there are private tours guided by equally as knowledgeable licensed guides who can concentrate on exactly what you want to know. Gettysburg is an amazing place. See it now before the cancel culture damages it.

If you are a WBTS devotee, the Antietam Battlefield (equally as impressive) is near by as is Harper's Ferry which was captured just before the battle and the South Mountain Battlefield that protected the Harper's Ferry attackers from the massive coutner attack (brought on by Lee's lost order) that resulted a couple of days later in the battle at Antietam. The distance by road from the Gettysburg Battlefield to the Antietam Battlefield is less than 50 miles. And the distance from there to the South Mountain Battlefield is about 5 miles. The distance from there to Harpers Ferry is about 6 more miles. In additon this is all beautiful country. The Appalachian Trail follows the crest of South Mountain through the center of the South Mountain Battlefield.

Finally, if you want details contact a Park Service Ranger when they are not too busy. I knew where my ancestors were at Gettysburg but was less certain at Antietam. I asked a Rangr there and we had quite a talk about it then he photocopied several maps outlining the positions of the Brigades at various times during the day.

Sorry for the lack of brevity but I got carried away. Enjoy Niagara, it is beautiful,

 

[BriarPatch99]

I have been ...but it was on a group your .... I would like to go back and do it under my time ....

Since I went ...I have done lots of reading about several my ancestors ... Would my it more enjoyable knowing where they were

 

[notnksnemor]

Agree with Pappy on the falls.

Go in the afternoon to get the daytime experience and have reservations for dinner at Skylon Tower for the light show.

https://www.skylon.com/

 

[mark1j]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. Ive been all over the U.S. except for the northeast. Been trying to avoid that area. Figured we better check out Gettysburg before it is destroyed. I didn't realize Valley Forge is close by, will be checking that out too. Is Shenandoah NP worth spending any time at?

 

[Geffellz18]

Is Shenandoah NP worth spending any time at?

It's a good drive to take. Very scenic on Slyline drive, which is basically just an extension of the BRP. There are some trails and other attractions, and you have a good chance of seeing some wildlife there. Saw many deer and a few bears too when I visited awhile back.
I think of it as a Cades Cove type of experience at high elevation with scenic overlooks.
It's worth experiencing to get to your destination! Just know it will take a few hours to drive through.

 

[HarryO45]

Read The Killer Angels before you go. Or listen to it on iTunes on the way up. I went while in the Army and we did a Staff Ride in conjunction with Park Rangers. Everyone did the “ride” justice and even the park rangers where impressed with our efforts. What great experience - hallowed ground

Gettysburg is an awesome place to visit. Recommend you do some homework before you go.

 

[madsam]

Stay on the Canadian side of Niagara at the Great Wolf Lodge.