Walking North on Baltimore Street in downtown Gettysburg, you can almost hear the clip-clop of the horses as they carried Union soldiers toward the first battle engagement to the northwest of town in the early morning misty hours of July 1, 1863. Several stages of the Battle of Gettysburg are outlined in the many books and pamphlets sold around town- including the Battle of Little Round Top to the southeast and the now infamous Pickett’s Charge on July 3- when the South reached the "High Point of the Confederacy", so-called because their forces reached as far as a small clump of trees before being repulsed by Union soldiers and forced to retreat back toward more friendly countryside to the South.

Restaurants
Gettysburg is filled with ghosts- and you might even find one if you stay or dine at the Farnsworth House and Tavern on Baltimore Street. The Farnsworth House has excellent "period" food with superb game pie, pumpkin fritters and cold beer and wine served in the Tavern- where you just might talk strategy with a Union general (common there during the early days of July and also around November 19 ^th each year, the date of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address). The Cemetery has the exact spot where Lincoln gave his Address and is also filled with numerous markers of the gravesites and battle positions of the Union soldiers who fell back to this area after being routed by the Confederates North of town. The Gettysburg Hotel is perhaps the most centrally located establishment to stay and dine, with a great view of the downtown square and a short walk to the Will’s House, where Lincoln stayed and composed his famous Address. The Dobbin House just down from the main part of town is also historic and offers fine dining to travelers. More restaurants...

Area Attractions
A great place to visit is the Gettysburg Visitor’s Center- which as of November 2005 was poised to undergo a major renovation and the Cyclorama which is also now being redesigned and rebuilt. The Visitor’s Center has a wealth of Gettysburg and general Civil War memorabilia, including an astonishing collection of guns, rifles, bullets, uniforms and many other items from the period. The Cyclorama was the home of the most famous painting of the Gettysburg battlefield, done by Paul Philippoteaux, portrayed in the 360-degree style popular in the late 1800’s. The painting is remarkable in that it is an accurate view of the entire battlefield and depicts the conflict as it raged on July 3, highlighting Pickett’s Charge and many other scenes around the area.

Civil War enthusiasts- and anyone with a strong interest in U.S. history- will find the Gettysburg battlefield a fascinating place to visit. The battlefield is perhaps the best marked and most visited battlefield in the United States and offers remarkable views, commentary and insights into the spot where many historians feel the Union was saved and the turning point of the Civil War was reached. There are literally thousands of cannons, markers, monuments and historical plaques located around the battlefield and there are also numerous vendors of Gettysburg and Civil War memorabilia located all around the town. Anyone wishing to take home a piece of Civil War history can indulge themselves in an almost endless variety of artifacts, maps, books, CD’s, videos and other related items which will help them re-live the Battle. Ghost Tours offer young and old a chance to walk in the footsteps of the many soldiers, townspeople and other persons involved in the interesting and colorful history of this small town. Students of Presidential history will also find the Eisenhower House- the only home President Dwight Eisenhower ever owned and where he retired- outside of town to be an interesting and worthwhile visit.

A walking or driving tour is highly recommended to those wishing to know the Battle of Gettysburg in its entirety. There are also several small towns within a short drive which offer glimpses of the period when North fought South, brother fought brother and our country almost collapsed, but was finally saved. A large number of fine bed and breakfast (B&B) inns are located in the Gettysburg area, including several in and around the battlefield itself. For those interested in battle re-enactments, July 1-3 each year offers a chance to see the Gettysburg Battle as it was fought and currently re-lived by Civil War enthusiasts. We highly recommend a visit to Gettysburg for anyone who is a serious student of U.S. or military history and we hope that you’ll stop in the Farnsworth House Tavern for a drink and a chat with one of the many ghosts on either side. More Attractions...