Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Road trip to Pa. need ideas on what to see

Don't pass up an opportunity for real Philly cheese steaks you won't find any better anywhere else!

So many places and so little time - Gettysburg is simply awe inspiring.

A lot of good suggestions but some are a significant drive in often bad traffic from south-central PA. Some thoughts.

Frank Lloyd Wrights Falling water house near Mill Run PA - https://www.fallingwater.org

Visit the US Army War College heritage center in Carlisle - https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu

Fredrick MD - The Civil War Medicine museum - http://www.civilwarmed.org

If you're into the Civil War battlefields, head south to Antietam. Not far and also amazing

Consider reading the Shaara books based on the Civil War & Gettysburg. Factually accurate and provides some great context for many of the players. Good reads.

I live in South Central PA. Other than Gettysburg.... Antietam battlefield and Harpers Ferry both can be done easily in one day. Their only about an hr from Gburg, and are worth the trip. As mentioned Lancaster is also close as well , and has alot of lil "shops", farmers markets, and way too many Amish baked goods.

Thank you all for the info. I am sure we will have a great trip.

website for GNMP

We visit Gettysburg nearly every year of a couple days, so I have a few tips you may want to consider.
Check out the GNMP website ahead of time, particularly the Ranger talks. Always worthwhile, and free of charge.
Consider getting the Personal Ranger Guided tour available at the Visitors Center. I believe it's $65 for it, but these guys know their stuff and I think you'll enjoy it.
Shaara's "Killer Angels" is a good book, but I'd much rather recommend Shelby Foote's "Stars in Their Courses" for reading.
The "new" Visitors Center is a waste of time IMHO. Most of the exhibits are mostly interactive computer stuff that tell you the "PC" history of the war. I'd say skip it altogether, but the cyclorama is worthwhile, and to see it you're obligated to the whole thing.
Above all, take the time to walk around and read the individual "unit Markers" and history. I think if you reflect on the small unit history and personal side of things the ground actually seems to come alive.
Shoot me a PM if you got any questions. Wifey and I are thinking about going for a weekend in August.
7mm

I'll be in Gettysburg next week for vacation. We go about 3 times a year. Plenty of things to do there.

Get some canned goods and fresh fruit at the round barn in Cashtown.
http://roundbarn.farm/

Have some wine and sit on the patio and listen to some music at Adams winery by the roundbarn. They have events on the weekends.
http://www.adamscountywinery.com/

If you can, take a battle field tour on horseback. It is easy, and an excellent experience. Really a must do.
https://confederatetrails.com/

See Eisenhower house on a park tour, and a civil war hospital in a barn. Campfire story by park rangers is free and usually very good at Pitzer Woods in the park. Climb the Longstreet tower on Seminary Ridge, and then go a mile or so down the road to Sach's covered bridge - both free and neat. Climb inside the PA memorial to view the battlefield from the Union viewpoint.
https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/interpretation.htm


Good places to eat
http://abcbrew.com/

http://www.dobbinhouse.com/

http://garryowenirishpub.net/

http://food101gettysburg.com/

https://the-pub.com/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral

https://www.facebook.com/Blue-and-Gray-Bar-Grill-246227418780785/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g60798-Gettysburg_Pennsylvania-Vacations.html

Hershey Chocolate Factory and Hersheypark in Dauphin County, Cornwall Furance in Lebanon County. If you enjoy bird watching consider a trip to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Southeastern Lebanon County

https://www.pgc.pa.gov/InformationR...ildlifeManagementArea/Pages/default.aspx

Frank Lyod Wright’s Falling Water.

https://www.fallingwater.org

See Johnstown Flood site, the South Fork Dam (site of flood's origin), Allegheny Portage Historical Site and Horseshoe Curve - all in Central PA.

Not sure if it was mentioned, but if your in Gettysburg and wanna see a good vista, head down to Maryland. High Rock Overlook.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/High-Rock-Overlook/107316206622496

If the weathers nice and you dont mind a hike, its a fun stop. If youre into wine, hard cider and some music, you can stop in at Hauser Estate, they usually always got something going on event wise.

I live not too far from Gettysburg. It gets boring, but if you actually research theres a lot of schit to see and do in the area. Good luck on your trip, be safe!

BTW, not sure of your exact timeline, but Aug 16-19 is Gettysburg Bluegrass festival. Can be pricey, but excellent if youre into that sort. Lineup is supposed to be Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, McCourys, Russel Moore...bunch of others. Again, if youre into it, its a good time.

Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival

Geno's cheesesteaks on Passyunk Ave Philadelphia.

Having been born and raised in Southeast PA where I roamed most of the places noted above before going west at 22, I went back about once a year to visit family and see the old places. But, since about 1999 have been there very little. Thanks for the descriptions and photos - the aging mind tends to loose the keen edges of images and memories of such excellent and interesting histories and scenes.

That area is rich with culture and provenance, and many who have lived there all of their lives seem to take it for granted. Then again, folks in the beautiful SW tend to do likewise.

Have a wonderful visit. Maybe it's time for me to go back - just once more.

Would Gettysburg be doable as a day trip from Carlisle on a Saturday or Sunday? Appreciate it.

kimzua bridge

Yes it is 28 miles on mapquest, probably 40 minutes. I guess interesting, some of the Confederates were in Carlisle, and joined the battle in Gettysburg.

Stop in Warrendale and do a Peterson Cartridge factory tour.

Lat time I was there no cameras were allowed during regular tour hours. Book a private party showing and you will be good to go.