Wife and I and another couple are heading to south central Pa.to see the sites. Gettysburg is our main focus. Plan to set up in that area and do day trips to other places. Help with the other places. Leaving in about 3 weeks and have about a week to spend in the area.

Cashtown, maybe ten miles away to the west, where Heth’s Confederates were coming from. Take the old road towards Chambersberg from there, that’s the route Lee took coming in. Along the highway from Chambersburg maybe three miles west of Gettysburg look for the “first shot” marker just N of the road adjacent to a old 19 th Century two-story house.

Greencastle PA worth a look, next stop south of Chambersburg down the Interstate, where the citizens defied the whole ANV to save some local Black Freedmen. Further south and west - Harpers Ferry.

Antietam/Shapsburg are within long day trip range, same thing foes for Valley Forge.

That area is rich with such history and there are some lovely rural scenes, in general. Birdwatcher's post is good stuff.

Valley Forge is an excellent historical site - within a day's drive. The mountain valleys in the middle of the state are very scenic.

Not that I recommend Philly as a nice town or great place to visit, but there are a few very key historical (late 1700s and early 1800s) venues there that are singular and important. If you go there, look up the address and do get an original cheese steak sandwich - very tasty and a month's ration of thin steak, fried onions, cheese, and oily bread.

Check out Olde City in Philadelphia.

The grand canyon area of Pine creek, Wellsboro, Ansonia and the elk herds at Benezette.

Whataburger

The ex- wife and I took a trip to DC & PA 3 years ago. We absolutely loved it. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Benjamin Franklin's grave, Congress Hall, The Betsy Ross House. Go across the river to Camden and see the Battleship New Jersey.

And there are a million things to do and see in DC, and VA.

Grice Gun Shop. IIRC they have a car museum also

Factory food tours....

Visit the Amish areas---Lancaster County

If your into shops/antiques go to Lancaster and east on 340 to Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, Blue Ball, and surrounding areas. East of Morgantown near French Creek is Hopewell Furnace and all the outbuildings. Daniel Boone's homestead is north of that near Birdsboro. Joanna Furnace is a sister to Hopewell but I don't think they are doing any demonstrations until September (Apple Festival). I grew up in the area.

Harper’s Ferry isn’t too far. A place with great beauty and history.

Shanksville where the plane crashed on 9/11. Memorial there.

Harrisburg, PA is supposed to have a decent Civil War museum. Not too far from Gettysburg.

Benezette General store is fun. Touristy but fun. Losta elk right out back at times.

If it's a hot day enjoy some great ice cream right off the Gettysburg square.East side of the square. South side of the street about 3/4 doors down.

Gettysburg is awe inspiring!
Just stop and think about what happened there.

Yes, I remember standing on the spot where the Confederate forces broke through the Yankee line. Better artillery fire control might have turned the day in favor of the Rebs.

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.

Flight 93, Johnstown Flood mueseum, and horseshoe curve are easily hit 1,2,3, on your way to Gettysburg. (We live within 40 miles of all, haven't seen them, of course)
Pittsburgh is slightly out of your way, if you enjoy scenic drives take US 30 east from the 'burgh, to Gettysburg, not fast, straight or level.

Thanks.

Might be there the end of next week... Not sure about getting time for sight seeing or not. We have a run from Great Falls Montana that ends near there and typically get another in Mechanicsburg to get us outa there!

Last time through I took the scenic route via Columbus and ended up on the National Pike. 13% grade slowed me enough to enjoy the view besides all the folks trying to get by. 14 MPH! LOL

I live about 20 minutes north of Gettysburg in a little town called Dillsburg. Haven't been to Gettysburg in several years. Used to take the kids there to climb on the rocks at Devil's den.There used to be a small Colt firearms museum in town...not sure if its still there.And Gettysburg to Carlisle is about a half hour drive. Straight up rte. 234 i believe it is. I think Molly Pitchers grave is in Carlisle. Also if you're into antiques and don't want to drive the whole way to Lancaster county, there are a lot of antique shops in Hanover which is only about a half hour from Gettysburg. If you're into dirt track racing, there are quite a few racetracks not far from there, including Lincoln and Williams Grove. There is also a flea market every Sunday at Williams Grove. Stay away, and I cannot stress this enough, stay away from the cesspool known as York city.
There is lots of historical stuff to see, just google what interests you and have a great time.

Thanks again for all the info on the area.