A Look At The Best Gettysburg Tours in 2023 From A Local
Confused by the number of Gettysburg tours and not sure which one is the best?
Well, don’t worry because I have your back.
In this post you will not only find Gettysburg battlefield tours and bus tours, but also Gettysburg walking tours, food tours, ghost tours and more!
Keep reading to find out everything you need about Gettysburg PA tours and tips for visiting the Gettysburg battlefield.
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Don’t want to read the whole article?
I recommend Gettysburg Battlefield Tours. They’ve been around for generations and provide the best bang for your buck in getting an overview of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Table of Contents
Visiting Gettysburg
As the site of one of the most pivotal battles of the American Civil War, Gettysburg has become a bucket list destination for many history lovers.
But you don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this charming small town.
No matter what kind of Gettysburg tour you’re looking for, you’re sure to find one that will give you a deeper appreciation of the town’s rich heritage and culture.
So, get ready to take a step back in time as we take a look at the best tours in Gettysburg.
Note: 2023 marks the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, so book early!
Best Gettysburg Tours of The Battlefield
There are so many ways to see the Gettysburg battlefield and downtown Gettysburg that you may not even be aware of the many different tours.
Helpful Hint: The best time to visit Gettysburg will depend on what you want to see and how much time you want to take. You may want to make the Gettysburg National Park and Visitor Center one of your first stops to learn about your different options.
Without further ado, here is a quick look at the different types of Gettysburg tours that are available in 2023.
Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours
Taking a Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tour gives you an overview of the Battle of Gettysburg as a guide tells you about the phases of the entire 3-day battle. You will see Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard and more.
This Gettysburg bus tour is probably the most comfortable and the most detailed historical overview. You will appreciate the air conditioner in summer and heat in winter. Plus, you can sit back and let someone else do the driving as you learn about the Battle of Gettysburg.
These bus tours are among the most popular because they offer a number of Gettysburg tour packages. For instance, you can also book a tour of the Eisenhower National Historic Site here.
Tour departs from Gettysburg Tour Center, 778 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
Cost is $38.
Tour Time: Approximately 2 hours.
Gettysburg Self-Guided Audio Tours
The self-guided audio tour is a great way to see the battlefield if you have a lot of time and want to stop and look around.
This flexible option includes a GPS map and audio narration that can be downloaded after purchasing and never expires.
The in-depth audio narration helps bring the history to life, and is a thrifty option, since you just buy one tour for the whole car instead of purchasing individual tickets.
Gettysburg Tours With A Licensed Guide
A great way to see the battlefield and get a comprehensive tour is to hire your own Licensed Battlefield Guide. These guides are licensed by the National Park Service and are legally the only ones allowed to conduct visitors around the Gettysburg National Military Park.
When you hire a guide, he rides with you in your vehicle and provides in-depth information about the battlefield and Battle of Gettysburg. This guided car tour is a great way to tour the expansive military park and hear about all three days of the battle.
The current guide rates for a basic two-hour tour are:
$63 for 1 to 6 people.
$83 for 7 to 15 people.
$132 for 16 people and up.
Additional time can be added for a fee.
Pro Tip: It is cheaper to hire a guide by calling this number: 717-337-1709, because the Visitor Center and others add a surcharge. Leave a message. The answering machine is checked often, but there may be no one in the office.
Other Gettysburg Tours Of The Battlefield
Gettysburg Tours By Bike
GettysBike Tours: Renting a bike for your tour gives you a true sense of the terrain and what the Civil War officers and troops faced during the Battle of Gettysburg.
This tour gets high rankings for the knowledgeable tour guides and opportunity to get an up close view of the battlefield.
Open seasonally. Located in the Bus and RV lot at the Visitor Center, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg.
You can also check out Gettysburg Bicycle if you’re bringing your own bike and need supplies. They sometimes rent bikes as well.
Gettysburg Tours With Electric Vehicles
If you want to tour by bike, but don’t want to pedal, then try GettyPeds.
They not only offer electric bicycles, but also Scoot Coupes and a 1929 Ford Model AA ‘Olde” School Bus!
This mode of transportation and way of seeing the battlefield gets very high marks because it’s fun and you see more than you would from a car or bus.
Electric Bike prices range from $29.95/hour to $74.95/all day.
A Scoot Coop ranges from $49.95/hour to $189.95/all day.
Gettysburg Horseback Tours
If you’re interested in taking a Gettysburg tour by horseback, you have a lot of choices.
When you book a Gettysburg Licensed Guide Horseback Tour you really get a sense of the immense size of the battlefield and see it from the perspective of the soldiers.
Many of these rides fill up quickly during the summer months so book early.
Tours last about 2 hours, but longer tours can also be booked.
Gettysburg Tours By Carriage
I think seeing downtown Gettysburg or the battlefield by horse-drawn carriage is one of the most romantic things you can do in Gettysburg.
The Victorian Carriage Company offers horse-drawn carriage tours of Gettysburg and a small portion of the battlefield. There is a wide range of prices, depending on the type of carriage and the length of the tour.
The carriage tours are seasonal, and are very popular on summer nights.
The Gettysburg battlefield carriage tour is a popular Gettysburg tour that lets you see the sites at a slow pace while listening to the gentle clip clop of the horses.
Gettysburg Tours By Segway
If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly way to see the battlefield, then check out Segway tours.
The company says they are easy to operate, and that after 10 minutes of training, you will become an expert. All tours are directed by a Licensed Battlefield Guide (recorded or in person) who recounts the events of the battle, the military blunders, and the heroic defenses that characterize this battle.
If you aren’t interested in battlefield history, they also offer escorted Segway rides through town and an indoor obstacle course for the adventurous.
Called “exhilarating” and “informative” in reviews.
Downtown Gettysburg Tours
Baltimore Street and Jenny Wade Walking Tour
This Gettysburg tour explores Baltimore Street and the downtown area, and uncovers what it was like to live there during the Civil War. The tour visits the house where Jennie Wade was killed while baking bread, and talks about the Battle of Gettysburg from the perspective of the ordinary townspeople
Meeting Place: 548 Baltimore St., Gettysburg.
BOOK A JENNY WADE HOUSE WALKING TOUR
Gettysburg Food Tours
Savory Foodie Tour of Gettysburg gives you a look at Gettysburg’s culinary scene. Local chefs, influenced by Amish culture and Philly flavors, have created a growing foodie scene in Historic Gettysburg.
On this tour, you can sample local delicacies such as chocolates made from locally sourced ingredients and Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels. (Yum!).
Investigate and find out why cheesesteaks are a favorite food among locals. You’ll enjoy some of the region’s best foods on this tour that will satisfy food lovers and history buffs alike.
Tour Length: 2 and a half to 3 hours.
Cost: $89
BOOK A SAVORY FOOD GETTYSBURG TOUR
Gettysburg Brew Tours
The Gettysburg American Brew Tour gives you a well-rounded view of the town on a mile-long walking tour of some of Gettysburg’s breweries, wineries and distilleries.
Drink a pint of “Acan’s Revenge” at Fourscore Beer Co. or a glass of strawberry wine at J&P Winery while learning about the three-day fight that changed Gettysburg forever.
You don’t drink? Not to worry! Craft root beer, birch beer, ginger beer, and orange cream soda are among the many tasty bar nibbles available at The Appalachian Brewing Co.
Tour Time: 2 and a half hours
Cost: $69
Meeting Place: The Brickhouse Inn Bed & Breakfast, 452 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, PA
Downtown Gettysburg Walking Tour
If you just want to walk around downtown, you can purchase an app that allows you to move at your own pace.
This self-guided walking tour of downtown Gettysburg brings to life what the civilians faced as they were swept up in the chaos of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Learn about hardships and heroism as ordinary people found themselves caught in extraordinary times.
There is no expiration so you can take pictures and then listen again at home as a reminder of your tour!
Gettysburg Tours: Ghosts And Spirits
Everyone knows there are lots of ghost in Gettysburg. In fact, it’s been called one of the most haunted towns in the United States.
You have lots of choices if you’re interested in learning about the spirits that abound in Gettysburg.
For instance, if you want to explore on your own, here are some of the most haunted places in Gettysburg that you can visit.
If you’d rather book a tour, there are a variety of ghost tours in Gettysburg.
You can also rent Ghost Hunting Gear and discover spirits along with your guide or do a self-guided driving tour with an audio file download.
EXPLORE GETTYSBURG GHOST TOURS
FAQ’s About Gettysburg
Is The Gettysburg Battlefield Free?
Yes, the Gettysburg Battlefield is free. Unlike many other national parks, you can drive anywhere you want on the battlefield roads during daylight hours.
Can You Just Drive Through The Gettysburg Battlefield?
Yes, because the battlefield surrounds the town (and is part of the town), it is open to drive or walk through.
Is A Gettysburg Tour Worth It?
Yes! The Gettysburg National Military Park covers 6,000 acres and three days of fighting so taking a tour is the best way to see the highlights and understand what happened.
Your Visit To Gettysburg
If this is your first time visiting Gettysburg, you may be looking for what museums to visit. Make sure you put Lee’s headquarters on your list!
Everyone’s on a budget, but don’t worry. There are plenty of free things to do in Gettysburg, and lots of historic gems that are hiding in plain sight.
If you’re looking for accommodations, Gettysburg offers a number of campgrounds with cabins, or you can just pitch a tent.
There are also a wide variety of Bed and Breakfasts, some of which are located in buildings that were used as Civil War hospitals!
And of course, Gettysburg offers a range of hotels from budget-friendly to pet-friendly.
If you’re like most people, you will discover so much to see in Gettysburg that you will want to return again and again.
Wrap-Up Of Gettysburg Tours
You can see why Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is such a popular tourist destination. Known for its rich history, it also has a lot to offer with its surrounding agriculture and beautiful landscapes.
No matter which tour you choose or how you decide to tour Gettysburg, you are sure to find something that will leave a lasting impression.
Keep in mind, these are just a few examples of the many Gettysburg tours available that showcase the town’s unique charm and history.
Visitors should research and compare the different options to find the tour that best fits their interests and budget.