One of the most important historical events in American history took place in Adams County, Pennsylvania, just north of the Maryland border. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, when Union forces defeated the Confederate General Robert E. Lee on July 1–3, 1863. And today, the story can be heard on an air-conditioned bus, during a self-guided auto audio tour, on a guided car tour, on foot, or by bicycle. As for the most authentic way to explore the 40 miles of battlefield roads and 5,700 acres of land, horseback is your best bet.
History is relived on a weekend trip to Gettysburg, where visitors gain an understanding — through museum visits and house tours — of the hardships borne by soldiers. A must-see attraction is the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center — scenes come alive through live theater and reenactments at encampments.
When the battle has been fully digested, the whole family will enjoy country drives past fruit farms, a train ride or browsing the town’s colonial shops. Afterward, enjoy the Appalachian Brewing Company or Adams County Winery farm before having dinner at historic Dobbin House Tavern, where you can explore an Underground Railroad hiding place. See the exhibits at the David Wills House before retiring at the Gettystown Bed and Breakfast, located adjacent to the Dobbin House.
The tastes, sounds and sights of those who lived centuries ago — and the stories of how our country came to be what it is today — reverberate long after the weekend ends.