I've got a few spare days around March 15 and was thinking about taking a trip to Gettysburg to learn about the civil war. Has anyone spent some time in that area, who could recommend where to go and what to see while there? Or maybe you know of another area that might have more historical interest? Anyway if you have any comments I would appreciate it. We will be coming from around Toronto (9 hr drive). Thanks alot for you ideas.

-- Harold in Ontario (stahl@bestnet.org), February 12, 2001

Answers

we do not live to far from there,please be prepared for "really built up area" Mcdonalds and all. It is nice in places but other parts are so commercial and expensive.They have huge buses going along the war paths and cars every where,March may be less crowded though.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), February 12, 2001.

What a great place!!!! Husband and I are CW historians and have been there many times..Rather than a tour bus, we found it to be best to buy a cassette "tour tape"..just pop it in your car and follow the directions which are excellent to all the points of interest. Are you planning on a motel.hotel or a Bed & Breakfast???? There is only one B&B "in town"..I cannot yet recall the name, will have to think of it, but the food is great and it has a tavern as well.Be prepared to amuse yourself after dark because there is just nothing there at all that is open, even in the Summer...Lots of Art galleries off the square, lots of small antique shops...a picturesque Gettysburg College as well as the old Seminary building..Our favorite thing to do is walk across the area where Picket's Charge took place. From the Confederate position which stretched over a mile, one can see the length and breadth of what these men saw as they marched forward towards the Union line..there were bands playing and flags flying as these men marched up the rise, on open ground, under constant Union artillery fire..thousands of them were dead in less than an hour. It is so humbling to walk the land where all this happened. Have you seen the movie, "Gettysburg"? This was filmed on location using CW re- enactors (many of our friends) as extras. Absolutely one of the best films ever made about the CW, because it showed the fighting as it was....horrible stuff, frightening hideous stuff..really sobering movie..anyway, glad you are going and I am jealous..it'll be quite some time before we get up North again...If you are interested in the B&B, e-mail me and i will try to come up with the name !!! God bless.

-- Lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), February 12, 2001.

Harold,visit the civil war museum in Harrisburg Pa.It just opened today and is purported to be one of the best in the country.You will pass by Harrisburg on the way down to Gettysburg.e-mail me for more info. Greg

-- Greg (gsmith@tricountyi.net), February 13, 2001.

When I was there you could hire a professional tour guide who would ride with you and relate the history. I understand they are making an effort to put the area back as near as possible to its original state. For example, there use to be a tall tower just off of the battlefield which has been taken down. Don't know what they have planned for the hall with the wrap-around mural of the battle.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 13, 2001.

Good time of year to go, Harold. July 4th was hot as blazes, and of course, more crowded. Not many places to lodge without advance reservations, so pre-plan. The Samuel Colt Museum is right on the main drag, there also. By all means, do yourself a favor and view the 2 part movie, before you go. It puts things in perspective. Have fun!

-- Action Dude (theactiondude@yahoo.com), February 13, 2001.

Hi, We are about 45 miles from G'burg and go there frequently. We do stay away from the tourist stuff.

We bought the tour tape and did that. It was good. If you do the whole car/tape tour be aware that the car tour is 20 miles longs and if you get out and look at stuff it can take a while.

We like to go the National Park Service museum. It's free and there is lots there. There are small fees for a couple of extra things if you want....the electric map and the big 360 degree painting. The electric map can help you get your bearings about where things were happening when.

My kids really like going to Little Round Top. There are lots of rocks to climb.

March here has known to have blizzards or be just windy and rainy.

We like to eat at Hoss's Steak House best it is on Rt 30 on the left headed out of G'burg (before you get to Hwy 15) in the direction of Hanover. They've got really good clam chowder on Fridays and decent salad bar with lunch prices.

Would recommend you read up on it some before coming.

There are a number of B & B's in the area...contact chamber of commerce to get numbers maybe or check the internet. If regular hotels are your thing, there are plenty of those. Gettysburg might have a website. The National Park Service may have some pages on the historical side.

We went to Williamsburg, VA last week for an overnight/day trip. Williamsburg is 200 miles from us and depending on what time of day you go through DC, is about a 4 hour trip.

Sometimes the welcome centers for a state have coupon books for hotels along interstates and highways. We stayed at a Ramada Inn in Williamsburg (granted it is off season but so is G'burg right now) for just $40 plus tx and got a full breakfast for 5 people with it.

I hope you have a great time. Let us all know how your trip went.

-- Heather in Maryland (heathergorden@hotmail.com), February 13, 2001.