There is no escaping the fact that the Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most iconic events of the American Civil War. However, there is so much more than the battle to entice visitors to Gettysburg. Explore beyond the battlefield and discover these 8 great attractions in Gettysburg, PA.

There is no escaping the fact that the Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most iconic events of the American Civil War. However, there is much more to do in Gettysburg than visit the battlefield. It’s a small town that entices visitors to come and stay a while.

After listening to Killer Angels on an audio disc set while driving from Colorado to Maryland, I fell for the Battle of Gettysburg fever. When we got settled in our new home near Baltimore, our first road trip was to Gettysburg, where we took the audio tour guide and spent about three hours exploring the sites.

This statue in the cemetery annex was magnificent in the afternoon sun. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

My brother visited the following year, and we returned to Gettysburg to take the same tour, which he thoroughly enjoyed. On both trips, we didn’t explore the town; that was a big mistake. I decided to return in 2024 to explore what the city had to offer beyond the battle, and I came away very impressed with this small town of around 8,500 inhabitants.

Food For Thought

Our first stop on a gorgeous September day was at the Saturday Adams County Farmers Market at Gettysburg Rec Park. We bought hummus and the best falafel ever from Mariam’s House of Hummus at the market. The owner’s daughter staffed the table and interpreted for her mom, who was cooking falafel to order.

My wife and I loved the falafel and hummus from Mariam’s House of Hummus. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

The family, from Syria, appears to be acclimating well to life in Gettysburg. After munching on the falafel, we purchased produce at Mud Collection Organic Farm and checked out the food trucks. The market demonstrated the importance of agriculture to Gettysburg and Adams County.

Spirit of 1776

The next stop was Dobbin House Tavern. We had lunch downstairs at the Springhouse Tavern during a boisterous lunch rush. The tavern was packed with loads of happy diners. My wife and I loved the Baked King’s Onion Soup, with its rich broth and tender chunks of beef added, making this a hearty starter.

The King’s Baked Onion Soup was almost a meal in itself and delicious. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

The Dobbin House is said to be Gettysburg’s oldest and most historic home. Reverend Dobbin built the home in 1776, four score and seven years before the Civil War. The owner, Jackie White, told me, “We added the tavern by renovating the basement to create a space suitable for a bar, kitchen, and dining room.” The tavern looked like it had been there since 1776, so thorough were the furnishings, wait staff wearing period clothing, and candles on each table lighting up the room.

After lunch, Jackie gave us a quick tour of the Dobbin House to see the original spring, the dining rooms, and the area where escaped enslaved people hid between floors until it was safe to continue north to freedom. A quick look at the Dobbin House gift shop was enough to return for shopping.

The Dobbin House was a good choice for lunch and a brief tour. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

Ghost Tours

Stories of ghost encounters permeate the town, and to learn more, I took the Farnsworth House Tour. For 45 minutes, I learned about the home, ghosts, and the sharpshooter’s nest in the attic. While there are many ghost tour options, only tours led by Farnsworth House offer the opportunity to go inside.

Little Jeremy was killed by a horse-drawn wagon when he disobeyed his mother and went out to play. His ghost is said to haunt the Farnsworth House. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

After spending the day on the tour with about 15 other guests, I wanted to take a leisurely walk and explore the town I had previously missed. Several historic homes and buildings lined my route on Baltimore Street and Steinwehr Avenue.

I noted the crowd of people at Mr. G’s Ice Cream and knew I’d return for a taste. Let’s face it; it’s hard to pass up a busy ice cream shop on vacation when so many others indicate great ice cream.

Dead Guys and Cider

My trip’s only Civil War-related activity was a quick visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park and Cemetery. The statue of two officers who met on the battlefield grabbed my attention. Confederacy Captain Henry Bingham is shown assisting mortally wounded Union Army Captain Lewis Armistead at Pickett’s Charge. It’s a touching, well-known story, but the statue helps us understand the camaraderie that these officers shared, even during the Civil War.

This statue grabbed my attention. After reading the inscription, I remembered the story it portrays. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

My walk eventually led me to Reid’s Cider House, located on Baltimore Street, next to Mister G’s. I tried a flight of five ciders and liked the Blackberry cider best, followed by the Scarlet cider. Reid’s has a lovely outdoor patio, so if the weather is foul, stay inside and enjoy their special cider selection by purchasing a flight.

A flight of Black Bear Hard Cider at Reid’s Cider House tasted real good after walking the town. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

Two Houses

We had booked a room at the Farnsworth House, and after my cider break, I joined my wife, who had checked in early to get some work done. Our next stop was to dine at the historic Mansion House in Fairfield, just a 15-minute drive west. Fairfield is a tiny town, and Mansion House 1757 is a reminder that a couple of hundred years ago, many tiny towns had an inn or tavern that catered to travelers. Lucky for us, Mansion House 1757 is still catering to hungry and tired travelers who want a taste of history and fine dining.

We loved the meat and cheese board at Mansion House 1757. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

The Miller Family was the first to own the home, although it was much smaller back in 1757 when they built it. In 1786, the house became an Inn and tavern under the ownership of Squire William Miller. Judge John Reed (founder of Dickinson School of Law) held court on the Inn’s second floor during the early 1800s. George and Cindy Keeney are the latest in a long string of owners to run the Inn.

An Esteemed Guest List

Other notable individuals who have visited the Mansion House include Thaddeus Stevens, General J.E.B. Stuart, and Mamie Eisenhower. Nowadays, most visitors come for the delicious food and stay at one of the six recently remodeled rooms furnished with period antiques and local artwork.

With a bar and restaurant on site, Mansion House 1757 is an excellent place for food and drink. We loved the meat and cheese board, which featured four kinds of cheese, local pork sausage, and house-made sweet and spicy pickles. I had the delicious crab-stuffed flounder, accompanied by sides of roasted purple carrots and mashed potatoes. With a happy hour available Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30, I hope to return to try the small plates and wine.

The crab-stuffed flounder at Mansion House 1757 was excellent. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

Gettysburg Town Center

Thanks to quiet ghosts, we slept well that night in the Shultz Room at Farnsworth House. That morning, I walked the town to finish my explorations. I hadn’t previously seen Lincoln Square, an intact and authentic small-town square. The Hotel Gettysburg stood tall and proud in the square, while the surrounding shops looked tempting for a return visit when they reopened. The First National Bank and its four-sided clock were throwbacks to a time when banks were built to last.

I love old bank buildings. They used to build them to last a long time and this one has. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

A walk down Chambersburg Street revealed the vintage Union Hotel and its restaurant, Sign of the Buck.  On a return visit, a few weeks after my initial trip, I had the pleasure of eating lunch at the Sign of the Buck and then meeting the owner, Leslie Trew Magraw, who gave me a tour of the hotel after a delicious lunch.

I’d love to spend the night at the Union Hotel near Lincoln Square. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

The guest rooms have all been remodeled, and it appears that a professional designer has carefully laid out each one. All of the rooms are suites, with the Lincoln suite being the biggest. The names of famous people who visited or lived in the area denote each room. If you plan to stay here, book through their website for the best rates and local information.

The grandest room at the Union Hotel is the Lincoln Room. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

Farm Culture

Our last bit of exploring took us deep into Adams County’s farm country. You can visit several apple farms, and we chose the Historic Round Barn & Farm Market. Few round barns remain in the US, making this a fun and enjoyable visit. I had never been inside a round barn and found it a curious design. Built in 1914 and originally used primarily for cattle, the barn is now well-suited for a farm market.

I bought fresh apples and pears at the historic Round Barn Farm Market. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

Brian Knouse is a third-generation farmer who has been farming the family’s land. They sold around 20 types of apples, many of which were available during our visit. They also sell other fruits and veggies. Plan to visit this and other farms during the National Apple Harvest Festival in October, or at various times throughout the growing season to enjoy local fruits and vegetables.

We loved the fresh apples, veggies, and gifts at the Round Barn arm. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

A Wonderful New Museum

I toured the Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum on my next research trip for this article. I love how this exciting new museum covers dinosaurs, Native Americans, African Americans, and the experiences of Adams County residents before, during, and after the Battle of Gettysburg.

This panel taught me about the presidents who have visited Gettysburg. Photo by Kurt Jacobson

Tim Smith, the museum’s historian, provided a detailed overview of Adams County’s history, explaining that the museum consists of three parts: pre-Civil War history, the Civil War itself, and the war’s impact on the town. The highlight of the visit was the Caught in the Crossfire exhibit, which recreated an 1863 Gettysburg home during the battle, immersing visitors in a highly realistic experience with visual and auditory effects of the conflict, making it intense and potentially distressing for some.Shorten with AI

I took a seat in the Crossfire Exhibit, and when the battle began, I heard, felt, and saw the effects of Confederate troops swarming downtown Gettysburg.  Photo courtesy of Adams County Historical Society

Children will enjoy the numerous hands-on features of the museum. At the dinosaur exhibit, they are encouraged to place their hand in actual dinosaur footprints from Adams County. At the exhibit of early town life, there are several games that you can try your hand at solving. On the Crossfire House walls, kids can touch real Civil War bullets lodged into the home’s walls. The Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum is a great way to learn about the broader story of this famous town. The fees vary, but for non-Adams County visitors, adults pay $15 plus tax, children in grades K-12 pay $10 plus tax, and children under 5 are admitted free.

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Last Thoughts

Whether you are coming for the first time or a return visit, your trip will be enhanced by seeing Gettysburg’s highlights beyond the battle. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder to discover more great small towns and other historic locations. We also recommend more things to do during your time in the Mid-Atlantic states.