What's the best way to tour the battlefield?
There are several guided and unguided tour options available to get you out on the battlefield; the one you choose depends on your particular needs: How many people do you have with you? Are you traveling with children? How long do you have to visit Gettysburg?
Below you'll find a list of some of the most popular ways to tour the battlefield:
Guided Tours
Licensed Battlefield Guides
By far the most thorough way to tour the battlefield, a Licensed Guide will take you on a tour in your own car so you can get a personal 2-hour overview of the battle! A Licensed Guide tour is appropriate for all ages, and guides can be reserved at the Guide Station at the information desk inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center (97 Taneytown Road). Please note that guides are very much in demand, especially in the summer months, so you'll want to arrive early to make your reservation (the Visitor Center opens at 8 a.m.). Prices vary according to how many people are in your party; visit the guides' Web site for details.
Gettysburg Tour Center Bus Tours
The Tour Center offers several kinds of bus tours, some that include a Licensed Battlefield Guide and some that include pre-recorded information that visitors listen to on headsets. One of the Tour Center's most popular bus tours is the "double-decker bus tour" that allows some lucky folks to sit on the second level of the bus! Prices vary depending on type of tour you select and on age of the visitor. These tours are appropriate for all ages. Tickets are available at the Rupp House History Center. Call 717-334-7292 for more information.
Unguided Tours
If you choose to explore the battlefield on your own, make sure you pick up an official Gettysburg National Military Park map, produced by the National Park Service. These are available at the Rupp House History Center and at the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center. This map will help you navigate the Park's auto route, which is clearly marked with "Auto Route" signs throughout the town and the Park itself.
If you choose to venture out on your own but would like a little more guidance, stop by the Park's Visitor Center bookstore, where you'll find plenty of battlefield guides on CD or cassette that you can use in your car. Plan to spend $10-$30, depending on what type of tour you choose. The staff at the bookstore is more than capable of offering suggestions based on your particular needs.