What To Do In Gettysburg
Museums| Tours | Shopping | Golf |Llinks | Directions |

We invite you to take advantage of our in-depth knowledge of all Gettysburg has to offer, which is presented here by category. As you navigate this page keep in mind that all text in bold is a direct link to a vendor’s website where you can obtain additional information.

We are often asked how long visitors should plan to stay in Gettysburg. While this will vary for each person based on their interest level, we find it takes an average of 2-3 days to explore the Battlefield, the town, and all the museums, shops & attractions in the area.

~ National Military Park ~

With approximately 1,300 monuments (including 42 within ¼ mile of the Inn) on 6,000 acres of preserved Battlefield, the Gettysburg National Military Park is unparalleled anywhere in the world! Start your Battlefield tour at the Park Visitor’s Center and Museum. This is a new state of the art facility opening on April 14, 2008. The new Museum is a must see for all visitors, whether it’s your first time or your hundredth. Its exhibits showcase each day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the lead up to the Civil War dating back to the Declaration of Independence, and consequences of the war through the Reconstruction period. The exhibits themselves will take an average of 2 hours to view. The new facility also houses a resource center which contains walk-up computers with searchable databases on the monuments, regiments, and soldiers at Gettysburg. The Cyclorama Painting is undergoing a $10 million dollar restoration and is being hung correctly in the new facility. It was meant to have a curve to it (convex to the viewer). This proper hanging orientation is what gives you the illusion of movement as you walk along the painting and makes you literally feel like you are right in the center of Pickett’s Charge. The Cyclorama Painting is scheduled to reopen in September 2008.

UPON LEAVING THE VISITOR’S CENTER,
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO TOUR THE BATTLEFIELD:

• Audio Tour (self-guided tour in your car) –This 2-3 hour    driving tour of the entire Battlefield gives an excellent    overview and also allows you flexibility if you want to stop    and explore any area more in-depth. We loan copies of these    tours to our guests at no charge during their stay with us. • Licensed Battlefield Guide – a licensed guide will drive    your    car for a minimum two hour tour of the Battlefield.    With their    extensive knowledge and story-telling ability, a    licensed guide is    simply the best way to experience the    Battle of Gettysburg. We are happy to arrange a tour for    you originating here at the Inn,  or you can hire a guide on    a first-come, first-served basis at the Visitor’s Center.    Prices are $50 for a minimum two hour tour for parties up    to 6 people, prorated at $25.00/hr for each additional hour,    plus gratuity. • Guided Bus Tour – Gettysburg Battlefield Tours offers    tours on either a double-decker bus or a coach bus. Please    see their website for complete details and scheduling. • On Horseback – A wonderful and unique way to view the    Gettysburg Battlefield. There are two companies offering    horseback tours: The National Riding Stables offer one    and two hour guided tours and Hickory Hollow Farm offers    scenic Battlefield tours up to 5 hours in length, and usually in    smaller groups.

Adjacent to the Battlefield is the Eisenhower Farm National Historic Site. This bucolic farm is where Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower spent many of their later years, hosting world leaders such as Nikita Khrushchev, Winston Churchill, and Charles DeGaulle. The Farm is constantly undergoing display changes so there is always something new to see. Particularly lovely is the month of December, when the house is decorated in the Eisenhower holiday tradition, with original decorations and Christmas cards on display. Tours of the Eisenhower Farm leave from the Park Visitor’s Center.

  ~ Museums ~

The Schriver House Museum recounts the story of the Schriver Family. Tours are given by historians in period dress. Explore this beautifully restored Civil War property, which was occupied by Confederate sharpshooters.

The Jennie Wade House recalls the story of Jennie, the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. Learn her story as you tour this house that appears much as it did on July 3, 1863.

General Lee's Headquarters Museum is housed in the original 1834 stone house that General Robert E. Lee used as his personal headquarters in 1863. Learn the story of the Widow Thompson and her experiences as she hosted the most famous General of the Civil War.

~ Gettysburg Tours ~

TOWN TOURS Experience first-hand the terrible effects of the Battle of Gettysburg on her citizens by taking a guided walking tour of downtown. Over 150 original Civil War buildings still stand today. Visit these sites and learn the personal stories of the civilians who first lived through the Battle and then dealt with its horrific aftermath. Guided Historic Walking Tours originate at the Gettysburg Hotel on the Lincoln Square. We will be happy to make a reservation for you.		Historic Christ Lutheran Church
ACHS Research Assistant Tim Smith leads a group tour at the Cupola of Schmucker Hall	Cupola Tours at "Old Dorm" The ultimate treat for any Gettysburg enthusiast! Offered only twice per year in April and November, these exclusive tours of Schmucker Hall allow you to see what Union Cavalry Commander John Buford saw during the opening moments of the Battle of Gettysburg. Sponsored by the Adams County Historical Society and the Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation, tours cost $125 each with all proceeds benefitting these excellent non-profit preservation groups. You will tour the grounds and all four floors of "Old Dorm" and see some of the unique collection items of the Historical Society while also learning the history of the building and the Society itself. Then climb the stairs to the famous Cupola where you will have unobstructed views of Gettysburg and the surrounding countryside in all directions. A truly one-of-a-kind experience!
GHOST TOURS Are there ghosts in Gettysburg? Find out for yourself by joining one of the many ghost tours in town. We recommend two Gettysburg ghost tours companies. Both offer town tours as well as on tours on Seminary Ridge (near the Doubleday Inn). Seminary Ridge tours tend to a bit quieter, as you are away from the hustle and bustle of town. • Sleepy Hollow tours leave from the Dobbin House on Steinwehr   Avenue. Their tours are not scripted, with each storyteller   researching his or her own tales. While looking for ghosts, you’ll   get a little bit of history too. • Mark Nesbitt is a well respected ghost hunter and an active   investigator. His Ghosts of Gettysburg is the original ghost tour   company in town and is located on Baltimore Street. You can read   about happenings at the Doubleday Inn in Mark Nesbitt’s “Ghosts   of Gettysburg V”.

Pioneer Lines Scenic Railway

Pioneer Rail Lines You can also enjoy scenic Adams County by taking the train to Biglerville on the Pioneer Lines Scenic Railway. They offer a number of themed rides as well, including the Gettysburg Ghost Train with Mark Nesbitt. As seen on The Travel Channel’s “Mysterious Journeys,” hear stories of the Haunted Engine House and Iverson’s Pits. Wave to the Innkeepers as you pass behind the Doubleday Inn.

WINERY TOURS Visit the Adams County Winery, located just 15 minutes from the Inn. Taste their selection of fine Pennsylvania wines, including very popular apple and peach fruit wines. The winery is open 7 days per week from 10 AM – 6 PM. You can also visit the winery’s Tasting Room in downtown Gettysburg from 11 AM – 6 PM.

~ Shopping/Recreation ~

Shopping in Gettysburg and the surrounding area abounds with hundreds of antique dealers, Civil War artifact and souvenir shops, art galleries, bookstores, and farm markets, all just minutes away! Gallery 30 - Features a unique collection of fine art, contemporary crafts, custom jewelry, and books for all ages. 17 on the Square - A large variety of antiques & collectables with multiple vendor booths to shop. Antique Center of Gettysburg - Antiques and militaria with an emphasis on the Civil War era. Featuring multiple dealers. The Union Drummer Boy - Featuring a very large inventory of Civil War artifacts. Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg - Over 70 brand name stores offering factory savings For a complete list of shops in and around Gettysburg visit; www.gettysburg.travel

~ Gettysburg Golf ~

Within easy reach of Gettysburg are a number of excellent golf courses with affordable rates and generally uncrowded, though tee times are always advised.  Among The Doubleday innkeeper's favorites are:

• The Links at Gettysburg 
  A very scenic upscale course featuring lakes, streams, and red rock canyons about six miles south of Gettysburg.

• Penn National 
  Two highly rated courses, one featuring traditional tree-lined fairways; the other, a classic link-style course with fabulous mountain views.  About 20 miles west of Gettysburg in a golf community.

• The Bridges Golf Club 
  Carved into the rolling hills among woodlands and wetlands is this challenging layout, one of the best in the area.  Located about 15 miles east of Gettysburg.

• Carroll Valley Golf Club 
  About 8 miles from Gettysburg at the Carroll Valley Resort.  This course is wedged beautifully into a narrow valley surrounded by woodlands, especially beautiful in the fall.  It is the least expensive of those mentioned.

~ Gettysburg & Regional Links ~

There are numerous websites future visitors can access to learn about all the Gettysburg area has to offer.
Among the most useful are:

Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau

Gettysburg-Adams County Chamber of Commerce

Gettysburg College

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Baltimore Convention and Visitors Association

Washington D.C. Convention and Visitors Association

Antietam and Harper’s Ferry

At the Doubleday Inn, you are minutes away from EVERYTHING!

We now have a Doubleday Blog, click here for all the latest news

Click here for Directions to the Inn

top of page

| home | rooms | contact | about | about the area | dining | specials | policies | availability | directions |