getting a human guide is a very good idea. The Gettysburg battlefield is very big and the battle unfolded over the course of three days in a way that meant that it is really two battlefields - the first day and the second/third day. If you do it on your own, getting some kind of an audio tour would probably help somewhat. Without some understanding of how the troops filtered into the battle on the first day, it is pretty tough to understand what was going on.
The things not to miss are McPhersons Woods, Little Round Top and Devils Den, the Northern end of the fishhook and the Highwater Mark. Of course, without context they are just places at this point (Little Round Top and Devils Den would be memorable in any case). Gettysburg is amazing, especially to realize how many people would be required to man the length of the lines.
A good guide really makes the battle come to life. It's incredible to hear them talk about men running into hails of double canister and the incredible death and suffering. that said, with an 11 and 9 y/o you might be better suited simply viewing some of the key areas. Viewing Brady's famous (and staged) photo of the Rebel sharpshooter at Devil's Den and then walking on those very same rocks is memorable and a kid could relate to that.
I still remember Devils Den twenty something years latter, it was easily my favorite part.
As for the rest of it as I remember, and they might have built more roads, but if you really want to see the battlefield you have to get out of the car and walk. If you're game for that recreating Pickett's charge was also pretty cool but there and back to your car will be a couple miles of walking.
for the first time in ten years or so and took the bus tour. That was new to me, not sure when they started but it was good. Led by a licensed battlefield guide. The National Cemetery where Lincoln gave his speech is a must and the David Wills house (where Lincoln stayed) is worth a visit as well. Walk around the town a bit, very nice quaint downtown.
The Eisenhower home requires a bit of time as it's a few miles away, worth seeing but not a priority IMO if this is your first visit to Gettysburg.
take some time there and walk around. Go under the trees that mark the spot where Lee told Longstreet to attack on the third day. Look out across the field and imagine Pickets men walking towards you under heavy fire for about 3/4 of a mile. Turn to your left 1/4 and look at the Federal guns that mark the spot, the high water mark of the conferacy. It is here that General Armistead with his sword stuck on his hat lead about 150 men over the wall into the Union ranks in a desparate attempt to break the Union line. Turn to your left 1/4 again and look behind the Union lines and see where most of the Confederate artillery fire was landing during the famed artillery duel and doing very little damage to the Union line. The support troops caught hell but the target was the Union line which remained in tact. If you turn to your left 1/4 again you will be looking towards the general direction that the Confederates came into the battlefield on the first day with only one road to bring troops up. Behind you will be the general direction the Union came into the battlefield with several roads to bring troops up. This is a huge element or key to the battle that kept Lee from destroying the Union Corps piecemeal as they came up and it allowed the Union the oppurtunity to take the high ground which was a huge factor in deciding the battle. Turn one 1/4 again and as you look out over the battlefield take note of how long the Southern line was (about 7 miles) and how short the Northern line was (about 2 miles). This is another key to the battle as it was much easier for Meade to defend his line and move troops from one side to the other in support than what Lee had to deal with. Ok now you are ready to enjoy the rest of the battlefield with a little basic knowledge of the battle.
That should be General Armisteads hat stuck on his sword. Oh one more thing, there isn't a whole lot to see in town but you might enjoy taking a few minutes to visit Dale Gallon's art gallery. His civil war prints are mostly about Gettysburg and they will give you a differant feel for the battle.
Rupp House on Baltimore Street provides the perspective of
townspeople hiding in the basement while the battle raged in town as well as on the battlefield. It's a sweet little museum run by the Friends of Gettysburg.
Speaking of sweet, Mr. G's ice-cream is across the street and is outstanding. If I remember correctly from last summer, the peach is amazing.
Is Mr. G's the little side walk caffee that serves ice cream? If it is I vote mint chocalate chip, its outstanding. Oh and by the Holiday Inn get a walnut sundae or bananna split.
It was just an ice-cream shop in a large brick sort of Federalist building that looked like it could have been an inn at one time. As I look it up I see that there were minnie ball holes in the shutters that we did not notice at the time.
Also, your powerful description of the angle makes me want to return. I took my daughters to Gettysburg last summer after a day at Hershey Park. Had I sons I imagine we would have done the whole park, but I had to be selective. As a consequence, Devils Den and Little Roundtop were all the hallowed ground we could really absorb. Link - ( New Window )
Oh thank you for the compliment. I had to cut that off or I could have gone on all night. Years ago I noticed a picture in a book of the trees at the Angle and I just had to go there and see it. I have been back atleast 100 times and would like to work there as a guide when I retire. I hope you do get back, you sound like you have some of the same passion for it.
Oh I forgot to say its not the same ice cream place.
We went two years ago, son was 11 and daughter was 13. We liked the ghost tour and the kids loved it. The bus tour (visitor center) was terrific as well. I suggest visiting round top, Culp's Hill et. as night falls, very eerie. Enjoy your trip.
your wife that it takes the whole day or 2 to tour the battle field. Go to the main area first watch the movie that gets you primed for what is there and get a private tour guide. It is a awesome day your kids will never forget, I get chills thinking about it. I am not sure if they stil have it but there was a place that served dinner with Abe Lincoln, that was awesome. When you get there the gravity of the event will stike you, hollowed ground for sure have fun.
Everything worked out great. Did the Film, Cyclorama, Museum and then the 2 hour bus tour combo package in that order. Bus tour was a bit long for the kids, but a great day overall. Thanks for all the advice.
The things not to miss are McPhersons Woods, Little Round Top and Devils Den, the Northern end of the fishhook and the Highwater Mark. Of course, without context they are just places at this point (Little Round Top and Devils Den would be memorable in any case). Gettysburg is amazing, especially to realize how many people would be required to man the length of the lines.
As for the rest of it as I remember, and they might have built more roads, but if you really want to see the battlefield you have to get out of the car and walk. If you're game for that recreating Pickett's charge was also pretty cool but there and back to your car will be a couple miles of walking.
The Eisenhower home requires a bit of time as it's a few miles away, worth seeing but not a priority IMO if this is your first visit to Gettysburg.
Speaking of sweet, Mr. G's ice-cream is across the street and is outstanding. If I remember correctly from last summer, the peach is amazing.
Also, your powerful description of the angle makes me want to return. I took my daughters to Gettysburg last summer after a day at Hershey Park. Had I sons I imagine we would have done the whole park, but I had to be selective. As a consequence, Devils Den and Little Roundtop were all the hallowed ground we could really absorb.
Link - ( New Window )