Hi all
It's been sometime since I've been on the forum but delving back in as I've just booked my second solo trip to the US ( live in London), which will take place in March/April next year. Although I'm away for over 2 weeks I'll be taking a cruise in the second half ( it goes to Charleston so how could I resist) and have one week to explore - want to do as much civil war related activity as possible.
My main constraint is that I don't drive which is a problem when wanting to get to battlefields and more out of the way places. In my first trip two years ago, I spent 4 nights at Gettysburg ( got their via Amtrak and the 15N bus from Harrisburg) and 2 nights in Fredericksburg. In addition was able to do civil war related stuff in Boston, NYC and DC.
This time round the call of Gettysburg is still strong but would like to see some new things. I'm flying into NYC so basically have a week before heading to Baltimore. I can get to Harpers Ferry via train but is it feasible to use taxis or hire a guide with their own transport to go to Antietam and or Monocacy battlefields? I can't see anything which has an organised excursion or tour to either of these places.
My other option is to spend time going down via Amtrak to Richmond and staying there for a few nights. That way I will have direct access to the city based sights and maybe a side trip to Williamsburg/Jamestown. I suspect Petersburg will be too far away as it would involve another train trip and then the actual battlefield sites are quite far from the station. Even within Richmond I can't find any public transport routes that go out near the richmond battlefield sites or Appomattox direction but perhaps I'm missing something.
Does anyone have any insight into these options or is the following my only realistic option:
3 nights in Gettysburg and do it in more depth followed by 3 nights in Philly before going to Baltimore.
or
go straight down to Richmond - stay a few nights and then a few nights in DC to perhaps explore Manassas.
Any help would be appreciated.
It's been sometime since I've been on the forum but delving back in as I've just booked my second solo trip to the US ( live in London), which will take place in March/April next year. Although I'm away for over 2 weeks I'll be taking a cruise in the second half ( it goes to Charleston so how could I resist) and have one week to explore - want to do as much civil war related activity as possible.
My main constraint is that I don't drive which is a problem when wanting to get to battlefields and more out of the way places. In my first trip two years ago, I spent 4 nights at Gettysburg ( got their via Amtrak and the 15N bus from Harrisburg) and 2 nights in Fredericksburg. In addition was able to do civil war related stuff in Boston, NYC and DC.
This time round the call of Gettysburg is still strong but would like to see some new things. I'm flying into NYC so basically have a week before heading to Baltimore. I can get to Harpers Ferry via train but is it feasible to use taxis or hire a guide with their own transport to go to Antietam and or Monocacy battlefields? I can't see anything which has an organised excursion or tour to either of these places.
My other option is to spend time going down via Amtrak to Richmond and staying there for a few nights. That way I will have direct access to the city based sights and maybe a side trip to Williamsburg/Jamestown. I suspect Petersburg will be too far away as it would involve another train trip and then the actual battlefield sites are quite far from the station. Even within Richmond I can't find any public transport routes that go out near the richmond battlefield sites or Appomattox direction but perhaps I'm missing something.
Does anyone have any insight into these options or is the following my only realistic option:
3 nights in Gettysburg and do it in more depth followed by 3 nights in Philly before going to Baltimore.
or
go straight down to Richmond - stay a few nights and then a few nights in DC to perhaps explore Manassas.
Any help would be appreciated.