First time visiting Antietam

[Russell]

I'm hoping to get up to Antietam this fall for the first time. Any advice/tips on seeing or not seeing something would be appreciated. I'm thinking of staying by the interstate, how far of a drive is it to the Battlefield from there? TIA

 

[Kearny The Magnificent]

Go on a Saturday so you can see the Pry House museum. It's only open 11-5.

The battlefield itself is in great shape. You can get a guide at the Visitor Center, utilize free tours from the NPS or American Battlefield Trust apps, or get a map book to do it yourself.

Sharpsburg itself isn't a touristy place like Gettysburg. There are only a couple places to eat. Shepherdstown, Boonesboro, or Frederick have more accomodations (+ more history).

Explore the entire 1862 campaign if you're up for it. Harper's Ferry, South Mountain, and Shepherdstown are all worth visiting.

 

[mwalker6043]

I'm hoping to get up to Antietam this fall for the first time. Any advice/tips on seeing or not seeing something would be appreciated. I'm thinking of staying by the interstate, how far of a drive is it to the Battlefield from there? TIA

It is about a 15 minute drive from I-70. They have a newly refurbished Visitor Center, a fair museum and a new film to get an introduction to the battle.
They do have a car fee but I have never been stopped and asked to see my ticket.
Antietam is one of the best-preserved battlefields with few modern intrusions to the key parts of the field. Burnside Bridge and the Pry House, if it is open are a must.

 

[Tony Z]

Plenty of reasonable places to stay in Hagerstown (right off the interstate). Easy drive to Antietam. I would also go to Harpers Ferry, which is about another 30 minutes from Antietam. Worth a drive to Shepherdstown, about 20 minutes.

As said, Antietam is not anywhere as developed as, for example, Gettysburg is, but to me, a must visit battlefield. Make sure to visit the National Cemetery.

 

[lupaglupa]

It's a great battlefield to visit. Do spend some time in the visitor's center.

 

[Tony Z]

What is particularly nice about battlefields with lesser visitation than GB, is the ability of Rangers to have more time to answer questions.

Also, to support our National Battlefields and National Parks, get an annual pass! If your 62 or older, the senior rate, for a family pass, is only $20.00 and gets you entry into all battlefields and parks (if I'm wrong, please correct me).

 

[stu613]

What is particularly nice about battlefields with lesser visitation than GB, is the ability of Rangers to have more time to answer questions.

Also, to support our National Battlefields and National Parks, get an annual pass! If your 62 or older, the senior rate, for a family pass, is only $20.00 and gets you entry into all battlefields and parks (if I'm wrong, please correct me).

I bought senior pass about 20 years ago ($20/lifetime). It has since gone up to $20/year or $80/lifetime. Still a bargain, as you can get up to 4 people admitted or depending on park, per vehicle.

 

[Tony Z]

I bought senior pass about 20 years ago ($20/lifetime). It has since gone up to $20/year or $80/lifetime. Still a bargain, as you can get up to 4 people admitted or depending on park, per vehicle.

I got mine several years ago and I vaguely remember it being $20/lifetime, but I looked at my pass a few minutes ago and it says $20/year. Still worth it.

 

[Bruce Vail]

I visited the site a couple of years back and got a little lost on the back roads. I finally picked up Harpers Ferry Rd. headed north to get back to the battlefield park. It was a lovely drive through rural Maryland and a pleasurable ride by itself. Later learned that we had followed the march of AP Hill's division as it had rushed to the rescue of Lee's army on the day of the fateful battle. Sometimes it pays to get lost!

 

[Tony Z]

Take back roads from Antietam to Harpers Ferry and stop at Kennedy Farmhouse (headquarters of John Brown before his raid). Bear in mind this is privately owned! You can get pics from the road and might be able to stroll up to the house (I have several times through the years).

 

[Tony Z]

Also YouTube is your friend: search out the many videos made by Dennis Frye,

 

[Joe Whitworth]

Depending on your budget, the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown is nice and only 5 minutes from Sharpsburg and world famous author Nora Robert's "Inn Boonsboro" is less than 10 minutes away in Boonsboro but both are a bit pricey . Check both Brunswick and Hagerstown, they are 25-30 minutes from the battlefield with many chain motel/hotel choices. After visiting the Visitor Center drive down 100 yards to Richardson Ave on your left, this will take you past Bloody Lane and on to the observation tower for a good view of the area. Leaving there follow the road to the stop sign. Cross straight across Rt. 34 to get to Burnside Bridge overlook, after visiting there drive on to the stop sign. At the stop turn right onto Harpers Ferry Rd and go about 3/4 mile to the stop sign. Then go straight for 75-100 yds and the town parking lot will be on your left, Nutter's Ice is right across from the street. Get your ice cream and walk back the way you came for 50 yds to the little alley on your left and walk another 30 yards down to the town's Big Spring used by both sides, have a seat on the bench and enjoy your ice cream. Afterwards walk back past Nutter's and turn right at the end of the building and go 100 feet to the Town Hall and visit the Historical Society's museum on the second floor, open Monday thru Saturday 9-4. If ice cream isn't your thing "Captain Bender's", named after a C&O canal boatman on the main drag thru town is a good place to grab lunch (crab fries are really good) and don't forget bug spray. I know the area well, I live here

 

[61Cadillac]

We stayed at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown. It's a little more but the rooms are nice and they have an infinity pool that overlooks the river. About a 10 minute ride from the battlefield as I remember. Antietam is my favorite because as mentioned here it hasn't been "Tourist-ized" Monocacy National Battlefield isn't that far away either and is one of those places that if you don't know it's there you wouldn't know it's there. Shepherdstown is a nice quiet little town too. Very laid back. Walk the fields if you are up for it too. If you can walk towards the Sunken Road from the direction Union troops approached from. You will get a good idea of just how on top of the Confererate lines they were then they crested the little ridge.

 

[Tony Z]

We've stayed at the Bavarian and highly recommend it! Most excellent German style restaurant. Excellent on site brewery. They also have a fire pit outside & encourage relaxing there (with beverage and cigars).

Though it has been a number of years, I remember visiting Monocacy and Civil War Museum of Medicine is nearby Frederick.

Also, there is a "Top Golf" location not to much further down the road!

 

[Russell]

Thanks everyone for the tips, I'm thinking the first of October.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I've been there a number of times now. If you are thinking around the first of October, can I encourage you to go for the anniversary of the battle? It was 9/17/1862. Check with the park now to find out their schedule and they usually have fantastic ranger walks during the day. In fact, they used to have one at dawn - I've been on that one - and many others during the day. Wear good hiking boots and bring bug spray and a hat and water.

If you decide to do that, get there really early because even at dawn, on the anniversary, the parking lot is going to be full.

I'm sure they will have wonderful exhibits going at the Dunker Church. A few weeks ago, when I was there, they had a wonderful reenactment going with the GAR! Three fellows who used to do soldier reenactments have now switched to being GAR reenactors and are back visiting "where they fought." They had a lot of history with them at the church and I sat with them and went over the ribbons and what they had. It was fascinating and wonderful. There is ONE pew left in the church that is original to the battle.

He is sitting in the original pew and is holding a picture of when he was a reenactor back in the early '70s. We are pretending Matthew Brady or Gardner took the picture over at Burnside Bridge.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

And you can NEVER go wrong with the Bavarian Inn. We ate there three times last month. We didn't find the prices outrageous at all. You can certainly pile it on $$$ if you want to but we did breakfast and supper there and it was fantastic.

 

[JerryD]

Seconding the suggestion to make time to visit Harper's Ferry. South Mountain is also well worth the time, but if you only have time for one, its Harper's Ferry. I dont think anyone can really appreciate how much its indefensible until you are there.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

How much time do you have for this visit? You should read up on South Mountain and the Gaps. You really can't understand how Antietam happened if you don't understand what happened at South Mountain and the Gaps. If you get a chance, go to the Reno Monument and there is a small hike up to the North Carolina monument. It is really just a stroll in the woods. However, the real trace road of where they passed down is still there. All of this is important to understanding how the Battle of Antietam actually came about.

The North Carolinians came through this field but you cannot go into this field. It is gated off and has "no trespassing" signs.

 

[Russell]

wow thanks NH Gal for the info, unfortunately I'm not a fan of crowds so that's why I picked Octoberish to visit.