First Trip to Manassas

[Merlin1066]

Good Morning Everybody!
I'll be in Gettysburg for the first week in April. My daughter and I LOVE Gettysburg and go a few times a year. She has wanted to go to Manassas for I while and I never realized how close it was from Gettysburg. So, I'm going to surprise her with a day trip down to Bull Run. I know VERY little about it obviously. What are the MUST see parts of the battlefield? We will only be there for the day and I want see as much of the important areas as we can. Im trying to give myself a crash course on the 1st Bull Run this time around, and 2nd on our next trip out to Gettysburg sometime over the summer. ANY input would be very helpful!!!!

Thanks in Advance,
Mark in NJ

P.S. Hopefully she doesn't find this post as she is also a member here LOL

 

[Kurtlg]

We have visited Manassas a couple of times while staying in Gettysburg. As I recall it took nearly 2 hours to get there but study the maps. There might be a quicker way. You can check out the battlefield map online. Traffic in front of the Stone House can get bad. The visitor's center is on Henry Hill along with the Henry House and Jackson's monument. Also check out the newer but small visitor's center at Brawner's farm. Other sites from 2nd Manassas are worth checking out but they aren't as well developed. There is a lot of development not far behind the visitor"s center but you won't see it from Henry Hill. As I recall there is a Cracker Barrel and other places to eat close by in that direction.
Antietam and Harper's Ferry are easy day trips while staying in Gettysburg. Enjoy your trip

 

[Chattahooch33]

First, get this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Maps-First-Bull-Run-June-October/dp/193271460X?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Second, when we were there last Fall we joined up with a Ranger Walk that was only about an hour long. We went from the visitors center to the Henry House. We were pretty knowledgeable already so we didn't think we'd get much value out of the walk BUT it was actually incredibly good and a highlight of the visit.

Are you more interested in first or second Manassas?

 

[scooter748driver]

My wife and I went a few years ago. We only did First Manassas. We took our time and still felt we saw most of it to include the ranger tour. We were there about 4 hours. I think it's a reasonable day trip from Gettysburg.

 

[Andrew]

If you're going to focus on First Manassas, I'd be sure to see:
Visitor Center & Museum
Henry House
Jackson monument & artillery line
Stone House
Matthews Hill
Stone Bridge

If you both don't mind walking, there is a 5.5 mile hiking loop around the First Manassas battlefield where you can see all of what I listed above. They probably have maps at the Visitor Center. John Hennessy has a really good book about the first battle.

Then for your next trip, read his Return to Bull Run. Great book, and the hiking loop around the 2nd battlefield is one of my favorites.

 

[Merlin1066]

We have visited Manassas a couple of times while staying in Gettysburg. As I recall it took nearly 2 hours to get there but study the maps. There might be a quicker way. You can check out the battlefield map online. Traffic in front of the Stone House can get bad. The visitor's center is on Henry Hill along with the Henry House and Jackson's monument. Also check out the newer but small visitor's center at Brawner's farm. Other sites from 2nd Manassas are worth checking out but they aren't as well developed. There is a lot of development not far behind the visitor"s center but you won't see it from Henry Hill. As I recall there is a Cracker Barrel and other places to eat close by in that direction.
Antietam and Harper's Ferry are easy day trips while staying in Gettysburg. Enjoy your trip

Thank You for the reply! I had no idea it was only a 2 hour drive!!!

 

[Merlin1066]

First, get this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Maps-First-Bull-Run-June-October/dp/193271460X?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Second, when we were there last Fall we joined up with a Ranger Walk that was only about an hour long. We went from the visitors center to the Henry House. We were pretty knowledgeable already so we didn't think we'd get much value out of the walk BUT it was actually incredibly good and a highlight of the visit.

Are you more interested in first or second Manassas?

Thank You for that link, I'll order that book today! I was also considering a battle field guide to get the cliff notes LOL.

 

[ErnieMac]

If you're going to focus on First Manassas, I'd be sure to see:
Visitor Center & Museum
Henry House
Jackson monument & artillery line
Stone House
Matthews Hill
Stone Bridge

If you both don't mind walking, there is a 5.5 mile hiking loop around the First Manassas battlefield where you can see all of what I listed above. They probably have maps at the Visitor Center. John Hennessy has a really good book about the first battle.

Then for your next trip, read his Return to Bull Run. Great book, and the hiking loop around the 2nd battlefield is one of my favorites.

So far as I know Hennessy's book about 2nd Manassas (Return to Bull Run) is the best read on that battle.

 

[Merlin1066]

First, get this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Maps-First-Bull-Run-June-October/dp/193271460X?tag=civilwartalkc-20

Second, when we were there last Fall we joined up with a Ranger Walk that was only about an hour long. We went from the visitors center to the Henry House. We were pretty knowledgeable already so we didn't think we'd get much value out of the walk BUT it was actually incredibly good and a highlight of the visit.

Are you more interested in first or second Manassas?

I'm interested in both battles actually. I'm sure it can be confusing at first so we are going to concentrate on the first battle this time around.

 

[Merlin1066]

So far as I know Hennessy's book about 2nd Manassas (Return to Bull Run) is the best read on that battle.

I'll definitely track it down, Thank You!!!

 

[Merlin1066]

Second Question, Are there any decent relic shops in the area? They are like going to a museum.

 

[AA484]

If you're going to focus on First Manassas, I'd be sure to see:
Visitor Center & Museum
Henry House
Jackson monument & artillery line
Stone House
Matthews Hill
Stone Bridge

If you both don't mind walking, there is a 5.5 mile hiking loop around the First Manassas battlefield where you can see all of what I listed above. They probably have maps at the Visitor Center. John Hennessy has a really good book about the first battle.

Then for your next trip, read his Return to Bull Run. Great book, and the hiking loop around the 2nd battlefield is one of my favorites.

I'd also add Sudley Springs to this list.

 

[gjpratt]

Second Question, Are there any decent relic shops in the area? They are like going to a museum.

There are 2 excellent shops just down the road from Mannassas on Hwy. 50

David Condon in Middleburg https://www.davidcondon.com/

CS Arms in Upperville https://www.davidcondon.com/

Not only will you be driving through Mosby's Confederacy, you will also be going past the sites of Stuart's engagements with federal cavalry in the opening stages of the Gettysburg Campaign, June, 1863. (https://www.amazon.com/Small-but-Important-Riots-Middleburg/dp/1640125477?tag=civilwartalkc-20)

And if perchance you like wineries, Chrysalis is one of my favorites in Virginia and also on Rte. 50. https://www.chrysaliswine.com/

 

[Manassas 1861]

Bull Run is so interesting. You have new recruits fighting a huge battle, many generals and officers who were or would become famous, a spy was involved in informing PGT Beauregard when the US Army marched from Washington, it's a very interesting period. It's one if my favorite battles (the battle that inspired my account name). Hope you have a great time.

 

[Merlin1066]

There are 2 excellent shops just down the road from Mannassas on Hwy. 50

David Condon in Middleburg https://www.davidcondon.com/

CS Arms in Upperville https://www.davidcondon.com/

Not only will you be driving through Mosby's Confederacy, you will also be going past the sites of Stuart's engagements with federal cavalry in the opening stages of the Gettysburg Campaign, June, 1863. (https://www.amazon.com/Small-but-Important-Riots-Middleburg/dp/1640125477?tag=civilwartalkc-20)

And if perchance you like wineries, Chrysalis is one of my favorites in Virginia and also on Rte. 50. https://www.chrysaliswine.com/

Thank You so much Sir! We'll definitely stop in those places while we are down there!

 

[Merlin1066]

Bull Run is so interesting. You have new recruits fighting a huge battle, many generals and officers who were or would become famous, a spy was involved in informing PGT Beauregard when the US Army marched from Washington, it's a very interesting period. It's one if my favorite battles (the battle that inspired my account name). Hope you have a great time.

I'm definitely looking forward to it!!! Thanks for the reply!

 

[Chattahooch33]

I'm interested in both battles actually. I'm sure it can be confusing at first so we are going to concentrate on the first battle this time around.

The two battles are fairly well separated from a park standpoint, better than I anticipated. The first battle focuses around the intersection and the Henry House while the second battle focuses on the RR Cut and Chinn Ridge (Which I wish was interpreted more).

 

[SJU]

Take advantage of any available ranger walks or lectures. Well worth it.

 

[Merlin1066]

Thank You for that link, I'll order that book today! I was also considering a battle field guide to get the cliff notes LOL.

Take advantage of any available ranger walks or lectures. Well worth it.

I'm going to look into hiring a guide if they do that there as they do in Gettysburg. Hopefully they do
Thank You for the reply!!