Gettysburg Tourism

[mike1w]

How handicap accessible are the interior portions of the Gettysburg Battlefield, i.e. the buildings. I know the actual battlefield is very hard to take someone disabled. My traveling companion can't handle large amounts of physical activity.

 

[luinrina]

IIRC the visitor center is handicap accessible. I have not been into other buildings, only walked around/past the Lydia Leister house (Meade's HQ) and Lee's HQ building. I don't know if the various farms are even accessible. I don't know of other buildings on the battlefield.

Paging @pamc153PA or @MRB1863 who are our among our Gettysburg experts.

 

[Kurt G]

IIRC the visitor center is handicap accessible. I have not been into other buildings, only walked around/past the Lydia Leister house (Meade's HQ) and Lee's HQ building. I don't know if the various farms are even accessible. I don't know of other buildings on the battlefield.

Paging @pamc153PA or @MRB1863 who are our among our Gettysburg experts.

Parts would be difficult, like Little Round Top . Although there is a paved walkway , you have to go up a steep incline to get there . Some monuments are in fields or woods , but many are very close to park roads . I think if you follow the park tour route you would be fine. Your companion could then decide which monuments or areas to get out and view closer .

 

[MRB1863]

I think a great trip may be had without much physical struggle. Many of the sites are very close to paved roads and/or parking areas. Many sites can be seen without battlefield tromping...enough to make the events understandable...perhaps not all, but enough...have you considered a bus tour???

 

[pamc153PA]

I think a great trip may be had without much physical struggle. Many of the sites are very close to paved roads and/or parking areas. Many sites can be seen without battlefield tromping...enough to make the events understandable...perhaps not all, but enough...have you considered a bus tour???

Well, most of the farms' buildings are not regularly open to the public. There is at least one Doors Open day a year where certain farms are accessible. They are not handicapped accessible, not with ramps or railings—most have steps. But most have sidewalks or walkways around them, though in general the public is not supposed to drive right up to them. Otherwise, the avenues are close to many of the monuments. LRT would be impossible to visit except for the parking lot because you have to walk up the uneven pathways; DD has a parking lot right next to the boulders, and major monuments like the Peace Light, the Pennsylvania monument and the Virginia monument do, too. But @MRB1863 has a good suggestion to take a bus tour as a way around.

 

[Wallyfish]

I would also suggest hiring a Battlefield Guide for several hours touring in your own vehicle. You not only will get an excellent narrative of the battle from them, but you will get excellent suggestions on where you can gain access to the Battlefield itself from someone who has spent a lot of time on the field. It is pricier than a bus tour but I think in the long run it would be a more enjoyable experience.

Years ago I took a person out who had recent knee replacement surgery. He did a bit of walking but most of the time we used a wheelchair. I believe he was happy in what he saw.

 

[lupaglupa]

I would echo @Wallyfish about getting a guide. We used one with our Boy Scout Troop and he was terrific. Not only did he know a general history of the battle, he was able to take us to monuments linked to our local area. That was really neat.