Need Gettysburg trip advice, help!

[DRW]

I posted this earlier and didn't get responses. I've been asked to escort two or three foreign military officers (Lt. Col & major ranks) to Gettysburg at the end of April for a 2 day, one night tour. I know Gettysburg well but I'm used to doing it on my own with apps and books, so I desperately need suggestions on how to pull this off. Should I pre-arrange with a licensed battle field guide? If so, can anyone suggest an LBG who would be good for a military crew? Or should I use the tour CD from the visitors center, or any particular guide books? Also, mid-range hotel suggestions, decent restaurants? (I only know the cheap and quick places). Please help me out CW team!

 

[cash]

I posted this earlier and didn't get responses. I've been asked to escort two or three foreign military officers (Lt. Col & major ranks) to Gettysburg at the end of April for a 2 day, one night tour. I know Gettysburg well but I'm used to doing it on my own with apps and books, so I desperately need suggestions on how to pull this off. Should I pre-arrange with a licensed battle field guide? If so, can anyone suggest an LBG who would be good for a military crew? Or should I use the tour CD from the visitors center, or any particular guide books? Also, mid-range hotel suggestions, decent restaurants? (I only know the cheap and quick places). Please help me out CW team!

What objective?

If there's no budget perhaps an LBG might not be the way to go.

Do you have exact dates? Spring ranger programs are available.

 

[DRW]

What objective?

If there's no budget perhaps an LBG might not be the way to go.

Do you have exact dates? Spring ranger programs are available.

We can certainly spring for an LBG for 3 or 4 hours. We're planning on driving from New York early on 4/29 and returning evening of 4/30. I'm friendly with a couple of them through work. The objective is show around some first time military visitors with a focus on tactics. They are interested because they learn a bit about Gettysburg in some advanced officers courses.

 

[Tom Elmore]

For your visitors, I would suggest a concentration on critical leadership decisions made during the battle. I was once involved in such a tour - a leadership seminar - that was periodically given to senior U.S. government personnel. It involved several stops and discussions around the field, with a focus on a number of key actors: Harrison (the scout), Buford, Stuart, Ewell, Lee, Longstreet, Meade, Warren, Chamberlain, Sickles, Webb, Cushing, Meigs and Lincoln. Perhaps GNMP can recommend an appropriate LBG who has experience with a similar presentation.

Nice (and pricy) restaurant: The Dobbin House (make reservations)

 

[James N.]

A trio of quick fine dining recommendations - nice but a bit "pricey" - would be Herr Tavern on Herr Ridge, The Farnsworth House, and the 1770's Dobbin House, both on Steinwehr Ave. All 3 are quiet and have a certain "colonial" atmosphere and charm.

 

[SharonS]

They might like the Army's Center of Military History staff ride books, available for free download. They are about 100 pages each and focus on the military aspects of several battles. I'm most familiar with the Chancellorsville one, but Gettysburg looks pretty good too. I think this link will work: http://history.army.mil/staffRides/ but if not google military history staff rides and you'll get to it.

 

[cash]

We can certainly spring for an LBG for 3 or 4 hours. We're planning on driving from New York early on 4/29 and returning evening of 4/30. I'm friendly with a couple of them through work. The objective is show around some first time military visitors with a focus on tactics. They are interested because they learn a bit about Gettysburg in some advanced officers courses.

On 29 April you can do a ranger program on Little Round Top and one on Cemetery Ridge.
On 30 April you can do a ranger program on Meade's decision making on the third day and beyond.

https://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/interpretation.htm

I would suggest putting together something on some key decisions made during the battle. There are a couple books that might be of use:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578103028/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572337451/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

A couple possibilities are Ewell's decision not to attack Cemetery Hill and Sickles' decision to move his corps forward.

 

[Drew]

We can certainly spring for an LBG for 3 or 4 hours. We're planning on driving from New York early on 4/29 and returning evening of 4/30. I'm friendly with a couple of them through work. The objective is show around some first time military visitors with a focus on tactics. They are interested because they learn a bit about Gettysburg in some advanced officers courses.

Paging @pamc153PA , Gettysburg Forum Host.

DRW, that you can hire a LBG for a half day is great. You'll want a good one with your stated goals and audience provided in advance to someone who can think about it beforehand. Ranger presentations are also good if schedule permits.

I don't have a recommendation, but Pam may be able to help you out here.

 

[infomanpa]

We are going up this weekend. Just made a reservation for the Farnsworth Inn. James N. gave good advice in post#5.

 

[unicornforge]

If they have studied it as coursework, I would suggest going over a map with them and asking which points they would most like to see.

 

[lelliott19]

Also, mid-range hotel suggestions, decent restaurants? (I only know the cheap and quick places). Please help me out CW team!

I agree with the recommendation of a LBG who can pull off the key decision making tour. Ask for a recommendation and be sure you engage one who has experience with such a tour. Youve also gotten good recommendations for the nice eating establishments.

As far as hotels, I have never met a Hampton I didn't like and the one in Gettysburg is excellent. Also, we stayed at the Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield last time we were there and I was pleasantly surprised. It's an older building and its not the Hampton, but its quiet and clean and has assigned parking spots right outside your door. The staff is very friednly and helpful. We try not to stay at Quality Inns as we have had some negative experiences at them, but this one is quite acceptable. It is located right on the battlefield and very convenient. Dont be scared to stay there just because its a Quality Inn. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[infomanpa]

As far as hotels, I have never met a Hampton I didn't like and the one in Gettysburg is excellent. Also, we stayed at the Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield last time we were there and I was pleasantly surprised. It's an older building and its not the Hampton, but its quiet and clean and has assigned parking spots right outside your door. The staff is very friednly and helpful. We try not to stay at Quality Inns as we have had some negative experiences at them, but this one is quite acceptable. It is located right on the battlefield and very convenient. Dont be scared to stay there just because its a Quality Inn. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

The Quality Inn is practically on the west slope of Cemetery Hill! For my trip this weekend, I am trying to decide between that hotel and the 1863 Inn at Gettysburg, which is on the north slope.

 

[pamc153PA]

I would definitely recommend getting a guide. If you want to have a guide that has a "military" sort of agenda or has guided cadets or other military, you should call ahead to the VC, and ask what guides fit that. Or if you want a guide to tailor their tour to particular points on the battlefield, particular units or particular states, you can ask for that, too, but it is a good idea to call in advance. Guides that I know and/or have had tours with that would recommend: John Archer, Eric Lindblade, Larry Korczyk, Stuart Dempsey, Chris Army, Gar Phillips, Jim Hessler. I don't know if any of them have military focus, but you can always ask--they are all good.

There are plenty of decent motels in town. I usually stay at the Hilton Garden, but that can be pricey; there is also a Hampton Inn, a Quality Inn, and the 1863 Inn--I've stayed at all of them and they are fine. I don't think the new Best Western will be open yet, unfortunately. There is also the Inn at Cemetery Hill and the Wyndham.

As for food, there's O'Rorke's, Appalachian Brewery, Blue and Gray Bar and Grill, The Pub, Gettysburg Brewery, and Gettysburg Eddie's, among the best, for casual dining that's not fast food. For pizza there's Tommy's, King's, and my favorite, La Bella Italia. Dunlap's and the Lincoln Diner have good breakfasts. Farnsworth House, Dobbin House and Cashtown Inn all are good but more expensive. Then there's Li's Buffet, which has decent Chinese, and small places along the Steinwehr Strip like Hunt's Battlefield Fries which has the best fries and Philly cheesesteaks. Don't forget Mr. G's Ice Cream for dessert. And you must go to the Reliance Mine Saloon to imbibe a bit after dinner--the Mine is a Gettysburg institution, and a hangout for locals and some of the LBGs.

 

[John Winn]

I, too, can recommend Stuart Dempsey as a guide. He spends a lot of time in Europe and guides over there, too, so that might be a plus for your guys and for context. I know he speaks German. Give him a buzz and ask what he can offer:

[email protected]

717-642-9222

 

[infomanpa]

As for food, there's O'Rorke's, Appalachian Brewery, Blue and Gray Bar and Grill, The Pub, Gettysburg Brewery, and Gettysburg Eddie's, among the best, for casual dining that's not fast food. For pizza there's Tommy's, King's, and my favorite, La Bella Italia. Dunlap's and the Lincoln Diner have good breakfasts. Farnsworth House, Dobbin House and Cashtown Inn all are good but more expensive. Then there's Li's Buffet, which has decent Chinese, and small places along the Steinwehr Strip like Hunt's Battlefield Fries which has the best fries and Philly cheesesteaks. Don't forget Mr. G's Ice Cream for dessert. And you must go to the Reliance Mine Saloon to imbibe a bit after dinner--the Mine is a Gettysburg institution, and a hangout for locals and some of the LBGs.

Wow. Who needs Yelp, when we have you?!

 

[pamc153PA]

Wow. Who needs Yelp, when we have you?!

What can I say? I've been there a few times.

 

[DRW]

I, too, can recommend Stuart Dempsey as a guide. He spends a lot of time in Europe and guides over there, too, so that might be a plus for your guys and for context. I know he speaks German. Give him a buzz and ask what he can offer:

[email protected]

717-642-9222

Thanks so much for the recommendation. I spoke to Stuart. He'll be leading a tour in France that weekend but he set us up with Col. Ron Abbott, who sounds great.