Needing Advice for Gettysburg Visit this Spring

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I have read older threads on this topic that have some great tips, but I still have some questions. Any advice is most appreciated.

I was planning on exploring Cemetery Hill, East and West, on foot. Are there any safety issues for an older woman who will be walking around by herself in that part of the battlefield?

Is there anywhere a self guided walking tour of Cemetery Hill or Culp's Hill? I want to specifically see the terrain used by the Louisiana Tigers if possible.

The Brickhouse Inn offers a Battlefield Tour. Has anyone taken that tour? Is it worth the cost? I'm not sure about the quality of the tour guides.

The touring company on Baltimore Street, (I think the new building will be there by spring) is one I can easily walk to…Is that a better choice? I think my taking a bus tour on one of our days there will be my best option for a general view of the whole battlefield.

The NPS museum is a must see, I think? I'd love to have a "best to least best" list of other folks' opinion on various sites. I'm hoping to be able to return to Gettysburg again, but if this is my one trip, what do you suggest I see/do?

Thanks much.

 

[Kurtlg]

Cemetery ridge is open and safe and easy to walk . Cemetery hill should not be a problem either. . Culp's Hill is steep and more isolated. A bus tour or self guided auto tour ( maps at the visitor's center) can be done. Also at the visitor's center you can hire a licensed battlefield guide. You can reserve that ahead and tell them the areas you are most interested in. They can customize their presentation to what you are most interested in. Depending on when you go there may be free ranger programs covering specific areas of the battle. Check the NPS website. If Little Round Top is finally reopened that is worth a stop. The monuments scattered over the battlefield are very interesting as well. I have been there many times and still find something new.

 

[7thWisconsin]

While you´re on Cemetery Hill, go see Civil War Tales. Seriously - the only Civil War dioramas in the nation made completely with miniature cats. I´ve recommended this stop to dozens of people without a bad experience reported yet.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Cemetery ridge is open and safe and easy to walk . Cemetery hill should not be a problem either. . Culp's Hill is steep and more isolated. A bus tour or self guided auto tour ( maps at the visitor's center) can be done. Also at the visitor's center you can hire a licensed battlefield guide. You can reserve that ahead and tell them the areas you are most interested in. They can customize their presentation to what you are most interested in. Depending on when you go there may be free ranger programs covering specific areas of the battle. Check the NPS website. If Little Round Top is finally reopened that is worth a stop. The monuments scattered over the battlefield are very interesting as well. I have been there many times and still find something new.

This is great and exactly what I needed to know. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

While you´re on Cemetery Hill, go see Civil War Tales. Seriously - the only Civil War dioramas in the nation made completely with miniature cats. I´ve recommended this stop to dozens of people without a bad experience reported yet.

That sounds like something the granddaughters might enjoy and a way to engage them should they ever make a trip to Gettysburg with me in future years… but I'm really looking to focus on the terrain of the battlefield this time. Appreciate the suggestion though!

 

[7thWisconsin]

That sounds like something the granddaughters might enjoy and a way to engage them should they ever make a trip to Gettysburg with me in future years… but I'm really looking to focus on the terrain of the battlefield this time. Appreciate the suggestion though!

The Iron Brigade spent the balance of the battle along a line near Steven´s Knoll, right in front of Cemetery Hill. you can find the remnants of their earthworks. There is a sign at the 7th Wisconsin position, but it´s a bit hard to locate.
Yes - Civil War Tales is a great family place. That would be a great granddaughter stop!

 

[Kurtlg]

That sounds like something the granddaughters might enjoy and a way to engage them should they ever make a trip to Gettysburg with me in future years… but I'm really looking to focus on the terrain of the battlefield this time. Appreciate the suggestion though!

If you go to the visitor's center the cyclorama is highly recommended.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

The Iron Brigade spent the balance of the battle along a line near Steven´s Knoll, right in front of Cemetery Hill. you can find the remnants of their earthworks. There is a sign at the 7th Wisconsin position, but it´s a bit hard to locate.

I'll be sure to look for that. Thanks!

 

[LoyaltyOfDogs]

If you go to the visitor's center the cyclorama is highly recommended.

If you have an interest in the Cyclorama, check the Gettysburg Foundation website to see if the special program "An Evening With the Painting" is scheduled during your visit. It's a unique two-hour presentation, a combined lecture on the art of cycloramas, their cultural significance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the creation and restoration of the Gettysburg Cyclorama in particular, followed by an unforgettable "tour" of the cyclorama up close and behind the scenes. The view of the cyclorama lets visitors see the massive metal structure that holds the giant canvas in place, as well as the diorama in the foreground that adds depth to the display. Mr. LoyaltyOfDogs and I have attended many museum programs, battlefield tours, and walks with rangers and Licensed Battlefield Guides over the years we've lived in the Gettysburg area, and "An Evening With the Painting" is one of the best presentations we've seen.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

If you have an interest in the Cyclorama, check the Gettysburg Foundation website to see if the special program "An Evening With the Painting" is scheduled during your visit. It's a unique two-hour presentation, a combined lecture on the art of cycloramas, their cultural significance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the creation and restoration of the Gettysburg Cyclorama in particular, followed by an unforgettable "tour" of the cyclorama up close and behind the scenes. The view of the cyclorama lets visitors see the massive metal structure that holds the giant canvas in place, as well as the diorama in the foreground that adds depth to the display. Mr. LoyaltyOfDogs and I have attended many museum programs, battlefield tours, and walks with rangers and Licensed Battlefield Guides over the years we've lived in the Gettysburg area, and "An Evening With the Painting" is one of the best presentations we've seen.

The Cyclorama is one of the things Mr. Reconstructed Rebel has said he would be willing to see, so this is a great suggestion for us- Thanks!

 

[7thWisconsin]

Absolutely see the painting. It´s such a massive, and massively important piece of artwork that it transcends battlefield touring!

 

[pmuskett]

Is there anywhere a self guided walking tour of Cemetery Hill or Culp's Hill? I want to specifically see the terrain used by the Louisiana Tigers if possible.

A few years back, the NPS did some clearing in the area you're wanting to see. You can see the ground from General Green's breastworks, going down the slope though might be tough. Here is a picture of what it looked like last year. This is in the summer.

From the bottom of Culps hill coming up in the summer is a lot worse.

The eastern slope of Cemetery Hill is very steep. May not be conducive to walking.

The bus tours are good, but they are very general. When we guide on the bus it is hard to personalize the tour. In car or a walking tour of the area you looking to see, might be the best bet for you. This is our website. https://gettysburgtourguides.org/
If you are interested and my schedule allows, I would be glad to show you what you want to see.

There is a book titled "A Field Guide to Gettysburg" written by Carol Reardon and Tom Vossler. This book also might help you as you tour the field.
The kids will love the cat diorama.

Phil

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

There is a book titled "A Field Guide to Gettysburg" written by Carol Reardon and Tom Vossler. This book also might help you as you tour the field.

I have purchased that book! It looks great and I'm looking forward to using it on our trip.

Thank you for that very generous offer - Husband and I have been discussing the best way to do this and my taking a personalized tour is sounding more ideal than the bus tours. I've had bad experiences on bus tours when some participants spend the two hours chatting among themselves and it's impossible to hear everything the guide says.

I will check out the guide website. If you are not available, perhaps you can recommend a guide who could cover the topics that interest me.