Pickett's Charge - Battlefield Guide

[Gen.Armistead.7.3.63]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get a little help/suggestions for seeing up a tour with a licensed battlefield guide at the Gettysburg. I'm in Gettysburg a ton and have stomped all over the battlefield, and when doing tours I've only ever done them with the park rangers, never the licensed guides. For my dad's birthday I was thinking about reserving a tour for us on Pickett's Charge, focusing specifically on the 1st Virginia. I was hoping to get some feedback on these tours to decide if it would be worth it or if him and I should just go out on our own, or even plan a day out at Manassas or something instead. Also, whoever feels that it would be worth the tour, if you can recommend a guide, then that would be awesome.

thanks!

 

[pamc153PA]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get a little help/suggestions for seeing up a tour with a licensed battlefield guide at the Gettysburg. I'm in Gettysburg a ton and have stomped all over the battlefield, and when doing tours I've only ever done them with the park rangers, never the licensed guides. For my dad's birthday I was thinking about reserving a tour for us on Pickett's Charge, focusing specifically on the 1st Virginia. I was hoping to get some feedback on these tours to decide if it would be worth it or if him and I should just go out on our own, or even plan a day out at Manassas or something instead. Also, whoever feels that it would be worth the tour, if you can recommend a guide, then that would be awesome.

thanks!

Definitely get a guide. If you plan ahead, go to the guide site rather than wait until you get to the VC. At the VC, especially during busy times, you get who you get--they're all good, but if you plan ahead you may be able to tell a particular guide what you're interested in, and either they'll tailor your tour for you, or point you in the direction of a guide whose "specialty"is Pickett's Charge. Especially a particular regiment means that you might want to give them a head's up--guides know more than just a lot, but not every guide specializes in your area of interest.

I tend to recommend guide Gar Phillips because I've had personalized tours with him over the years, but there are others out there who are great, too. It also depends on when you're going, and what guides will be there at that time.

 

[MRB1863]

For my dad's birthday I was thinking about reserving a tour for us on Pickett's Charge

Many of the guides at Gettysburg are superb. What dates are you considering? Try a call to the Visitor Center with your request. They may have a perfect match for you and your Father. Undoubtedly he will appreciate and treasure this time with you and remember it always. Hope you have the "time of your life".

 

[Gen.Armistead.7.3.63]

Thanks for the input. Like I said, we live very close and go up fairly often, but normally we just tour ourselves around since we are both pretty knowledgeable on the battle. I thought this might be something different and certainly a new way for us to learn more.