Gettysburg, PA, Guide and Information

Visiting Gettysburg is by no means a one-day affair. The town has done a fine job of developing its tourism by not only showcasing American history in so many different ways but also by featuring the other fine attributes of the region. The countryside surrounding Gettysburg proper lends itself to all kinds of outings. It’s sweet, bucolic and full of down-home goodness to experience and in many cases, eat and drink.

“A” is for Arendtsville and it’s also for apple, of which you will find many in this borough northwest of Gettysburg (as well as in the whole region). They even have an apple festival in the fall. Just driving through this rural part of Pennsylvania is a delight although reserve time to stop at the many farm stands and markets where you can buy not only apples but all kinds of other produce, prepared foods, baked goods and gift items. At the McDannell’s Fruit Farm & Market you might find some of the best apple cider donuts in the region.

How do you begin to wrap your head around all the amazing history that is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania? That’s a good question to ponder before your set out for this exciting destination in south central Pennsylvania. Truly a bastion of history, there’s much to delve into in this town of about 10,000 inhabitants and also within the outlying area.

First, let’s start with the main events that took place here. One of the biggest and bloodiest battles of the Civil War was fought in fields and on hillsides outside of the town of Gettysburg between July 1 and 3, 1863. At first the Confederate Army, commanded by Robert E. Lee, experienced some success but they were ultimately defeated by the Army of the Potomac, lead by George G. Meade. Already you can tell it was a battle hard fought. Lee withdrew and retreated to the other side of the Potomac River. Later President Abraham Lincoln criticized Meade for not desecrating Lee’s army. A combined total–from both the Confederate and Union sides–of 50,000 casualties were left in the wake of this wretched battle. Thousands of horses, too. The people of Gettysburg cared for the wounded and buried the dead in what is now Gettysburg National Cemetery. Wow, such courageous people to have dealt with such a situation! Certainly the descendants of these brave folks and the people of Gettysburg today possess a certain tenacity (and hopefully, faith) that translates into many aspects of their lives.