The Gettysburg center is around the area of Battle of Gettysburg Re-enactment and the area of Lincoln Room Museum.
The best time to visit Gettysburg is in the spring or summer, when temperatures are generally sunny and pretty mild out. Pennsylvania can get some frigid winters, so it's best to avoid Gettysburg during that time frame. While it's still possible to go, it's much more enjoyable to see the outdoor tourist attractions when it's not in the middle of a snow storm. On the other side of the spectrum, the summers can be unbearably hot. If spending a majority of time outside seeing the attractions and learning about the history is important, it's best to avoid the summer and winter.
Spring is a beautiful time to visit, as the grass has turned green again and the flowers are blooming. The Reenactor Appreciation Weekend occurs in spring, which can be a treat to see to better visualize how times were back in the 1800s. Gettysburg also has one of the oldest Memorial Day parades in the country, which is special for history lovers to attend. The Apple Blossom Festival occurs in the spring to add a beautiful background to the historic city. Although you can expect some rain, the weather is generally sunny and warm.
Fall is a very scenic time to visit, as the green leaves are starting to turn beautiful shades of red and orange. The throngs of tourists who were on summer break have disappeared, and the weather is starting to cool down from the summer's unbearable heat. There are plenty of events to attend in addition to the usual tourist attractions. Remembrance Day occurs to celebrate Lincoln's Gettysburg Address speech from over a hundred years ago. You can also visit the Eisenhower Farm, the previous getaway of former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, to celebrate World War II Weekend.
If a hotel with good amenities and a discount is important, there's plenty to choose from. The Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield offers a 10 percent discount to seniors who show their ID upon check-in. Take a few laps in their outdoor seasonal pool, frolic in the indoor pool, or enjoy the spa tub. For those with larger vehicles, the hotel offers free parking for buses, RVs, and trucks, which is often hard to find in a city. The hotel is conveniently within walking distance to Battlefield Military Museum, the Gettysburg Battle Theatre, and the Lincoln Train Museum.
If a hotel convenient for a work meeting is a priority, stay at the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg. Group rates are offered, and there are up to six meeting rooms that can be rented out along with free Wi-Fi so everyone can be online during the meeting. Pets are allowed at this hotel for anyone traveling that may have their furry friends with them, so no need to find boarding for them. Located less than half a mile away are the Gettysburg Battle Theatre, the Lincoln Train Museum, and the American Civil War Wax Museum.
Gettysburg has plenty of midrange hotels in prime locations at affordable prices. The Gettysburg Hotel, Est. 1797 has a restaurant that serves dinner as well as a bar to retreat to later for a glass of wine. Banquet rooms are available that hold up to 300 people. Over a dozen attractions are located within a mile away, including the Gettysburg National Military Park, the U.S. Army Reserve Center, and the Gettysburg Diorama. Spend your days walking to all the nearby attractions while learning about the history of the United States and how the area used to be.
The Comfort Suites Gettysburg is the city's first completely smoke-free hotel that has all suites. The heated indoor pool and fitness center will make sure you stay in shape during your visit. Their hot breakfast bar includes a station to make your own waffles. It's located close to the Gettysburg Battlefield and has views of the National Cemetery. There are many local wine tasting rooms and restaurants nearby to venture out to at night. A marketplace is available with snacks and drinks for children who suddenly get hungry or adults who don't want to leave the hotel.
There is so much to do in Gettysburg, with such a high amount of museums per capita. The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center is a good place to start to learn about the history of the town. Reserve your tickets in advance to get your own battlefield guide to personally answer any burning questions you have. For the civilians' perspective of what happened during the Civil War, visit the Shriver House Museum. It tells the story of what happened when the Confederate troops took over the Shriver's family house during the war due to its prime location.
From low-budget hotels to luxurious accommodations, there's a hotel for everyone in Gettysburg. This historic location has so much to offer in way of festivals, reenactments, and original buildings that have been restored. Weeks could be spent exploring all the museums in the area, from showing how the war was for civilians to celebrating historic moments in the Civil War as well. The Gettysburg National Cemetery is also a special place due to the Gettysburg Address by Lincoln. The small town can be visited in any season, but choose a season depending on what activities you want to do outdoors first.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Gettysburg, PA excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Adams
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | October 31, 2025 | $122.00 | $68.00 |
| November 1, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | $110.00 | $68.00 |
| April 1, 2026 | September 30, 2026 | $122.00 | $68.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Gettysburg, PA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Fairly easy to get around. The Battlefields and Gettysburg Address location. Amazing!
It was clean.
I liked the history of the city. How friendly and laid back people are. Learned a lot on the tours and appreciated the knowledge and expertise of the tour guides. Very nice people in Gettysburg and great restaurants. With great hospitality.
Wonderful city. We visit every year.
Enjoyed seeing the historic sites. There's so much history in that area.
We really didn't explore Gettysburg just went to the movies.
So much history!
The sunsets from Little Round Top
Beautiful place, loved the battlefield.
We, of course , came for the battlefield but the town in multi layered place with nice shops , good food and ambiance. Easy to get around in .
Beautiful part of Pennsylvania - the scenery is breathtaking.
We only stayed there because of electrical outage
Interesting place and a lot of history.
The history
This was our this time to visit Gettysburg. We enjoyed several great meals and fun day trips.
A lot of things are in walking distance
Everything
Very historical. All the people who we met were very nice
We liked the many monuments that show where the different soldiers were located. Also the descriptions (plaques)on the many homes throughout Gettysburg explaining all of the interesting history.
Easy access to the monuments.
Every one was pleasant friendly polite clean environment
Charm and history.
Being able to walk around close to everything, for the most part. Quiet and peaceful.
Historical significance.
Great historic location. A must see!
All the stores and museums.
Museum's. Including Jenny Wade House, Farnsworth House, Gettysburg Museum of History(free admission), etc... All museums within walking distance of Inn.
Fifth trip. Love the history!
The Gettysburg drive and i liked we were and hour away from everything we came to see
The town is wonderful - especially Bantam Roasters.
The people were very friendly and the breakfast was tasty.
The battlefield!
All of the tours and museums and the battlegrounds. Love the town itself, just not the hotel.
All of the tours and museums and the battlegrounds. Love the town itself, just not the hotel.
A very special place, an awesome part of American history!
Love Gettysburg!
The hotel was at the outlets decorated for Christmas. A lot of fun.
For me the battlefields were like a spiritual experience after reading many books. The fields and tree lines looked the same as in photos by Brady. The town is walkable and quaint.
We were there for the football game with F&M and Gettysburg College.
The architecture was so 1800's. It kept as pre-civil war as possible. It was enjoyable to walk about.
Love the history of the entire town!
I love Gettysburg in general, it's one of my very favorite places to visit, everyone is kind. It's so amazing!
Out purpose was to visit the battlefield. It was excellent.
Beautiful!
I love Gettysburg and come here often. We decided to stay another night because the weather is nice.
History on every corner, and just a lovely friendly vibe throughout!
The tour of the battlefield. We had an excellent guide on the bus tour that we booked.
Enjoyable time at Park!
Great Italian restaurant. Clean city. Battlefield tour was great.
Enjoy regular pilgrimage to Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival at Granite Hill Campground. Of course also paying homage to the many who sacrificed their lives on the battlefields and those who served to care for the living wounded in its aftermath.
The history of Gettysburg!
Wonder Tours. Seen plenty of local police; felt safe.
Enjoyed the outdoor bar window and benches in the Biergarten at nearby ABC Brew Pub- good grapefruit crush; outdoor beers at Dobbin House, O'Rourke's, then Farnsworth House. All walkable! Mufelatta sandwich and poutin fries at The Pub on the square. Breakfast the next day at the new Honey Bee (formerly Ernie's)- hotdog with sauce, onions and an egg!
Love Gettysburg for many reasons: Visitor's Center for the battlefield with private and other types of tours available for insightful info and experience; many amazing restaurants and shops and museums to explore.
WWII Experience Museum five miles north of the Hampton; it is not to be missed!
Saw the museums and cemetery.
Plenty to do for everyone! Wonderful history! Great places to eat!
Hotel location is easily enroute to city center and attractions!
Hotel location is easily on route to city center and attractions.
Restaurnts were good and nearby.
Clean and safe.
I like Gettysburg due to the history and the different commercial businesses there.
The Battlefield Tour.
The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly. Great area
The hotel was clean and beds comfortable. we had a funeral in Taneytown to attend we stayed at a different Hampton Inn, and it was very nice so that's the reason we picked this one.
Gettysburg benefits from one of the most well preserved Civil War battlefields in the country. It is a real pleasure to be able to tour, walk, investigate, learn and meet others who are similarly inclined.
Everything, nice town with good restaurants
Nice town with good restaurants!
The history is amazing! The town is clean and there are some great places to eat.
Gettysburg has a lot of nice restaurants , museums and other activities.
Love the city decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. The city has charm and many excellent restaurants. The Majestic Theater was magnificent.
We love Gettysburg and go every year at Christmas!
Great Lincoln Forum Conference!
The Visitor Center and Battlefield Tours are excellent.
The tour of the Gettysburg Civil War battlefield and the museum.
Shriver House Museum is a great tour!
Great shops!
Clean!! Pleasant experience with welcoming front desk service.
The history, downtown stores and restaurants.
Gettysburg battlefield is a very humbling experience. Go to the Visitors Center and purchase the film/Cyclorama/museum package - you won't be disappointed. I also hired a tour guide for a three hour personal battlefield tour. Worth every penny.
We have been to Gettysburg many times. This was the first time we visited the Beyond the Battle Museum. We enjoyed our visit very much especially the Crossfire experience. We love Gettysburg Eddie's.
Well done!
Well done.
Great monuments and community, lots to see and do. Will definetely return.
The the small town was very nice and all roads led to mountains that were made for interesting riding.
We have been there many times and we like the history.
We really liked the horseback ride through the battlefields. We found the Confederacy Riding Tour and they were excellent. They gave us all receivers and the guide talked to us the entire time so we knew where we were on the battlefields.
Been to Gettysburg several times. We love the history and believe every American should have the opportunity to visit and especially all school age children. We believe the visitor center is exceptional and the services provided.
Land of the little horses. Hickickory Hill Arcade.
Location was good for bike weekend!
Liked the National Historical Park a lot.
Double decker bus tour was as good as it gets!
The Battlefield Tour.
Historical Gettysburg should be experienced by every American! A wonderful, friendly city.
Gettysburg is amazing. So peaceful and clean. I felt right at home.
The closeness to the battlefield was great as well as the stores and other places!
The Battlefield and different shops were very interesting to see!
The closeness of the restaurants and the battlefield.
Town is full of history; people are very friendly and eager to share their knowledge. Grandchildren learned a lot over our four day visit! We hope to return in the future!