Top 5 Self-Guided Things to Do in Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg was a crucial Union victory that many believe turned the tide in the bloody Civil War. Fought in the small town of Gettysburg—which is located 50 miles northwest of Baltimore—it was the site of the most significant battle waged during the American Civil War. Fought during the first three days of July in 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg saw a hallmark victory for the Union “Army of the Potomac.” It effectively ended the second invasion of the North by General Robert E. Lee’s “Army of Northern Virginia.”

Historians have long pegged this particular battle as a crucial turning point in the war, the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy.” It was also the bloodiest single battle that resulted in more than 51,000 soldiers being killed, wounded, captured, or missing from both sides. To give the Union soldiers who perished at Gettysburg a proper burial, a “Soldiers Cemetery” was made on the battleground near the center of the Union line.

And it was there during the dedication ceremony on November 19, 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln spoke of his cause to unify the war-torn nation with his most famous speech, the “Gettysburg Address.”

Today, you can pay a visit to these hallowed grounds and remember all the sacrifices made there. You can even close your eyes and imagine being there on the field as Lincoln made his famous address with our self-guided Auto Tour.

Tweak it as a travell planning

When planning your visit to Gettysburg, a self-guided tour is an excellent option, you get to learn about the various events and famous places in Gettysburg while avoiding direct contact with people. It’s also straightforward to use as you install the app on your phone, pick the tour, and you’re off! You can drive along the recommended route while a narrator will take you through the sights.

You can soak in the history, geography, architecture, and culture of Gettysburg, all from the safety of your car. Each tour features over an hour of exciting facts, emphasizing all the neat stuff that you’ll encounter along the way. The best part is that with a self-guided Auto Tour, you don’t have to worry about paying for tickets or closing times, as with this, you can make your schedule!

The self-guided Auto Tour is proof that living under quarantine does not have to be dreary. You can still enjoy a scenic tour and observe health and safety protocols.

All that being said, here is a list of the top five things that you can do in Gettysburg Battlefield:

1) Gettysburg Battlefield Auto Tour

One of the best things you can do while you’re in town is to take a narrated Auto Tour of the Battle of Gettysburg. Take your pick from the recommended starting points of the Gettysburg Heritage Center or the Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center and embark on a two-hour tour where you’ll get to walk in the footsteps of Civil War soldiers; relive the crucial strategies of Gettysburg generals and so much more! With 49 stories and 14 deep dives, experience this critical point of the American Civil War like never before!

2) Ghosts of the Gettysburg Tour

Another thing that you can try out is the Ghosts of the Gettysburg Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour. Narrated by Mark Nesbitt, the author of Ghosts of Gettysburg, this three-hour tour that involves 38 stories and ten deep dives will take you through some of the most mysterious and unexplainable happenings that happened on the Gettysburg Battlefield. On this site, more than 51,000 soldiers perished. Locals say their souls still roam the area.

3) Devil’s Den Walking Tour

Next up is the Devil’s Den Walking Tour, which will take you through a battleground where some of the most ferocious fighting happened during the Battle of Gettysburg. At this place, soldiers from the Union and Confederate armies were locked in an immense struggle to control this highly strategic area. This tour will take you back in time and tell you stories of the soldiers and generals in this crucial skirmish.

4) Seminary Ridge Tour

Another intriguing thing that you can try is the Seminary Ridge tour. Seminary Ridge is where the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg exploded as soldiers from opposing sides battled to take control of this ridge and the make-shift hospital that was made inside the seminary. This fascinating tour will bring you back to July 1863, where you’ll be able to witness this bloody encounter from the eyes of the people that engaged in it. This tour takes around three hours, starting at Lutheran Theological Seminary. It will take you through different areas like the Valentine Hall and the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center.

5) Historic Philly

There are also other tours around Gettysburg like the Historic Philly walking tour where you’ll journey back in time to historic Philadelphia during the heyday of such historical figures like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and all their revolutionary collaborators. This two-hour tour will regale you with 30 stories and an incredible 39 deep dive as you discover the origins of the iconic Liberty Bell and relive the battle for American independence! Start at the Philadelphia City Hall and learn everything about the Independence Hall, the birthplace of America, and the oldest street in the city—Elfreth’s Alley!

Explore the world in a new and innovative way with the Action Tour Guide Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tours, an audio guide, map, and tour book—all in one neat package! Turn your phone into a personal tour guide as this app offers a fully guided experience. You’ll feel like a local is standing right next to you, giving you personalized, turn-by-turn, fully-guided tours all over the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you need in Gettysburg?

Most visitors find one full day sufficient for the highlights, but two days allows for a much deeper experience. On a single day, you can visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center (2–3 hours), do a driving tour of the main battlefield stops, and explore Cemetery Ridge and Little Round Top. With two days, you can add the Eisenhower National Historic Site, explore more of the 26 miles of battlefield roads, attend a ranger-led program, and enjoy Gettysburg’s historic downtown. History enthusiasts could comfortably spend 3 days without running out of meaningful things to see.

Is Gettysburg worth visiting?

Absolutely, and it consistently ranks as one of the most emotionally impactful historical sites in the United States. The combination of preserved battlefield landscape, world-class museum, and weight of what happened there in July 1863 makes it a singular experience. Beyond Civil War enthusiasts, visitors who aren’t particularly interested in military history consistently report being moved by the site — particularly the Soldiers’ National Cemetery where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. It’s especially worthwhile for families with teenagers studying American history and for anyone interested in leadership, sacrifice, or American identity.

What are the top Civil War sites to see?

The must-see sites are:
(1) the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center — start here for the Cyclorama painting and orientation film
(2) Little Round Top — the high ground where Union forces held the line on Day 2
(3) Cemetery Ridge and the High Water Mark — site of Pickett’s Charge on Day 3
(4) Soldiers’ National Cemetery — Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address site
(5) Devil’s Den — the famous boulder field used by Confederate sharpshooters
(6) Seminary Ridge, where Confederate forces massed before the final charge. A self-guided driving tour connects all these with narrated context along the way.

Is there a self-guided Gettysburg tour?

Yes, and self-guided tours are one of the best ways to experience Gettysburg at your own pace. The National Park Service provides a free auto tour map with 16 stops covering the full battlefield. Action Tour Guide’s self-guided driving tour adds audio narration at each stop — stories, context, and details that bring the battlefield to life as you drive. The tour works offline, so you don’t need cell service on the more rural battlefield roads. Self-guided visits are ideal if you want flexibility, prefer to linger at stops like Little Round Top, or are traveling with children who set their own pace.

What is the best time to visit Gettysburg?

Late spring (May–June) and fall (September–October) are the best times to visit. The weather is comfortable for outdoor exploration, the battlefield landscape is at its most photogenic, and crowds are lighter than during the peak summer months. July is the busiest month — the anniversary of the battle falls on July 1–3, drawing large reenactment crowds but also creating significant traffic. Fall foliage in October adds particular beauty to the battlefield. Winter visits are very quiet, most outdoor sites remain open, and the stark landscape has its own somber appeal — though some indoor attractions have reduced hours.