Touring the Battlefield

Most people who visit Gettysburg want to tour the Battlefield. I'm often asked which is the best way to do this. It depends largely on the depth of your interest in history and the famous Battle. The Battlefield is officially known as 'Gettysburg National Military Park', and adjacent to it is the National Military Cemetery, where Lincoln made his celebrated Address.

Presuming you are coming to Gettysburg for the history, rather than for the shopping, I think you should consider the following:

First stop: The National Parks Service (NPS) Visitor Center. This is like a museum, with all sorts of interesting exhibits, including:

1. The Electric Light Map - a huge map on the floor with tiered seats around in, and a 30 minute recorded commentary describing the Battle (little lights illuminate parts of the map to indicate where the events took place). Sadly the Light Map will not move to the new Visitor Center.
2. The Cyclorama Painting of 'Pickett's Charge': completed in 1884 it is now being moved to its new home at the new Visitor Center.
3. Park Ranger Walks: which go to the National Military Cemetery and other nearby sites in the battlefield. The schedule can be obtained from the NPS, in advance or at the Visitor Center.

Second thing to do: Tour the battlefield with a guide licensed by the NPS. These guides are freelancers, and they qualify for a license by taking tough written and practical tests. The guide drives you in your car for a two-hour tour of the Battlefield, for a charge of $45 (1-6 people) plus gratuity - fantastic value!

Third thing to do: Drive or walk round the Battlefield in your own time. You can use a CD or cassette with a recorded commentary to help you.

In my opinion, this is the best sequence for touring the battlefield. Obviously, your enjoyment will be greater if you've read books about the Battle, and I'll post another blog with some suggestions.

Some FAQs:

• "Where is the Battlefield?" The National Military Park virtually surrounds Gettysburg, and there was some fighting in the town, mostly skirmishing in the fringes.
• "How can we take a guide because we don't have space in our car - or because we are on motor-cycles." One option is to take a bus from the Visitor Center. Also, there are some guides who will take you in their car.
• "Can we walk round the Battlefield?" Yes, but it would take you several days!
• "Are there horseback/cycle rides?" Yes, and I'll post a blog on that.

Other questions: "Were the boulders at Devil's Den there at the time of the Battle?" "Why are there no bullet holes in the monuments?" I'll leave the answers to you!