Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, commemorates the three-day battle of July 1 to 3, 1863, in the Civil War. The park covers 6,034 acres (about 2,440 ha) with 1,328 monuments and markers and attracts nearly one million visitors a year. At the 17-acre Soldiers’ National Cemetery, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at its dedication on November 19, 1863, before about 15,000 people.

For road-trippers, the auto tour with 16 stops is a good fit; a brochure and map are available at the kiosk by the visitor center. Licensed Battlefield Guides lead two-hour tours in your own car or on a bus. The visitor center is free to enter; the museum (about 22,000 square feet, or 2,000 m²) shows a film of about 20 minutes and the cyclorama painting, 377 feet (115 m) around and 42 feet (12.8 m) high, and the museum, film and cyclorama require admission.

Study the map beforehand, never park on the grass and leave large backpacks in the car, because they are not allowed in the visitor center. The visitor center lot can fill up, and the overflow lot is about a 15-minute walk away. The route passes through downtown several times, which makes a good stop for a museum or a meal.