Growing up in Pennsylvania, I visited the battlefields of Gettysburg during a school field trip and, I must tell you, it was an experience that is still with me to this day. I can still see the morning mist rising off the fields, the firing of muskets in the distance, and the soldiers cooking over an open fire (as you will see, the reenactments are ridiculously good!). Now it’s time to revisit Gettysburg with Anne. Of course, I’ll take my California girl to the historic battlefields, but we’re excited to check out the town’s exploding “festival+brewery+outdoor+music” scene! I seriously had NO idea how many awesome things are going on these days in Gburg. Here’s a little guide for our upcoming visit and hopefully yours!
Craft Brew Tasting
Cider: When they call a place “Cider Town” and it’s in a county nicknamed “Apple Country”…well, you can rest assured there is some tasty cider to be had in Gettysburg. Reid’s Orchard & Winery is a must as they rotate eight or nine cider taps at all times. (Must try: Farmhouse Cider & Mountain Top Hop Cider)
Beer: If your Gettysburg trip coincides with the first Thursday of the month, you will catch live music and two-for-one brews at Battlefield Brewworks. Sip on a Lincoln Lager, while rocking out with local musicians.
Spirits: If you like something a little stiffer, head over to the Old Republic Distillery: the first distillery in the region since Prohibition. They also have acoustic music sessions most Fridays and Saturdays.
Apple Picking
We absolutely love apple picking. There is just something about throwing on a pair of boots, packing a picnic and walking the rows of fruit trees. Both Boyer Nurseries and Mcdannell’s Fruit Farm capture that perfect fall ambiance.
Pro Tip: Go picking in late September and early October and you can harvest a fruit trifecta: plums, pears, and apples!
Horseback & Bike Riding the Battlefields
Horseback: One of the most inspiring ways to explore Gettysburg is by horseback. You will walk the same paths the generals and soldiers trotted along two centuries ago and take in the scenery and history from a truly authentic vantage point. The family-owned Cornerstone Farm, prides themself on raising healthy and happy horses for riders of all levels.
Biking: If you’d prefer to explore by your own steam, rent a set of wheels from GettysBike Tours and pedal your way around this 4,000-acre national park (guide optional).
Culinary Tour
With over 100 restaurants in Gettysburg it’s hard to know which one to choose, so leave this one to the pros at Savor Gettysburg Food Tours. The historic downtown food tour is the most popular, heading to seven of the best eateries in town (including Garryowen Irish Pub, voted “Second Best Irish Pub in the world outside of Ireland,” by Ireland of the Welcome Magazine. Impressive!) Over the course of three hours, you will nibble your way around town, while learning about Gettysburg’s past and present.
As you can tell, whether you are 15 or 50, a history buff or a foodie, there is something for you in Gettysburg!
Note: This post is sponsored by Destination Gettysburg.