Guest Guidelines & Policies

• Appropriate attire: Shoes and shirts are required at all times.
• Smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping: Smoking and vaping are not allowed in the Museum & Visitor Center and designated non-smoking areas. Smoking is permitted at the flagpole plaza, bus parking lot and personal vehicles.
• Photography: Photography for non-commerical use is highly encouraged. However, for the preservation of the artifacts, flash photography and laser pointers are not allowed inside the museum, theaters or Cyclorama gallery. Likewise, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not permitted in the Museum & Visitor Center.
• Campfires and Grilling: Open fires and grills are not permitted on the grounds of the Museum & Visitor Center. Other picnic and camping grounds in the Gettysburg area offer designated areas for these activities.
• Disorderly Conduct: Engaging in activities distracting to fellow visitors, climbing on or abusing exhibits/displays, using displays/structures for activities other than their intended purpose and damaging/tampering with structures are prohibited.
• Bicycles & e-Bikes: Be safe. Ride your bike only on roadways and parking lots. Bicycles are not permitted on the sidewalks or walking paths. Bike racks are available in Bay 1 of Parking Lot 1. Do not lock your bike to the building, trees or signs. e-Bikes refer to two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.). Read more at the National Park Service website.
• Prohibited Activities: Recreational activities, such as ball playing, kite flying, skateboarding and inline skating, are not permitted in the Gettysburg National Military Park. Equipment related to these, and other sporting/recreational activities, are not permitted in the Museum & Visitor Center.

Accessibility

The National Park Service and the Gettysburg Foundation staff and volunteers are committed to providing the highest quality visit and exceptional customer service to our guests. Given the size and scope of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and the Gettysburg battlefield, visitors may find they have to do a good deal of standing and walking while visiting.

Handicapped Accessible Parking, Pick-up/Drop-off Locations & Requests for Additional Assistance: Located at the entrance to the Museum & Visitor Center, the curbside drop-off area provides another accessible option for visitors requiring some extra assistance.

• Handicapped-accessible Parking: Designated, accessible parking spaces are available at the front of Parking Lot 1. 
• Curbside Drop Offs: Located at the entrance to the Museum & Visitor Center, the curbside drop-off area provides another accessible option for visitors requiring some extra assistance. This area is for drop offs only (no parking).
• If handicapped-accessible parking is full or curbside drop off is not an option, visitors requiring additional assistance may call 717-339-2124 or 877-874-2478 upon arrival, and assistance will be provided.
• Shuttles: Seasonal shuttle transportation is available from Parking Lot 3 during the summer months.

Entrances & Exhibits: All public entrances at the Museum & Visitor Center are accessible and accommodate both manual and motorized wheelchairs, as well as electric mobility scooters.

Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis from the National Park Service Information Desk at no charge. Reservations are not accepted for wheelchairs. Please note that on busy days (holidays, special events and summer weekends) wheelchairs rent quickly and may not be available. You are welcome to bring your own manual wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or electric mobility scooter.

Scooters: A limited number of scooters are available to rent for the day while in the Museum & Visitor Center building. Visit the Friends Desk to learn more and inquire about availability.

Service Animals: Service animals as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are welcome in the Museum & Visitor Center.

Special Accommodations: The Museum & Visitor Center accommodates guests with special needs.

• A limited number of devices are available on-demand to provide tour content for guests who are blind or have low vision, and guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. Closed captioning enhances accessibility in A New Birth of Freedom film and in Ticket to the Past—Unforgettable Journeys virtual reality experience.
• For visitors viewing the film, A New Birth of Freedom, and the Cyclorama, please note that the experiences in these areas feature loud noises, gun and cannon shots and flashing lights.

Amenities, Comfort & Safety

Parking: The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center offers convenient parking on site in two lots, as well as a bus parking lot, for guests while they visit and enjoy the attractions inside and tours from the Museum & Visitor Center.

• Handicapped-accessible Parking: Designated, handicapped-accessible parking spaces are available at the front of Parking Lot 1. 
• Curbside Drop Offs: Located at the entrance to the Museum & Visitor Center, the curbside drop-off area provides another accessible option for visitors requiring some extra assistance. This area is for drop offs only (no parking).
• Additional Assistance: If handicapped-accessible parking is full or curbside drop off is not an option, visitors requiring additional assistance may call 717-339-2124 or 877-874-2478 upon arrival.
• Bus, Trailer and RV Parking: Buses, trailers and RVs may park in the Bus Parking Lot (MAP).
• Parking for Reserved Guided Car Tours Only: Maximum 15-minute parking is provided for visitors arriving for their reserved Licensed Battlefield Guide car tour. Space is limited in this area. If parking in this area is full, visitors with a reserved guided car tour can park in Lot 1 or Lot 3 as needed.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVC): Paid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are available in the southern end of the Bus Parking Lot (MAP).
  • Level-II Chargercharging fee is $5 per hour or any part of the first hour.
    • Additional hour(s) or any part of an additional hour is $3 per hour.
• View parking lot locations and information within Gettysburg National Military Park at nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/directions.htm.

Family Information:

• Lost Children or Adults: Report lost children/adults to the National Park Service Information Desk for assistance in locating your misplaced loved one.
• Family Restrooms: Family restrooms are conveniently located in the Main and Group Lobbies of the Museum & Visitor Center.
• Lactation/Personal Care Room: A private Lactation Room is available. Please contact a ranger at the National Park Service Information Desk or personnel at the Ticket Counter for access.
• Child strollers are not provided on-site. Visitors traveling with child strollers may bring them into the Museum & Visitor Center building and should be aware of the indoor stroller parking. Child or baby strollers are prohibited in the theaters (for the film) and in the Cyclorama area and on the platform. Convenient stroller parking is available in the museum lobby near the entrances to the theaters. Ticket holders for the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience shall park strollers in the designated area in the museum lobby before entering the Film & Cyclorama show, and can pick up their stroller before going into the museum.

Dining Options: The Museum & Visitor Center offers convenient dining, snack and beverage options for you during your visit. (Hours & Info)

• Battlegrounds Café & Grille: Enjoy hot and cold food selections along with your favorite made-to-order coffees (lattes, espressos, iced coffee) and bottled beverages. Choose from a variety of cold sandwiches, snacks, hot dogs, pizzas and panninis.

  If you’re looking to soothe your sweet tooth, we feature local favorites, ice cream and warm Adams County apple dumplings.

  For your convenience, order a boxed lunch for your family, small group, or couple, and dine outdoors on our patio or picnic area. Order boxed meals in advance.

• Refreshment Saloon: Modeled after an actual Civil War-era saloon, the Refreshment Saloon provides leisurely a-la-carte dining.

For Groups: Request group dining and accommodations online or call 717-338-1243, option 5.

Group Dinner Reservations: To make your group reservations for dinner, call in advance, 717-338-1243, option 5.

View hours of operation for dining on-site at the Museum & Visitor Center.

Picnic Areas: The Museum & Visitor Center provides outdoor picnic areas for families and small groups to enjoy a picnic meal or packed food items during the spring, summer and fall seasons (unavailable in winter). However, open fires and grills are not permitted on the grounds.

• Bus Parking Lot Picnic Area
• Parking Lot 1 Picnic Area
• Ranger Station 3 Picnic Area

Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi access is available in most areas of the Museum & Visitor Center. Look for the ‘Gettysburg_Foundation_Public” network.

For Your Safety: Items prohibited in the Museum & Visitor Center include:

• Outside food or drink (except water)
• Weapons/firearms
• Pets - Pets must not be left unattended in vehicles. Unattended pets should be reported to Security.

All bags are subject to inspection. View the complete list of prohibited items.

Lost & Found: Lost & Found items may be brought to or identified and claimed at the National Park Service Information Desk. To check on lost items, call the Museum & Visitor Center at 717-334-1124.

More Information

Superintendent's Compendium: Please visit the National Park Service site and the Superintendent’s Compendium for a summary of park specific rules implemented under 36 Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR). The Superintendent’s Compendium serves as public notice, identifies areas closed for public use, provides a list of activities requiring either a special use permit or reservation, and elaborates on public use and resource protection regulations pertaining specifically to the administration of the park.