Tips for Your Visit

Tips for a Successful Campaign

Start with the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience

Before you head out onto the battlefield, get the background and set the stage for your visit with the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience. You'll become better aquainted with the personalities, locations and tactics, and your trip to the battlefield will become much more meaningful.

When to Visit Gettysbug

There's never a bad time to visit Gettysburg.

The Museum & Visitor Center–as well as the battlefield– is the busiest and most crowded in the summer months, particularly in July during the anniversary of the battle.

Fall colors, cooler temperatures and thinner crowds make the autumn months ideal for a visit, while the spring months (April and May) are peak times for student group visits.

Winter months offer the opportunity to stay inside with the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience and ride a climate controlled bus for a tour of the battlefield. 

Whenever you decide to visit, reserving your tickets online will help save you time and get you on your historic journey sooner.
  

Park at the Park

Parking is free at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center.

Ride the Rabbit Transit shuttle for free and access additional, in-town National Park Service and Gettysburg Foundation destinations. Those with a proof of purchase from a National Park Service exhibit ride free. Present your Museum & Visitor Center ticket/proof of purchase.

• Handicapped-accessible Parking
  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, and assistance will be provided.
• Bus, Trailer and RV Parking
  Buses, trailers and RVs park in the Bus Parking Lot (MAP).
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVC)
  Paid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are available in the southern end of the Bus Parking Lot (MAP). 
  • Level-II Charger charging 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.
  • DC Fast Charger charging fee is $6 per hour or any part of the first hour.
    • Hourly rate is prorated for charging time beyond one hour.

What to Bring

Civil War soldiers often carried more than 50 pounds of gear with them.
You probably shouldn't bring that much.

• Bags and Baggage
  Help us keep the collections safe. Avoid bringing backpacks and larger items into the Museum & Visitor Center. All bags are subject to inspection. Please refer to the list of prohibited items.
• Food & Beverages
  Stay hydrated. Bottled water is allowed inside the Museum & Visitor Center. All other outside food or drink is not permitted inside the Museum & Visitor Center.

Accessibility

• Handicapped-accessible Parking
  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, and assistance will be provided.
• Shuttles
  Seasonal shuttle transportation is available from Parking Lot 3 during the summer months.
• Wheelchair Use & Availability
  Wheelchairs are available at the National Park Service Information Desk.
• Service Animals
  Service animals are welcome in the Museum & Visitor Center and Gettysburg National Military Park.

Photography

• Photography for non-commercial use is encouraged throughout the Museum & Visitor Center grounds and the Gettysburg National Military Park. However, flash photography is not allowed in the Museum, theaters or Cyclorama gallery.
• For the safety of visitors and collections, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not permitted in the Museum & Visitor Center.
• Share your photos with us. Tag us in your Twitter and Instagram posts: #GettysburgFoundation

Dining Options

• 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 paninis.

  If you’re looking to soothe your sweet tooth, we feature local favorite, Mr. G’s home made ice cream, as well as 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

  For group dining requests and accommodations: aramark@gettysburgfoundation.org. Hours of operation.

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

Family Information

• Lost Children or Adults
  Please report lost children/adults to the Park 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.
• 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.