Mrs. Booner and I are hitting the 20 year anniversary this summer. We are celebrating early with a five day, spring break trip to Gettysburg, PA in March. For those who have been, what advice would you give on the must see parts versus what to skip?
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If you are up there you need to go to Hershey, Pennsylvania and tour the factory which is very nice. Also tour the Amish country. I took a group up there and they had a great time -
Thanks, Toby. Looks like that’s only about an hour away. Going to look into it!Comment
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If you do the battlefield tour, make sure you go to the Colt Museum. Tons of cool firearms.Comment
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Obviously, tour the battlefield. There are probably some auto-audio guides you can buy and listen to as you drive around the battlefield, but I would look into seeing if there are any local guides who can take you around for a nominal fee. We did this for our tour of the Normandy/Northern France area. We contacted a gentlemen based on a friend's referral, picked him up at a designated location, and he rode with us the entire day. It made a world of difference bringing the battles, unit movements, and cemeteries into context. We've also done a park ranger tour at Antietam. Definitely check references. Have a good time!Comment
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Nothing against Hershey but if you’re going to drive an hour, go southeast instead of northeast.Originally posted by Booner Sooner View Post
In Baltimore is Fort McHenry. The little ol’ fort where some guy named Francis Scott Key jotted down some words while on a British warship trying arrange a prisoner exchange during the War of 1812. Key called it Defence of Fort McHenry. It was later put to music and the title was changed to The Star Spangled Banner.
While you are taking in the Gettysburg you might as well stay on a tour of historically significant battlefields, especially one so close. They still fly a replica of the 15 star and 15 stripe flag at the fort. Take in the 15 or so minute animated movie as you enter the grounds, it naturally goes over the history of the battle and the Star Spangled Banner and the meaning of each word. As it is sung (more like spoken) at the end of the movie, the curtain in the small auditorium opens and you see the replica flag (still) flying over the fort at the same location on the mast at the center of the compound. I thought it was stunning. There might have even been a tear or two in my eyes at not seeing ot just the flag but “the” Star Spangled Banner (sure it was a replica) as it flew on that historical night.
While thinking of Gettyburg, General Lewis Armistead who was mortally wounded in Pickett’s Charge as the last major engagement at Gettysburg, was the nephew of George Armistead, the commander of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore.
Drive about about 10 minutes and you can see the the Historic Ships of Baltimore. When I went, for a modest fee you could do a self guided tour of all the ships. There is the USS Constellation which was the last all sail ship built for the US Navy (1854), the USS Torsk submarine which was the last US warship to sink a Japanese warship in WWII, the USCG Taney which is the last floating warship that fired shots in anger on December 7, 1941 and likely shot down a Japanese attacker and a lighthouse ship.
Like I mentioned, I’m not knocking Hershey and touring some chocolate memorabilia but.....
You will be mighty close to some significant American history that goes right along with Gettysburg.Comment
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We had already done our research on the Gettysburg battle. Just got the CD at the tour shop (many) downtown and spent 2 days, stopping to see everything. It was an experience I will never forget.
Another stop not far from there is the Flight 93 Memorial (in Shanksville,PA)Comment
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We did the country side tour. The little towns around are full of history with neat architecture and being the redneck I are, camped out around some crop fields to see the elusive Appalachian elk. Found one!
Every town seems to have a gun store and a pizza place. Take whataburger up there with you and use it to barter.
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Take in Gettysburg (including the museum) and soak in the strategy and tactics that were employed during the three days. Then Take the short ride over to Antietam and soak in how this battle was a 12 hour slug-fest of two armies just killing each other. Seriously both battlefields are fairly close in and Antienam is absolutely worth a day.Comment
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Congratulations on the twenty. My lady and I just hit twenty years.
Sounds like it will be a fun trip.
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We did the cd self tour years ago. It's well worth the few dollars that it cost. Hanover to the East is worth a stop also. Fire Museum, interesting shops and of course Utz / Synder factories.Comment
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If you go near Hershey, go pay tribute to MAJ Richard Winters.Comment
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Gettysburg has guides you can hire to ride along in your vehicle and point out sites/locations etc. Vote #2 for Amish country as well. You also might check out Antietam battlefield and Harper's Ferry WV which are close enough for a day/half day trip form where you'll be. Antietam is becoming surrounded by neighborhoods now, but Harper's Ferry is still a neat little town with great scenery.Comment
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lots of great advice here. Gettysburg is awesome. In March it will possibly be pretty cold so plan for that. If you do hit up the Amish country go and eat at the Shady Maple. Its an all you can eat buffet and was one of my favorite places to eat as a kid.
Get a guide for Gettysburg. It is a big battlefield with lots of history. Antietam is close and is worth going to see.Comment
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