Steeped In History and Mystery, Gettysburg is a Great Group Destination

Growing up in PA, I spent many wonderful summers exploring Gettysburg. It didn’t occur to me that a national treasure was practically in my backyard. I took for granted that a day trip tromping through battlefields was practically a rite of passage for Civil War enthusiasts. Steeped in history and mystery, Gettysburg is a great group destination!

While Gettysburg is definitely a must-do for history buffs, there’s much more to see and do in this bucolic spot.  These rolling hills have some secrets to share!

Civil War Stops

Gettysburg National Military Park

If you are traveling to Gettysburg, a stop at the Gettysburg National Military Park is probably at the top of the trip checklist. The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War and the inspiration for Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

Programs are available for all ages, as well as free, ranger-led tours of key battlefield moments. There’s really nothing quite like the experience of walking on these hallowed grounds to truly make history come alive!

Gettysburg Diorama

A fully-narrated light and sound show, the Gettysburg Diorama has the entire 6,000-acre battlefield in one place. Groups will be amazed by the incredible detail of the display during the 30-minute presentation of the three-day battle.

Songs and Stories of a Civil War Hospital

Christ Lutheran Church is the oldest building in Gettysburg in continuous use for worship and served as a hospital from the first day of battle and for 5 weeks.

True stories of soldiers (Union and Confederate), doctors, and nurses who worked valiantly to save lives are presented through readings of soldiers’ journals and a nurse’s diary.  There’s also live civil war music, Walt Whitman’s poetry (he served as a civil war nurse for 3 years), and passages from Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address (the Gettysburg Address).

Visitors are given the name of a soldier who was a patient at the hospital and whose fate is revealed at the end of the program (did he live or die?)

Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight Walking Tours

Don’t miss a chance to get up close and personal with some of Gettysburg’s best haunts and eerie sightings!

The Ghosts of Gettysburg Candlelight Walking Tours have been around since 1994 and are based on true stories from Mark Nesbitt’s Ghosts of Gettysburg book series and have been featured on Unsolved Mysteries.

Shriver House Museum- The Civilian Experience

The Shriver House is an 1860s home in the heart of the historic district.  It’s been meticulously restored and frozen in time, featuring members of the Shriver family sharing their experiences of life before, during, and after the war.

Don’t “Forget” Mr. Ed’s!

Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium

Ok… so maybe Mr. Ed’s isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when planning a group trip to Gettysburg.  But it does have its own captivating story to tell.

Mr. Ed’s started as a quirky roadside attraction selling snacks, candies, and unique merchandise in 1975.  The store closed in 1983, only to be reimagined in a new location just outside of Gettysburg.

Here it grew to include a collection of roughly 10,000 elephants, along with all sorts of other goodies.  Mr. Ed’s became a visitor favorite for people from around the world and featured an incredible selection of candy and (of course) fresh roasted peanuts.

In 2010, a fire destroyed much of Mr. Ed’s impressive storefront, but volunteers rallied around their favorite purveyor of pachyderms and helped the owners re-open just 7 months later.

Fast-forward a few more years and Mr. Ed’s business grew exponentially (thanks to some savvy business decisions and national media coverage.) Even more space was required to display its unusual offerings and first-rate candy confections.

Groups can now visit the beloved Mr. Ed’s 1700 ft. addition with wholesale space and a candy kitchen!  Much like an elephant, it’s a stop you’ll never ‘forget!’

Wine and Dine

General Pickett’s Buffet

If you need a quick, home-cooked meal to fuel those insatiable traveler appetites, General Pickett’s Buffet is a perfect choice.

Reasonable group rates (which include beverages and gratuity) and great food make General Pickett’s a group favorite.

Historic 1776 Dobbin House Tavern

Historic 1776 Dobbin House Tavern provides comfortable group accommodations, gracious hospitality, and delectable dishes in a charming and historic setting. Groups can tour the oldest and most historic home in Gettysburg, check out the secret underground railroad hideout, or visit the Country Curiosity Store.

Savor Gettysburg Food Tour

If you want to do more than just dine, hop on the Savor Gettysburg Food Tour.  Fascinating stories of the past meet savory local delights as you tour this historic region.

Tours include the Historic Downtown Food Tour, Wine & Cider Tour, Farmer’s Market Tour & Cooking Class, Christmas Tastes & Traditions as well as private tours.

Relax and Stay Another Day

Courtyard by Marriott Gettysburg

If you want a clean and comfortable property that knows how to cater to groups, Courtyard by Marriott Gettysburg is a great choice.

Close to popular Gettysburg attractions and featuring an indoor pool, Courtyard by Marriott has the experience to make your group stay a breeze.

Gettysburg is a Great Group Destination

Learn more about how Gettysburg is a great group destination as you listen to the most recent episode of Destination Dispatch.

Lindsay Methlie, Director of Group Sales at Destination Gettysburg, joins hosts Jim, Keith, and Stevie to chat about exactly why Gettysburg is a great group destination!