Overview
The turning point of the Civil War undoubtedly occurred on July 3, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, especially when considered in combination with the capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi. After the Confederate invasion of the North was repulsed at Antietam, the next year General Robert E. Lee led 75,000 troops into Pennsylvania to face 88,289 Union soldiers. After three days of fighting, there were 51,000 men killed, wounded, or missing; the most of any battle on American soil. It can take more than one full day to visit Gettysburg National Military Park, especially if you add on a bus tour to neighboring Eisenhower National Historic Site.
Highlights
Museum, film, Cyclorama painting, driving tour, David Wills House, cannons
Must-Do Activity
It is free to take the 24-mile long driving tour, but an admission fee is charged for the museum (opened in 2008) that covers the entire Civil War, including Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address. You should also consider watching the excellent 45-minute film A New Birth of Freedom (narrated by Morgan Freeman) and viewing the audio-visual program for the Cyclorama (a 377×42-foot original oil painting on a round canvas that depicts Pickett’s Charge of July 3, 1863). Commercial bus tours are available and you can also hire a licensed guide to ride in your car and provide a personal two-hour tour past the 1,300 monuments and memorials where so many men gave “the last full measure.”
Best Trail
If you have read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, you will want to get out of your car and walk around Little Round Top, which overlooks the infamous Devil’s Den, Peach Orchard, and Wheatfield. The High Water Mark Trail and Soldiers’ National Cemetery Trail are each about one mile in length.
Instagram-worthy Photo
This site is perhaps best known for President Lincoln’s 272-word Gettysburg Address, which he gave in two minutes following a two-hour speech by Edward Everett. Newspaper reviews from the next day were not favorable for the President.
Peak Season
Summer, though it was very busy even on a weekday in October 2016.
Hours
https://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Fees
Free driving tour, $15 per adult for films and museum (no discount for America the Beautiful pass)
Road Conditions
All roads paved
Camping
There a numerous private campgrounds around Gettysburg, and the National Park Service’s Catoctin Mountain Park is only 20 miles away, as are Caledonia and Corodus State Parks.
Related Sites
Antietam National Battlefield (Maryland)
Eisenhower National Historic Site (Pennsylvania)
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (Pennsylvania)
Scott in front of the 377-foot long Cyclorama painting 
The new museum opened in 2008 and is a great place to start your visit 
Reviews of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. 
Scott at Little Round Top 
Little Round Top overlooks the infamous Devil’s Den, Peach Orchard, and Wheatfield. 
Tiff at the Pennsylvania Monument
Explore More – When was the Cyclorama painting by French artist Paul Philippoteaux completed?
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