Gettysburg National Military Park
Begin your visit at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, where the park offers free information, an extensive museum about Gettysburg and the Civil War, the fully restored Gettysburg Cyclorama that dramatically depicts "Pickett's Charge", and the film "A New Birth of Freedom", narrated by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, which focuses on the significance of Gettysburg. There is an entry fee for admission to the museum, film and Gettysburg Cyclorama. The center also provides information on the numerous ways to tour the battlefield park including the Licensed Battlefield Guide service, an expansive bookstore managed by Event Network, Inc., and a refreshment saloon that offers snacks, sandwiches and drinks in a Civil War period atmosphere. Shuttle buses to Eisenhower National Historic Site are available from the Visitor Center.
Plan to spend a minimum of four hours at the park, though an entire day is more desirable if you wish to take advantage of the museum, film and cyclorama program, have a leisurely tour of the park and visit nearby attractions. Recently, visitors have spent an average of three and one half hours in the museum alone!
The mission of the National Park Service and its partner, the Gettysburg Foundation, is to provide each and every visitor with a quality experience while visiting the Museum and Visitor Center, walking in the Soldiers' National Cemetery where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address, and while touring the battlefield park.
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Hours
Grounds and Roads: Open daily from 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. April 1 to October 31, and 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. November 1 to March 31. Park hours are strictly enforced.
Comfort Stations located throughout the park are open for visitors during regular park hours. These stations are closed for the winter from mid-November (after Remembrance Day events) through March
The Museum and Visitor Center is open daily throughout the year. The center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Museum and Visitor Center Hours:
April 1 - October 31: 8 am - 6 pm
November 1 - March 31: 9 am - 5 pm
The Soldiers' National Cemetery is open at dawn and closes at sunset daily. The cemetery is closed to vehicular traffic. Parking for the cemetery is located between Taneytown Road and Steinwehr Avenue (Bus. Rt. 15).
David Will House 2017 Operating Hours
January 1 through February 17: CLOSED
February 18 through February 28: 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday only
March through April: 10 am - 4 pm, daily (closed Tuesday)
Memorial Day through Labor Day: 10 am - 5 pm, daily
September through October: 10 am - 4 pm, daily (closed Tuesday)
November through December: 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday only
Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station:
November through February: CLOSED (exception: open November 18 & 19)
March through May: 10 am - 5 pm, open Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Memorial Day through Labor Day: 10 am - 5 pm, daily
September through October: 10 am - 5 pm, open Friday, Saturday, Sunday
(Note: Many places fill to capacity on busy, nice weather days, especially holiday weekends. Please call ahead or visit the official website to get the most up-to-date information before visiting.)
Fees
Entry to the park is free of charge.
There is an admission fee for the Gettysburg Museum Experience, the film "A New Birth of Freedom" narrated by Morgan Freeman, and to view the Gettysburg Cyclorama program.
ADMISSION (includes museum exhibits, film and cyclorama):
Adult (ages 13+) = $15.00
Seniors (65+) and Military Veterans = $14.00
Active Duty U.S. Military Personnel = FREE
AAA Discount = $14.00
Youth (ages 6-12) = $10.00
Children (5 and under) = FREE
Activities
The park offers a number of battlefield tours that can be arranged at the Museum and Visitor Center. Tour the park with a Licensed Battlefield Guide in the convenience of your own vehicle or ride along with others on a tour bus accompanied by a guide (offered seasonally).
There is a fee for a guided tour. We also offer self-guiding auto tours and tours on compact disk, which can be purchased at the museum book store. Commercial bus tours of the park are available through companies in Gettysburg.
Bicycle riding is welcome on park roads and avenues. All riders must ride on paved surfaces only.
There are designated trails for horseback riding throughout the park.
History
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address".
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