Gettysburg

Gettysburg may be a small town, but it was home to the biggest battle on American soil. Historic Gettysburg is where your journey to Harrisburg begins.

Lace up your walking shoes and take a stroll through the town. Stop at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, one of the first integrated seminary schools at the time of the war and the site of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Drop in anytime on a Civil War discussion, lecture, or book signing at nearby Gettysburg College. A must-see on your journey is the David Wills House, where President Abraham Lincoln added his finishing touches to the Gettysburg Address.

Enjoy a living history re-enactment of the war when you visit the American Civil War Museum.

At the Gettysburg National Military Park Cyclorama Center, see the "Battle of Gettysburg" Cyclorama, a 360 degree circular oil-on-canvas painting that depicts "Pickett's Charge," the climactic Confederate attack on the Union center on July 3, 1863.

Also, a stop that should not be missed, Artillery Ridge allows you to experience the battlefield like yesterday's soldiers by horseback. Ride through the heart of the battlefield in a truly unique and memorable tour. While there, get a bird's eye view of The Battle of Gettysburg in a scale model re-creation. At over 800 square feet and with 20,000 hand-painted soldiers, horses, and buildings, it's the largest battlefield diorama in the nation.

Bring some memories home. Paving the way down Main Street, you'll find all kinds of unique shops whether you're looking for the perfect period garb, souvenirs, or antiques. When you're hungry, dig into some of the best fresh and contemporary dishes at the Blue Parrot Bistro located on the site of one of the earliest houses in Gettysburg.

With the comforts of an authentic English Tavern, along with spacious guest rooms adorned with elegant period furnishings, you'll find the Gettysburg Hotel to be a wonderful place to unwind. You can also stay at the Gettystown Inn Bed & Breakfast at the Dobbin House, a bed & breakfast with five charming guests rooms in a historic Civil War Era home.

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Waynesboro, Greencastle, Chambersburg and Carlisle

Continue along your journey through Waynesboro and stop and see where over 10,000 soldiers fought around the Monterey Pass making it, next to Gettysburg, the largest Civil War battle fought in Pennsylvania. While you're there, catch a Civil War re-enactment at the Renfrew Museum and Park.

Further west, you'll come upon Greencastle and its Allison-Antrim Museum which houses an amazing collection of local Civil War history and artifacts.

As you approach Chambersburg, a bronze statue of a Union Soldier near a sparkling old fountain greets you. A short walk over to the Heritage Center, you can learn more about the founding of this historic town and how it was the only town north of the Mason-Dixon Line incinerated during the war.

What was prison like during the Civil War era? Find out through a tour of the basement of the Franklin County Jail one of the few places that survived the great fire.

Pay a visit to the historic John Brown House-Mary Ritner's Boarding House where John Brown planned and secured weapons for his attack on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry in the summer of 1859.

Proceeding along your route, plan to stop in Carlisle, home to the second oldest barracks in our nation. Visit the Army Heritage and Education Center, the premier U.S. Army archive and museum for preserving and telling the story of our soldiers and heroes.

Be sure to take a home a souvenir from Village Craft Country Peddlers and Market.

As your day winds down, stop by Dickinson College. Called upon to serve, many of the northern and southern students knew they may have to face each other in battle. Read their touching parting words in an autograph book stored in the archives.

Finish your day with a relaxing stay at Jacob's Resting Place 1790 Bed & Breakfast, a historic inn with 18th century charm. Or spend the night at Carlisle House Bed and Breakfast, which offers the very best of amenities in the elegance of a home built in 1826.

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Mechanicsburg and Harrisburg

Before your final stop in Harrisburg, travel through Mechanicsburg, named for a settlement of mechanics who repaired and made wagons in the early 1800s.

During the Civil War, the railroad was an invaluable method of transporting troops and supplies. Be sure to stop at the Museum and Train House and the Stationmaster's House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The two-story building was fully restored and furnished with antiques and reproductions to offer you a glimpse of the Civil War era.

As you approach the capital, swing by the Soldier's Grove historical marker, noting where U.S. Colored Troops were honored after returning from the Civil War. Also, explore The Harris-Cameron Mansion, former home of Harris-Simon Cameron, President Lincoln's first Secretary of War. Period rooms and exhibits highlight regional and national history through fine furniture, art, toys, and music boxes.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Broad Street Market is one of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in the country. Relive the rich history of this region at The State Museum of Pennsylvania which houses one of the largest Civil War collections in the country.

Restaurant Row along 2nd Street has quickly gained a reputation for an eclectic mix of food choices, offering everything from a quick bite to an upscale dining experience.

Wrap up your day at the historic 63-acre City Island. The island was a stopping-off point for Union soldiers who crossed over it to defend Harrisburg from the threat of invasion by Rebel forces. The Island is now an entertainment haven, home to Commerce Bank Park Stadium, Riverside Village, Harbourtown, miniature golf, three boat marinas, and the City Island Railroad.

Stay at the elegant Hilton Harrisburg in downtown Harrisburg or the charming Milestone Inn along the riverfront. Another convenient and welcoming hotel is the recently renovated Crowne Plaza Hotel Harrisburg Hershey.

Road to Harrisburg PHOTO GALLERY:

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