History lovers flock to Gettysburg to experience what life was like during the American Civil War with visits to Civil War museums and tours of the Gettysburg Battlefield with a licensed National Park Service guide or by bus, car or even horse. Among the other historic sites are the Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg National Cemetery and Eisenhower National Historic Site.
In addition to Civil War art galleries and souvenir stores, Gettysburg offers a variety of unique shops featuring collectibles, dolls, clothing, jewelry and art. Both walking and horse-drawn carriage tours of downtown Gettysburg are available.
Reenactments, concerts, lectures, exhibits and other living history programs dot the Gettysburg calendar from spring to fall. Summertime brings the Gettysburg Civil War Heritage Days, commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Annual Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment.
Like the town in which they stand, the bed and breakfasts of downtown Gettysburg bring history to life. All of the inns listed here serve a full breakfast, except as noted.
DOWNTOWN GETTYSBURG
Brafferton Inn, The
The oldest continual residence in Gettysburg's historic district, this 1786 stone home offers 14 guest accommodations: two suites and three rooms in the main house, one suite and six rooms in the 1850s carriage house addition, and two suites in an adjacent 19th-century building. Most rooms contain queen beds, and two suites have Jacuzzis; other amenities available include a gas fireplace, private entrance or private balcony. This National Register property, situated on York Street at town center, is decorated with antiques and Colonial murals and stenciling.
Brickhouse Inn, The
Guests will find original wood floors and antiques in each of the eight rooms and two suites at this child-friendly 1898 three-story brick Victorian on Baltimore Street. Most rooms have a queen bed and may also feature a fireplace or cast-iron stove, a bay window and view of town, or a private porch or entrance.
Farnsworth House Inn
This 1810 inn on Baltimore Street features haunted sleeping quarters, Victorian decor, a sun room and gardens. Most of the 11 rooms have a queen bed; a few offer a fireplace; and two contain a Jacuzzi. THe Farnsworth House, a National Register property containing more than 100 bullet holes, offers ghost story performances, candlelight ghost walks and a dinner theater.
Gaslight Inn, The
Lodging options at this 1872 brick home on East Middle Street include three standard rooms with queen beds -- one with a private entrance; three superior rooms with queen beds, fireplaces and steam showers for two; and three deluxe rooms (either a queen bed with two fireplaces and a double Jacuzzi or a king or two twins with a fireplace, deck and steam shower for two). Children age 12 and up are welcome, and the inn is available for group events such as weddings and corporate retreats.
Gettystown Inn
On Steinwehr Avenue adjacent to the historic 1776 Dobbin House Tavern and Gettysburg National Cemetery, guest accommodations are provided in three buildings furnished with 19th-century antiques and overlooking the site where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. The Leister House has queen beds in its four rooms and one suite -- two have private porches; the Victorian House has one suite with a king-sized canopy bed and private porch; and the Remembrance House has one two-story suite and one second-floor suite, both with queen beds. Children age 5 and up are welcome.
James Gettys Hotel
Less than a block west of Lincoln Square, this four-story child-friendly Chambersburg Street hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains 11 suites; all have a queen- or full-size bed, sitting room and kitchenette. A continental breakfast is provided in the guest rooms.
Keystone Inn
Four guest rooms (one king, two queen and one double) and one suite (sleeps up to 5) occupy this 1913 three-story brick Victorian on Hanover Street, about four blocks east of Lincoln Square. Children are welcome.
Quiet Knight Bed and Breakfast, A
At this 1863 two-story brick home on Baltimore Street, about three blocks south of Lincoln Square, in Gettysburg's downtown historic district, there are three antique-furnished guest rooms, two with queen beds and one with a full bed. Children age 12 and up are welcome. A full breakfast is provided on weekends and a continental breakfast on weekdays.
Sentimental Journey Bed and Breakfast, A
Guests of this 1928 brick home can select from four queen-bed rooms and one full-bed room, each furnished to reflect an era of the 20th century and most featuring World War I or II art and memorabilia. A continental breakfast is served here, on Baltimore Street about six blocks south of Lincoln Square.
