About this city
Also known as: The Turning Point of the Civil War
Gettysburg is a world-famous, profoundly historic borough serving as the county seat of Adams County, beautifully situated in the fertile rolling orchards of south-central Pennsylvania. Founded in the late 18th century by James Gettys, the town was forever etched into global military lore in July 1863 as the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest conflict of the American Civil War and the undisputed turning point for the Union's salvation. It was here that President Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg Address, redefining the concept of American democracy. Today, the town stands as a monumental national shrine, meticulously preserving its extensive battlefield orchards, historic brick witness houses, and a lively, vintage downtown infused with deep 19th-century Americana.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 2–3 days
Take a licensed battlefield guide tour across Gettysburg National Military Park, see the massive Gettysburg Cyclorama painting at the Museum and Visitor Center, explore the historic David Wills House where Lincoln finished his speech, and dine at the 1776 Dobbin House Tavern.
