Welcome to Gettysburg, a lovely small town, where almost everything is within walking distance. While you're here for MAIUG, you will want to take advantage of the excitement and amenities of our world-renowned Civil War town.
Area Dining
The following establishments are all within easy walking distance of the Gettysburg College campus and the Gettysburg Hotel.
The Lincoln Diner: One block north of Lincoln Square at 32 Carlisle Street. (717) 334-3900. Traditional silver diner with typical diner fare. Outstanding selection of desserts including several chocolate torts and Black Forest Cake, all served in huge slices. Open 24/7 but cash only.
The Pub: Lincoln Square. (717) 334-7100. Also across the street from the Gettysburg Hotel, on the NW corner of the square. A lively eatery with an extensive selection of grilled sandwiches and entrees, including a number of creative and tasty vegetarian options.
McClellan's Tavern: Lincoln Square. (717) 337-2000. Tucked in a corner adjacent to the Gettysburg Hotel, McClellan's offers sandwiches, interesting appetizers, and fine dining in a cozy atmosphere.
The Plaza: Lincoln Square. (717) 334-1999. This is VERY conveniently located on the SE corner of the square just across the street from the Gettysburg Hotel. A reasonably priced hodgepodge of American cuisine with outstanding Greek dishes such as souvlaki, kebobs, and gyros. Open late.
Ping's Café: One block south of Lincoln Square at 34 Baltimore Street. (717) 334.2234. The best Chinese food and Sushi in town. No website but their menu is online.
Café Saint-Amand: One block south of Lincoln Square at 48 Baltimore Street. (717) 334-2700. French bistro featuring crepes and croissants for breakfast, sandwiches on baguettes for lunch, and hearty French fare for dinner. BYOB.
Mama Ventura's: One block west of Lincoln Square at 13 Chambersburg Street. (717) 334-5548. Typical Italian fare in a convenient location.
Blue Parrot Bistro: One block west of Lincoln Square at 35 Chambersburg Street. (717) 337-3739. Fantastic chef and creative top rate entrees. Nouvelle cuisine with great seafood options, such as baked salmon coated with honey and sesame seeds served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes and topped with a ginger lime sauce. A popular hangout for college faculty and staff. Closed on Mondays.
Thai Classic IV: One block west of Lincoln Square at 51 Chambersburg Street. (717) 334-5974. Simple décor but food is tasty and inexpensive and service is good. Another popular choice for the college community.
Ernie's Texas Lunch: One block west of Lincoln Square at 58 Chambersburg Street. (717) 334-1970. A cozy diner specializing in chili dogs and burgers and traditional diner style breakfast. Very 1950s atmosphere and prices! Great grill options, though not terribly cholesterol friendly. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Season's Bakery and Cafe: Two blocks west of Lincoln Square at 100 Chambersburg Street. (717) 334-0377. Fabulous baked goods. If you love dessert, this is your place. Selection of fresh soups and sandwiches at lunch time but seating is limited.
Roman Inn: Two blocks west of Lincoln Square at 102 Chambersburg Street. (717) 334-3310. Excellent pizza and sandwiches. Open late but seating is limited.
The Ragged Edge Coffee House: Two blocks west of Lincoln Square at 110 Chambersburg Street. (717) 334-4464. This is the local coffee shop for fair trade coffees and teas. Lunch fare includes salads, quiche of the day, and trendy organic wrap sandwiches. More vegetarian options than most. Lovely garden patio open for dining in warm weather.
Garyowen Irish Pub: Two blocks west of Lincoln Square at 126 Chambersburg Street. (717) 337-2719. Authentic Irish pub fare, including Fish & Chips, Shepherd's Pie, and homemade Guinness Beef Stew. Live music most weeks Thursday through Saturday. Bar area allows smoking.
El Costeno: 51 West Street. (717) 339-0029. Authentic Mexican. Fast and cheap.
Tito's Mexican Store: 39 N Washington Street. (717) 334-9813. Most authentic Mexican food but more of a store than a restaurant. Carryout with a few tables for dining in. Go early or late to get a seat at lunch.
Pizza House: 71 West Lincoln Avenue. (717) 334-1308. Indulge in greasy cheese fries and chicken subs, right near the heart of campus. A full menu of pizza and sandwiches.
These restaurants are within walking distance but a bit farther away. You may or may not wish to drive and you should definitely allow extra time to eat.
Farnsworth House Inn: 401 Baltimore Street. (717) 334-8838. Period restaurant with costumed wait staff and Civil War era cuisine. Noteworthy dishes include the Goober Pea Soup (peanut soup) and Game Pie (including Turkey, Pheasant and Duck). The more rustic Tavern adjacent to the Inn offers lighter fare and period entertainment most weekends. A unique display of uniforms and movie props from the film "Gettysburg" line the walls.
Dobbin House: 89 Steinwehr Avenue. (717) 334-2100. Another period restaurant with costumed wait staff, emphasizing the Colonial period and more "Continental" cuisine. The home baked breads are excellent with high marks for the period "spoon bread" and warm gingerbread with lemon sauce. Casual, lighter fare is available in the Springhouse Tavern downstairs.
The Avenue: 21 Steinwehr Avenue. (717) 334-3235. Typical diner food and a great spot for breakfast.
O'Rorke's Eatery & Spirits: 44 Steinwehr Avenue. (717) 334-2333. An Irish pub with a neighborhood atmosphere, good service, and an extensive menu of tasty pub grub. Music most weekend evenings.
J's at the Village: 619 Baltimore Street. (717) 334-9449. Casual fine dining in the heart of the tourist area. Interesting food with great presentation. Signature martinis and a nice wine selection. If you're a foodie, you'll like this restaurant.
Gettysburg Eddie's: 217 Steinwehr Avenue. (717) 334-1100. Baseball-themed restaurant named after Eddie Plank, World Series MVP in 1913, who played briefly for Gettysburg College. A broad selection of food at all price ranges. The MAIUG group meal is scheduled here for Monday night.
These restaurants require a car but are within a 5 to 15 minute drive from downtown Gettysburg.
La Bella Italia: 402 York Street. (717) 334-1978. New York style pizza and subs, as well as a full range of pasta dishes.
Montezuma Restaurant: 225 Buford Ave. (717) 334-7750. Mexican food for gringos. Good food and service in a comfortable atmosphere.
Appalachian Brewing Company: 401 Buford Avenue. (717) 334-2200. Tasty American fare in a rustic setting. Signature microbrewed beers, as well as monthly specialty beers.
The Pike Restaurant & Lounge: 985 Baltimore Pike. (717) 334-9227. Casual sports bar atmosphere and the only mechanical bull in town. Great wings and fish & chips. Music and dancing on weekends.
Golden Menu: 1885 Baltimore Pike. (717) 337-3611. The only Vietnamese food in town. A small and unassuming venue but service is good and food is plentiful and cheap. Closed on Mondays.
Olivia's: 3015 Baltimore Pike. (717) 359-9357. Five miles south of Lincoln Square between Gettysburg and Littlestown. Rich Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Patio dining in warm weather. Open late.
Area Attractions
Because this is a serious tourist town, you'll find far more things to do than you'll actually have time for during the conference. Consider arriving early to spend the weekend and enjoy the local amenities before MAIUG begins. Here are the main attractions:
Gettysburg National Military Park: Obviously, you won't want to leave town without having at least a quick look at the Gettysburg battlefield. The park literally surrounds the town and part of it is adjacent to the Gettysburg College campus. Many options exist for guided and unguided tours of the battlefield. The park visitor center is open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and charges $10.50/adult, which includes exhibits, a film, and the Cyclorama). A museum shop with an extensive book selection is located in the visitor's center complex. The park itself is free and closes at dusk.
Besides the Civil war, Gettysburg is also known as the home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. If you have some extra time, consider taking in a trip to the Eisenhower Farm. Acquired in 1950, the farm served as a weekend retreat for Eisenhower during his presidency and eventually became a retirement home. Accessible only by bus tour from the National Park Visitor Center for a cost of $7.50/adult.
If your time is limited, consider a walking tour through the Soldiers' National Cemetery, where Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. Each year on November 19th the speech is read aloud to a local audience. During their first week on campus, the new freshman class at Gettysburg College takes a First-Year Walk through town to the cemetery to hear a reading of the address.
David Wills House: If you're looking to sightsee but don't want to wander too far, take a tour of the recently remodeled Wills House museum right on Lincoln Square. David Wills, a prominent citizen of Gettysburg, invited President Lincoln to deliver a few appropriate remarks at the dedication of the Solders National Cemetery. It was here that Lincoln stayed and put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg address. This house museum covers both Lincoln and the history of Gettysburg's recovery from the Civil War. Closed on Tuesdays; otherwise open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during fall, for $6.50/adult. 8 Lincoln Square. (866) 486-5735.
Jennie Wade House: As the only civilian killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, Jennie is a local legend. You'll hear about her at the National Cemetery and on many of the ghost tours. You can also tour the home where she was killed while baking bread. House tours run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the fall. $7.25/adult. 548 Baltimore Street. (717) 334-4100.
Ghost Tours: These eerie adventures are probably the most popular visitor activity after dark. There are many different Ghost tours, each with unique features, so the "ghostie" aficionado may wish to investigate before picking a tour. Several have been featured on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, or A&E. Some of the most popular tours are listed here.
- Ghosts of Gettysburg: Based on the book series by local author Mark Nesbitt, who in 2004, received the National Paranormal Award for "Best True Hauntings Collection" and "Best 'Local Haunt' Guidebook. Walking tours start at $9.50/adult and bus tours at $18. 271 Baltimore Street. (717) 337-0445.
- Gettysburg Ghost Tours: Five walking tours including the Black Cat Tour and the Gettysburg Author's Tour. Tours start at $7/adult. 47 Steinwehr Avenue. (717) 338-1818.
- Ghostly Images: 90 minute Jennie Wade Tour or Haunted Orphanage Tour at $9.25/adult. 777 Baltimore Street. (717) 334-6296.
- Farnsworth House Ghost Tours: Operated out of the Farnsworth House Inn, this company offers a variety of tours, some candlelit, as well as a Séance room and seated Mourning Theater for guests who'd like the ghost walk without the walking. 401 Baltimore Street. (717) 334-8838.
If you've STILL got time to spare, please check out the following websites for additional activities:
- Gettysburg Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- Gettysburg Welcome Center
- Gettysburg.com
- Gettysburg Address: Official Visitor's Guide
- The Gettysburg Foundation
- Main Street Gettysburg
Enjoy the Countryside
You'll be visiting Gettysburg during harvest time, one of the most beautiful seasons of the year in Central PA. Try to get out of town and enjoy the local color.
For a nice ride in the country, take the Scenic Valley Tour, a 36-mile drive through Adams County that showcases farms, orchards, wineries and more. Approximately a two-hour drive, the entire route is clearly marked with Scenic Valley Tour signs.
Did you know that Pennsylvania is the 5th most apple producing state in the nation and that Central PA alone has 68 orchards? If you come early, you'll be just in time for the National Apple Harvest Festival, held the first two weekends in October in Arendsville, PA, just 8 miles NW of Gettysburg. Held at the South Mountain Fairgrounds, the festival offers live entertainment, hundreds of crafters, antique cars, orchard tours, and almost any food you can imagine that's made from apples. October 3-4 & 10-11 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM for $9/adult.
Just a short drive west of Gettysburg are two local wineries, the Adams County Winery and the Hauser Estate Winery. Both offer tours and tastings and Hauser serves catered food in conjunction with regular concert events. If you're a fan of cider, you'll enjoy the Hauser tasting which includes several varieties of hard ciders from local apples. If you like sweet wines, don't miss the Adams County selection. Their new Blueberry wine is quite popular this year. If you're short on time, Adams County Winery also has a shop in town at 25 Chambersburg Street.
Don't forget to do some shopping while you're here. The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg offer over 70 of your favorite retail stores. There is ample parking and a convenient location.
300 North Washington Street · Gettysburg, PA 17325