A student’s guide to Gettysburg: Things to do around town

A student’s guide to Gettysburg: Things to do around town

As the site of one of the most consequential events in our nation’s history, the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, invites students to discover things to do in the community only steps away from our campus.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is a vibrant historic town, rich with history and heritage. We polled several students to learn about some of their favorite things to do around Gettysburg. Which of these are yours?

Close-up of the marquee on the Majestic Theater in downtown Gettysburg
Close-up of the marquee on the Majestic Theater in downtown Gettysburg

Activity or thing to do on the weekend

  • Attend an athletics event on campus
  • Do a ghost tour in downtown Gettysburg (when in season)
  • Drive, run, or walk through the battlefields at Gettysburg National Military Park
  • Go apple picking in the fall
  • Go into town for dining, exploring, and shopping
  • Go to Ploughman Cider Taproom for free live music
  • Rent a GettyPeds (electric bike)
  • Ski at Liberty Mountain Resort (during the winter)
  • Visit Adams County Farmers Market
  • Watch a movie at the Majestic Theater
Performers entertain at Salsa on the Square in Gettysburg.
Entertainers perform for Salsa on the Square on Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg.

Festival or special event

  • A Gettysburg Christmas Festival, downtown Gettysburg
  • Adams County Farmers Market, downtown Gettysburg
  • Catoctin Fall Fest, Thurmont, Maryland
  • Eisenhower National Historic Site World War II Weekend, Gettysburg
  • Gettysburg Halloween Parade
  • National Apple Harvest Festival, South Mountain Fairgrounds near Arendtsville, Pennsylvania
  • Programs at the Majestic Theater, downtown Gettysburg
  • Salsa on the Square, downtown Gettysburg
Student helps with garden cleanup at Painted Turtle Farm during GIV Day 2023.
A student participates in a garden cleanup project at the Painted Turtle Farm during GIV Day during Orientation in August 2023.

Organization to volunteer with in the community

  • Adams County Democratic Headquarters
  • Adams County Historical Society Museum
  • Adams County SPCA
  • Campus Kitchen
  • CASA Swim
  • Center for Public Service and Casa de La Cultura
  • El Centro Tutoring
  • Gettysburg CARES
  • Gettysburg Soup Kitchen
  • Ruth’s Harvest, Gettysburg
  • Salvation Army
  • Soccer Without Borders
  • SCCAP (South Central Community Action Programs), Gettysburg
  • Special Olympics
  • The Gleaning Project
  • The Painted Turtle Farm
  • Vida Charter School
  • YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County
Students view Gettysburg Cyclorama during CCE career visit with NPS Ranger Chris Gwinn ’06.
Students view the Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center during a Center for Career Engagement (CCE) exploratory career visit with National Park Service Interpretive Ranger Chris Gwinn ’06.

Place or museum to tour in Gettysburg

  • Adams County Historical Society: Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum
  • Gettysburg National Military Park & the Museum and Visitor Center
  • Seminary Ridge Museum
Students enjoy a run through Gettysburg National Military Park.
Students enjoy a run through Gettysburg National Military Park.

Place to exercise and run

  • Gettysburg National Military Park
  • Gettysburg Recreation Park
  • Seminary Ridge Museum

Place to shop

  • 22(9) Vintage Wares
  • A Lit’le Irish Too
  • Fourcorners Comics & Games
  • Gettysburg Chocolate Market
  • Gettysburg Goods
  • Lark: A Modern Marketplace
  • Marshalls
  • Sweeet! The Candy Store
  • The Lucky Paw
  • The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg

What students say: “The town square has a ton of cute shops.” — Ava Grall ’28

Owen Lanier ’25 at the Eternal Light Peace Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park.
Owen Lanier ’25 at the Eternal Light Peace Memorial at Gettysburg National Military Park

Place to watch sunsets

Gettysburg National Military Park was consistently named as the top spot for this category. Some of students’ favorite places within the park include Culps Hill, Devils Den, Eternal Light Peace Memorial, Little Round Top, Longstreet Tower, Oak Ridge Observation Tower, and the Peach Orchard.

What students say: “The brief walk through the battlefield to get here is super easy, and once you are at the Oak Ridge Observation Tower nothing beats the view of the sunset from the battlefield! I have been here a countless number of times with my friends.” — Brooke Askin ’25

Produce stand, farm market, or orchard

  • Adams County Farmers Market
  • Catoctin Mountain Orchard
  • Hollabaugh Bros. Fruit Farm and Market
  • The Harvest Barn Country Market
  • The Historic Round Barn & Farm Market

More unique places to explore in Gettysburg

Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum (785 Baltimore St., Gettysburg): “It is a Gettysburg must-see! It is a museum of handmade dioramas that depict Civil War battles with mini cat figurines.” — Rachel Farbman ’25

RISE Yoga Gettysburg (2311 Fairfield Road, Suite A, Gettysburg): “It is a short drive off campus and provides a welcoming place to practice yoga. Alli Crowell, the owner, and all the instructors are incredible!” — Rachel Farbman ’25

La Cabaña Mexican Store (2621 York Road, Gettysburg): “I love La Cabaña Mexican Store. They have the best tacos, and their food truck is outside on the weekends. It’s a 10-minute drive from campus.” — Cittlali Martinez Gonzalez ’25

Visit Gettysburg College to explore living and learning in one of the most historic towns in America.

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Information compiled by Michael Vyskocil
Photos by Abbey Frisco and Jason Minick
Posted: 06/17/25

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