Discussion
As very usefully suggested in a previous post wondering what to do near Washington, I've decided to spend a day-ish in Gettysburg at the end of the month. I land at Dulles at 8.30am and hope to be out and in a hire car by 10.30am, so should be able to get there by lunchtime.
Trouble is, there seems to be loads of options on things to do, things to see, guides etc. Has anyone here been, and got any recommendations? My hotel is back near Dulles, so I've basically got an afternoon there.
Muchas gracias.
Trouble is, there seems to be loads of options on things to do, things to see, guides etc. Has anyone here been, and got any recommendations? My hotel is back near Dulles, so I've basically got an afternoon there.
Muchas gracias.
http://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/
We used these guys a few years ago, was good but i knew nothing about the war so the tour didn't really mean much. Now i've read up on it, i'd like to go back
We used these guys a few years ago, was good but i knew nothing about the war so the tour didn't really mean much. Now i've read up on it, i'd like to go back
Historically important - definitely. Captivating - moderately.
The reality is that it is an area of rolling countryside in eastern PA with some monuments on it. The museum is OK if you are into that kind of thing.
It's not one of those places I came away from thinking, "I'm really glad I did that".
The reality is that it is an area of rolling countryside in eastern PA with some monuments on it. The museum is OK if you are into that kind of thing.
It's not one of those places I came away from thinking, "I'm really glad I did that".
I thought it was a very interesting place, I would read Killer angels (Michael Shaara) and watch the film Gettysburg to get an idea what went on take the book with you for reference.
Do go on the tour advised Very good, informative guides.
The whole town is a museum, well worth a look round.
Good hotel in the centre with several good bars
Do go on the tour advised Very good, informative guides.
The whole town is a museum, well worth a look round.
Good hotel in the centre with several good bars
Interesting - it was having read Killer Angels that spurred me to visiting.
Without the National Parks Guide Service tour schedule, I'd have been totally lost there. The site is so spread out and divided by roads, trees, properties etc, I found it very difficult to visualize from the references, photos and maps in the book. The guide service is good though (if a little dumbed-down for a more casual or younger visitor).
The museum was the best bit.
As mentioned earlier, Manassas is close by and is the site of two (1st and 2nd Bull Run) battles, earlier in the war and both won by the Confederacy. Manassas is a town that is very, very rich in civil war history.
Without the National Parks Guide Service tour schedule, I'd have been totally lost there. The site is so spread out and divided by roads, trees, properties etc, I found it very difficult to visualize from the references, photos and maps in the book. The guide service is good though (if a little dumbed-down for a more casual or younger visitor).
The museum was the best bit.
As mentioned earlier, Manassas is close by and is the site of two (1st and 2nd Bull Run) battles, earlier in the war and both won by the Confederacy. Manassas is a town that is very, very rich in civil war history.
PhillT said:
Care to elaborate?
I have a passing interest in the civil war and thought it would be an interesting place to find out more about it. As it's near where I'll be anyway.
Sorry, did not take in your interest. I was talking of the town as a whole, which is shall we say a bit odd, many miles of shops and fast food. As I was camping in the park, it was not what I like! I have a passing interest in the civil war and thought it would be an interesting place to find out more about it. As it's near where I'll be anyway.
To be honest, if I had an afternoon at Dulles I'd be at the Air and Space museum http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/
But if you've already been there or planes and Space Shuttles aren't your thing, then looking at a bunch of hills might be an option
But if you've already been there or planes and Space Shuttles aren't your thing, then looking at a bunch of hills might be an option
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff