Gettysburg: Historic Taverns Evening Walking Tour

Gettysburg’s historic taverns hold a captivating story waiting to be uncovered. Visitors can embark on an evening walking tour that delves into the rich tapestry of the town’s iconic watering holes. Led by knowledgeable Gettysburg town guides, this 1-hour experience takes guests on a journey through the past, revealing tales of presidents, fires, Civil War activities, and Temperance societies. Beyond the battlefield, Gettysburg’s taverns have witnessed a vibrant history that’s ripe for exploration. With the opportunity to skip ticket lines, explore in a small group, and receive a voucher for a local hotel, this tour offers a unique glimpse into the town’s enduring legacy.

This experience made our list of the 10 Best Historical Tours In Gettysburg.

Key Points

• This 1-hour walking tour explores Gettysburg’s historic taverns with a live, licensed guide, providing a unique glimpse into the town’s past.
• The tour typically costs $15.62 per person and allows visitors to skip the ticket line.
• Participants can check availability and reserve a spot while paying later for the tour.
• Tour highlights include discovering Gettysburg’s rich history, enjoying personable guides, and receiving a voucher to a local hotel.
• The tour is wheelchair accessible and accommodates small groups of no more than 8 participants.

Tour Details

The tour typically costs $15.62 per person and offers the option to check availability and reserve a spot while paying later.

This 1-hour walking tour allows visitors to skip the ticket line and explore Gettysburg’s historic taverns with a live tour guide.

The small group size is limited to 8 participants, ensuring a personalized experience. The tour is wheelchair accessible, making it inclusive for all visitors.

Highlights include discovering Gettysburg’s rich history, hearing unusual but true stories about presidents, fires, and Civil War activities, and receiving a voucher to a local hotel at the tour’s conclusion.

With Gettysburg’s largest and most established tour group leading the way, this evening walking tour promises an engaging and informative experience.

Tour Highlights

Gettysburg’s rich history comes alive on this walking tour, as visitors discover the town’s most historic taverns. Guests can look forward to hearing unusual but true stories about presidents, fires, and Civil War activities that took place in these establishments. Travelers will enjoy history from the largest and most established tour group in Gettysburg, exploring the town in a small-sized group with personable guides.

Tour Highlights
Discover Gettysburg’s rich history on this walking tour
Enjoy history from the largest and most established tour group in Gettysburg
Explore the town in a small-sized group with personable guides
Receive a voucher to a local hotel at the tour’s conclusion

Tour Description

Taverns in Gettysburg were more than just drinking spots – they served as places to sleep, eat, and meet with others during the town’s eventful history.

On this walking tour, you’ll stroll with a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide to the sites of some of the town’s most historic taverns.

Along the way, you’ll hear unusual but true stories about presidents, fires, Civil War activities, and Temperance societies that unfolded within these establishments.

The tour provides a unique glimpse into Gettysburg’s past, going beyond the battlefields to explore the town’s vibrant social and cultural life.

At the conclusion, each participant will receive a voucher to a local hotel, allowing you to continue your exploration of Gettysburg’s historic tavern scene.

Inclusions

This tour includes a walking tour guided by a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide.

During the tour, visitors will stroll through the historic town and visit the sites of some of Gettysburg’s most famous taverns.

The guide will share unusual but true stories about Presidents, fires, Civil War activities, and Temperance societies that took place at these establishments.

At the conclusion of the tour, each participant will receive a voucher to a local hotel, allowing them to continue exploring Gettysburg’s rich history and culture.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the experience.

Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about the town’s past, this tour offers a unique and engaging way to discover Gettysburg.

Meeting Point

The tour meeting point is located in front of the Gettysburg Hotel, where participants can find their guide wearing a blue shirt with the company’s logo patch on the left sleeve and light brown pants.

This convenient location is easily accessible and provides a recognizable landmark for guests to gather.

Once everyone has arrived, the guide will lead the small group of no more than 8 participants on an exploration of the historic taverns that were integral to life in Gettysburg during the Civil War era.

With the guide’s expertise, guests can expect an insightful and engaging walking tour that brings the town’s rich history to life.

Gettysburg’s Tavern History

Gettysburg’s taverns were more than just drinking establishments during the Civil War era – they served as hubs for the town’s social and political activities, providing spaces for locals and travelers alike to sleep, eat, and exchange news and ideas. These historic watering holes witnessed a wide range of events, from rowdy gatherings of Union and Confederate soldiers to quieter meetings of temperance societies.

The Gettysburg Hotel, one of the town’s most prominent taverns, hosted several notable figures, including Presidents Lincoln and Eisenhower.

The Eagle Hotel was the site of a devastating fire in 1857 that destroyed much of the town’s business district.

Temperance movements were active in Gettysburg, with some taverns forced to close or change their operations.

Taverns played a crucial role in the town’s economic and cultural life, serving as centers of commerce and community.

Unusual Tavern Stories

Beyond their role as watering holes, Gettysburg’s historic taverns witnessed a trove of unusual occurrences that have become part of the town’s lore.

For instance, the Gettysburg Hotel played host to a presidential visit by Abraham Lincoln, whose late-night ramblings were said to have unsettled the staff.

Likewise, the Eagle Hotel‘s fiery demise in 1857 left an indelible mark on the town’s business district, reminding residents of the risks and uncertainties that once defined the tavern trade.

Temperance societies also exerted their influence, pressuring tavern owners to curb the consumption of alcohol.

These stories and more await visitors on the Gettysburg: Historic Taverns Evening Walking Tour, offering a glimpse into the quirky past of these establishments.

Participant Voucher

At the tour’s conclusion, each participant will receive a voucher to a local hotel, providing them with an opportunity to further explore Gettysburg’s rich history and vibrant culinary scene. This voucher serves multiple purposes:

1. It allows participants to sample the fare at one of Gettysburg’s renowned eateries, seeing the town’s gastronomic heritage.

2. The voucher encourages participants to continue their exploration of Gettysburg, potentially visiting additional historic sites or engaging in other activities.

3. It serves as a tangible memento of the tour, reminding participants of the unique stories and experiences they’ve discovered.

4. The voucher fosters a sense of connection between the tour and the local community, strengthening the overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible Throughout the Entire Route?

The tour is advertised as wheelchair accessible, indicating that the entire route can accommodate participants using wheelchairs. Visitors should feel confident the walking tour can be enjoyed by those with mobility challenges.

Can I Purchase Tickets on the Day of the Tour?

Yes, you can purchase tickets on the day of the tour. The tour has a "Check availability" option, allowing customers to reserve and pay for their spot on the tour right before it begins.

Is There an Age Requirement to Participate in the Tour?

There is no age requirement to participate in the tour. The tour is open to all ages, and children are welcome to join as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Are Pets Allowed to Join the Tour?

Pets are generally not allowed on the tour, as the tour involves walking through historic areas. However, service animals that are necessary for a participant’s mobility or health needs would be permitted to join the tour.

Can I Take Photographs During the Tour?

Visitors are generally permitted to take photographs during the tour, though they should be mindful of not disrupting the guide or other participants. Photos must comply with any rules set by the tour operator.

Recap

The Gettysburg: Historic Taverns Evening Walking Tour offers a captivating glimpse into the town’s rich history.

Visitors can explore iconic taverns, uncover stories about presidents and the Civil War, and receive a voucher to a local hotel.

Led by licensed guides, the wheelchair-accessible tour provides a unique opportunity to explore Gettysburg’s vibrant past beyond the battlefields.