The best battlefield tours are offered by the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides (tel. 877/594-3162 or 717/334-1124), which was set up in 1915 by Civil War veterans to ensure that visitors received accurate information about the battle. These guides can tell you about everything from troop movements to who built the Pennsylvania Memorial and how much it cost. A licensed guide will ride in your vehicle -- and even drive -- to give a customized tour. It's best to reserve a guide at least 3 days ahead of your visit but guides are also assigned at the visitor center on a first-come, first-served basis. A 2-hour tour costs $55 to $75 for 1 to 15 people.
Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours, 778 Baltimore St. (tel. 717/334-6296; www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com), gives battlefield tours in either air-conditioned or double-decker buses. Recorded, dramatized tours cost $25 for adults and $15 for children. Licensed battlefield guides lead some tours. Buses leave from the visitor center; you can buy tickets there or at numerous locations around town.
There are plenty of free tours, too, offered by the National Park Service. In fact, in warm weather, up to 34 presentations are given in the cemetery and battlefield each day. These rangers' walks, talks, and tours vary -- some are brief, while others include up to a 3-mile hike with lots of detail about the battles. Contact the visitor center for details.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
