History Comes Alive on This 1-Day Trip Through Gettysburg and Lancaster County in Pennsylvania

It’s impossible to tell the history of Pennsylvania without mentioning the railroad industry. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is dedicated to preserving the state’s rail history, including the industries it supported, its workers, and more. The museum boasts a world-class collection of more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars – all made and/or operated in Pennsylvania – not to mention thousands of artifacts including tools, uniforms, signage, and more.

Our next stop is just up the road: welcome to Lancaster County Central Park. This 544-acre urban oasis is a great spot to get out of the car and stretch your legs. There are dozens of trails to explore at this park, including equestrian trails. Lancaster County Central Park is rich in history; Native Americans from the Susquehannock tribe once lived here, and there’s even a burial site within the park (along Golf Road). You can also see several artifacts that have been unearthed here on display at the Environmental Center. 

Surrounded by Central Park, this is also where you’ll find Historic Rock Ford. This was the home of Edward Hand, the Adjutant General to George Washington, during the American Revolution. Guided tours of the 1794 mansion are offered seasonally and you can visit the Historic Rock Ford website for more information.

Next stop: one of the largest museums in the country dedicated solely to the American Civil War. Located in Harrisburg’s Reservoir Park, the 66,000-square-foot museum is dedicated to telling the entire story of the American Civil War. Visitors can learn all about this troubled chapter of America’s history through thousands of artifacts, manuscripts, documents, photographs, and more. 

Reservoir Park is also the highest point in the city, and the views are beautiful. Take a moment to admire the scenery as you leave this important museum. Visit the National Civil War Museum website to purchase tickets and see the hours of operation.

The final stop on this historic road trip in Pennsylvania brings us to Gettysburg National Military Park. Now, you could easily spend two days at Gettysburg and still not feel like you’ve seen it all, so an afternoon visit for a few hours is going to be cutting it close. Start at the Visitor Center with the Film, Cyclorama, & Museum Experience. This will give you a solid background of the battle and the soldiers who fought in it. 

Gettysburg is open from sunrise until sunset, so be sure to give yourself at least two hours here. Visit the Gettysburg Foundation website to see specific hours and purchase tickets. 

We know this was supposed to be a one-day road trip, but there’s just so much to see in this area that we wanted to give you the option to rent a home in Gettysburg should you want to turn the day into a weekend adventure. Located within Gettysburg’s historic downtown district, this Airbnb puts you practically in the shadows of all of the historic landmarks in Gettysburg. 

The house itself is a historic site – on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederate Army passed through the town. This house was controlled by the 27th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, known as the Coster’s Brigade. They were overtaken by the Confederate Louisiana Tigers of Hayes Brigade and the house was Confederate-occupied until the retreat of the Southern army on July 4th. Read more about this historic Airbnb in Gettysburg and make plans to spend a night here.