Visiting the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center

Last month we took a day trip down to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. We try to visit the museum every few years. This time around we took two out-of-town guests along with us. This was their first time to visit the Gettysburg area. When visiting, I do recommend that you try to visit during the off-peak season and/or during off-peak hours. The museum can get extremely crowded during the busy tourist season.

Parking is provided for free at the museum. If you need a handicap space you'll find those located closer to the building. There's an overflow parking lot that you can utilize if needed. It's located a little further down the road. You'll want to wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking. The museum is handicap accessible. 

Upon entering you'll want to buy your admission tickets to the Cyclorama and the New Birth of Freedom Film (narrated by Morgan Freeman) on the first floor. To enter the museum itself...there's no fee. There's no fee for active duty military personnel and no fee for children under the age of 5 years. A discount will be given to Seniors and Veterans.

We took our time walking through the museum to look at the exhibits and to sit down and watch several of the mini films that were playing. There's a lot to look at and a lot to read along the way. From start to finish...just going through the museum portion took us a little over an hour to complete. 

If you plan on watching the New Birth of Freedom Film in the museum's theater and then going up to view the Cyclorama you should allow at least another 40 minutes in your schedule. The Cyclorama follows immediately after the film and is located upstairs. The Cyclorama is a painting that depicts Pickett's Charge. You can read more about the Cyclorama by visiting THIS POST.

There's a little place called the Refreshments Saloon and Battlegrounds Cafe where you can sit down to grab a bite to eat or to get something to drink. They offer sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, desserts, appetizers and various beverages. It's located on the first floor (main floor) of the museum.

Before heading home stop by the museum's book store and gift shop. They sell all kinds of Civil War and Gettysburg related books and souvenirs like refrigerator magnets, t-shirts, tote bags, toys for the kids, candy & snacks as well as other type's of trinkets and gifts. Regarding pricing...it's a tourist gift shop, so you typically do pay a little more for the items that you're purchasing. 

At the time of our visit my wife was wearing a cast on her left foot (she fractured it) and I was pushing a wheelchair. The reason I'm mentioning that is to point out that the museum and their facilities are indeed handicap accessible. After watching the New Birth of Freedom Film the staff took us up to the second floor for the Cyclorama using an elevator for employees. They staff was absolutely fantastic assisting us during our visit.

Following our afternoon visiting the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center we drove over to the Soldiers' National Cemetery to walk around there. Our guests were thrilled to see the exact spot where Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. We spent an additional hour at the cemetery before we headed to a local place to enjoy dinner. It was a great day trip down to Gettysburg.