Hotel Gettysburg is located in historic downtown Gettysburg Pennsylvania, steps from Lincoln Square, and walking distance to the battlefield, attractions, shops, and restaurants.
Gettysburg Has Some Big Pennsylvania Shoes to Fill
Our last few trips to Pennsylvania were brimming with history and each “delicious.” We enjoyed Hershey chocolate … Philly Cheesesteaks … and fresh, homemade fudge and jams from the Amish Country.
So, when we were planning our 2-day visit to Gettysburg, I could only wonder if the destination would be as interesting and unique as the other destinations.
Hotel Gettysburg: Said to be Haunted
We were in search of historic accommodations to match the equally historic destination. While there was a variety of hotels, we chose the recently renovated Hotel Gettysburg, housed in a landmark building.
It was refreshing that Hotel Gettysburg is not part of a major hotel chain and I was impressed by the 4.2 star-rating among 1,800 traveler reviews. We were able to lock in the hotel rate of $219 per night, not so bad for a historic downtown hotel. (There was also $27.39 additional cost for taxes and other fees per night.)
Hotel Gettysburg is a historic hotel that started as a tavern in 1797. It was considered a makeshift hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. It has also been said to have served as the “unofficial” White House while President Dwight D. Eisenhower was recovering from a heart attack.
The hotel features 119 rooms and suites, and described as a “place where history comes alive.”
But how “alive” was the question. You see, Hotel Gettysburg is known for having alleged ghosts. According to legend, the third floor is the site of ghost sightings and supernatural events like hearing voices of people running through the hallways. Room 311 is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Nurse Rachel, who cared for hospital patients in the hotel during the Battle of Gettysburg.
As long as we didn’t get a room on the third floor, I was willing to book our accommodations at this hotel.
Hotel Gettysburg “One Lincoln Square” Location
The Hotel Gettysburg is located right in Lincoln Square, the center of the historic downtown Gettysburg, walking distance to the battlefield, attractions, shops, and restaurants.
The closest airport is Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), and it only took us about 45 minutes to drive to the hotel after renting the car.
To give you a better perspective on location, Gettysburg is approximately 2.5 hours north of Washington, D.C., and nearly 4 hours southwest of New York City.
The hotel is a five-minute drive from the Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. It’s also walking distance from Gettysburg College.
Hotel Vibe and Atmosphere
For a 200-year old hotel, it was more modern than we expected. Right outside the front door, a plaque marks the building’s historic significance. The Hotel Gettysburg featured many separate elegant sitting room areas, reminding me more of an old-style traditional house than a hotel.
The lobby had multiple colorful rugs laying on the hardwood floors and lots of different sitting areas. There were upholstered couches and chairs and a cozy fireplace as well.
We got a kick out of the rear sitting room that gave a peek into the building’s former life as a bank. In fact, the gorgeous ballroom (great for weddings!) was the original Gettysburg National Bank, founded in 1814.
In the lobby near check-in, there was a side table with cold, lime-infused water and a huge shelf of board games for guests to borrow and play.
The wall decor featured portraits of important figures in Gettysburg’s history including Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower.
Hotel Amenities
The check-in at the hotel was a bit late at 4:00 p.m. so we made sure to stop for lunch during our drive from the airport to the hotel.
When we checked in, the staff was polite, friendly, and answered our barrage of questions. It was a nice gesture to receive a map of the area, with a list of Gettysburg events, in addition to our room key cards.
They also explained where we should park our rental car as the hotel does not have a private parking lot. Parking was a bit confusing. We had to drive to Racehorse Alley around back and enter the hotel through the back entrance.
Parking cost $18 per full day with drive-in, drive-out privileges, not a surprising cost considering this was a downtown area of the city.
The 24/7 fitness center is placed in a slightly odd location. We found it while walking out of the basement stairwell through a service corridor of the hotel. The gym was smaller than most hotel gyms that we’ve seen recently, but featured typical equipment, like treadmills, free weights, hand towels, and a water cooler.
One of our favorite amenities was the complimentary bike rentals at the hotel. We rode one sunny morning, just to get a different view of Gettysburg.
If you’re wondering, Hotel Gettysburg does not have a swimming pool and is not pet friendly except for service animals.
Dining at the Hotel’s One Lincoln Restaurant
The hotel right on Lincoln Square is surrounded by popular dining options, from casual bites to fine dining. However, the on-site dining option, One Lincoln, was great.
One Lincoln is an attractive pub-style restaurant, featuring hardwood floors, a fireplace, a copper ceiling, and a cool-looking copper piece of artwork. Wording from the Gettysburg Address is featured on a prominent wall graphic.
We took advantage of the patio seating that’s available during the warmer months in Pennsylvania.
Breakfast wasn’t included with our stay but the cost was reasonable. We had a quick breakfast on the patio. We ordered Florentine Eggs Benedict, Brioche French Toast (with whipped cream and fresh fruit), and Peaches and Cream Crepes.
Lunch highlights were the Couscous Salad, Chicken Caesar Focaccia, and Brisket Sandwich.
And if you enjoy dinner at One Lincoln, you must try the Fettuccini Alfredo and the Thai Chicken Curry with mushroom risotto. Both the food and service were impressive.
I must point out that the hotel restaurant and bar close around 9 pm Sunday through Thursday so plan to go outside the hotel if you’re planning a late dinner or evening cocktails.
There is also an on-site Starbucks, literally adjacent to the lobby.
Our King Fireplace Room
While all rooms offered complimentary Wi-Fi, there were many different room styles to choose from. Also note that some corner rooms do not have windows but instead have a skylight. Interesting concept but not for me.
We had a King Fireplace Room on the second floor. I must be honest and say that I was too frightened to use the fireplace so I can’t comment on it.
Our bright and spacious guest room featured a King bed, red chair, and large windows. It was about the size of a typical hotel room, but worked for the two of us.
While some rooms overlook Lincoln Square, our view was more of a view of a roof, a few trees, and a nearby building. Not a deal breaker but something to think about when you make your reservations.
The blue tufted headboard was a nice pop of color amidst the white bedding and dark wood furniture. Historic décor carried through the room with multiple glass-style lamps and wall artwork. The plaid carpet was an interesting choice, but fit well with the historical aspects of the hotel and town.
The bed was comfortable. We slept well, no complaints about noise. Housekeeping was detail oriented, keeping the room neat and clean.
There was a hanging mirror with a convenient shelf, a small desk, and in the closet was an iron, an ironing board, and 2 luggage racks.
The beautiful bathroom had my kind of furnishings including a shiny dark colored countertop and fancy stainless steel faucets and towel bars. The walk-in shower was also much appreciated.
There was a hairdryer and white towels along with free shampoo, conditioner, and (lightly scented) body wash (mounted on the wall) from Whish Beauty, a California company that specializes in natural and organic products.
Note: There was no refrigerator or microwave in our room.
I’m happy to report that we witnessed no ghost activity while staying at the hotel but I did hear snoring from the person I shared the guest room with. Deviated septum: yes. Ghost: no.
Things to Do in Gettysburg
While I would like to tell you that we did a million activities in Gettysburg, we actually did more meandering around Lincoln Square than anything specific.
In the square, we followed other tourists to take a “presidential selfie” with the statue of Abraham Lincoln outside the David Wills House.
And yes, we visited the nearby Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, and the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
There, we got more than our share of history about the Battle of Gettysburg and appreciated the historical significance of walking around the actual battlefield. We chose a self-guided tour, following road markers and a map.
At the Visitor Center we looked at exhibits including a 12-gallery museum and watched a movie there as well.
On our final day, we took the sweetest ride through the Adams County countryside. There were farms, orchards, and vineyards. However, the highlight was to see Sachs Bridge, a nostalgic covered bridge, reminiscent of “Little House on the Prairie” days.
Final Thoughts: Do I Recommend the Hotel?
The Hotel Gettysburg turned out to be an excellent choice for our 2-night visit. The hotel was situated in a prime location for exploring historic sites. We would definitely stay there again. Whether you’re a history lover or not, Gettysburg is a fun city to visit for all age groups, and this hotel is highly recommended.
- Ideal for walking downtown
- Lots of shops and restaurants nearby
- Charming décor with historical touches
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Spacious, comfortable rooms
- Some rooms lack a mini-refrigerator and microwave
- No pool and not dog friendly
- Restaurant good, but not open late weekdays
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls DeLand, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Hotel amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.