Gettysburg Historic Downtown Food Tour: Local Tastings & History

Eat your way through Gettysburg's food scene and its past

A guided food tour through Gettysburg's historic downtown where you sample local chocolates, Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels, award-winning burgers, fresh-baked breads and farm-to-table dishes while a live guide connects each stop to the town's Civil War history and agricultural roots. The tour runs two hours and includes pre-selected tastings at six stops, a professional guide, and well-researched historical context at each location.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Gettysburg food and history

• Visit candy shop and sample sweets
• Eat at Civil War-themed burger eatery
• Try fresh breads and pastries at bakery
• Dine at historic hotel One Lincoln
• Enjoy farm-to-table dishes at modern bistro
• Sample artisanal chocolates and bonbons

The experience

You'll start in the heart of Historic Gettysburg and move between six food stops on foot, sampling what local chefs have built from the region's dairy farms, breweries, and Amish influences. The tour hits a candy shop known for over 1,500 varieties of sweets and their signature Battlefield Brittle; a Civil War-themed eatery where burgers are named after generals; a bakery specializing in fresh-baked breads and a modern take on the Civil War Soldier's Biscuit; a historic hotel restaurant dating to 1797 that serves Lincoln Pot Roast beneath walls of battlefield memorabilia; a farm-to-table bistro with shrimp and grits and duck confit fries; and an artisanal chocolate shop where handcrafted truffles and Battlefield Bark (dark chocolate, caramel, sea salt) anchor the final stop.

A live guide leads the group through each location, connecting the food to Gettysburg's history, from Pickett's Charge to the agricultural landscape that shaped the town's culinary identity. The guide provides well-researched historical context at every stop, so you're not just tasting local flavors but understanding how the region's past and present food culture intertwine. Pre-selected samples are included at each location, so there's no menu confusion or deciding what to order. You move through the tour sampling what the guide has chosen to highlight the area's best.

The tour takes two hours and covers the downtown on foot. Parking is available on side streets behind the Brickhouse Inn and on the main street (do not use the inn's lot, it's reserved for overnight guests and vehicles will be towed). Public transportation options are nearby if you prefer not to drive. Children are welcome from age 12, and the pace suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Pre-selected food samples at six stops.
• a live guide in English who provides well-researched historical context.
• professional and courteous service throughout the two-hour tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Junket: Gettysburg Tours and Premium Experiences

Is this one for you?Choose this shared tour if you want a guide to lead you through local restaurants and explain how Civil War history and regional farming shaped Gettysburg's food culture.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What kind of food will I actually taste on this tour?

You'll sample locally made chocolates and Battlefield Brittle at a candy shop; Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels and cheesesteaks at a Civil War-themed eatery; fresh-baked breads and a Civil War Soldier's Biscuit at a bakery; the Lincoln Pot Roast at a historic 1797 hotel restaurant; shrimp and grits and duck confit fries at a farm-to-table bistro; and handcrafted truffles and Battlefield Bark at an artisanal chocolate shop. All samples are pre-selected and included.

How does the guide connect the food to Gettysburg's history?

The guide weaves Civil War history and the region's agricultural heritage into each stop, explaining how Amish culture and Philadelphia flavors influenced local chefs and how the area's dairy farms, breweries, and produce shaped the modern food scene. You'll hear stories about the battles and the town's past while tasting dishes that reflect that history.

Where do I park, and how do I get there?

Park on the side streets behind the Brickhouse Inn or on the main street in the historic downtown area. Do not use the Brickhouse Inn parking lot, as it's reserved for overnight guests and vehicles will be towed. Public transportation options are available nearby if you prefer not to drive.