Gettysburg: One-Hour Walking Tour & Civilian History

How Gettysburg's Civilians Survived the Battle

You walk Gettysburg's southern streets with a licensed guide for one hour, learning how civilians survived the three-day battle and cared for thousands of wounded soldiers left behind. The tour covers deaths, injuries, and Lincoln's November visit. Small groups, wheelchair accessible, no separate transportation needed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Gettysburg's Civilian History

• Meet licensed town guide
• Walk historic Gettysburg streets
• Learn civilian experiences during battle
• Discover civilian casualties and care
• Hear President Lincoln's visit stories

The experience

You start walking the streets of Gettysburg with a licensed town guide, moving through the southern end of town where the civilian experience unfolded. The guide points out where residents heard bullets whistle past, where the smell of decomposing bodies hung in the July heat, where fewer than 2,300 men, women and children somehow managed to care for 22,000 wounded soldiers abandoned by both armies when they moved on. It's not a sanitized version of history. It's the part most battlefields skip.

The one-hour tour stays grounded in what actually happened to ordinary people. You'll hear how many civilians were killed or wounded, what their homes looked like during those three days in 1863, and how they improvised shelter, food and basic care for soldiers they'd never met. The guide shares memories tied to President Lincoln's visit that November, when he came to deliver his address. Groups stay under ten, so there's room to ask questions without feeling like you're holding up a crowd.

This walking tour complements the 1:00 p.m. tour called Danger & Courage, which covers the northern end of town, so if you want the full picture of how Gettysburg experienced the battle, you can do both. The streets are walkable, the pace is steady, and the guide is someone who knows the town's actual history, not just the military strategy. Wheelchair accessible, and strollers work fine if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

Your hour includes a licensed town guide, walking access to Gettysburg's southern streets, and stories of the civilian experience during the 1863 battle: how residents sheltered and cared for the 22,000 wounded soldiers left behind, details of civilian casualties, and memories of President Lincoln's visit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 16:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 90 years) · Youth (9 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 8 years): free · Infant (under 1): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Gettysburg Licensed Town Guides

Is this one for you?Right for anyone visiting Gettysburg who wants the civilian side of the battle story in a focused hour with a guide who knows the town: no need to arrange your own walking route or figure out which streets matter.

Traveler reviews

4.84★★★★★★★★★★

146 verified traveler reviews

5 ★130

4 ★12

3 ★2

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 17 years); Child (1 to 8 years): free; Infant (under 1): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Gettysburg walking tour?

One hour.

What's the group size?

Generally under ten people.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it's wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What does the tour cover?

The civilian experience during the battle: how residents cared for wounded soldiers, civilian casualties, and President Lincoln's visit in November 1863.

Is there a different tour for the northern end of town?

Yes, the 1:00 p.m. tour called Danger & Courage covers the northern end. This tour covers the southern end.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Is public transportation available?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.