Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center

1195 Baltimore Pike (PA Route 97)
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-334-1124
Website

Opened in 2008, the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center features an orientation film, restored Cyclorama, and interactive museum. Also on site are a large food court, bookstore, and visitor services.

Recommended Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults, Seniors

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In April of 2008, a brand new visitor center opened at the Gettysburg National Military Park. The new center is much larger than the previous one, and is built on a section of land that played little importance in the battle.

The new structure combines the old visitor center and cyclorama building, both of which will be demolished to help restore the battlefield in that area to look as it did in 1863.

The admission fee includes the new film, A New Birth of Freedom, the Cyclorama, and the museum. The 15 minute film is narrated by Morgan Freeman, and gives a basic overview of the road to Civil War, the fight, and the aftermath.

The Cyclorama has been beautifully restored, and now features an updated audio and light presentation. One of several original Gettysburg Cycloramas, this is the last remaining, and puts visitors in the middle of Pickett's Charge, with a mural depicting the scene spanning 360 degrees around.

The new museum has an incredible array of artifacts from both the Battle of Gettysburg and other key conflicts and moments in the Civil War. There are also several interactive exhibits, which allows visitors a chance to delve deeper into the history with a hands on approach.

We found the food court to be a bit on the pricey side, but there are a number of different options, and the convenience of being able to grab a bite without heading back to town is nice.

The bookstore is expansive, with literally hundreds of books, gifts, novelties and more available for purchase. You can also pick up one of several audio tours if you are planning to tour the park on your own.

If you don't have the time for the film, cyclorama and museum, the visitor center is still worth a stop if you need information, such as a free park map, or if you want to browse what might be the largest collection of books on the Civil War in the area.