seeing as we live only a few hrs from gettysburg now, i want to do a few trips down there. so whens the best time? what about the worst time? id like to go in period correct clothing. thanks!

Dulcie,

Really any time except the 4th of July weekend is good, but I really like the spring or fall. Weather is nice and there are fewer tourists.

This is just my opinion, but when I go to Gettyburg as a tourist/historian, I dress like a tourist. Frankly, all the really bad Lees, Longstreets, and Lincolns you see wondering around are an embarrasment. Plus, if you really want to tour the battlefield, modern clothing is a lot more comfortable.

Just my two cents,  

Dulcie,

Unless You Are Doing A Living History Or Some Type Of Special Program, Leave The Period Clothes Behind. Go To Gettysburg To Learn About the Battle And The Lives Of Both the Soldiers And The Civilians.

I Have Been Visiting GB For Years And Am Always Learning. Hire A Licensed Battlefield Guide To Give You The Overview, Or Specifics Of the Battle.

The Best Time IMHO Is After Labor Day And Before Memorial Day.

I know it's not close to the battle date, but I love going in November (but not on Rememberance Day weekend)when the weather is nice.  You can see great distances from Little Round Top.

Marc hit the nail on the head. Go dressed as if you were going on any long hike, and don't forget to pack some beverages to counter the high prices in Tinseltown.

My favorite time to go to G'burg is immediately following a light snow. The terrain is highlighted, the touron count is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down, and the leaves, as Ken said, are off the trees, so one can literally see for miles. Don't forget to drop by the places few go, such as the East Cavalry Field and the brickyard.

Speaking of G'burg, I had the chance to visit Falling Waters recently, and now understand better just how big of an opportunity the AOP missed at that spot while the ANV was holed up whilst trying to rebridge the Potomac.

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote : Speaking of G'burg, I had the chance to visit Falling Waters recently, and now understand better just how big of an opportunity the AOP missed at that spot while the ANV was holed up whilst trying to rebridge the Potomac.

Charles,

Not to mention a chance to visit Miller's Lumber!  

I'm with Marc. I live relativley close and don't usually go near the battlefield or town between May 1st and September 30th and (unless I'm in a devilish mood, then I stop at the earwax museum), I prefer January, February and March for my visits to the hallowed ground. This keeps me away from the circus that has become everyone's effort to make money off of the battle.  Really, since July 5th 1863 many of the townfolk and residents of Adams County have been taking advantage of the battle, it's participants and the town's name. You won't find a Civil War battlefield in the country that's a bigger tourist trap then Gettysburg. I've seen things in that town you'd never believe. And, as several have stated, plain casual clothing is the way to dress. For me it increases the OMG, did you see that?, factor.

Since you're close to Goofysburg, take the time to see Antetiam. Your immediate reaction should be "Wow, what a difference."

Okay.. Ill be there in November in period clothes, so Ill do the tourist thing, as a tourist (my dad had dared me to go in my period clothes... it doesnt phase me a bit to go in my period clothes..Ill go to the gas station and pump my own gas if I have to ).

Hmmm... I had thought of going for my birthday, but had thought probably not a good idea (its July 3rd). My father wants to go and he will be here sometime this summer.  And with the kids off of school figured we could do a few day trips down there.

If you're going over the summer, try for weekdays. Less traffic, motorcycles, clowns....

that i can do!

and writing a list of all the must see places.

Grumpy,

Are we going to ever get a company of Imperial Storm Troopers together for R-Day? Just having a few here and there in the parade and hanging off the steps of O'Rorke's looks like a bunch of posers at the average Funnel Cake Fair. You know, if the critical mass is there with excellent Star Wars character impressions, we can show the 'streamers, burn the bushel basket with the tiki torch, and all that good stuff.  

I owe you yet another keyboard, right?

And a bottle of windex to clean my monitor screen.

A few years ago my company was holding a convention and there was a Star Wars convention going on at the same time. In terms of weirdness, those folks make Civil War reenactors seem totally normal and completely sane.    

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Bill wrote : A few years ago my company was holding a convention and there was a Star Wars convention going on at the same time. In terms of weirdness, those folks make Civil War reenactors seem totally normal and completely sane.

If you really want a laugh get togehter a group of reenactors, a Star Wars Convention, a Trek convention, a wargamer / society for creative anachronism convention (i.e Dungeons and Dragons), and an Anime group in the same locale.

BTW, if needed, I have a great Darth Vader helmet completely defarbed..  

--Last edited by toptimlrd on 2007-05-17 11:09:58 --

Quote :

toptimlrd wrote :   If you really want a laugh get togehter a group of reenactors, a Star Wars Convention, a Trek convention, a wargamer / society for creative anachronism convention (i.e Dungeons and Dragons), and an Anime group in the same locale. BTW, if needed, I have a great Darth Vader helmet completely defarbed..

Don't forget the Renn Faire people too..

Quote :

toptimlrd wrote :  BTW, if needed, I have a great Darth Vader helmet completely defarbed..

Bob,

Is your helmet early or late Star Wars?  

Early, modeled after the one in Ep IV A New Hope  

Quote :

lhsnj wrote :   Don't forget the Renn Faire people too..

That's the Society for Creative Anachronism I mentioned.

Quote :

toptimlrd wrote :   That's the Society for Creative Anachronism I mentioned.

Ahh.. I didn't realize they were one in the same..

Is that the same group who, if they can't find documentation for something, just makes something up? Are they connected to the "If theydda haddit theydda usedit" fraternity?