Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The History Lover’s Guide to Gettysburg

Gettysburg is synonymous with historical significance. Each year, thousands of visitors, from regional school groups to international travelers, flock to the town to walk in the footsteps of the soldiers and civilians who lived through the bloodiest battle of the U.S. Civil War. But even the most avid history buffs may be surprised by the sites beyond Gettysburg’s battlefield legacy. From a circular barn and a secret hideaway in a historic home, to the lesser-known war stories of children, free Black townspeople, women, and more, this itinerary delivers Gettysburg’s key historical sites and its under-the-radar oddities.