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Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center

Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center: Our most recommended tours and activities

Gettysburg: Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour with App

1. Gettysburg: Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour with App

Feel the heat of the battle on this self-guided tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield. Follow the battle through its 3 days of intense fighting, and see important landmarks like McPherson Ridge, the Valley of Death, the Pennsylvania State Memorial, and much more. Just start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app (not get your guide) and purchase the tour. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! As you drive toward your first major landmark, you’ll get an overview of the American Civil War, the leadup to the battle, and the dawning of the first bloody day. Then you’ll reach McPherson Ridge, where Union forces mounted their first defense against Confederate assault. After that is the infamous Railway Cut, where a tactical error led to a bloodbath. Take a moment to reflect on the reunion of the United States at the Eternal Light and Peace Memorial before heading to an Observation Tower for a bird's-eye view of the battlefield. Next, reach Seminary Ridge, where the Union set up an impromptu hospital before being overrun before entering the second day of the battle as you drive through the Pitzer Woods. See Warfield Ridge, where General Longstreet staged a dramatic assault, and the famous Little Round Top, one of the battle's most hotly contested sites. After that, cross the Valley of Death before passing the Devil’s Den and discover why each location bears such a grim title. Get a glimpse at the price civilians paid for the battle at the Abraham Trostle Farm, then hear about a chaotic and costly Union retreat as you cruise by Plum Run before arriving at the Pennsylvania State Memorial, Gettysburg's largest and most impressive monument. Then, follow the actual line of battle along Culp’s Hill as the story of the second day’s fighting draws to a close. Stop on the east side of Cemetery Hill to hear about the final, high-stakes engagement of the day. Get introduced to the third and final day of battle as you wind toward the High Water Mark of the Confederacy, supposedly indicating the closest the rebels ever came to winning the war. Hear the dramatic events of Pickett’s Charge and find out how the whole battle finally ended. Finally, visit the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where the Union men who died for their country are honored. While there, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to a rendition of the famous Gettysburg Address, as delivered by Abraham Lincoln following the battle, before your tour concludes.

Gettysburg Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour

2. Gettysburg Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour

Experience a deep dive into the gripping three-day battle at Gettysburg during the American Civil War. Utilise this phone app and transform your car into a time machine, guiding you through key landmarks with vivid stories, all from the comfort of your vehicle. Start by downloading the app (not get your guide) and purchase the tour. One tour is enough for the whole car. Begin your tour with an introduction to the American Civil War as you drive to your first major stop, McPherson Ridge, where the battle of Gettysburg began. Take a moment to reflect at the Eternal Light and Peace Memorial, a symbol of unity post the battle. Continue on to Seminary Ridge where the stories of medics and wounded soldiers provide a raw and emotional perspective on the war's toll. Continue to the iconic Little Round Top where the narrative of the second day's intense fighting unfolds, painting a vivid picture of tactics, heroism, and loss. Next, Devil’s Den awaits, its name alone evoking curiosity about the events that transpired there. Drive by the Abraham Trostle Farm, which will give you a glimpse of what civilians went through during the battle. The majestic Pennsylvania State Memorial is your next destination; it's the largest monument in Gettysburg. Travel to Culp’s Hill and hear stories about the fights in the dark hours on the second day of the battle. Delve into the climax of the battle at the High water mark. Learn about the fateful Pickett’s Charge, a pivotal moment that decided the battle's final outcome. End your journey at the hallowed grounds of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. Pay your respects to the valiant souls who laid down their lives. Here, amidst the rows of gravestones, reflect on the profound impact of those three fateful days in Gettysburg. This self-driven tour offers not just facts, but stories, emotions, and a deep connection to history. And, when your journey ends, you're ideally positioned to further explore or reflect upon a turning point in America's story.

Gettysburg: Seminary Ridge Self-Guided Walking Tour

3. Gettysburg: Seminary Ridge Self-Guided Walking Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app that will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Note: The 1+ miles tour covers the essentials of Seminary Ridge in 30 minutes. On this self-guided walking tour taken on an app, explore Seminary Ridge where some of the fiercest fighting took place during the Battle of Gettysburg. Hear the story of the soldiers and civilians who put everything on the line during this historic confrontation. Begin your journey in the center of the seminary, by the Seminary Ridge Museum. From there, simply follow the audio instructions and the route via the app that will be your guide, narrator, and map in one. Start by diving into the long history of the institution and its importance to the town of Gettysburg. As you walk the hallowed paths, step into the shoes of a seminary student back in the 1800s and get introduced to what life looked like before war came to the town. Hear some insights into the Iroquois who once occupied this land and whom General Robert E. Lee respected immensely. You’ll see the home of the seminary’s founder, Samuel Schmucker, and learn why he was practically an outcast among the Lutheran community. Then, feel the tension in the air as the townsfolk rush to read the news every day, watching the war draw closer to their front doors. Headlines like “Lee Invades the North” and “Confederates Advancing Toward Gettysburg” do not bode well for our townspeople. Follow the lines of battle as they’re drawn by both sides and hear how the explosive battle began. Visit the seminary building which became an impromptu Union hospital when the fighting started going south. Next, follow the struggle blow-by-blow, from the fighting atop McPherson’s Ridge to the Confederate assault on the seminary itself. Become a fly on the wall in the command outposts of Generals Buford and Ewell as they vie for control of the battlefield. But it wasn’t just soldiers fighting during the battle. Visit the home of John Burns, a feisty old man who decided if the Union couldn’t fend off the Confederates, he’d just do it himself. Toward the end of the path, survey the final bursts of combat and get an overview of the aftermath of all the bloodshed, both for the seminary and for the Union. The tour will conclude back where it began.

Other Sightseeing Options in Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center

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What people are saying about Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center

Overall rating

3.0 / 5

based on 2 reviews

This walking audio tour was perfect for a warm evening! We walked along the trail listening to the stories and read the information on the markers as we went. We would never have been able to find all of the markers in our own. It took about 30-45 minutes. We also wandered off the trail to look at some of the other monuments and markers along the way. This really was a beautiful walk. The sunset over the battlefield was gorgeous and slightly eerie. We highly recommend this walking tour!

It was a cool Autumn day to drive the route. The directions were easy to follow. We were able to travel at our own speed; taking our time to absorb the information at each stop. We were able to stop at the Visitor Center for an extended period of time and were able to return to audio tour without difficulty.

My family & I had such a fantastic time in Gettysburg and this tour app really helped us learn about the battle and more! The narrator was great. I would highly recommend it!!

Following the battle in the tour in a self-paced download made understanding and appreciating those three fateful days so much better.

Wonderful ! You can take your time at your own pace while touring. Also, you can pull over at anytime and look around .