Gettysburg's 1863 Inn: Ghostly Secrets & Civil War History Revealed!
Gettysburg's 1863 Inn: Ghosts, Gettysburg and (Mostly) Greatness - A Rambling Review
Alright, folks, buckle up. This isn't your average TripAdvisor fluff piece. I'm back from Gettysburg, haunted (maybe literally!) by my stay at the 1863 Inn, and ready to spill the tea. Or, you know, the ghost stories.
Accessibility & Getting My Bearings (or, The Struggle is Real):
Navigating the past can be tricky, and so is navigating some hotels. The 1863 Inn does have some accessibility features, which is a huge plus. Elevators are a godsend, especially after a day of tramping around battlefields. They also have facilities for disabled guests which is great news. But, honestly, I’m still giving it a solid 4 stars on this - just cause you know how these things usually go.
Check-in/out [Express/Private/Contactless] - I prefer the fast track:
Okay, here's a confession… I hate waiting around. The express check-in/out was a godsend. Got my keys and info lickety-split. Now, the contactless check-in/out is what really sold me on the Inn!
Plus! With private check-in/out, it certainly enhanced the experience!
Rooms - Where the Spirits (and the Wi-Fi) Dwell:
First impressions? My room was… decent. Clean enough. You know, a hotel room. And Wi-Fi? Free in all rooms! Praise the travel gods! I need that sweet, sweet internet juice, even with all the historical drama going on outside. I mean, come on, internet access - wireless is a must-have in this century!
The air conditioning worked, which was crucial because Gettysburg in summer is sticky. The blackout curtains were also a lifesaver, especially when you're trying to pretend the sun isn't up at 5 AM.
Things I loved:
- Air Conditioning: I always look forward to this, especially after a long day of touring.
- Complimentary bottled water: Always a win!
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Essentials, especially when you need a quick pick-me-up.
- Seating Area: Great for relaxing and taking in the view!
- High Floor: Enjoyed the great view!
Things that could be improved:
The bed wasn’t the most comfortable I've ever slept on, but hey, I wasn't expecting a Tempur-Pedic. There was a faint… smell? Like old wood and maybe… something else. Could have been the history. Or a ghost.
Okay, here's a weird thing: the bathroom phone. Who even uses those anymore? It felt like a relic from the Jurassic era. Also, there's no pets allowed here.
The Amenities – Pools, Saunas and… Ghosts?
Okay, here's the fun part. The 1863 Inn has a swimming pool [outdoor] – perfect for a refreshing dip after a sweaty battlefield tour. I’m not a big pool person, but the view from it looked pretty spectacular, but I did see there’s a pool with a view! They had a fitness center too, which I didn't brave. (My workout regimen consists of walking from the room to the breakfast buffet, tbh.)
Sadly, no body scrubs or body wraps to be had (which, admittedly, would've been a bit weird in a historic inn). But for me, it was all about the ghosts anyway!
Spa and Wellness (or, Attempting Relaxation in a Warzone):
No spa or sauna which is a bummer. But hey, you can't have everything! Also, no massage, which is always a win, especially after all the walking around the battlefields. I can give it a solid 4/5.
Food & Drink – Fueling Up for Battle (and Breakfast):
The breakfast [buffet] was… standard. Think scrambled eggs, some sad-looking fruit, and the promise of coffee that never really materialized. I'll be honest, I skipped the Asian breakfast, but the Western breakfast was… well, it was there. The coffee/tea in restaurant was better, and the coffee shop, a life-saver.
There were restaurants, and a poolside bar (didn't try it, too busy hunting ghosts). They had a snack bar and a salad in restaurant that was good enough! There was even a vegetarian restaurant, and a soup in restaurant.
The real win? The 24-hour room service. Because sometimes, after a particularly spooky encounter, you just need a burger and a bottle of water.
Cleanliness and Safety – Keeping the Spookiness Contained:
Okay, this is a big one right now. The 1863 Inn seemed to take COVID precautions seriously. They had anti-viral cleaning products, hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and daily disinfection in common areas. My room definitely felt clean. They offered the option of room sanitization opt-out available, and they did the rooms sanitized between stays.
Daily housekeeping kept things tidy, and I appreciated the sanitized kitchen and tableware items, the staff were well trained, and there were professional-grade sanitizing services. I also felt the staff was wearing the proper PPE!
Staff & Services – Dealing with the Living (and the Dead):
The staff were… fine. Attentive enough. They certainly see a lot of tourists, so you can't expect fireworks. They offered concierge service, dry cleaning, and laundry service. You can ask for invoice provided and the option of a cash withdrawal.
For the Kids – Maybe Bring an Extra Blanket:
I didn't bring any kids, so I can't comment beyond to say that they have babysitting service! It’s advertised as family/child friendly!
Things to Do – Beyond the Battlefield (Maybe)
The Inn doesn't have its own in-house ghost tour (sadly). But they can help you book one! You can easily explore the town, visit the Gettysburg museum, explore the town, or just wander around and soak up the history.
Safety & Security – Because Ghosts Shouldn't Be the Only Worry:
The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property put me at ease. Seeing a front desk [24-hour] and security [24-hour] is also great! Also, the fire extinguisher and smoke alarms gave me peace of mind, and, no smoking area in the hotels, but there is a smoking area for all smoking needs!
Getting Around:
Parking was free of charge, a massive win in my book. They also offer a car park [on-site]. They even have a car power charging station, which is great!
My Gettysburg Ghost Story (the Rambling Begins):
Okay, the best bit. My experience. So, the first night, I swear I heard… something. A sigh? A whisper? I woke up convinced someone was standing in my room. I swear. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, maybe the history, maybe the old building settling… or maybe it was a wandering spirit! I didn’t see anything, but the air had that electric feeling, you know? It was creepy and exhilarating.
This might not be for everyone. Some people want a sterile, modern hotel experience. But if you want a touch of history, a dash of mystery, and maybe a ghostly encounter (or two), Gettysburg's 1863 Inn delivers in spades. Just bring your sense of adventure… and maybe a rosary. Just in case.
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- Meta Description: A personal, honest review of Gettysburg's 1863 Inn! Includes details on accessibility, amenities, dining, cleanliness, and (of course) the ghostly experiences. See if this historic hotel is right for you!
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Final Verdict:
Definitely worth a stay
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Alright, buckle your bonnets, folks! This ain't gonna be some dry-as-dust itinerary. This is a Gettysburg trip, 1863 style, and it's bound to be a right old mess, just like the town itself after… well, you know.
A Traveller's Ramble Around Gettysburg, July 1863 (ish)
Day 1: Arrival and the Awkwardness of It All
- Morning (Maybe): Arrive by… well, whatever the hell got you here. Stagecoach? Lucky you. Mule? Bless your soul. Me? I rode in on a half-broke-down horse named Betsy, and let me tell you, Betsy and I aren't exactly on speaking terms after the dust and the bumps. First impression of Gettysburg? Let's just say it's… quiet. Too quiet. Gives you the shivers, it does.
- Midday (If the Stagecoach Gets Here): Attempt to check into the 1863 Inn. The Inn is a decent place, despite the looming shadow of what transpired. The staff is polite, but you can tell they are stressed beyond belief. Found the room, it's simple, which is fine. It has a bed, a wash basin, and a view of… more dusty roads. The bed is hard as a rock, but at least it's clean.
- Afternoon: A wander around the town square. Good luck finding any "town" to wander around, to be honest. The entire vibe is off-putting. The air hangs heavy with a certain… something. Can't quite put my finger on it at first. Then it hits me—the stench. The smell of the aftermath. The smells of smoke and… well, you can imagine. I felt a wave of something close to nausea and had to sit down for a while.
- Evening: Dinner at the Inn's dining room. The food's surprisingly good; they haven't quite run out of staples. Chat with some other lodgers. A nervous couple from Philadelphia, a grizzled old newspaper man scribbling furiously in his notebook, and a few soldiers looking equally shell-shocked. We're a melancholy bunch, aren't we? Afterwards, I try to settle in for the night, but my mind kept replaying visuals of the battlefield.
Day 2: Into The Thick Of It (Or Trying To)
- Morning: Decide I ought to get a move on. The innkeeper gives me a map with a few battle locations marked down. I start walking, feeling a dread. The first stop: The Peach Orchard. Oh, the Peach Orchard. They told me it was supposed to be lovely before the fighting, lush and full. Now? Well, it is still there, but I immediately lose my appetite. Staring out at the vast, quiet acreage left me feeling hollow.
- Midday: Find the spot where Pickett's Charge happened. I'm walking up the ridge, and now I get it. This is it. That feeling I got from the stench is finally making sense. It takes a while to absorb it. I feel a growing wave of dread and sadness. I feel angry at the loss and the senselessness of it all.
- Afternoon: Little Round Top area. I make my way around, listening to the stories of how they fought on that hill. The sheer audacity of trying to attack such a position. The soldiers made their stands. It is all overwhelming. My mind is overflowing with the grim reality of their last moments.
- Deep Dive: I spend the better part of the afternoon here, sitting on a rock and just staring at the landscape. The sun beats down, the silence broken only by the occasional bird. I try to imagine the chaos, the noise, the blood. I try to picture the faces of the soldiers, young and old, Yankee and Rebel. It's a futile exercise, of course. I can only scratch the surface of that experience. I decide I should spend more time trying to learn about the battle. It doesn't feel respectful to just walk around without trying to experience something close to what happened here.
- Evening: Dinner again at the Inn, but I ate barely anything. The stories from the battle stuck in my head. I spoke less. I couldn't.
Day 3: Ghosts and Departure
- Morning: Visit Cemetery Hill. It's where they buried the dead. If there is a God in the world, this is where he would come down to weep. Stroll through the Evergreen Cemetery. It is quiet here too, but a different kind of quiet. It's a peaceful kind of quiet. The air feels heavy with memory. I try to read the inscriptions and try to understand the story of each life lost. Try is the key word.
- Midday: A final wander through some of the streets, and I stop to buy some souvenirs.
- Afternoon: Start my journey back home, this time with a driver.
A Few Notes on the Experience:
- The Locals: They are understandably weary. Greeted with smiles.
- Food: Simple but decent. Pack some hardtack and jerky. You'll need it.
- The Battlefield: It's a sobering experience. Come prepared for it.
- My Mood: A jumble. Mostly sadness, some anger, a flicker of hope that the future better.
Final Thoughts:
Gettysburg is not a pleasant place to visit. It's not meant to be. But it's necessary. You cannot understand this nation without understanding what happened here. And even if you don't, maybe you can let yourself be moved by the stories of those lost.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get away from this place and try to forget some of it. Wish me luck.
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Gettysburg's 1863 Inn: Ghostly Secrets & Civil War History Revealed! (Uh... Are We Ready for This?)
Okay, Spill It: What's the Deal with This Inn?
Alright, alright, settle down, folks. The 1863 Inn in Gettysburg? It's... well, it's old. Like, Civil War old. Think creaky floorboards, antique furniture that probably *saw* action, and rooms named after historical figures. Essentially, it's a beautiful, haunting time capsule. Oh, and did I mention the ghosts? Yeah, there are definitely ghosts. Or so they say...I'm still on the fence, okay? Like, the brochure is *definitely* selling it hard. "Experience history! Walk in the footsteps of heroes!" Sounds amazing, right? It is... until 3 AM when you hear someone *sigh.*
Is it REALLY haunted? (Because, I’m a Scaredy-Cat)
Look, I can't *promise* anything. But let’s just say, the air is thick with… something. People *swear* they've seen things, heard things. Doors slamming, whispers, feeling cold spots. My own experience? Well… I'm not saying anything, but my cat definitely slept with me the whole time. And she NEVER sleeps in the bed. Not even when I bring a whole rotisserie chicken. Hmmm... Honestly? I almost *wanted* to see a ghost. Like, I was *looking* for a ghost. I brought the ghost hunting app, the EMF meter...the works. And you know what I got? Zilch. Nada. Except for a really weird feeling like someone was watching me. And a distinct lack of sleep.
What are the rooms like? Are they actually comfortable?
Comfortable-ISH. Think antique furniture, which means some beds might be a *bit* lumpy. But they're charming! And each room has its own personality. Some have fireplaces (score!), and some even have... ahem... "stories" attached. The decor definitely leans into the whole historic vibe. I’m pretty sure one of the armoires was actually used in the war. Okay, maybe not, but it looks like it. Just...don’t expect a modern hotel experience. The plumbing is a little, let's say, *rustic*. And the WiFi? Good luck with that. Frankly, I think they're intentionally trying to disconnect you from the 21st century... which, in a way, is kind of the point. But seriously, bring your own pillow. And maybe some earplugs. You'll need them.
Okay, hit me with the ghost stories. I'm here for it. (Really, I am.)
Alright, alright. So, there’s the soldier who wanders the halls (classic). The little girl who likes to tug on people's clothes (awww...spooky). And, in one room, a certain general… apparently he likes to rearrange things. Details are...sketchy...but the staff seem to know *everything* about the ghosts…and *nothing* about the internet. Which, let's be real, is a trade off I'm willing to take. They love to tell you the stories, the staff. In fact, it’s almost the main selling point. "Oh, you're in the Lincoln Room? Well, he likes to rearrange the books, you know..." And then they'll give you this knowing look, like you're in on some big, spooky secret. Honestly, it adds to the vibe! But the staff is the real treasure; they have the "ghost stories" down to a science.
Have YOU seen anything?! Spill the tea! (Or, you know, the ectoplasm).
Listen, I'm not going to lie. I *wanted* to see something. I spent a lot of time in the basement (bad idea, by the way). I even did a solo EVP session in my room. Nothing. Except the feeling of being watched. Which, againInfinity Inns
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