Gettysburg, Pennsylvania at a Glance
Location: Southern Pennsylvania
Access: U.S. routes 15 and 30, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Harrisburg International Airport
Major Meeting Spaces: Wyndham Gettysburg, Gettysburg Hotel
Hotel Rooms: Approximately 2,500
Off-Site Venues: Middle Creek Retreat and Event Center, The Swope Manor Bed and Breakfast, Newhart’s Iron Horse Inn, Battlefield Bed and Breakfast Inn, Georges on York Bed and Breakfast, Middle Creek Manor, The Altland House, The Gettysburg Academy Bed and Breakfast
Contact Info:
Destination Gettysburg
717-338-3062
Few places have as much history per square mile as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Home to the grounds where more than 160,000 soldiers fought in the Civil War, Gettysburg prides itself in commemorating its history. Whether people are exploring the battlefield and Gettysburg National Cemetery or grabbing a bite to eat at a downtown pub, traces of the past come into view.
“Our history is the backdrop to a lot of what we do here,” said Carl Whitehill, vice president of Destination Gettysburg.
But while walking the battlefield and learning more about the war and those involved are a top draw, Gettysburg’s history isn’t its only asset.
“We’re one of the largest apple-growing regions in the United States, so we have people who are making hard cider and different apple products. We’re really proud of all that,” Whitehill said.
Gettysburg also boasts a charming downtown where people can find farm-to-table dinning, brewing companies and wine shops, historic taverns, local boutiques, museums, art galleries and more. Plus, thanks to its location in rural Pennsylvania, the city provides beautiful views of rolling hills, a relaxing atmosphere, fresh air and numerous ways to have fun.
Horseback riding and biking are popular outdoor activities in Gettysburg, and along with the trails that wind through Gettysburg National Military Park, the city’s proximity to state parks, such Caledonia and Codorus, provides people with excellent hiking options.
“All these things kind of really whet people’s appetites for getting outside and getting active,” Whitehill said.
Collectively, these facets make this city of just over 7,000 people the perfect location for company meetings and retreats. Largely attracted to the area are groups located in nearby Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., according to Whitehill.
Two local hotels serve as the city’s main meeting venues. The Gettysburg Hotel is located in town on Lincoln Square, and the Wyndham Gettysburg is a less than 10-minute drive from downtown.
Several smaller venues are also available for those looking for a space to meet, from modern hotels and bed-and-breakfasts to historic inns and even a revitalized school building.
Wyndham Gettysburg
Located at the intersection of U.S. routes 15 and 30, the Wyndham Gettysburg is the largest meeting venue in the city. The hotel offers 18 meeting rooms, totaling more than 62,500 square feet of meeting and event space. While the facility’s Presidential Ballroom is nearly 9,000 square feet and can accommodate 500 people, smaller rooms of varying sizes are also available to host groups with fewer attendees.
Each room features on-site audio and visual services, and catering from the hotel’s award-winning executive chef, Andrew Ernst, is also available. Groups can choose from a selection of food-and-beverage packages to keep attendees satisfied throughout the day.
Gettysburg Hotel
What began as a tavern in 1797, Gettysburg Hotel is awash with historic charm. As the city’s second-largest meeting venue, this facility provides 10 meeting rooms of differing sizes, totaling approximately 9,000 square feet of space. Its Grand Ballroom, adorned with 19th century chandeliers, is 3,350 square feet and can accommodate 204 people. It is equipped with Wi-Fi as well as blackout shades for video presentations.
Housed in the heart of downtown, the hotel is in walking distance of the battlefield, restaurants, museums, shops and galleries, providing groups with plenty of places to explore when not in meetings. For guests with vehicles, plentiful parking can be found downtown as well.
Federal Pointe Inn
One of Gettysburg’s most unique hotels is Federal Pointe Inn. Formerly, the Meade School built in 1897, this beautiful brick building was renovated into an 18-room boutique hotel in 2012. The inn offers two meeting rooms equipped to accommodate groups of 10 to 35 people. Wi-Fi, LCD projectors and copy, print and fax machines are available, and groups using the space can arrange for full-service catering.
Located on Springs Avenue, Federal Pointe Inn provides easy access to everything the city’s downtown has to offer, from restaurants and shops to galleries and museums.
Creating Leaders
Leadership development programs run the gamut in Gettysburg. With four popular options — Gettysburg Leadership Experience, Tigrett Leadership Academy, The Lincoln Leadership Institute at Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Foundation’s Professional Leadership Development — companies can choose the program that best aligns with their needs and goals.
While each program has its own methods and curriculums, many turn to the battlefield, referencing great leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower.
Coming Together
Opportunities for groups to engage in team-building exercises can be found all over Gettysburg. One popular choice is Gettysburg Goofballs and Ghost Stories, where entertainers tell ghost stories and provide scavengers hunts and circus lessons. Other examples include Fields of Adventure, a family farm with a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and other seasonal offerings; Carlisle Sports Emporium, an entertainment complex with batting cages, go-karts, mini golf and more; and the 1863 Escape Room, which incorporates Civil War history into its themed experiences.
Each of these options allows group members to spend time connecting and having fun with one another in a laid-back setting.
Meeting Adjourned
Outside of meetings, Gettysburg offers a slew of attractions to keep groups entertained. Many are well-known, like the battlefield, Gettysburg National Cemetery and the Eisenhower National Historic Site, the preserved home and farm of the 34th president, while other little gems are found downtown.
Mela Kitchen is a great place to cap off an evening of meetings. Guests can sample the establishment’s delicious ciders made from locally grown apples and pair their drinks with delicious pizza, burgers, subs, pastas and more.
One must-visit space is the 1776 historic Dobbin House. While guests can tour the home, it is also known for its tavern and dining rooms. The historic atmosphere and cuisine work hand-in-hand to take guests back in time.
