From its strategic battlefield grounds to its brick-faced 19th century battle-ridden homes, no other town seems to capture the soul of the American Civil War more than Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I headed there to spend the Labor Day holiday weekend this year.

My accommodations were superb at the historic Gettysburg Hotel. Built in the year 1797, the hotel offers modern spacious rooms with jacuzzi, free wifi, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and dining. It is centrally located downtown within walking distance of the Gettysburg Battlefield and other popular attractions.

From my hotel room window, I had a lovely view of the Gettysburg Diamond, the circular roundabout leading to shops, restaurants, and historic sites in each direction.

Vegans may find a good breakfast option at the vegan-friendly Ragged Edge Coffeehouse(Ragged Edge Coffeehouse) downtown. The waitstaff confirmed that their bagels are indeed vegan. I opted for an “Everything” bagel filled with homemade hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and carrots. My inexpensive vegan breakfast meal was great!

For my beverage, I chose the “Punch and Judy” smoothie. The smoothie contained fresh strawberries, pineapple, and bananas in an almond milk base. It was really good. The cafe’s picturesque garden was a wonderful spot to eat my breakfast.

After my meal, I strolled up and down Chambersburg Street, across from the cafe. Several 19th century homes displayed signs stating their historical significance. Renowned abolitionist and House of Representatives member Thaddeus Stevens had lived in a red brick home on this street.

As I headed over to the convenient trolley station, I passed by the Majestic Theater and the Gettysburg Railroad Station. This small town theater opened its doors in 1925, for the enjoyment of vaudeville performances and silent movies. President Eisenhower attended performances here and the monumental Civil War film “Gettysburg” made its debut here in 1993. In 2005, the renovated theater opened once again for musical and theatrical performances.

President Abraham Lincoln arrived at the Gettysburg Railroad Station on November 18, 1863; the evening before he made his famous “Gettysburg Address”. The railroad was utilized as a makeshift hospital for wounded soldiers during the Civil War.

The $1 trolley took me to the Gettysburg National Military Park, the first stop on my day’s itinerary. A bronze statue of President Abraham Lincoln sits proudly outside the Visitor’s Center building. Tourists, such as myself, enjoy posing with him!

Once inside the building, Civil War memorabilia and artifacts are exhibited upon the walls and glass covered display cases. A Civil War drum was showcased, along with other instruments. The drums played an important role, as drumbeats alerted troops of their orders when human voice could not be heard. Other times, instruments and music provided some entertainment for the weary soldiers.

Army clothing is on display at the museum, including several blue Union uniforms.

Civil War belts and pins were showcased as well.

After spending some time in the lobby, visitors are then led to the Cyclorama on the upper level. The large painting depicting the Civil War battle “Pickett’s Charge”, gives a good sense of what happened at the turning point of the war. Cycloramas are a popular late 19th century art form, in which oil on canvas paintings display a landscape scene and figures making it appear as three dimensional. Sound effects of cannon fire and visual displays of smoke upon them brought the battle scene to life for those of us watching in the gallery.

We were free to visit the Military Park Museum on the first level, immediately after the Cyclorama sound and light show. The museum exhibits are grouped together by chronological Civil War events and battles. One of the items on display was the bed and field desk of Confederate leader General Robert E. Lee.

Several flags for both Union and Confederate armies were on display, as well as a federal flag.

Union troops eating utensils and plates have also been uncovered.

After spending time wandering through the museum exhibits that depict each battle throughout the Civil War, lunch time had arrived. The Visitor’s Center cafeteria style restaurant gave me a couple of snack options as a lunch meal. I munched on a packaged hummus and mini pretzels and a banana. They were tasty and filled me up enough to partake in the afternoon’s tour.

A tour bus outside of the Visitor’s Center then picked up passengers for a comprehensive tour of the Gettysburg Battlefields. A licensed guide gave us a a detailed account of some the key battles in the area. General Lee’s Confederate Armies had encircled the town of Gettysburg awaiting the arrival of the Union forces led by General George Meade on July 1st, 1863. Barlow’s Knoll, west of Gettysburg, is where confederate soldiers under General Hill met Union cavalry from the Army of the Potomac’s Iron Brigade, on that day. The battle continued on McPherson’s Ridge, where Richard Ewell’s Confederate troops intimidated the Union right flank. General Barlow advanced his division to a knoll. However, the federal army was spread too thin. The Confederates eventually seized the knoll and damaged the Union’s right position on the battleground. The Union corps retreated to the heights south of the town.

Our tour bus stopped at the Eternal Light Peace Memorial on the grounds of the Military Park. This monument was erected in 1938 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Along one of the battlefield roads, we encounter a gray stone home that was General Robert E. Lee’s headquarters during the Civil War.

Wooden zigzag “worm” fences have been recreated to emulate authentic ones from the war time period. The fence barriers encompass the perimeter of the massive battlefields, since they are easy to construct.

After the completion of the war, each state corps was represented by a statue or monument marker along the battlefield.

Cannons now line the various battlefields and battle roads.

On July 2nd, General Lee struck the Union flanks which were under General George Meade’s command. Intense fighting occurred at Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Culp’s Hill and East Cemetery Hill. The Confederates captured Devil’s Den and the Peach Orchard.

However, on July 3rd, Union forces prevailed at Culp’s Hill. Lee’s troops attacked the Union forces again on Cemetery Ridge but was backed off at Pickett’s Charge. Over 50,000 soldier’s had lost their lives, were wounded, or were missing by the end of the three day Battle of Gettysburg.

After my afternoon of touring the National Military Park and Battlefield, I strolled about downtown to visit a few gift shops and galleries. Gettysburg downtown is home to several unique and creative shops. One shop offers colorful painted gourds for purchase.

Yet another offers Civil War antiques and artifacts.

Along each of the downtown roads, many Civil War era homes, taverns, and churches still stand. These brick or stone buildings bear plaques stating their Civil War period status.

I decided to have dinner at the Dobbin House Tavern Restaurant (Dobbin House Tavern Restaurant). The inn was the 18th century home of Reverend Alexander Dobbin. It was used as part of the Underground Railroad to temporarily hide and house runaway slaves on their way to freedom.

An upstairs attic space provided hidden shelter for these slaves.

The dining area contains original period furniture, including a canopy bed seating area, where guests may eat their meal. The waitstaff is dressed in period attire.

My first course was a flavorful salad of greens, tomatoes, and red onions, with a vinaigrette dressing.

I selected their “Vegetable Isabella”. This entree consisted of broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, tomato, green peppers, sauteed in a wine sauce over penne pasta. My meal was delicious! An herbal tea complimented the pasta dish. The knowledgeable waitstaff verified that the pasta did not contain egg and was indeed vegan. The vegan-friendly restaurant offers several vegan items on their vegetable section of the menu. They focus on local, fresh veggies.

For dessert, I chose a wonderful raspberry sorbet.

After a satisfying evening meal and a fantastic day of sightseeing, I was ready to call it a night. I waited with eager anticipation for the next day’s itinerary of Civil War house museums and the stories that would be told within their walls.

Tours, accommodations, and dinner proved by Destination Gettysburg, as their guest. All opinions expressed are my own.