Last updated: September 15, 2022
Thing to Do
Gettysburg NMP Museum and Visitor Center
NPS Photos
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is the place to begin your visit to the battlefield. Here visitors will find information on how to visit the park and what to see around Gettysburg. Visit the main Visitor Center page for hours and more information!
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is privately owned & operated by the Gettysburg Foundation (in partnership with the National Park Service).
Inside the Museum and Visitor Center
Stop by the National Park Service Information Desk
Our rangers can provide information about the offerings in the Museum and Visitor Center and explain all your options for touring the battlefield. Pick up a park map and guide to help you navigate park roads and ask about other seasonal publications that list special ranger-led programs.
For more information about our seasonal interpretive programs and schedules, please visit our Ranger Programs at Gettysburg page. For more information about Living History programs and schedules, please visit our Living History page.
Visit Museum Exhibits, Film, and Cyclorama
Although the building is free to enter there are fees for the following activities. Visit our Fees and Passes page for more information. To make reservations for the Museum, Film, and Cyclorama painting, please visit the Gettysburg Foundation Ticket Prices and Packages page.
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Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War: With 22,000 square feet of exhibit space, the museum features artifacts of the Battle of Gettysburg and personalities who served in the Civil War, interactive exhibits, and multimedia presentations that cover the conflict from beginning to end.
- Film, A New Birth of Freedom, narrated by award winning actor Morgan Freeman: A 20-minute film, A New Birth of Freedom, narrated by Morgan Freeman, about the Battle of Gettysburg is shown every 15 minutes throughout the day during the summer and every 30 minutes during the winter. The film provides orientation to the battle and Gettysburg's place in the American Civil War.
- Cyclorama painting depicting Pickett's Charge: French artist Paul Philippoteaux and a team of assistants spent more than a year to complete this breathtaking canvas that measures 377 feet in circumference and 42 feet high. Learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama painting.
Take a tour with a Licensed Battlefield Guide
Licensed Battlefield Guides are rigorously tested and licensed by Gettysburg National Military Park and have helped thousands of park visitors better understand the Battle of Gettysburg. Licensed Battlefield Guides offer two-hour car tours and bus tours from the Museum and Visitor Center. Tours are available daily on a first-come, first-served basis or through advanced reservations. To make reservations, please visit the Gettysburg Foundation Ticket Prices and Packages page.
What if the Museum and Visitor Center is Closed?
There are several self-guided tours available on the park app, including the Gettysburg Auto Tour! If you would like to follow the Auto Tour outside of the park app, visit our Virtual Tour page! Here you will find a video for each of the sixteen stops that tell the story of what happened here in the summer of 1863.
Details
Duration
2-3 Hours
Visits can vary in duration depending on what activities you chose. Expect a visit that includes the film, cyclorama, and exhibits to take at least 2-3 hours.
Activity
Museum Exhibits
A trip to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center could include visiting the information desk to talk to a park ranger and getting oriented with maps and information about how to tour the battlefield. A more in-depth visit may include watching the park film, viewing the cyclorama, and browsing the exhibits. (The film, cyclorama, and exhibits have fees.)
Age(s)
All ages, but minors must be with an adult parent or guardian.
Pets Allowed
No
Pets are not allowed in the Museum and Visitor Center but service dogs are welcome. Visit our Pets page for more information.
Activity Fee
Yes
For more information about fees for the Museum, Film, Cyclorama painting, Licensed Battlefield Guides, David Wills House, please visit our Fees & Passes page.
Location
1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
The Visitor Center and Museum is located between the Baltimore Pike and Taneytown Road. Visitors can park either in Lot 1 or 3 and take the walkways to the Visitor Center.
Reservations
Yes
To make reservations for the Museum, Film, Cyclorama painting, Licensed Battlefield Guides, David Wills House, please visit the Gettysburg Foundation Ticket Prices and Packages page. No reservations are needed for visiting the National Park Service Information Desk.
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day
Hours can vary throughout the year. Visit our Operating Hours & Seasons page for more information.
Accessibility Information
Pets
Pets are not allowed in the Museum and Visitor Center but service dogs are welcome. Visit our Pets page for more information.
Firearms
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is owned and operated by the Gettysburg Foundation, which also owns and administers the grounds and parking lots adjacent to the building. The carrying or possession of any type of weapon on the grounds of the visitor center or in the building is prohibited with the exception of law enforcement officers or officials that are within their jurisdiction.
Firearms in National Parks: The law governing possession of firearms inside a national park changed on February 22, 2010. Visitors may possess firearms within a national park unit provided they comply with federal, state, and local laws. The role of the responsible gun owner is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws appropriate to the park they are visiting. Please remember that federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances. The role of the responsible gun owner is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws appropriate to the park they are visiting. For more information about gun laws in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania State Police web site.
Backpacks
Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum and Visitor Center. Exceptions are backpacks that are considered to be medical and/or first-aid packs, camera bags, or baby essential bags. Security guards were proactively added to the Museum and Visitor Center with the ever-changing level of security being incorporated at museums and parks around the country. They will help ensure the safety of all visitors to the complex, which accommodates more than one million visitors each year.
Bicycles
Bicycles are not permitted on the sidewalks or walking paths. Bicycles are to be parked at the bike racks provided in Bay #1 of Parking Lot #1. They are not permitted to be locked to the building, trees, or signs.
Pets are not allowed in the Museum and Visitor Center but service dogs are welcome. Visit our Pets page for more information.
Firearms
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is owned and operated by the Gettysburg Foundation, which also owns and administers the grounds and parking lots adjacent to the building. The carrying or possession of any type of weapon on the grounds of the visitor center or in the building is prohibited with the exception of law enforcement officers or officials that are within their jurisdiction.
Firearms in National Parks: The law governing possession of firearms inside a national park changed on February 22, 2010. Visitors may possess firearms within a national park unit provided they comply with federal, state, and local laws. The role of the responsible gun owner is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws appropriate to the park they are visiting. Please remember that federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances. The role of the responsible gun owner is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws appropriate to the park they are visiting. For more information about gun laws in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania State Police web site.
Backpacks
Backpacks are not permitted in the Museum and Visitor Center. Exceptions are backpacks that are considered to be medical and/or first-aid packs, camera bags, or baby essential bags. Security guards were proactively added to the Museum and Visitor Center with the ever-changing level of security being incorporated at museums and parks around the country. They will help ensure the safety of all visitors to the complex, which accommodates more than one million visitors each year.
Bicycles
Bicycles are not permitted on the sidewalks or walking paths. Bicycles are to be parked at the bike racks provided in Bay #1 of Parking Lot #1. They are not permitted to be locked to the building, trees, or signs.