When you think of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, you probably imagine it’s all about the well-known Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address. And rightly so, as Gettysburg National Military Park sees over one million visitors a year. Tours have blossomed in the area, expanding access to historical sites by car, foot, bike, segway, and horseback. But in addition to all the history, this vibrant small town is home to a growing food scene. Farm-to-table menus and historic restaurants give visitors plenty of dining choices. A favorite way to explore the local restaurant scene is via a food tour. Recently, we discovered that Savor Gettysburg Food Tours offers the perfect way to enjoy tasty foods, dished with a side of history, and something sweet for dessert!
We are grateful to Savor Gettysburg Food Tour for hosting our tour. All opinions and photos in this story are based on our personal experience.
Gettysburg is a popular road trip destination, drawing visitors from all over the country wanting to explore and learn about the significant three-day Battle of Gettysburg. It’s less than two hours to drive from any of the Washington DC area airports, and just under 150 miles from Philadelphia. And while there is plenty to see and learn about the significant three-day Battle of Gettysburg, you’ll want to take time to check out the dining scene while in town. Or just come for the food like we did!
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On a recent day trip, our single purpose was to take the Savor Gettysburg Historic Downtown Food Tour. If you have read other familyTravelsUSA blogs, you know my husband and I have taken food tours in several cities, including Richmond, Virginia, and Seattle, Washington. The Savor Gettysburg Historic Downtown Food Tour was a fun way to explore the city, find great places to eat in Gettysburg for our next visit, and hear stories that most of us never learned back in school.
We arrived in Gettysburg hungry and ready to start our tour promptly at 10:30 a.m. Savor Gettysburg has a tight schedule, so plan to arrive a few minutes early. Parking was easy at the Racehorse Alley Parking Garage (pay upon arrival), with a short walk past the historic Majestic Theater to our meeting spot. Our enthusiastic tour guide entertained our group of 6 with stories as she introduced us to established and newer restaurants scattered in downtown Gettysburg. After taking other food tours, we knew to expect generous portions, and Savor Gettysburg was no exception.
We kicked off the tour with flavors of Mexico at the colorful Tacos Monarca. You might not notice it across from the Lincoln Diner, but you won’t be disappointed if you stop in for a bite! Our first dish at this casual gem was the tasty Quesabirrias, filled with chunks of beef served with dipping soup and sauces. Next, we sampled artisan pizza at Food 101, then a steaming Shepherd’s Pie made from a family recipe at Garryowen Irish Pub. After more walking and stories, we sat down for a wine/cider tasting at Reid’s Winery Tasting Room and Cider House, followed by delicious peach crepes at Cottage Creperie. As if that wasn’t enough, we topped everything off with fresh ice cream from Mr. G’s! 
With Gettysburg’s location in Adams County, Pennsylvania, restaurants can source fresh ingredients like meat, produce, and fruit from nearby farms. This was evident in many of the dishes and drinks on the tour. Apples are particularly plentiful, with roughly three dozen varieties of apples grown in Adams County. In fact, nearby Biglerville is home to the National Apple Museum. On our tour, we learned about the excitement created when barrels of apples from Adams County were shipped to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.
Cider lovers will find a variety of hard ciders made with locally grown apples, including the tongue-twisting Ploughman Farm Cider Scrumpy Prig which we sampled at Garryowen Irish Pub. Reid’s Winery Tasting Room and Cider House selections featured Apple Crisp and Ginger Cider, paired with a tasting plate that included apples and apple butter. 
Savor Gettysburg’s tour definitely had us planning our return visit with friends to try other items at Garryowen Irish Pub, including the Guinness Poutine, Irish Stew, and fish and chips! Besides artisan pizza, Food 101’s menu had interesting seasonal salads, along with Chef Selections available after 4 p.m. Keep in mind, many restaurants like Food 101 are in small spaces with a handful of tables, or have small outside patios. We will return to Cottage Creperie to try more of their mouthwatering sweet and savory selections like the Salted Caramel and Pretzel crepe that was calling my name! They offer a few vegan and gluten free options as well.
Savor Gettysburg offers several seasonal tours, including a summer Farmer’s Market Tour & Cooking Class, and the Christmas Tastes & Traditions Food Tour. The Historic Downtown Food tour is currently available Fridays – Sundays. Keep in mind that restaurants on the food tours may vary.
When you finish eating, walk off some of that food as you browse the interesting shops around town. You’ll find everything from souvenirs and retro candy to Polish pottery, vinyl records, and handmade hats!
And for history buffs, you may wonder, what can you see at Gettysburg National Military Park? There’s the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center, Battle Walks, Ranger-Guided Tours, battlefield bus tours, and self-guided driving tours. Pick up a “Today in the Park” guidebook for event times. Explore the new Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum and visit the David Wills House and Gettysburg National Cemetery. Our guide Gayle also told us about a new experience if you like virtual reality. It’s called Ticket to the Past—Unforgettable Journeys at the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station™. We certainly have a lot to do on our next visit to Gettysburg!
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