Want to start a new tradition this holiday season? No matter how many times I visit, I leave with a fresh appreciation for small town America, especially the way they celebrate the seasons. Gettysburg became a turning point that helped propel the Union Army to ultimate victory.
But Gettysburg is much more than its battlefield. This charming town with its historic architecture, eclectic shopping and a serious culinary scene is a perfect place to celebrate the holidays or any time. To be in the heart of the action, stay at the historic Hotel Gettysburg. Some of the rooms have a gas fireplace making them extra cozy. A guide dressed in period attire walks you through the decorated rooms and explains how the Shriver family prepared for Christmas during the four years of Civil War.
I recommend having dinner at the Sign of the Buck, where chef Josh Fidler uses the best local ingredients to prepare his modern take on classic American cuisine. After dinner, you might enjoy taking a horse-drawn carriage through the historic downtown in an old fashioned buggy from Victorian Carriage Company. A group of us boarded the carriage pulled by two strong and able horses, then savored seeing the lights of the town. The house is decorated for the holidays, as Mamie and Ike Eisenhower enjoyed entertaining their family along with world leaders and dignitaries.
The farm also functioned as the temporary White House when Ike recovers from a heart attack. The grounds are lovely for a picturesque walk in the countryside. Inside this former furniture store, distillers produce small batches of vodka, rum, whiskey and brandy using local ingredients, including wheat grown on the battlefield.
Mason Dixon also serves comfort food. There are two places that really stood out to me on this recent visit. I loved the immersive room depicting a family caught in the crossfire during the Battle of Gettysburg.
