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Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Battlefield Site, Ridge
Map Pin
48 Reynolds Ave S, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
McPherson Ridge: Where the Battle Began
Welcome to McPherson Ridge, where the Battle of Gettysburg began.

As you look across these peaceful Pennsylvania fields, it may be hard to imagine that on the morning of July 1, 1863, thousands of soldiers converged here in what would become the largest battle ever fought in North America.

Just after sunrise, Union cavalry under General John Buford spotted Confederate forces approaching from the west along the Chambersburg Pike. Buford immediately recognized the importance of the high ground south of Gettysburg. If Confederate troops captured those ridges first, the Union Army would face a difficult and costly fight to reclaim them.

Buford's mission was simple, yet incredibly dangerous: hold the enemy long enough for Union infantry reinforcements to arrive.

Outnumbered and fighting on foot, Buford's cavalrymen delayed the Confederate advance for several crucial hours. Their stand here bought precious time for Major General John Reynolds and the Union First Corps to reach the battlefield. Reynolds, one of the Union Army's most respected commanders, rode directly into the fighting to deploy his troops. Within minutes, he was struck and killed while directing his men into position. He became the highest-ranking officer from either side to die at Gettysburg.

Despite suffering heavy losses, Union forces held this ridge long enough to allow the Army of the Potomac to establish defensive positions on the heights south of town. Many historians believe that Buford's decision to fight here helped shape the outcome of the entire battle.

Take a moment to look around. Beyond these fields lie Willoughby Run, the McPherson Farm, and the ridges over which soldiers advanced under artillery fire and musket volleys. The fighting that began here would continue for three days, involving more than 160,000 soldiers and resulting in more than 50,000 casualties.

As we continue our journey through Gettysburg, you'll follow the battle in the order it unfolded, discovering how a small Pennsylvania town became the setting for a turning point in American history.

When you're ready, continue to our next stop, the Eternal Light Peace Memorial.

Read More

  https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/mcpherson-ridge.htm
Place #2
Distance: 0.59mi , Attraction : Memorial, Landmark
Map Pin
100 Confederate Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
POI 4 Tour Image
Eternal Light Peace Memorial: From Conflict to Reconciliation
Rising before you is the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, one of Gettysburg's most meaningful monuments.

Dedicated on July 3, 1938, this memorial commemorates the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and honors the spirit of reconciliation between North and South. More than 1,800 Civil War veterans returned to Gettysburg for the dedication ceremony, including several hundred who had fought on these very fields. Former enemies, once divided by war, gathered here in peace.

At the top of the memorial burns an eternal flame, symbolizing unity and the hope that the nation would never again experience such a devastating conflict. Inscribed on the monument are the words:

"Peace Eternal in a Nation United."

Take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey represented here. In 1863, Gettysburg was the site of unimaginable violence and sacrifice. Seventy-five years later, veterans who had faced one another in battle stood together to honor not what had divided them, but what ultimately united them.

From this vantage point, you can also appreciate the scale of the battlefield. The fighting began to the west at McPherson Ridge, where Union cavalry delayed the Confederate advance. As the day progressed, the battle expanded north and east, eventually drawing tens of thousands of soldiers into the struggle for control of the high ground around Gettysburg.

The Eternal Light Peace Memorial reminds us that Gettysburg is not only a story of military strategy and battlefield heroics. It is also a story of healing, remembrance, and the enduring effort to preserve a united nation.

When you're ready, continue to our next stop, Oak Ridge, where the fierce fighting of Gettysburg's first day intensified.

Read More

  https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/historyculture/eternal-light-peace-memorial.htm
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 McPherson Ridge: Where the Battle Began
Map Pin Place 2 Eternal Light Peace Memorial: From Conflict to Reconciliation
Map Pin Place 3 Oak Ridge: Holding the Northern Line
Map Pin Place 4 Barlow's Knoll: A Bold Advance
Map Pin Place 5 North Carolina Memorial: The Price of Sacrifice
Map Pin Place 6 Virginia Memorial: Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia
Map Pin Place 7 Pitzer Woods: Preparing for the Storm
Map Pin Place 8 Warfield Ridge: The Confederate Advance
Map Pin Place 9 Little Round Top: The Union's Last Line
Map Pin Place 10 The Wheatfield: A Field of Death
Map Pin Place 11 The Peach Orchard: A Costly Decision
Map Pin Place 12 Plum Run: The Valley of Death
Map Pin Place 13 Pennsylvania State Memorial: Honoring the Home State
Map Pin Place 14 Spangler's Spring: Humanity Amid the Battle
Map Pin Place 15 East Cemetery Hill: Defending the High Ground
Map Pin Place 16 High Water Mark: The Climax of Gettysburg
Map Pin Place 17 Gettysburg National Cemetery: Lincoln's Enduring Words



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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 17 stops, covering top attractions such as McPherson Ridge: Where the Battle Began, Eternal Light Peace Memorial: From Conflict to Reconciliation, Oak Ridge: Holding the Northern Line, Barlow's Knoll: A Bold Advance, North Carolina Memorial: The Price of Sacrifice.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at McPherson Ridge: Where the Battle Began (Address: 48 Reynolds Ave S, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
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There are two things that you need - <b>1.</b> A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). <b>2.</b> A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!