How to Save Money with the Gettysburg Value Plan

Is the Gettysburg Value Plan Worth It?

Is a trip to Gettysburg Pennsylvania in your future? If so, you will be in for a treat! This little town is full of historic museums and attractions so it will be hard to choose what to do. If you suffer from FOMO like I do, the only answer is to cram as many spots as possible into your vacation. Doing this is great (in my opinion) except for the fact that the cost of your trip will start adding up super quickly with all the entrance fees. Luckily, I discovered a great way to save money with the Gettysburg Value Plan. This Value Plan is basically a discount program for several attractions in the area. If several of these places are on your to-visit list, then getting the Value Plan will most likely be for you!

*I am NOT an affiliate of this program, just sharing what helped us save money on our trips to Gettysburg*

What Is the Gettysburg Value Plan?

The Gettysburg Value Plan is a great discount program for several attractions in the area. There are two packages to choose from: the Full Value Plan or Museum Only. With both options, you will get 3 tickets that you can use at 7 different museum-like attractions in the area. With the Full Value Plan, a Gettysburg Battlefield bus tour is included as well.

The Full Value Plan costs $59 per adult and the Museum Only option costs $31. The normal price for the bus tours is around $38 and the museum admissions range from $9-$15 a person. As long as you are going to three of the museums on the list, this program will definitely save you money.

How do the Tickets in the Gettysburg Value Plan Work?

The tickets come in a booklet with a convenient map of Gettysburg along with a list of the participating museums and each booklet has 3 tickets inside. These tickets are not dated or registered to any individual. So not only can anyone use them, but they can also be used on your future trips to Gettysburg if you have any leftover tickets.

This worked out great for me because during our first trip to Gettysburg, one of our days got cut short and my husband and I didn’t end up using all our tickets. The next month, a friend and I were able to go back and were able to use my leftover tickets when we went to Antietam Battlefield and Harper’s Ferry National Park.

I also want to point out that this means that you don’t have to buy one booklet per person. Figure out how many individual tickets you will need during your trip for these stops and buy however many booklets you would need. For example, if you have a group of 3 but only want to go to two of these attractions…you would just need 2 booklets.

It is important to note, that even though there is no restriction on WHEN you can use your tickets, there is a restriction on WHAT your tickets can be used for at several locations. For the most part, these tickets give basic admission to the museum or a basic-level tour. Some museums like Seminary Ridge have add-on options you will have to pay for if you want them like a guided tour to the Cupola.

Where to Buy the Gettysburg Value Plan

You can buy the Value Plan online (if you are getting the bus tour) or in person at any Gettysburg Tours and most of the participating attractions. To use your tickets, simply pull one out of the book and present it at the counter when you are ready to use it. The only downside is that there is not currently a way to use your ticket to book your tour spot in advance online. If you are trying to plan and book things ahead of time, I suggest you call the attraction directly to see if they can reserve your spot that way.

What Attractions Does the Gettysburg Value Plan Include?

When getting the Gettysburg Value Plan, you will have several choices to choose from. The first decision you will have to make is whether you will want to get the Full Plan that includes one of the Gettysburg Battlefield Bus Tours.

If you decide you want the bus tour, you will have two options to choose from, a Guided Double Decker Bus Tour or a Licensed Guided Bus Tour. Don’t let the names fool you because BOTH of these tours are led by licensed guides. They each run for around 2 hours long and include one bathroom break and at least one scenic stop.

The main difference between these two tours is the type of bus you will be on. The Licensed Guided Bus Tour is on an air-conditioned charter bus and the Guided Double Decker Bus tour is of course on a double-decker bus. This vehicle does NOT have air conditioning. The top deck is open-air, and the bottom deck has large windows.

If you prefer to get out at more stops and go at your own pace, you can always do the free and dog-friendly Gettysburg Battlefield Auto Tour provided by the National Park.

Participating Museums in the Gettysburg Value Plan

The tickets from the Gettysburg Value Plan can be used at the following 7 different attractions in Gettysburg, with most located in the downtown area. I’ve listed their summer hours, normal admission fee, and phone numbers to make it easier to plan your trip. I’ve been to 5 of them so you can visit the corresponding post to get a better idea of what to expect at those locations.

Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum

• Phone: 717-334-4723
• Price: $15
• Hours: Sunday- Saturday:  10 am – 5 pm
• Read more here: Visit Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum

Gettysburg Heritage Center

• Phone: 717-334-6245
• Price: $10
• Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm
  Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 7 pm

Gettysburg History Center Presents the Gettysburg Diorama:

• Phone: 717-334-6408
• Price: $9
• Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 9 am -7 pm
  Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm
• Read more here: Is the Gettysburg Diorama Worth Visiting?

Jennie Wade House

• Phone: 717-334-4000
• Price: $12
• Hours: Sunday- Saturday:  9 am – 6 pm
• Read more here: Should You Visit the Jennie Wade House Museum?

Seminary Ridge Museum:

• Phone: 717-339-1300
• Price: $13
• Hours: Sunday- Saturday:  9 am – 5 pm
• Read more here: Coming Soon!

Shriver House Museum:

• Phone: 717-337-2800
• Price: $11.95
• Hours: Sunday: 10:00 – 5:00
• Monday- Friday: 12:00- 5:00
  Saturday: 10:00 – 6:00
• Read more here: Visit the Past at the Shriver House Museum

The WWII American Experience Museum

• Phone: 717-253-3414
• Price: $15
• Hours: Sunday: 12 pm- 4 pm
  Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm

Tips to Save Money with The Gettysburg Value Plan

It can be a bit overwhelming when you are planning a vacation so to recap, here are the top tips to keep in mind so you can save the most money when using the Gettysburg Value Plan. 

• Make sure to keep in mind the price of admission when deciding what to use your tickets for. For example, the Gettysburg Diorama is only $9 so it is cheaper to pay for this attraction on its own if you are visiting more than 3 places on the list.
• Remember that the tickets are not tied to individual people, so you do not have to pay for one booklet per person. (If you are a group of 3 and want to go to 2 attractions- you only need to buy 2 booklets).
• The days and hours vary for each attraction so make sure to look up the hours for each place when making your plans, so you don’t miss out.

See More and Spend Less in Gettysburg

The Gettysburg Value Plan can be a great way to save money on your vacation as long as the participating attractions are ones that you want to go to. The flexibility of the tickets (not being dated or tied to an individual) makes it even easier to maximize your savings.  With a little bit of research and planning, Gettysburg can be a very budget-friendly vacation for your whole group.  

If you are looking for more budget-friendly tips, check out our Low Budget Travel Tips.

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