Step into East Cemetery Hill where a ghostly guide leads a 90-minute walking tour through the National Soldiers' Orphanage Homestead. Learn the building’s Civil War history while navigating dim yards and listening for stories that blur history and the supernatural.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Fog clings to the stone walls of East Cemetery Hill as the group gathers outside Ghostly Images on Baltimore Street. The tour begins with a flicker of a lantern and a voice that insists it once lived in these rooms — the guide is the ghost, and the city’s Civil War past presses close as you move through shadowed yards and the threshold of the National Soldiers' Orphanage Homestead.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required; participants should be able to walk slowly for 90 minutes over uneven ground and a few steps.
Wildlife
History
The homestead was used as General O.O. Howard’s headquarters and a wartime hospital before becoming an orphanage for children of soldiers after the Civil War.
Conservation
Stay on marked paths and avoid touching historic fabric; Gettysburg’s preservation depends on visitor respect for fragile structures and grave markers.
Reserve your spot on the Haunted Orphanage Ghostly Encounter Tour in Gettysburg today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive Early
Check in at Ghostly Images (778 Baltimore St.) at least 15 minutes before the start time to secure parking and your spot.
Wear Solid Footwear
The route includes cobblestone, steps, and uneven yards — closed-toe shoes with good traction are recommended.
Bring a Small Light
A headlamp or small flashlight helps on dim paths and avoids disrupting performers’ staging.
Respect Performers and Property
Actors recreate historical scenes and access to interior spaces is limited — follow guide instructions and stay on designated paths.
Closed-toe walking shoes
Protects feet on uneven stone, gravel, and steps encountered on the route.
Small flashlight or headlamp
Improves visibility on dim paths without blinding performers or other guests.
Warm layer (jacket or fleece)
Evenings chill quickly on East Cemetery Hill, especially in fall and winter.
fall
Charged smartphone
Useful for navigation, emergency contact, and taking photos where permitted.