1863 Inn of Gettysburg Review: Is This Haunted Hotel Worth Staying At?

Hello, spooky cats!

For another haunted hotel adventure, we checked into the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The hotel is known for its convenient location, Civil War atmosphere, and reports of paranormal activity—so naturally, we came prepared to review the room and search for ghosts.

We stayed in Room 317, toured the hotel, tested the beds and shower, sampled the included breakfast, and paid attention to all the practical details that can make or break a hotel stay.

Here is what it was really like to spend the night at the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg.

Checking In at the 1863 Inn

The 1863 Inn is a large hotel with exterior room entrances rather than fully enclosed interior hallways. To reach our room, we walked outside along the hotel’s covered walkways.

The property has a sizable free parking lot, which is especially helpful in Gettysburg, where parking can quickly become another battlefield.

The hotel was extremely busy during our visit. We stayed over Veterans Day weekend, and the parking lot was nearly full. That probably also contributed to the higher room rate.

We paid approximately $175 for one night, but prices fluctuate considerably. Winter rates can apparently drop below $100, so guests willing to explore Gettysburg in the cold may find much better deals.

Inside Room 317

Our room had two queen-size beds, which meant I could have my own bed while Zach had his.

Marital harmony through strategic mattress separation.

The room included:

• Two queen beds
• A television
• A large refrigerator
• A small coffee maker
• A dresser
• A table and chairs
• Several lamps
• An alarm clock
• USB ports and electrical outlets
• An iron and ironing board
• A private bathroom

There was no microwave in the room, although the refrigerator was larger than the tiny boxes often found in hotels.

The room also had wood-style flooring instead of carpet. Since the hotel allows pets, that probably makes fur and other pet-related surprises much easier to clean.

Storage and Electrical Outlets

There was no traditional enclosed closet.

Instead, the room had a recessed hanging area that functioned as an open closet. It was sufficient for a short stay, but travelers bringing a lot of clothing may find the storage limited.

The dresser provided additional drawer space.

We found several electrical outlets around the room, including one behind a chair and others built into the lamps and alarm clock. That was helpful because ghost hunting requires an unreasonable number of batteries, chargers, recorders, cameras, lights, and mysterious little devices that beep at inconvenient times.

The room also contained an information book with hotel details and a television channel guide.

Apparently, some guests become deeply invested in finding a particular television channel while visiting one of the most historic towns in America. No judgment. Well, perhaps a little.

The Beds

The two queen beds gave us plenty of sleeping space, but the mattresses were firmer than I prefer.

Some travelers enjoy a firm mattress and may find the beds perfectly comfortable. I prefer a soft, squishy bed covered in memory foam and enough padding to resemble a cloud.

The bedding also had a slightly traditional appearance that suited the hotel’s Civil War theme.

I slept reasonably well, but I would not describe the mattress as luxurious. It was comfortable enough for one night, especially since I did not have to fight my husband for territory.

The Bathroom

The bathroom was a decent size and included a large sink and counter area outside the shower and toilet section.

The room provided:

• Four sets of towels
• Hand towels and washcloths
• A hair dryer
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Makeup remover
• Tissues
• An iron and ironing board
• A shower mat

There was no conditioner, so travelers with demanding hair may want to bring their own.

The iron and ironing board were hidden behind the bathroom door. Guests who never close the door might assume the room does not have them and call the front desk unnecessarily.

Mystery solved. No paranormal investigation required.

The Shower

Our room had a shower but no bathtub.

The water pressure was decent, and the shower worked without any unusual controls or historic plumbing puzzles.

The water did not become as hot as I prefer. I like shower water somewhere between volcanic and medically concerning, so most people may find the temperature perfectly acceptable.

The bathroom layout could have been more convenient. The sink area was open to the rest of the room, while the shower and toilet were together behind the bathroom door.

Closing off the toilet and shower separately would allow one person to shower while another used the sink and mirror. As it was, getting ready required a little coordination.

Noise Levels

During the afternoon and early evening, the hotel was fairly noisy.

At one point, it sounded as though every emergency vehicle in Gettysburg drove past at the same time. We heard sirens, traffic, and occasional movement from other guests.

There was also some stomping from the room above us.

Fortunately, everything became much quieter later in the evening. Once we were ready to sleep, the outside traffic and upstairs activity were no longer a serious problem.

The exterior entrance design means guests may hear people walking past their rooms, talking outside, or arriving late. Light sleepers should consider bringing earplugs or a sound machine.

For paranormal investigators, the traffic and neighboring rooms also need to be considered when reviewing audio. Not every mysterious sound is a Civil War soldier. Some are tourists dragging luggage across the walkway.

The Hotel’s Location

The 1863 Inn has an excellent location for exploring Gettysburg.

It is located beside the Jennie Wade House and close to museums, shops, restaurants, ghost tours, and other attractions. Many places are within walking distance, which means guests do not need to move their cars every time they want dinner or entertainment.

We walked to FourScore Beer Company, where we had already eaten on a previous trip.

The restaurant had several Halloween-themed drinks during our visit, including the Drunken Pumpkin and Zombie Love Song. There were also unusually flavored beers with names such as Monster Berry and Fruity Mummy.

We ordered tacos, wings, and a pretzel large enough to qualify as emergency rations.

Being able to walk back to the hotel after dinner was extremely convenient.

The Pool and Other Hotel Features

The 1863 Inn has an outdoor swimming pool, although it was closed during our colder-weather visit.

Guests visiting during the summer may appreciate having access to the pool after spending the day walking around the battlefield.

The hotel also contains meeting and banquet rooms, including spaces that could be used for events, group gatherings, or possibly weddings.

There were several common areas throughout the property, giving the hotel more space than a small historic inn or bed and breakfast.

Breakfast at the 1863 Inn

Breakfast was included with our stay.

The hotel has a dedicated breakfast area with enough seating for guests. The selection was generous enough that we had no complaints.

An included breakfast is especially helpful in Gettysburg because it allows guests to eat before heading to the battlefield, museums, or downtown attractions.

The breakfast area felt more like a traditional hotel setup than a formal bed-and-breakfast meal. That suited the size and style of the property.

It may not be a fancy multi-course breakfast served on antique china, but it provides a convenient start to the day.

Is the 1863 Inn Haunted?

The 1863 Inn has developed a reputation for paranormal activity.

Guests have reported unexplained footsteps, voices, shadows, strange sensations, and activity associated with certain floors and rooms. The hotel’s connection to Gettysburg and its proximity to historic sites naturally contribute to its haunted reputation.

We brought our equipment and conducted a separate paranormal investigation after returning from dinner.

During the overnight hotel stay itself, we did not experience anything obviously supernatural.

No ghost appeared beside the bed. Nothing moved across the room. We did not hear unexplained voices or discover a Civil War soldier using the coffee maker.

That does not prove the hotel is not haunted. It simply means nothing happened during our stay that we could immediately identify as paranormal.

We still needed to examine the recordings and video carefully. Possible evidence is sometimes discovered later—but it also needs to be compared against traffic, neighboring guests, heating systems, plumbing, and other normal hotel sounds.

Is This a Good Place for a Paranormal Investigation?

The hotel is comfortable enough for investigators and provides more room than many of Gettysburg’s smaller historic inns.

Our room had two beds, a table, chairs, a dresser, and several places to position equipment. The large refrigerator was useful for drinks during a long night.

However, investigators should account for:

• Traffic from nearby streets
• Guests walking past exterior doors
• Activity from rooms above and beside them
• Emergency vehicle sirens
• Heating and air-conditioning noise
• Pet-friendly rooms
• Normal hotel activity

A strange sound recorded in a busy hotel requires much more scrutiny than one captured in a controlled, empty building.

Skeptical testing may not be as dramatic as immediately declaring every creak an EVP, but it prevents the living from being mistaken for the dead.

Who Will Enjoy Staying Here?

The 1863 Inn is a good option for travelers who want:

• A central Gettysburg location
• Free parking
• An included breakfast
• Two-bed room options
• A pet-friendly hotel
• Easy access to restaurants and attractions
• More modern accommodations than a historic bed and breakfast
• A hotel with a haunted reputation

It is particularly convenient for visitors who want to park once and walk around the southern end of downtown Gettysburg.

Potential Drawbacks

The main disadvantages were the firm beds, occasional noise, exterior room entrances, and lack of a microwave.

Our shower also did not become as hot as I prefer, although the pressure was fine.

Travelers looking for a romantic historic room filled with antique furniture may prefer one of Gettysburg’s smaller inns. The 1863 Inn feels more like a traditional hotel with Civil War-themed touches.

That can also be an advantage. Historic bed and breakfasts are charming, but they often come with tiny rooms, creaking stairs, limited outlets, and bathrooms apparently designed for people the size of garden gnomes.

The 1863 Inn provides more space and familiar hotel conveniences.

Final 1863 Inn of Gettysburg Review

Overall, we had a good stay at the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg.

The room was clean, spacious, and practical. Having two queen beds was excellent, the refrigerator was large, the bathroom had plenty of towels, and breakfast was included.

The location was one of the strongest reasons to stay here. We could walk to restaurants, shops, museums, and historic attractions without constantly moving the car.

The mattresses were firmer than I prefer, and the hotel could be noisy during busier parts of the day. However, it became quiet enough at night for us to sleep without a problem.

Would I recommend the 1863 Inn?

Yes—especially for travelers who want a convenient, reasonably comfortable hotel close to Gettysburg’s attractions.

And as long as you do not mind the possibility of sharing the property with a few ghosts, it makes a useful base for a haunted Gettysburg adventure.

We did not personally see any spirits during the night, but the footage still needed to be reviewed.

The ghosts may have been hiding behind that chair with the extra electrical outlet.

Stay spooky, cats!