Brickhouse Inn Gettysburg Review: Sleeping in a Historic—and Possibly Haunted—Bed and Breakfast

Hello, spooky cats!

We recently returned to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for another overnight stay in a historic location with a haunted reputation. This time, we checked into the Brickhouse Inn, a charming bed and breakfast located in the heart of historic Gettysburg.

The house dates back to the 1800s and was standing during the Battle of Gettysburg, meaning it witnessed one of the most important—and bloodiest—moments in American history. Today, it welcomes visitors looking for something a little more personal and atmospheric than a standard hotel room.

Like many old buildings in Gettysburg, the Brickhouse Inn has also developed a reputation for paranormal activity.

Naturally, that made us curious.

We stayed overnight in the New York Room to find out what it is really like to sleep inside the inn. We looked at the room, bathroom, breakfast options, comfort, noise levels, and practical details you should know before booking.

We also conducted a separate paranormal investigation later that night, because apparently simply sleeping in a historic building is not enough for us.

Arriving at the Brickhouse Inn

When you arrive, the inn provides a code that allows you to enter the building. Once inside, you receive a traditional key for the front door and another key for your bedroom.

At least, that is how it is supposed to work.

Our entry code did not cooperate, but fortunately, the manager was there and came outside as soon as she saw us approaching. Had she not been there, we probably would have needed to call someone before we could get inside.

It was a minor issue, but I recommend keeping the inn’s contact information easily accessible when you arrive, just in case the door code decides it is also a ghost and refuses to interact with the living.

Staying in the New York Room

We stayed in the New York Room, located on the third floor.

The most important thing to know is that the inn does not have an elevator. Anyone staying on the upper floors will need to carry their luggage up the stairs.

Pack lightly.

We did not exactly follow our own advice, but we at least used backpacks rather than dragging our usual large suitcase up three floors. Guests with mobility concerns may want to ask about rooms on a lower level before booking.

The New York Room had a cozy, traditional appearance. It reminded me of staying in a well-kept grandmother’s house, complete with antique-style furniture, floral touches, historic artwork, and a comforting old-fashioned atmosphere.

The room included what appeared to be a queen-size bed, an antique-style dresser, a chair, a television, several lamps, and Civil War-themed artwork.

There was also a small handheld mirror on the dresser that added to the historic feeling of the room.

The television came with printed instructions, which is helpful for anyone who does not enjoy solving electronic puzzles while traveling. Sometimes turning on a hotel television requires more determination than contacting the dead.

The View from the Room

One of my favorite features was the large window overlooking the main street through Gettysburg.

The view helped create a strong sense of place. You are not staying in a generic hotel that could be located anywhere. When you look outside, you can see the historic town surrounding you.

The Brickhouse Inn is also located beside the Welty House, another historic Gettysburg property with its own haunted reputation.

For a paranormal enthusiast, it is a very convenient neighborhood. You are essentially surrounded by historic buildings and ghost stories before you even leave the room.

Outlets, Lighting, and Temperature Control

The room had plenty of lighting, with lamps positioned around the space.

According to Zach, there were electrical outlets on both sides of the bed. That is an important detail when you are charging phones, cameras, sound recorders, batteries, and enough paranormal equipment to make the ghosts believe they are undergoing a medical examination.

There was also a small wall-mounted heating unit similar to ones we used while living in Germany. A separate air-conditioning unit was mounted high on the wall and operated with a remote control kept near the door.

We visited in January, so cooling the room was not exactly our greatest concern. The room remained comfortable during our stay.

The bathroom also had its own temperature control, which appeared to be turned off when we arrived.

A Very Small Closet

The New York Room included a closet, although it was quite small.

You could hang a few items inside, but a large suitcase probably would not fit comfortably. Our smaller luggage might have fit, but we were only staying for one night and did not need to unpack.

For a short visit, the closet is adequate. Guests planning a longer stay or bringing large bags may need to leave their luggage elsewhere in the room.

Inside the Private Bathroom

The New York Room has its own private bathroom.

It included a toilet, sink, towels, hand towels, tissues, extra toilet paper, a hair dryer, and small drinking cups. I was especially pleased to find the hair dryer because it was raining outside, as it seems to do during nearly every visit we make to Gettysburg.

The bathroom also had a combined bathtub and shower.

For guests who enjoy taking baths, the tub is a nice feature. The controls were simple, with clearly marked hot and cold water handles.

The inn provided a combination shampoo, conditioner, and body wash product in the shower.

I personally do not enjoy all-in-one hair products, so I was happy that I had brought my own shampoo and conditioner. Travelers with particular hair-care preferences should probably do the same.

There was also an unusual board near the sink. I never determined its purpose. Perhaps it was decorative. Perhaps it was practical. Perhaps the ghosts use it for meetings.

The Interesting Bathroom Light Switch

The bathroom light switch was located outside the bathroom.

This creates an excellent opportunity for couples to behave maturely and respectfully toward one another.

Naturally, we immediately realized that one person could stand outside and switch the bathroom light on and off while the other person was inside.

Historic charm and relationship testing—all included in the room rate.

The floorboards were also understandably creaky. Because we hoped to conduct a quiet paranormal investigation later, I tried not to walk around unnecessarily.

In an old house, nearly every step can produce a groan or crack. That is important to remember before assuming every sound is paranormal.

The Guest Journal

Inside the room was a guest book where previous visitors could write about their stays.

Guest journals are always interesting in historic inns, but they become especially entertaining when the property has a haunted reputation.

Some visitors use the book to discuss the room or the breakfast. Others record unusual experiences, mysterious sounds, strange dreams, or possible ghost encounters.

We were there partly to investigate the inn’s paranormal claims, so I was curious to see what previous guests had experienced.

Of course, personal stories are not proof of ghosts. Old buildings creak, pipes knock, guests talk, and sleepy brains can transform ordinary sensations into something much stranger.

Still, the journals add to the atmosphere and give visitors a fun way to share their experiences.

Breakfast at the Brickhouse Inn

Guests have two breakfast options.

A larger prepared breakfast was available for an additional charge of approximately $20 during our stay. This appeared to be the more elaborate traditional bed-and-breakfast experience.

There was also a smaller continental-style breakfast available with muffins, pastries, fruit, oatmeal, and other simple items.

The smaller breakfast was more than enough for me because I am not usually a big breakfast eater. Guests who want a substantial hot meal may prefer to pay for the larger option.

The breakfast area was comfortable and continued the inn’s traditional historic style.

I also found a writing quill on display, which excited me far more than it probably should have. I do not think I had ever seen a proper quill in person before.

Apparently, you can put a writer in a haunted building, but she may become distracted by the stationery.

The Inn Embraces Its Haunted Reputation

Some historic hotels try to distance themselves from their ghost stories. The Brickhouse Inn does not appear embarrassed by its haunted reputation.

The inn has a small shop containing spooky merchandise and other creepy goods. There are also references to the property’s paranormal stories throughout the building.

One tale involves a bell that reportedly rang by itself. The inn seems to have embraced the story rather than hiding it.

As someone who enjoys investigating haunted locations, I appreciate when a property acknowledges its legends without forcing every unusual noise into a supernatural explanation.

The staff also seemed comfortable with ghost hunters and paranormal guests. That made our visit easier because we did not feel as though we needed to hide why we had brought so much strange equipment.

A House That Looks a Little Familiar

From the side, the Brickhouse Inn reminded me of the Amityville house—or at least the way the Amityville house appeared before later renovations changed its exterior.

The resemblance is not exact, but the shape and windows create a similar creepy-house silhouette.

That is probably not something every guest looks for when choosing a bed and breakfast, but paranormal investigators have different priorities.

Some people look for a swimming pool.

We look for architecture that seems capable of watching us.

The Backyard and Outdoor Space

The Brickhouse Inn has a sizable backyard with tables and seating areas.

During warmer weather, it would be a pleasant place to sit, play cards, drink coffee, or relax after exploring Gettysburg.

Our January visit was cold and rainy, so we did not spend much time hanging around outside. Still, the garden and yard added to the inn’s charm.

The outdoor area also creates more space for guests who want to enjoy the property without remaining inside their rooms.

Were We the Only Guests?

To our delight, we were the only guests staying in the house that night.

January is apparently not the most popular time to visit Gettysburg unless you are a pair of weirdos carrying ghost-hunting equipment.

Having the building to ourselves was perfect for our investigation. We did not need to worry about mistaking other guests’ footsteps, conversations, doors, or movement for paranormal activity.

It also made the inn feel significantly creepier.

There is something different about sitting inside an old house late at night when you know every other guest room is empty.

At the same time, being alone gave us a much better opportunity to identify the source of any sounds we heard.

Was the New York Room Quiet?

The room was extremely quiet during the night.

We did not hear guests walking through the halls because there were no other guests. We also did not hear much traffic from the street.

I used a noise-canceling device while sleeping, which probably helped reduce any outside sounds. Even so, the room and surrounding building felt peaceful.

Because the house is old, footsteps travel easily through the floors. Had someone been walking above or around us, we probably would have heard them.

Guests staying during a busy summer weekend may have a different experience. Historic homes were not built with modern hotel soundproofing, and creaking floors come with the territory.

During our stay, however, noise was not a problem.

Was the Bed Comfortable?

I slept well in the New York Room.

We went to bed around 11:30 p.m. or midnight, after completing our investigation, and the bed was comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.

The mattress was softer than the one I currently have at home, which I appreciated.

It was not an ultra-modern luxury hotel bed, but it matched the cozy style of the inn and provided a comfortable night.

Unlike some of our haunted hotel stays, I did not spend the night staring into the darkness and wondering why my sleep tracker hated me.

How Was the Shower?

The shower worked properly, and the water was hot.

The water pressure was a little weaker than I prefer, but it was still strong enough to get the job done.

Because we were the only guests staying in the inn, we did not have to compete with anyone else for hot water.

I cannot say whether the temperature or pressure would change during a busy summer weekend when multiple guests are showering at the same time. Older buildings sometimes struggle when everyone decides to use the hot water at once.

During our stay, however, we had no problems with the water temperature.

Did We Experience Any Ghosts?

We did not personally experience anything dramatic or obviously paranormal during the overnight stay.

There were no mysterious figures standing beside the bed, no unexplained voices in the room, and no bells ringing on their own.

We still needed to review all the audio and video footage from our investigation before reaching any final conclusions. Sometimes possible evidence is not noticed until later.

Based only on what we experienced in person, the night was peaceful.

For guests who want to stay in a historic inn but are worried about encountering a ghost, I would not be overly concerned. Haunted reputation or not, the Brickhouse Inn felt comfortable and welcoming during our visit.

For guests hoping to meet a ghost, remember that paranormal activity—assuming it exists—does not operate like scheduled hotel entertainment.

The dead rarely respect filming deadlines.

Final Brickhouse Inn Gettysburg Review

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at the Brickhouse Inn.

The New York Room was cozy, clean, quiet, and comfortable. It had plenty of lighting and outlets, a private bathroom, a comfortable bed, and a view overlooking historic Gettysburg.

The shower pressure could have been stronger, the closet was small, and guests staying on the upper floors should be prepared to climb stairs. The entry code also did not work properly when we arrived, although the manager quickly helped us get inside.

Those were relatively minor issues.

The inn’s strongest feature is its atmosphere. It does not feel like a generic chain hotel. The antique-style furniture, Civil War artwork, old floors, historic architecture, guest journals, garden, and haunted stories create an experience that feels connected to Gettysburg.

I would recommend the Brickhouse Inn to travelers who enjoy historic bed and breakfasts, cozy traditional rooms, and properties with a little more personality.

It is also a good choice for paranormal enthusiasts who want to stay somewhere that acknowledges its ghost stories rather than pretending they do not exist.

We may not have personally encountered a ghost during our stay, but we enjoyed having the historic house to ourselves for the night.

Sometimes a quiet night in a potentially haunted inn is still a successful adventure.

Stay spooky, cats!