Gettysburg Hotel Review: Staying in One of Downtown Gettysburg’s Most Haunted Hotels

Hello, spooky cats!

For another haunted hotel adventure, we returned to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and this time we stayed right in the center of town at the historic Gettysburg Hotel on Lincoln Square.

We came to Gettysburg to do some ghost hunting, so naturally we chose a hotel that came with its own paranormal reputation. The hotel traces its roots to a tavern established on the site in 1797, and the property has been part of Gettysburg’s history for more than two centuries. During the Civil War era, the building then known as the McClellan House stood only a short distance from the fighting and is widely said to have been used to care for wounded soldiers during and after the Battle of Gettysburg.

Today it looks considerably more comfortable than a Civil War hospital—which is good, because this particular video was primarily about answering one question:

Should you actually stay at the Gettysburg Hotel?

And then, of course, there is the slightly more interesting question.

Who else might be staying there with you?

The Gettysburg Hotel Has Been Here a Very Long Time

The hotel’s history begins in 1797 with Scott’s Tavern. It later became the Indian Queen and then the McClellan House before eventually becoming known as the Gettysburg Hotel. Its location directly on Lincoln Square placed it in the middle of town during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.

That history alone makes this a great dark tourism hotel.

Step outside and you are immediately surrounded by Gettysburg history. The David Wills House is across Lincoln Square, and the battlefield, historic buildings, museums, restaurants, ghost tours, and shops are all nearby.

For me, that's one of the biggest benefits of staying here. You aren't driving back to some generic highway hotel after spending the day exploring Gettysburg.

You're still in Gettysburg.

Our Suite at the Gettysburg Hotel

After wandering around the hallways for a little while trying to find our room—apparently my navigation skills don't improve just because a building is haunted—we finally found it.

And it was much bigger than I expected.

My husband had intended to book one of the Jacuzzi rooms but accidentally booked this suite instead.

Honestly, I wasn't disappointed.

We had a large bathroom, bedroom, small living area, kitchenette, fireplace, and plenty of room to spread out.

After some of the microscopic haunted rooms we've stayed in, this felt enormous.

The Living Room

Our suite had a separate sitting area with a couch, chairs, television, and a gas fireplace.

The fireplace was one of my favorite features.

You don't often get a fireplace in a hotel room, and even though we were visiting in June, we turned it on anyway.

Was it necessary?

Absolutely not.

Did we use it?

Of course.

You can't give the Spooky Cat Lady a fireplace and expect restraint.

The room also had a red heat lamp in the ceiling that could be switched on for short periods. It turned the area red and added a little warmth.

Between the fireplace and red light, we accidentally created our own mildly demonic spa.

A Suite Without Normal Windows

One strange feature of our suite was the lack of normal exterior windows.

There were windows high above us that allowed natural light into the room, but there wasn't a regular window you could stand beside and look outside.

I've experienced interior cruise ship cabins without windows, but this was the first time I could remember having something similar in a hotel.

It wasn't really a problem.

The high windows brought in enough light that the room didn't feel completely enclosed, but anyone who absolutely needs a view may want to check the exact room layout before booking.

The Kitchenette

The room also included a little kitchenette area.

We had:

• A microwave
• Coffee maker
• Counter space
• Storage
• A small refrigerator

There weren't dishes or utensils provided, so if you plan to actually use the kitchenette for more than heating leftovers, you may want to bring what you need.

There was also a Starbucks in the hotel during our visit, which immediately reduced my motivation to make coffee myself.

Some battles aren't worth fighting.

Lots of Outlets

One little feature I appreciated was the number of electrical outlets.

There were plugs beside the bed and additional outlets built into the clock.

This hotel has clearly heard the cries of modern travelers demanding somewhere to charge their phones.

For us, that's even more important because we're charging phones, cameras, audio recorders, lights, batteries, and enough ghost-hunting equipment to make the electrical system nervous.

No desperate furniture-moving outlet hunt required.

Excellent.

The Bedroom

The bedroom had a large bed with plenty of space around it.

It was comfortable, and we slept well.

The hotel had obviously undergone renovations. The carpeting looked newer, the room was clean, and everything felt well maintained.

This wasn't one of those historic hotels where "historic character" becomes code for "please don't touch that because it may collapse."

It felt modern while still retaining some of its old-fashioned atmosphere.

The Bathroom Was Huge

The bathroom was one of the strongest parts of the suite.

It included double sinks, plenty of counter space, a large shower, separate toilet area, a closet, and a generous collection of toiletries.

We received shampoo, conditioner, skincare products, makeup remover, soap, and plenty of towels.

After staying in historical inns where the bathroom appears to have been constructed inside a linen closet, this felt luxurious.

The Shower

Unfortunately, the shower was also the biggest weakness of the room.

The shower itself was spacious and the water became hot enough, but the pressure was weak.

Very weak.

It worked, but stronger pressure would have made a big difference.

That's really the only major complaint I had about the bathroom.

Everything else was clean, roomy, and comfortable.

The Lobby and Common Areas

The Gettysburg Hotel has a lovely historic atmosphere downstairs.

The main lobby felt elegant without becoming too formal, and there was a second seating area where guests could relax.

The decor helped preserve the feeling that you were staying somewhere with history rather than inside another interchangeable modern hotel.

And, naturally, while we were walking around, I was also looking for ghosts.

None checked in beside us.

Rude.

The Haunted Vault

One of the more interesting parts of the hotel is an old vault area associated with the property's later banking history.

The area is also connected to one of the hotel's better-known ghost stories: apparitions of a young woman and a Civil War soldier have reportedly been seen dancing together in or around the ballroom areas.

We checked out the vault area during our stay.

Sadly, no spectral couple decided to perform for us.

Still, staring into an old vault while waiting for Civil War ghosts to dance is much more entertaining than wandering around a standard hotel vending-machine hallway.

Nurse Rachel: The Gettysburg Hotel’s Most Famous Ghost

The hotel's best-known spirit is usually called Rachel.

According to the paranormal legend, Rachel was a Civil War nurse who cared for wounded soldiers at the hotel. Guests have reported seeing a slim woman in period clothing walking through the hallways and sometimes outside the hotel. She's also blamed for opening drawers, moving clothing, rummaging through luggage, opening closets, and turning lights on and off.

Room 311 is particularly associated with Rachel in modern ghost lore. Some paranormal accounts claim guests have experienced drawers opening or belongings being disturbed there.

There is an important skeptical footnote here.

I couldn't find reliable historical documentation establishing who Rachel actually was. Even sources discussing the haunting acknowledge that her real identity and origins remain unclear. One historical treatment of the hotel notes that no clearly identified nurse named Rachel has been established in the surviving records connected with the story.

So I would treat Rachel the ghost as paranormal folklore rather than documented Civil War biography.

Still a great ghost story.

Just keep the evidence folder separate from the legend folder.

The Wounded Soldier

Another commonly reported apparition is a wounded Union soldier.

One version of the story identifies him as James Culbertson, who was supposedly brought into the hotel after being wounded and later died from his injuries. Witnesses have described seeing a pale soldier in uniform, sometimes appearing visibly wounded and accompanied by cold spots.

Like many Gettysburg ghost stories, the precise historical details become harder to establish once you move from documented battle history into modern paranormal storytelling.

What is undeniable is that Gettysburg was overwhelmed with wounded soldiers after the battle, and many buildings throughout town became temporary hospitals.

That history creates fertile ground for ghost legends.

The Dancing Couple

Then there is my favorite story: the phantom dancers.

Visitors have reported seeing a woman dressed in nineteenth-century clothing dancing in the ballroom. Some versions of the story describe Civil War soldiers appearing beside her or a single soldier dancing with her.

I love this one because it isn't horrifying.

Nobody is screaming.

Nobody is throwing furniture.

They're just dancing.

If you're going to spend eternity trapped in a haunted hotel, you could choose worse hobbies.

Is the Third Floor the Most Haunted?

Several modern accounts identify the third floor as particularly active, with Room 311 receiving most of the attention because of its connection to Nurse Rachel. Guests have also reported footsteps or the sound of people running through the corridors when no obvious source could be found.

As always, an active hotel presents plenty of ordinary explanations for noises.

Guests walk hallways.

Doors slam.

Elevators move.

Housekeeping carts roll.

Plumbing knocks.

Historic buildings creak.

That's why simply hearing footsteps at a haunted hotel doesn't immediately earn something the "ghost" label.

Did We Experience Anything Paranormal?

During the room-review portion of our stay, nothing dramatic happened.

We didn't see Rachel.

Nobody rummaged through our clothes.

No soldier appeared in the hallway.

The ballroom dancers apparently had the night off.

We spent the night comfortably and waited to review our investigation footage separately.

That's normal for us.

A reportedly haunted location doesn't owe us paranormal activity simply because we booked a room.

If ghosts exist, they apparently have not signed a contract with YouTube.

The Location Is Fantastic

One of the strongest reasons to stay at the Gettysburg Hotel is simply the location.

You're right on Lincoln Square.

That means you can walk outside and immediately begin exploring downtown Gettysburg.

Restaurants, stores, museums, historic buildings, tours, and plenty of spooky attractions are nearby.

For anyone interested in dark tourism, Gettysburg history, or paranormal investigation, having everything within walking distance is incredibly convenient.

Is It Worth the Price?

I thought the room was a little overpriced.

That doesn't mean I disliked it.

You're paying partly for the room, but you're also paying for the historic property and an excellent downtown location.

Our suite was large, clean, comfortable, and full of amenities. The fireplace was unusual, the bathroom was excellent, the kitchenette was useful, and there was plenty of room.

If you can afford it and want to stay directly in Lincoln Square, I think the hotel is worth considering.

If your priority is simply getting the cheapest bed possible before visiting the battlefield, there are obviously less expensive choices.

What We Liked

The Gettysburg Hotel had a lot going for it:

• Excellent downtown location
• Large suite
• Comfortable bed
• Very spacious bathroom
• Double sinks
• Plenty of toiletries
• Microwave and refrigerator
• Lots of electrical outlets
• Separate living area
• Gas fireplace
• Clean renovated interior
• Historic atmosphere
• Plenty of ghost stories

The fireplace alone gave the room more personality than most hotels.

What Could Be Better

Our main complaint was the weak shower pressure.

The unusual lack of normal windows could also bother some guests.

And depending on the room and time of year, the price may be higher than travelers expect.

Otherwise, there wasn't much about the room that bothered us.

Who Would Enjoy Staying Here?

I think the Gettysburg Hotel is especially well suited for travelers interested in:

• Haunted hotels
• Gettysburg ghost stories
• Civil War history
• Dark tourism
• Paranormal investigation
• Downtown Gettysburg
• Historic hotels with modern comforts
• Walking to restaurants and attractions
• Larger hotel rooms and suites

It's a particularly good option for people who want historic atmosphere without sacrificing space and modern conveniences.

Final Gettysburg Hotel Review

Would I stay at the Gettysburg Hotel again?

Yes.

The room was spacious, clean, comfortable, and much more modern than many of the haunted properties we've stayed in.

I loved the fireplace, the large bathroom, the kitchenette, and the location directly on Lincoln Square.

The shower desperately needed more enthusiasm, but that was my biggest complaint.

As for the ghosts?

The Gettysburg Hotel certainly has plenty of stories: Nurse Rachel wandering the halls, a wounded Union soldier, unexplained footsteps, and a phantom couple still dancing after everyone else has gone home.

Whether any of those spirits are actually haunting the building remains another question entirely.

That's why we investigate.

But even if Rachel never opens your suitcase and the ballroom ghosts refuse to dance, you still get to sleep in a historic hotel in the middle of one of America's most fascinating dark tourism destinations.

And that's spooky enough for me.

Stay spooky, cats!