Gettysburg: Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour Countryside & Orchards

Slow down beyond the battlefield. This one-hour carriage ride at Silvershire Farm offers a gentle change of pace from Gettysburg’s monuments and military stories. I like the close contact with the Shire horses, and I like how the ride connects working farms, orchards, crops, and Civil War-era countryside. The main drawback is simple: the tour is weather dependent in feel, even though the carriage has a canopy, so you should dress for the day.

I also like the small group size, limited to 10 people, and the chance to feed the farm’s horses after the ride. This is not a substitute for a full Gettysburg battlefield tour, but it gives you a quieter, more personal hour in Adams County. The meeting point can require careful attention, since the red barn is outside town in Aspers rather than at the battlefield itself.

Key points at a glance

• Two gentle Shire horses pull the carriage: You ride at an easy pace behind a pair of large draft horses, then meet and feed them afterward.
• The scenery changes with the seasons: Spring brings orchard blossoms, fall brings yellow, amber, and scarlet trees, and summer offers green fields and growing crops.
• You visit two working farms: The route passes an orchard and Christmas tree farm, followed by an orchard and horse farm.
• The best view comes from a hilltop stop: You can look across the valley, farms, rolling hills, and surrounding mountains.
• The tour adds history without becoming a battlefield lecture: Your guide discusses the countryside during the Civil War while also explaining farm life and the horses.
• The after-ride horse time is a major bonus: Children and adults can pet the pulling team and, if they choose, feed treats to all six horses.

Why this makes a good Gettysburg side trip

Gettysburg can become a full day of stone monuments, battlefield roads, museum exhibits, and military explanations. Those are important, but they can also wear you out. This carriage ride gives you one hour to sit back, watch the countryside pass, and hear about the area without spending the entire time focused on troop movements.

The setting is about a 15-minute drive north of Gettysburg, at Silvershire Farm near Aspers. That short drive matters. You are not simply looking at rural scenery from a car window. You are moving slowly through working agricultural land, with orchards, fields, farm animals, and broad views of the hills.

I especially like the way the tour joins several parts of Adams County in one short outing. You see how the area works today, while the guide also explains how the countryside relates to the Civil War battle. That makes the history feel connected to the land rather than sealed inside a museum.

The pace is leisurely. If you want a fast attraction with lots of stops and constant activity, this will feel too quiet. If you want a calm hour with a few memorable moments, it fits well.

Arriving at the red barn near Aspers

The meeting point is a big red barn at the intersection of Clearview Road and Quaker Run Road in Aspers, Pennsylvania. The barn sits about 700 feet farther east on Clearview Road past the driveway at 210 Clearview Road.

Use the directions carefully. This is a farm setting, not a large commercial attraction with a prominent roadside sign. The precise location details help you avoid stopping at the wrong driveway. Since the farm is outside Gettysburg, leave enough time for the drive north and for finding the barn.

The tour is usually offered in the morning. Morning light can be pleasant over the fields, but the important practical point is to check your booking time and arrive ready to board. The entire ride lasts one hour, so arriving late could cut into the experience.

The group is capped at 10 people. That keeps the outing personal and gives you a better chance to hear the narration and spend time with the horses. It also helps families avoid the feel of a large bus tour.

Settling behind the two Shire horses

The carriage is pulled by two Shire draft horses, described as gentle giants. Their size is part of the appeal, especially for children who may know horses mainly from books, farms, or television. You see the animals working as a team, then get a closer look when the ride ends.

The carriage ride itself is designed to be smooth and unhurried. A canopy provides shade, which proved useful during a hot summer outing. It will not turn the carriage into a climate-controlled vehicle, but it does offer some protection from direct sun.

You should wear weather-appropriate clothing. The ride is outdoors, and conditions can affect how comfortable you feel. Bring a layer in cool weather and protection from the sun in warm weather. Bare feet are not allowed, and food, coolers, drinks, alcohol, glass objects, smoking, and vaping are prohibited in the vehicle.

You also need to sign an equine activity waiver before riding. The form confirms that you understand the risks connected with Pennsylvania equine activities. That is a normal but important part of participating around large animals.

Through the orchard and Christmas tree farm

The first major part of the route takes you through two working farms. One includes an orchard and Christmas tree farm. This is where the experience feels most different from a standard sightseeing ride.

You are not just passing decorative plantings. You are seeing land used for crops and seasonal production. In spring, the orchard trees begin to blossom, creating one of the prettiest times to visit. Later in the year, fruit and crops develop in preparation for harvest.

The Christmas tree farm adds another layer to the view. It reminds you that Adams County’s farm economy is not limited to one crop or one season. The guide explains the farm operations as you ride, giving you useful context without turning the outing into a formal agricultural class.

The exact appearance will depend on the month. Spring is best for blossoms. Summer can bring full foliage and growing crops. Autumn offers changing trees in yellow, amber, and scarlet. At other times of year, the appeal comes from open fields, orchard rows, and the quiet rhythm of the farm.

I would not choose a single season unless your main goal is specific scenery. The tour changes enough across the year to offer a different mood each time.

The second farm and the valley overlook

The route continues through an orchard and horse farm. This part brings the carriage closer to the setting that makes Silvershire Farm special: horses, fields, trees, and rolling country all in the same view.

One of the strongest moments is the scenic photo stop from a hill overlooking the valley. You can see the surrounding farms, hills, and mountain views from above. The contrast is pleasing. Much of the ride keeps you close to the road, trees, and farm rows, then the view opens up in a wider sweep.

Bring a camera or phone if you enjoy taking pictures. The stop also gives you a natural pause in the narration and a chance to appreciate how much open country lies just beyond Gettysburg.

Along the way, you may also see an elk herd and other animals. These sightings are part of the farm setting, not a guaranteed wildlife show, so I would treat them as an extra rather than the main reason to book.

A little Gettysburg history without a two-hour lecture

The guide narrates the ride in English, covering the Shire horses, orchards, farms, and the surrounding countryside during the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. That mix is one of the tour’s best ideas.

You still get a connection to Gettysburg’s past, but the hour is not built around standing at one monument while listening to a long battlefield explanation. The historical material comes while you are moving through the same general kind of farm country that shaped the battle’s setting.

This is useful if you have already spent time at the battlefield and want a different angle. It also works well if someone in your group is interested in Gettysburg but not ready for another formal history program.

The guides, Bill and Bobbie, are praised for their friendly welcome and clear explanations. Roberta is also named in one account as a welcoming host. The important point for you is the personal feel. The farm is clearly presented with pride, and the narration covers both the property and the wider area.

Do not expect a detailed military tour. If you want troop positions, commanders, maps, and a full battle chronology, book a dedicated battlefield experience separately. This carriage ride gives you a lighter historical layer, paired with farm and horse information.

The best part may come after the ride

At the end of the hour, you can meet the two horses that pulled your carriage and take pictures with them. This is more than a quick photo stop. It gives you a chance to see the animals up close after watching them work.

You can also choose to meet the rest of the horses on the farm and feed them treats. The farm has six horses in all, and feeding carrots is a memorable finish for both children and adults.

For families, this after-ride time may be the part children remember most. Young children have enjoyed petting and feeding the horses, including a family group with a two-year-old and twin one-year-olds. The guides allow time for children to interact with the animals and, according to the experience details, let them move around the farm area.

Parents should still supervise closely. These are large animals, even when they are calm and gentle. The tour is not suitable for people with animal allergies, and the farm is not designed for wheelchair users or electric wheelchair users.

Is $44 a fair price for one hour?

At $44 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour near Gettysburg. The value comes from the full package rather than the carriage ride alone.

You receive:

• A one-hour horse-drawn carriage ride
• A narrated trip through two working farms
• Orchard and Christmas tree farm scenery
• A view across the valley
• Information about Shire horses, agriculture, and Civil War-era surroundings
• Time to meet and photograph the pulling team
• Optional treats and interaction with the rest of the horses

That is a strong list for families, horse lovers, and anyone who wants a break from battlefield touring. The small group also matters. A 10-person limit gives the outing a more personal feel than a large commercial attraction.

The price may feel less worthwhile if you are only interested in a short carriage ride and do not care about farms or horses. It is also a poor match if you want a long, detailed history tour. But for an hour of scenery, narration, and hands-on horse time, I consider the cost reasonable.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if you are planning several Gettysburg activities. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which gives you some flexibility if your schedule changes.

Who will enjoy this most?

Families with children are a natural fit. The ride is short enough for young attention spans, and the horses give children something real to watch and talk about. The feeding time adds a hands-on finish without requiring a long day at the farm.

Horse lovers should also put this high on the list. You get to see working Shire horses, hear about them, photograph them, and feed them. That level of contact is more personal than simply watching horses in a field.

Couples and adults who want a quiet rural outing will appreciate the slow pace and valley view. The tour is also a good reset after a morning of battlefield monuments and serious history.

I would skip it if you have mobility needs that require a wheelchair-accessible activity, have animal allergies, dislike being around horses, or want a detailed military history program. The carriage is also not the place for snacks, drinks, or a picnic.

Practical tips for a better ride

Dress for the weather, not just for Gettysburg’s town center. The farm route is outdoors, and temperatures can feel different once you are away from buildings and pavement.

Arrive with the exact Clearview Road directions in hand. Look for the big red barn at the stated intersection, about 700 feet east of the 210 Clearview Road driveway.

Keep your camera ready for the hilltop valley view and the horse portraits afterward. The best pictures may come at the end, when you can focus on the animals rather than trying to photograph them from a moving carriage.

If you are visiting with children, explain in advance that the horses are large and deserve calm behavior. The feeding time is welcoming, but children should stay close to the adults and follow the guides’ instructions.

Plan this as a morning outing if possible. It leaves the rest of your day open for Gettysburg’s battlefield, museums, or a meal in town.

Should you book the Silvershire Farm carriage tour?

I recommend this tour if you want to see a quieter side of Gettysburg. The combination of orchards, farm roads, mountain views, a small group, and direct horse contact gives you something the battlefield alone cannot provide.

Book it especially if you are traveling with children, love horses, or need a peaceful break between history stops. Choose spring for blossoms or fall for changing colors, but do not dismiss summer or other seasons, when the fields, crops, and farm activity still make the ride worthwhile.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, have animal allergies, or want a full military lecture. For everyone else, $44 buys a relaxed hour with a genuinely personal finish: you do not simply look at the horses, you meet them and feed them.

FAQ

Where does the horse-drawn carriage tour meet?

The meeting point is the big red barn at the intersection of Clearview Road and Quaker Run Road in Aspers, Pennsylvania. It is about 700 feet east on Clearview Road past the driveway at 210 Clearview Road.

How far is Silvershire Farm from Gettysburg?

Silvershire Farm is about a 15-minute drive north of Gettysburg.

How long does the carriage ride last?

The horse-drawn carriage tour lasts one hour.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide provides the narration in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What animals will I see?

You will ride behind two Shire draft horses and may see an elk herd and other animals along the route. Afterward, you can meet the pulling team and, if you choose, the other horses on the farm.

Can I feed the horses?

Yes. You can feed treats to the two horses that pull the carriage. You can also choose to meet and feed the rest of the horses on the farm.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. Children and adults can enjoy the carriage ride, pet the horses, and feed them treats. Minors cannot attend unaccompanied.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, electric wheelchair users, or people using mobility scooters.

What should I bring?

Bring weather-appropriate clothing. Smoking, vaping, food, coolers, alcohol, drugs, glass objects, drones, and handcarts are not allowed, and food or alcoholic drinks cannot be taken in the vehicle.