Gettysburg: Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour Countryside & Orchards

The most memorable part of this one-hour outing is not simply sitting in a carriage. It is the chance to travel behind two enormous, gentle Shire horses through working orchards and rolling farm country, then meet the horses face to face. Bill and Bobbie guide the ride, explain the farm, and add a little Gettysburg-area history along the way.

I like the quiet countryside setting and the way the tour offers something beyond another battlefield talk. I also like the hands-on finish, when children and adults can pet the pulling team and feed treats to the farm’s horses. The main consideration is that this is an outdoor farm experience, so heat, cold, or changing weather can affect your comfort. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or people with animal allergies.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride behind two Shire draft horses: The carriage moves at an easy pace through farms, orchards, and country roads.
• See Adams County through the seasons: Spring brings orchard blossoms, fall brings yellow, amber, and scarlet trees, and other months show crops and fruit nearing harvest.
• Finish with hands-on horse time: You can take pictures with the carriage team and feed treats to the other horses on the farm.
• Enjoy a valley overlook: The route includes a scenic stop with broad views over the surrounding hills and farms.
• Keep the group small: No more than 10 people join the English-language tour, allowing for a personal feel.
• Plan for a farm visit, not a polished attraction: Wear weather-ready clothes and expect real working-farm surroundings.

Why this carriage ride makes a good Gettysburg break

Gettysburg is rightly known for its Civil War battlefield, but a full day of military history can be a lot to absorb. This tour gives you a change of pace just 15 minutes north of town, with open fields, orchards, horses, and mountain views instead of monuments and crowded roads.

I like the contrast. The guide still connects the countryside to the Civil War Battle at Gettysburg, but the history is part of a broader story about farms, crops, and the land. You get context without spending two more hours listening to a battlefield lecture.

The $44 price is fair if you value the full hour, the small group, the horse interaction, and the setting. This is not a quick carriage loop through a town center. You are visiting a working farm, traveling through two farm properties, and getting time with the animals afterward. For families, that final hands-on portion adds real value.

Still, the price may feel high if you want only a short scenic ride and have little interest in horses. The experience is built around the animals, not just the view.

Finding Silvershire Farm north of Gettysburg

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

Give yourself enough time to locate the barn rather than relying on a last-second arrival. This is a rural meeting point, not a downtown ticket booth. The farm is about a 15-minute drive north of Gettysburg, making it easy to pair with a morning or afternoon in town.

The setting starts the experience in the right way. You are not boarding in a parking lot beside a major attraction. You arrive at a working farm with horses, orchards, fields, and a large red barn as the visual marker.

Settling into the one-hour carriage ride

The tour lasts one hour and is usually offered in the morning. 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 be fascinated by the horses before the ride even begins.

The pace is leisurely. That means you have time to look around, take pictures, and listen to the narration instead of rushing from one viewpoint to the next. It also means you should not expect a fast-moving sightseeing tour. The charm comes from the slow rhythm of the carriage and the sound of a working farm around you.

The carriage has a canopy, which proved useful during hot weather. It does not remove the need for sunscreen or suitable clothing, but it gives you some cover as you travel. Bring clothing suited to the forecast, and remember that farm settings can feel warmer, cooler, or windier than a town street.

The group is limited to 10 people. That size matters here. It is easier to hear Bill and Bobbie, ask a question, and take your turn with the horses when the group is small.

Through two working farms and Adams County orchards

The route passes through two working farms. One includes an orchard and Christmas tree farm. The other combines an orchard with a horse farm. These are not decorative backdrops added for tourists. They are working places, and the ride gives you a look at the crops and animals that shape this part of Adams County.

In spring, the orchard trees begin to blossom. This is likely the most attractive season for anyone who wants soft color and flowering branches in photographs. Fall brings a different show, with the surrounding trees changing to yellows, ambers, and scarlets.

During the rest of the year, the interest comes from the changing fields and orchards. You may see fruit and crops at different stages as they grow toward harvest. The exact view depends on the season, which gives this tour a reason to return at another time of year.

The carriage also passes an elk herd and a variety of other animals. The elk are an added point of interest, though animal sightings are part of the setting rather than a guaranteed performance. Keep your eyes open as you move along the route.

The mountain view and the best photo stop

One of the strongest parts of the ride comes when the carriage reaches a higher point with a view over the farm and valley. The route includes a scenic photo stop overlooking the surrounding countryside, and this is where the full scale of the area becomes clear.

You see rolling hills, fields, orchards, and mountain slopes rather than a single framed attraction. The view helps explain why the Gettysburg area mattered as farmland as well as a battlefield. It also gives you the kind of photograph that is hard to get from inside town.

Bring a camera or phone, but do not spend the entire ride looking at a screen. The view changes slowly, and the carriage gives you time to notice the curves of the trail, the tree cover, and the farms spread below.

The narration: horses, orchards, and Civil War context

Bill and Bobbie talk about the Shire horses, the orchards, the Christmas tree business, and the surrounding countryside. They also provide information about the area during the Civil War Battle at Gettysburg.

That mix works better for many people than a narrowly focused history tour. You learn how the land looks and functions today while gaining a connection to the events that took place nearby. The story stays tied to what you can see from the carriage.

If you want a detailed military analysis of troop movements, commanders, and battlefield tactics, this is not the right replacement for a dedicated battlefield tour. The history here is lighter and connected to the farm setting. I see that as a strength for families and for anyone who already spent time at Gettysburg National Military Park.

The guides also add a personal touch. Bill and Bobbie greet visitors warmly, take pride in the farm, and explain the operation in a way that feels tied to the place rather than recited from a script.

Meeting the Shire team after the ride

At the end of the hour, you can meet the two horses that pulled the carriage. This is a good chance to take close-up pictures and see the animals without the carriage moving.

You can also choose to meet the rest of the horses on the farm and feed them treats. This part is a major reason the experience works so well for families. Young children can pet the horses and take part in feeding, while adults often find the calm contact just as enjoyable.

The farm has six horses, and one of the popular options is feeding them carrots after the ride. Treat feeding is optional, so you can decide how much interaction feels comfortable. Follow the hosts’ instructions, especially around large animals, and keep small children close.

The interaction also gives the tour a clear ending. You are not simply dropped off after a ride. You have time to say hello to the animals, take photos, and let children enjoy the part they may remember longest.

Who will enjoy this experience most

This is a strong choice for families with children. Young kids can handle the one-hour length, and the horses provide a clear focus from start to finish. The ride is also suitable for mixed-age groups because adults can enjoy the scenery and farm information while children concentrate on the animals.

It works well for couples and adults who want a peaceful outing away from the battlefield. The carriage pace encourages conversation and quiet sightseeing. You do not need to be an expert on horses to enjoy it, though horse lovers will get the most from the feeding and photo opportunities.

The experience is also a good fit if you have already visited Gettysburg’s main historic sites. It adds a rural side of Adams County that you might otherwise miss.

You should think twice if you have an animal allergy, dislike being around large horses, or need an accessible vehicle. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, electric wheelchair users, or mobility scooter users. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, so children must attend with an adult.

Practical details that affect your visit

The tour is in English and is generally available in the morning. Since the activity takes place outdoors, wear weather-appropriate clothing. A light jacket may help in cooler seasons, while summer visitors should prepare for heat even though the carriage canopy provides some cover.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed. You cannot bring food, alcoholic drinks, coolers, glass objects, handcarts, drones, or drugs into the vehicle. Do not arrive intoxicated, and wear shoes rather than going barefoot.

Before riding, every participant must sign a waiver stating that riders assume the risk of equine activities under Pennsylvania law. Read it carefully before you agree. This is a farm-based horse experience, and the waiver reflects the fact that large animals can behave unpredictably.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Gettysburg plans are still shifting.

Is the $44 price good value?

I would call the price good value for the right person. You receive an hour-long carriage ride, a narrated visit through two working farms, scenic views, a photo stop, and optional time feeding the horses. The small group adds to the experience, since you are not packed into a large carriage with a distant guide.

Families get especially good value because the tour has several distinct parts: the ride, the farm scenery, the history, the horse photos, and the feeding. That variety helps keep children interested.

The value is weaker if you are mainly seeking a battlefield tour or a quick ride with no animal contact. In that case, the farm setting and horse care are central features rather than extras, so you may not make full use of what you are paying for.

Should you book the Silvershire Farm carriage tour?

Book it if you want a relaxed hour in the country, enjoy horses, or need a family-friendly break from Gettysburg’s battlefield sites. The best reasons are the gentle Shire team, the orchard and farm route, the valley overlook, and the chance to feed the horses afterward.

I would especially consider it in spring for orchard blossoms or in fall for changing colors. Summer can still be pleasant under the carriage canopy, but bring clothing suited to the heat.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, have animal allergies, or want a long and highly detailed military history talk. For everyone else, this is a personal, scenic outing that shows you a quieter side of Adams County and gives the Gettysburg visit a welcome change of rhythm.

FAQ

How long is the Silvershire Farm carriage tour?

The horse-drawn carriage tour lasts one hour.

Where does the tour meet?

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

How far is the farm from Gettysburg?

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

What animals will I see?

The tour includes two Shire draft horses pulling the carriage. You may also see an elk herd and other animals along the route. Afterward, you can meet the farm’s other horses and feed them treats if you choose.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult, since unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The horse feeding and petting portion is particularly suited to children.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, electric wheelchair users, or mobility scooter users.

What should I wear?

Wear clothing suited to the weather. The carriage has a canopy, but the experience takes place outdoors on working farms.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.