Eisenhower National Historic Site
Eisenhower National Historic Site
4.5
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President Eisenhower used this farm as a retreat from the White House, then retired here.
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- travelkitty50Frederick, Maryland956 contributionsStill A Great Experience And A Glimpse Of American HistoryWe visited here again since the house reopened on 05/27/2022. It was exactly the same as it was several years ago except there was no tour guide throughout the house, which is fine with me. There are some tight spaces in the home as you walk the long corridors; a smaller house which was the summer kitchen was attached to the main home and furnished in the same manner. Mrs. Eisenhower supervised the renovations and decorating in the home, and it is 90% as it was when she and the president lived there until her death in 1979. He died in 1969. The grounds are peaceful and perfectly landscaped, and there is a well run bus service that brings you from the visitor's center there and back (for $8 per person). The reason that I didn't give this visit a full "five" is that the day we were there it was raining lightly and our group was kept waiting outside for another group who just walked up from an unseen parking lot, to be allowed in the house ahead of us. That didn't seem quite fair to me, and I wonder too if the family of 7 and the group of 3 paid for their admission as all of the rest of us did. Other than that, it was great.Visited June 2022Written June 13, 2022
- VegsSTLChicago, Illinois47 contributionsAdd this to your "must see" list!Definitely worth a visit as it's so close to everything else you will see during your time in Gettysburg. We had an excellent overview provided by the Park Ranger - you will want to find out the tour times so you can learn so much more about the property than you would on your own. The interior of the house is not open at this time, but you can view it on their website. Enjoy!Visited August 2021Written August 12, 2021
- ldjsFort Lee, New Jersey667 contributionsTour of Presidential home.A good way to spend a couple of hours in Gettysburg and find out more about the life of Dwight Eisenhower. Very well organized tour, everything runs on time, buses leave from the Gettysburg National Museum and visitor center and pick up from Eisenhower Estate on the hour. Museum interns meet the buses and lead a very lively tour that includes some American military history and the tour of the house. You can also visit the garage, the barn and the secret service quarters( very tight). The house is full of artifacts and gifts. The farm is expansive and has roses, putting green, guest house. There is a working farm with angus cattle, but it’s not a part of the tour. Very pleasant visit for those interested in Presidentisl and military history.Visited July 2022Traveled with familyWritten July 31, 2022
- JBH409 contributionsHouse tours are free and on the hour, parking is limitedI have to admit, I really didn't know much about the Eisenhower family. Really the only thing I knew was the slogan "I like Ike." I have quite the appreciation for him now. The tour is part guided and part self-guided. You get a basic talk before entering the house. It was raining so we were sitting in one of the barns. When you enter the house, you are provided with some information in the living room and then you take the booklet and complete in a self-guided fashion, moving in one direction. You can walk the grounds and occasionally the show barn is open. Parking is limited and off from the house. So if parking is available, you need to take the path to the left and walk to the house. Tours are given on the hour. If you really want to see the house and are going at a busy time, you might want to purchase a ride on the shuttle from the Gettysburg visitor center. The house tour is free. They have a junior ranger program here.Visited July 2022Written July 30, 2022
- LittlePaintUrbandale, Iowa691 contributionsDon't go in an RV!There's a sign along the driveway that forbids RVs and trailers, but you can't see it until you've already turned in off the highway. Since the place is closed anyway, we continued on in and were able to eventually turn around in the parking lot (but our camper is only 25', anything larger would have been dicey). The grounds are open for respectful recreation, so I did wander up to the house and barn before leaving. The road is narrow and curvy through the site and the exit is onto a very narrow country road. When the park reopens, I understand you can take a shuttle from Gettysburg National Military Park visitor center. If you're traveling in a camper, this would be your best option.Visited August 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten August 28, 2020
- Richard C.9 contributionsRelaxing Historical TourThe Eisenhower home is a must-visit stop if you’re in Gettysburg. There is a short ranger-led tour of the grounds and another of the inside of the home. The guides were full of historial information and enthusiasm for the subject. Both tours are free. The home sits on a hill with beautiful views of the surrounding area and is easily walkable. Parking is available on site, or visitors can take a bus from the Gettysburg National Park visitor center. I recommend arriving when they open before other tourists start filling in.Visited June 2023Traveled with friendsWritten June 12, 2023
- Carrie D.Cleveland, Ohio1,938 contributionsPresidential HistoryThe shuttle to get to President Eisenhower’s farm was easy to catch and tickets were easy to purchase in the Gettysburg NHP Visitor Center. The NPS Ranger greeted us and gave us a great talk, both upon arrival to the farm and in the house. He was both funny and engaging. President Eisenhower’s farmhouse was very beautifully preserved, especially considering that most of the furnishings were theirs too. We enjoyed wandering around the farm, seeing his car collection and his secret service officers’ office. It was peaceful up on that hill and I can see why he and his wife chose to retire there. I’m grateful that they chose to leave it to the National Park Service to maintain and open up to the public!Visited October 2022Written October 25, 2022
- TJLK2013Minneapolis, Minnesota100 contributionsWorth the VisitLike it’s presidential owner, the Eisenhower National Historic Site is modest, but interesting, pleasant, typical of the America of the fifties and sixties and – in some ways – a bit of a surprise. The house and outbuildings are worth seeing, some for their nice design, some for nostalgic or historic associations (depending on your age) and some for both. The tour of the building and grounds are not long but filled with a good deal of interesting information about its importance and use. No spoilers, but I doubt anyone will leave without learning something. (I may have gotten lucky, but I was provided with a putter and ball and got a chance to putt on Ike’s home practice green, which was itself, worth the trip.)Visited September 2022Written October 4, 2022
- gostartravelerForked River, New Jersey1,888 contributionsWorth the visitThere's a fee for the shuttle bus here, but it was worth it. It's a nice look into the home of Eisenhower, through a self-guided tour. Head over to the visitor center for an overview film as well, and walk the grounds. Best bet is to get here in early spring, before tour groups make it too busy to enjoy. Recommended.Visited March 2020Written April 25, 2020
- TSueFalmouth, Maine5 contributionsInterior Not Open YetWe were able to walk about the grounds, but the interior of the home has not yet re-opened to visitors during the Covid stage. Views of the battlefield and farm were awesome. Hope to go back some day when everything is open again. "If the walls could talk"...Visited April 2022Written April 12, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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JBH
409 contributions
Jul 2022
I have to admit, I really didn't know much about the Eisenhower family. Really the only thing I knew was the slogan "I like Ike." I have quite the appreciation for him now. The tour is part guided and part self-guided. You get a basic talk before entering the house. It was raining so we were sitting in one of the barns. When you enter the house, you are provided with some information in the living room and then you take the booklet and complete in a self-guided fashion, moving in one direction. You can walk the grounds and occasionally the show barn is open.
Parking is limited and off from the house. So if parking is available, you need to take the path to the left and walk to the house. Tours are given on the hour. If you really want to see the house and are going at a busy time, you might want to purchase a ride on the shuttle from the Gettysburg visitor center. The house tour is free.
They have a junior ranger program here.
Parking is limited and off from the house. So if parking is available, you need to take the path to the left and walk to the house. Tours are given on the hour. If you really want to see the house and are going at a busy time, you might want to purchase a ride on the shuttle from the Gettysburg visitor center. The house tour is free.
They have a junior ranger program here.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LittlePaint
Urbandale, IA691 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
There's a sign along the driveway that forbids RVs and trailers, but you can't see it until you've already turned in off the highway. Since the place is closed anyway, we continued on in and were able to eventually turn around in the parking lot (but our camper is only 25', anything larger would have been dicey).
The grounds are open for respectful recreation, so I did wander up to the house and barn before leaving.
The road is narrow and curvy through the site and the exit is onto a very narrow country road.
When the park reopens, I understand you can take a shuttle from Gettysburg National Military Park visitor center. If you're traveling in a camper, this would be your best option.
The grounds are open for respectful recreation, so I did wander up to the house and barn before leaving.
The road is narrow and curvy through the site and the exit is onto a very narrow country road.
When the park reopens, I understand you can take a shuttle from Gettysburg National Military Park visitor center. If you're traveling in a camper, this would be your best option.
Written August 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard C.
9 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
The Eisenhower home is a must-visit stop if you’re in Gettysburg. There is a short ranger-led tour of the grounds and another of the inside of the home. The guides were full of historial information and enthusiasm for the subject. Both tours are free. The home sits on a hill with beautiful views of the surrounding area and is easily walkable. Parking is available on site, or visitors can take a bus from the Gettysburg National Park visitor center. I recommend arriving when they open before other tourists start filling in.
Written June 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carrie D.
Cleveland, OH1,938 contributions
Oct 2022
The shuttle to get to President Eisenhower’s farm was easy to catch and tickets were easy to purchase in the Gettysburg NHP Visitor Center. The NPS Ranger greeted us and gave us a great talk, both upon arrival to the farm and in the house. He was both funny and engaging. President Eisenhower’s farmhouse was very beautifully preserved, especially considering that most of the furnishings were theirs too. We enjoyed wandering around the farm, seeing his car collection and his secret service officers’ office. It was peaceful up on that hill and I can see why he and his wife chose to retire there. I’m grateful that they chose to leave it to the National Park Service to maintain and open up to the public!
Written October 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJLK2013
Minneapolis, MN100 contributions
Sep 2022
Like it’s presidential owner, the Eisenhower National Historic Site is modest, but interesting, pleasant, typical of the America of the fifties and sixties and – in some ways – a bit of a surprise. The house and outbuildings are worth seeing, some for their nice design, some for nostalgic or historic associations (depending on your age) and some for both.
The tour of the building and grounds are not long but filled with a good deal of interesting information about its importance and use. No spoilers, but I doubt anyone will leave without learning something.
(I may have gotten lucky, but I was provided with a putter and ball and got a chance to putt on Ike’s home practice green, which was itself, worth the trip.)
The tour of the building and grounds are not long but filled with a good deal of interesting information about its importance and use. No spoilers, but I doubt anyone will leave without learning something.
(I may have gotten lucky, but I was provided with a putter and ball and got a chance to putt on Ike’s home practice green, which was itself, worth the trip.)
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gostartraveler
Forked River, NJ1,888 contributions
Mar 2020
There's a fee for the shuttle bus here, but it was worth it. It's a nice look into the home of Eisenhower, through a self-guided tour. Head over to the visitor center for an overview film as well, and walk the grounds. Best bet is to get here in early spring, before tour groups make it too busy to enjoy. Recommended.
Written April 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TSue
Falmouth, ME5 contributions
Apr 2022
We were able to walk about the grounds, but the interior of the home has not yet re-opened to visitors during the Covid stage. Views of the battlefield and farm were awesome. Hope to go back some day when everything is open again. "If the walls could talk"...
Written April 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ditman79
Hagerstown, MD19 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
This is a true treasure in the mid-Atlantic region. You now drive your car back to the farm. Enter on the Emmitsburg Road entrance to the Eisenhower Farm Road. the home evokes the 1950's and 1960's. You get a real feel for the Eisenhowers. They seemed unpretentious. Be sure to catch the short film in the barn done by CBS News narrated by Walter Cronkite. Get the tickets for a house tour right away When you arrive. If at all possible find out when Ranger Eva is giving a tour. She was our guide today and she is truly a national treasure. Simply a delightful and fascinating presentation. There is no charge to tour the house or farm. After spending time there and getting a sense of the former president and his family one is prompted to think about the contrast with the eleventh president after Eisenhower. No comparison and it is so embarrassing.
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4doofus
58 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A friend told me that once you walk into the house, you think you have walked into the 1950's. He was correct. See rotary phones, vintage furniture and Ike and Mamie's memorabilia.
This was the only property that our 34th president and his wife Mamie owned in their lives. Located just west of Seminary Ridge, today the farm is still in operation. Black angus can be seen grazing the pastures.
Ike bequeathed the farm to the National Park Service. Park Rangers provide interesting info about Ike, Mamie, their family and the farm.
Make a few putts on Ike's putting green. View the Eisenhower's private automobiles and golf cart. Watch a movie about Ike in the barn. Stroll through the vegetable garden.
This was an enjoyable visit that would appeal to adults.
This was the only property that our 34th president and his wife Mamie owned in their lives. Located just west of Seminary Ridge, today the farm is still in operation. Black angus can be seen grazing the pastures.
Ike bequeathed the farm to the National Park Service. Park Rangers provide interesting info about Ike, Mamie, their family and the farm.
Make a few putts on Ike's putting green. View the Eisenhower's private automobiles and golf cart. Watch a movie about Ike in the barn. Stroll through the vegetable garden.
This was an enjoyable visit that would appeal to adults.
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Venice245
Venice, FL354 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
So glad we made the trip to visit the Eisenhower Farm. What an absolutely gorgeous setting for the President and First Lady. Because of Covid, we were not able to tour the inside of the home. The ranger suggested we tour the home via the site on the web page; which we did. His vehicles are still in barn which was a pleasant surprise to see. We walked around the property and listened to the Ranger explain the history of the Eisenhower’s farm. Her information was very informative. If you enjoy presidential or army history, don’t miss this site.
Written October 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenJoyJ
Sequim, WA32 contributions
How much time should one spend to see everything?
Tern3
Ohio51 contributions
It depends on your level of interest and if you have children with you. My daughter and I enjoyed the night walking tour and we also enjoyed the ones during the daytime and learned a lot. There are several different tours. The Eisenhower Farm was really interesting, even for our 12-year-old. I also got a great photo during our own driving tour of the battlefields of a monument with a re-enactor walking by, a cloud shaped like a flying eagle in the sky and an "orb" near the soldier. Reading books about the battle, such as Killer Angels, also help as you can visit specific areas. We usually spend 3 days there... and have returned for many years now... always something new to see and learn!
chipwardpa
Collegeville, PA2 contributions
Can you drive to it or do you have to take bus from visitor center?
Are they open Sunday?
How much are the tickets?
Amy C
Springfield, MA418 contributions
You have to go to the Gettysburg Battlefield Visitor Center to get admission tickets for Eisenhower and you take a shuttle bus from outside the Gettysburg Visitor Center to get to Eisenhower. There isn't any parking available at the Eisenhower site except for employees. I would recommend purchasing tickets online (go to NPS.GOV and navigate to the Eisenhower page) before you go. Admission prices and schedules can also be found on this same website. Because of the popularity of Gettysburg, Eisenhower also attracts a fair number of guests.
Margaret R
Leander, TX
where do I pick up tickets & how much are they & transportation
DianaAshby
Ashby, MA47 contributions
I think they were about $ 7.50 p/p. Can be purchased at the battleground visitor center. There is a shuttle bus from there (no private cars allowed at the farm).
Janetkay94
Macon, MO27 contributions
Will the home be open the 1st of October?
fmattre
Johnstown, PA65 contributions
Yes, year around. Great place to visit. Amazing to see he conducted presidential business when he was there :-)
Janetkay94
Macon, MO27 contributions
What are hours of operation?
LizzyDee44
Fredericksburg, VA29 contributions
The farm is open year-round, however the hours vary based on the season. The best choice is to check out the official NPS website for Eisenhower NHS; or to call the Site itself or the Gettysburg NMP Visitor Center.
However, the schedule is currently as follows(from mid-August)... tours are every hour on weekdays and every 1/2 hour on weekends between 9 and 4. Access is ONLY from Gettysburg National Military Park via shuttle. This schedule will continue until around Columbus day when tours will be scaled back to 4 on weekdays at 10, 11:30, 1, and 3:30; and hourly tours on weekends between 9 and 4.
Keep in mind that the bus leaves the site to go back to the visitor center at 5:15 most of the year. The 4 p.m. tour is a shortened tour. With the 4 bus per day schedule, the final bus leaves at 5 to return to the Visitor Center.
Someone commented that you can drive to the site. This is not the case other than on two occasions. One is in January and some of February (until around President's Day) when visitation is so low that they only offer 2 tours daily. One at 10 and one at 2. However, you still have to get tickets at the Gettysburg NMP Visitor Center and the site can be closed due to weather. It closes when the military park closes due to inclement weather.
The other time you can drive to the site and park is on WWII Weekend. This year, that event will be September 17 and 18, 2016. This is a special living history encampment with various events including guest speakers. Well worth visiting this particular weekend!
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Claim your listingEisenhower National Historic Site - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Eisenhower National Historic Site
- We recommend booking Eisenhower National Historic Site tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Eisenhower National Historic Site tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Eisenhower National Historic Site:
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- (2.29 mi) Best Western Gettysburg
- (3.13 mi) The Brafferton Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Eisenhower National Historic Site:
- (2.78 mi) Mr. G's Ice Cream
- (2.65 mi) Sunset Ice Cream Parlor
- (2.61 mi) Hunt's Battlefield Fries & Cafe'
- (3.01 mi) Food 101
- (3.04 mi) The Gettysburger Company
Eisenhower National Historic Site Information
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