Gettysburg: Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour Countryside & Orchards

The best part of this Gettysburg-area outing is the change of pace. Instead of spending another two hours listening to battlefield commentary, you ride through Adams County behind two gentle Shire draft horses, with orchards, farms, and rolling hills unfolding around you. The stop above the valley gives you the kind of broad country view that is hard to get from a museum or tour bus.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which keeps the ride personal, and the chance to meet and feed all the horses afterward. Bill and Bobbie also add useful stories about the orchards, Christmas trees, horses, and Civil War-era countryside. The main consideration is that this is a scenic farm ride, not a detailed battlefield tour, and the open-country setting means you should dress for the weather.

Key points at a glance

• Two Shire horses set the pace: The carriage ride is pulled by large, gentle draft horses and moves at a relaxed speed.
• Working farms, orchards, and a Christmas tree farm: You pass through two active farm properties rather than viewing the countryside from a highway.
• A high viewpoint over the valley: One scenic stop gives you a wide view of the surrounding hills and farmland.
• Hands-on time with the horses: After the ride, you can take pictures, pet the team, and feed treats to the farm’s other horses.
• A calm alternative to battlefield touring: The narration includes Gettysburg-area history, but the focus is rural life, farming, and scenery.
• Best for small groups and families: Children and adults can take part, though the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with animal allergies.

Why this carriage ride works as a Gettysburg break

Gettysburg is rightly known for its battlefield, monuments, and museums. Those sights can fill a day quickly, but the area has another story to tell. Adams County is also farm country, shaped by orchards, hills, fields, and working properties. This ride gives you an hour to see that quieter side at the speed of a horse.

I like that the experience does not try to turn itself into a full battlefield substitute. You get some information about the surrounding countryside during the Civil War, but the heart of the outing is the farm setting. That makes it a good choice after a serious morning of battlefield touring, or for anyone in your group who would rather spend time outside than sit through another formal lecture.

The one-hour length is well judged. You get enough time to settle into the slow rhythm of the carriage without committing half a day. Most departures are in the morning, so you can pair the ride with Gettysburg sightseeing, a farm stop, or another activity later in the day.

Finding Silvershire Farm north of Gettysburg

Silvershire Farm is about a 15-minute drive north of Gettysburg, in Aspers, Pennsylvania. The meeting point is the big red barn at the intersection of Clearview Road and Quaker Run Road. The barn sits about 700 feet east on Clearview Road, past the driveway at 210 Clearview Road.

This is a rural meeting point, so pay close attention to the directions rather than relying on a vague farm name. The red barn is the useful landmark. You will want weather-appropriate clothing, since the setting is outdoors and the temperature can change quickly in farm country.

The activity is in English and uses a live guide. Bill and Bobbie greet the group and narrate the ride, explaining the horses, orchards, farm work, and local setting. Their role matters here because a quiet carriage ride can otherwise become little more than a pretty view. The narration gives the fields and farm buildings some context.

Settling behind the two Shire horses

The ride begins with the carriage team, two Shire draft horses known for their size and strength. The pace is leisurely, which is exactly what you want on a countryside route. You are not being hurried from one sight to another. Instead, you have time to watch the orchards, fields, and hills pass by.

A covered carriage helps in hot weather. One summer ride was especially comfortable despite the heat because the canopy kept the passengers shaded. That does not make the experience climate-controlled, of course, but it is a useful feature during warmer months.

The slow speed also suits families. Small children can watch the horses work and take in the scenery without the constant movement of a fast vehicle. A family with a two-year-old and infant twins found the carriage ride manageable, with extra time afterward for the children to pet and feed the horses.

The carriage is not a food vehicle, so plan to eat before or after the tour. Smoking, vaping, alcohol, drugs, glass objects, coolers, and food are not allowed in the vehicle. Bare feet are also prohibited. These rules are practical around horses and farm equipment, even if they may feel stricter than the rules for a standard sightseeing ride.

Through Adams County orchards and working farms

The route goes through two working farms. One includes an orchard and Christmas tree farm. The other combines an orchard with a horse farm. This is a useful difference from a purely scenic drive: you are seeing places that produce crops and care for animals, not just decorative countryside.

The views change with the season. In spring, the orchard trees begin to flower, creating the most obvious display. Fall brings yellow, amber, and scarlet color across the mountains and nearby hills. In summer and other parts of the year, the interest comes from the fields, growing fruit, crops preparing for harvest, and the steady activity of the farms.

I would choose the date based on the kind of scenery you want. Spring is best for blossoms. Autumn should offer the strongest color. The ride still has value outside those periods, but you should expect working fields and rolling hills rather than a guaranteed peak-color show.

The guides add information about the orchard and Christmas tree operation. That makes the route more than a photo backdrop. You learn how the farm fits into the local economy and how the rural setting connects with the area’s Civil War story.

The hilltop view and the elk herd

One of the strongest visual moments comes on the winding trail that climbs toward a viewpoint over the farm and surrounding valley. From above, the separate parts of the property make sense: orchards, open fields, tree-covered hills, and the farm buildings below.

This stop is especially useful for photographs. You get a broad view rather than another close look at trees along the carriage path. The horses are part of the picture too, making the stop a natural place to take photos of the team with the countryside behind them.

The route also passes an elk herd and other animals. The information does not promise a full wildlife tour, so I would treat the animals as an added possibility rather than the main reason to book. The horses, farms, and valley view are the dependable focus.

Because the route crosses farm properties, the exact visual experience can vary by season and by what is growing. That is part of the charm, but it also means you should not expect a fixed set of attractions presented in a precise order.

Meeting the horses after the ride

The most hands-on part comes at the end. You can meet the horses that pulled the carriage, take pictures with them, and give them treats. If you choose, you can also meet the other horses on the farm and feed them.

This is where the tour becomes especially appealing for children. They are not simply looking at animals from a safe distance. They can take part in a supervised farm activity and see how the horses respond to people. Adults tend to enjoy it too, particularly if they like horses or want a memorable family photograph.

Treats are provided as part of the experience, according to the tour information, so you do not need to bring your own food for the animals. Follow the hosts’ directions when feeding. Large draft horses can be gentle, but they are still powerful animals.

Allow a little flexibility at the end if your group wants pictures and extra time with the horses. The listed duration is one hour for the carriage tour, while the horse interaction is an important part of the visit afterward.

What the guides add to the experience

Bill and Bobbie are a major part of the outing. They welcome the group, drive or accompany the carriage, and explain what you are seeing. Their talk covers the Shire horses, the orchards, the Christmas tree farm, the surrounding countryside, and the Civil War setting around Gettysburg.

I appreciate that this mix keeps the narration from becoming a single-topic lecture. You get local history, but you also learn about the farm in front of you. The result feels more connected to the place than a generic countryside ride.

The guides are also attentive to families. They allow time for children to pet the horses, feed them, and take pictures. That extra patience matters when young children are part of the group. It also helps keep the experience relaxed for adults who want to enjoy the scenery without rushing.

Is $44 a fair price?

At $44 per person, the tour costs more than a simple scenic drive, but you are paying for several parts at once: the one-hour carriage ride, live narration, access to two working farms, the carriage team, and the horse-feeding activity afterward.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole experience. A quick ride followed by a rushed departure would make the price feel less convincing. If you stay for the photographs and horse treats, the visit has more substance, especially for a family.

The price also compares well with the kind of experience it provides. You are not just sitting in a vehicle looking through a window. The carriage, farm setting, animals, and personal welcome create a slower, more direct connection with the area.

I would not choose it for a tightly packed budget itinerary focused only on Gettysburg’s historic sites. I would choose it if you want to balance battlefield history with open air, animals, and rural scenery.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This tour suits families, couples, horse lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants a peaceful hour outside Gettysburg. It works particularly well for mixed-age groups because children can focus on the horses while adults enjoy the views and narration.

It is also a smart choice if someone in your party does not want a long battlefield lecture. The tour still provides local historical context, but the main subject is the countryside and the farm.

You should think twice if you have animal allergies, since the ride and the post-tour activity keep you close to horses. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people using mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, or handcarts. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Before boarding, every rider must sign a waiver stating that they understand the risks of equine activities under Pennsylvania law. Wear clothing suited to the weather and shoes that are comfortable around a farm. You should also be comfortable with the normal movement and sounds of a horse-drawn carriage.

Booking flexibility and timing

The tour is usually offered in the morning and lasts one hour. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.

The small group limit of 10 is worth noting. It gives the carriage ride a more personal feel and leaves room for direct interaction with Bill and Bobbie. It also means a popular morning can fill, especially during pleasant spring and fall weather.

Plan your Gettysburg day around the 15-minute drive to the farm, not just the ride itself. You will need time to reach the red barn, get settled, and enjoy the horses afterward.

Should you book the Silvershire Farm carriage ride?

I would book this tour if you want a gentle, personal break from Gettysburg’s battlefield circuit. The best reasons are the beautiful farm setting, the big Shire horses, the hilltop valley view, and the chance to feed the animals at the end.

I would skip it only if your group needs an accessible activity, dislikes being around animals, or wants a tightly focused battlefield tour. For everyone else, $44 buys a relaxed hour with real farm access, live local storytelling, and an ending that children and horse-loving adults are likely to remember.

FAQ

How long is the horse-drawn carriage tour?

The carriage ride lasts one hour. You can also spend additional time afterward meeting, photographing, petting, and feeding the horses.

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 Silvershire Farm from Gettysburg?

The farm is approximately a 15-minute drive north of Gettysburg.

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 carriage team and, if you choose, the other horses on the farm.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, or people using electric wheelchairs. It is also not suitable for people with animal allergies.

Can I cancel the booking?

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