Community Media of South Central PA Celebrating Community
Gettysburg, PA – From the Peach Orchard of the battlefield to the apple trees of the countryside, blossoms paint a breathtaking picture across Gettysburg and Adams County each spring.
With the arrival of warmer weather comes renewed energy from visitors to explore not only the history Gettysburg is known for, but a desire to experience spring’s beauty in a tranquil setting.
To support springtime tourism and guide visitors to blossom locations, Destination Gettysburg launched the Adams County Blossom Belt in 2024. This effort includes the Blossom Belt map, which highlights farms, markets, agricultural experiences, and places to eat, shop and stay overnight. This year’s map has been expanded to include 15 attractions.
Winding country roads lead to the Adams County Blossom Belt, where nearly 20,000 acres of fruit trees produce petals in shades of pink and white. Apple blossoms can be credited for most of the dazzling display, but Blossom Belt explorers will also find blooms among apricot, cherry, peach, pear and plum trees.
“Spring has always been a strong season for visitation, but we’d like to build upon that to support the agricultural industry and small businesses that make up the Blossom Belt,” Destination Gettysburg President and CEO Karl Pietrzak said. “This year, we’re seeing more businesses plan special offers and events to celebrate the blossom season and give people even more reasons to visit.”
While Mother Nature can be difficult to predict, the historic Peach Orchard at Gettysburg National Military Park typically signals the start of blossom season. Those buds tend to open in late March, revealing shades of brilliant pink. Native redbud trees are next to bloom, adding pops of rosy pink and purple across the battlefield. In recent years, apple blossoms just outside Gettysburg reached peak bloom in mid- to late April, with some blooms holding on until May.
Events to look forward to along the Blossom Belt this season include:
- Spring on the Farm at Fields of Adventure (Fridays and weekends April 11-27, closed Easter): Explore the tulip garden, meet baby animals, and bring the kids to enjoy the rainbow jump pad, pedal carts, giant checkers and other farm fun.
- Adams County Apple Blossom Festival at the National Apple Museum (April 26): Listen to live music, shop more than 30 artisan and craft vendors, embark on a horse-drawn carriage ride, visit the mini petting zoo, and more.
- Hollabaugh Bros. Spring Blossom Event (April 26): Check out the apple blossoms blooming just steps from the family market, where you’ll find food, artisan vendors, wagon rides, a StoryWalk trail, and more.
- Adams County Farmers Market Opening Day (April 26): Support dozens of local farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods, and more at Gettysburg Rec Park every Saturday into the fall.
When spring fades, petals fall to make way for more than 50 varieties of apples and the autumn festivities that follow. Blossoms precede a harvest that puts Adams County in the nation’s Top 5 apple growers, and No. 1 in Pennsylvania.
“People come out in droves each autumn to enjoy the apple harvest festivities, and these blossoms are the start of that cycle,” Pietrzak said. “Fall is one of the most popular times to visit our destination, but you haven’t had the full-circle experience until you’ve seen Adams County blossoms in the spring.”
The Blossom Belt map and information on upcoming springtime events and offers are available at DestinationGettysburg.com/
Destination Gettysburg, the official destination marketing organization of Adams County, Pa., promotes Gettysburg and Adams County as a premier travel destination to benefit and enhance our community by sharing history and creating new experiences.
