Play, Stay, Putt

Gettysburg’s Guide to Summertime Family Adventure

By Jessica L. Knouse

If you have a family, whether you’re visiting or living in Gettysburg, often times you may wonder: “What else is there to do as a family besides tour the battlefield?” 

With some newly constructed and renovated sites in Gettysburg, this summer will showcase a variety of family fun activities beyond the town’s historic sites. 

The Allstar Sports and Events Complex is a perfect destination for families, offering a variety of activities such as go-kart racing, laser tag and arcade games, ensuring everyone finds something fun to do. In addition, The Barn Resort is another significant business venture of Allstar owner Brian Smith that offers family amenities and opportunity for expansion of family-friendly services and entertainment. 

Just down the road on Steinwehr Avenue, Lincoln Links mini golf course adds a playful touch of history, with its creatively designed holes that celebrate the spirit of Gettysburg while providing a great way for families to enjoy some friendly competition. 

These two attractions offer the perfect mix of entertainment, excitement and family bonding, proving that Gettysburg is much more than just a place to learn about history.

Lincoln Links: A Place for New Family Traditions

The owners of Lincoln Links mini golf course look forward to becoming one of the area’s most beloved family destinations as the business opens up for its inaugural season this year. From toddlers navigating their first putt to grandparents reliving childhood memories, co-owners Nathan and Laura Mares hope that Lincoln Links will bring families together. “We want this to be a space where families can just have fun together—no screens, no stress, just simple, joyful moments,” says Nathan Mares. 

With its unique design, affordable pricing and welcoming atmosphere, families can enjoy making memories with a scenic backdrop of the battlefield. Designed by Harris Miniature Golf Courses, Inc. in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the course itself is a colorful blend of classic obstacles and creative flourishes.  

A waterfall gushes excitedly over a rugged rock wall, standing out as a dramatic centerpiece of the course. Each of the 18 holes is designed to offer a mix of challenge and charm, keeping younger players entertained without frustrating the more serious mini golfers in the group.

And that balance is intentional. “We keep things approachable for everyone,” Nathan Mares says. “Some people come out to compete, but most just want to have a good time with their kids or grandkids. That’s who we’re here for.” 

In fact, the inspiration for this course stems from his own childhood vacations. “Nathan and his family always would go to Cape May for vacations over the summer, and it’s this idyllic, seaside little town. They have little miniature golf courses all around, and every year Nathan and his family would play these courses. That has stuck with him over his lifetime, and I think playing mini golf every year became a tradition,” shares his wife and co-owner, Laura Mares.

Indeed, the vibe at Lincoln Links is more summer vacation than sports arena. From 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., kids, families—or adventurous first dates—are welcome to play from morning until night. Affordability is also a cornerstone of the Lincoln Links philosophy. With admission at $12 for both kids and adults, the course offers a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive family attractions. For Quality Inn Battlefield or the Best Western Gettysburg guests, rates are discounted to $10 per person. 

In addition to everyday play, Lincoln Links also looks forward to connecting with local non-profit organizations to partner with for future fundraising endeavors. “Once we get open and established, we’re potentially looking at organizing tournaments for groups, nonprofits that will be fundraisers similar to all the tournaments that are always at the regular golf courses,” Nathan Mares explains.

After its grand opening in April, the dream is to hear the laughter of children echoing out onto the streets at Lincoln Links, with parents relaxing on benches, teenagers trying trick shots and toddlers celebrating every putt like a hole-in-one. It’s a snapshot of everything the Mareses hoped to create—a place where joy is easy to find, and families come first. 

Allstar Sports Complex and The Barn Resort: Where Sports and Relaxation Meet

The Allstar Sports and Events Complex and the Barn Resort of Gettysburg are both experiencing a renaissance of sorts. Beyond their storied pasts, a new chapter of family fun is unfolding—one that blends recreation, relaxation and a splash of modern flair. 

Located just a short drive from downtown, the Allstar Sports and Events Complex is more than just a hub for athletics—it’s a destination designed with families in mind. From youth sports tournaments to weekend adventures, the facility is ready to buzz with energy and excitement, offering activities such as laser tag, go-kart racing and arcade games.

“The Allstar Sports Complex has been a staple in the community for decades,” says owner Brian Smith. He and his immediate family play a pivotal role in the development and vision of both the complex and The Barn Resort. “Allstar was built in the early 90s and has hosted plenty of tournaments, events and practices for various sports teams and leagues.”

The potential to be an athletics destination is particularly enticing. “We’re interested in doing a lot of different things that families can do there, and we’re excited to work on the facility and start to open it back up,” says Smith. “Allstar opened before indoor sports were really popular back in the late 90s, and now private sports complexes have become even more prevalent across the country. We expect that having the Sports Court Sports Complex available to people in Gettysburg is going to be even more key in the community than it was 25 years ago. And bringing in more people to Gettysburg for tournaments will bring in more revenue with the local economy, like with restaurants, hotels and shopping downtown.”

Recognizing the need for more than just daytime fun, Smith and his team sought to create a complementary experience that would round out the Gettysburg getaway. Enter The Barn Resort, a rustic-meets-modern venue just a stone’s throw from the sports complex. What began as a vision for a family-friendly getaway has become a game-changer for visitors seeking more than just a hotel stay.

“The Barn was a vision that was developed over many years,” Smith explains. “We wanted to create a place where families, teams and friends could come together and enjoy a relaxing, fun environment that complements the sports and events happening at the complex.”

And that vision is in the process of becoming a full-on reality for Smith and his family, as it’s truly an all-hands-on-deck experience at Allstar and The Barn Resort. “It’s like, ‘Hey, we need someone to work the concession stand this weekend. Who wants to do it?’ to my family putting on the trivia night— it is very much a family affair,” he says.

The Barn Resort will eventually feature spacious family suites with their own unique amenities. At present, however, guests can enjoy dining, live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, trivia every Thursday evening and outdoor areas for sitting by the fire pit, listening to live music or for children to run free and play while parents enjoy socializing. Past events have included Easter egg hunts, a touch-a-truck program and even an ’80s prom. 

At present, dining and special events are The Barn Resort’s main attractions. Cellar 75 restaurant offers American fare, a full bar and a gorgeous, modern atmosphere. The Farmhouse Restaurant is perfect for families, featuring an all-day buffet that changes for each mealtime. The Barn also hosts events, reunions and weddings all within a setting that combines the charm of the countryside with modern amenities. “It’s all about creating experiences that families will remember,” Smith says. “From a weekend soccer tournament to a week-long vacation, we want people to feel like they’re part of something special.”

Whether it’s unwinding by the fire pit after a day of games or kicking off a weekend tournament with a big team breakfast, the resort is built for moments that matter. 

“Gettysburg is already a destination with rich history, but we wanted to add a layer of family fun that encourages people to stay longer and enjoy more,” says Smith. “We’re proud to be part of that growth.”

So the next time you’re planning a family trip to Gettysburg, don’t just pack your walking shoes—bring your soccer ball, your golf putter, and your appetite. 

And your sense of adventure, too.

 

Gettysburg Excursion Railway

Set to launch in mid-2025, this scenic rail adventure offers passengers a unique way to experience the historic landscapes surrounding the iconic battlefield and rolling hills of Adams County. Departing from Gettysburg, the journey takes you amongst the rural landscape of the Gettysburg area, providing glimpses of landmarks such as the Eternal Light Peace Memorial. Travelers will ride in restored 1950s-era passenger cars with vintage charm. Throughout the excursion, informative narrations will shed light on the area’s rich history and the railroad’s contemporary significance. For more details and updates, visit www.patriotrail.com.

At the heart of this project is the historic 1884 Gettysburg Depot, located near Gettysburg College. Closed since the 1990s, the depot has undergone a meticulous restoration. Original Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus train cars have been transformed into the passenger railcars.

Lincoln Links
533 Steinwehr Ave., Gettysburg

223-255-8035
lincolnlinksgolf.com

Allstar Sports and Event Complex
2636 Emmitsburg Road, Gettysburg

717-334-6363
allstarpa.com

The Barn Resort
75 Cunningham Road, Gettysburg

717-334-8000
thebarnpa.com