This three-day tour based in Frederick, Md., includes Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Monocacy, and South Mountain.

DAY 1 ~ Frederick and Monocacy

Arrive Frederick Md. Walk the downtown historic district filled with antebellum atmosphere and architecture. Imagine tens of thousands of Civil War soldiers in the streets, on their way to the battles at Antietam and Gettysburg. Stop at the visitor center for tour brochures. Read the Civil War Trails signs. Visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in the heart of downtown, then take a 15-minute drive south to the national park at the site of the 1864 Battle of Monocacy. Plenty of good restaurants, shops and accommodations of all types here.

Frederick Visitor Info [www.fredericktourism.org]
National Museum of Civil War Medicine [www.civilwarmed.org]
Monocacy National Battlefield [www.nps.gov/mono]

DAY 2 ~ Gettysburg

The battlefield is about a 45-minute drive north from downtown Frederick on US 15. For more atmosphere, get an early start and follow at least part of the Gettysburg Civil War Trail to the battlefield. Once in Gettysburg remember that the visitor center at the national park closes at 5 pm (later in summer), but the park stays open until 10 pm. Take advantage. While in Gettysburg, tour the town, visit the Rupp House and check out the other attractions and shops. Plenty of restaurants with good atmosphere here for lunch and dinner.

Gettysburg Civil War Trail [CivilWarTraveler.com]
Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg
[www.friendsofgettysburg.org]
Gettysburg National Military Park [www.nps.gov/gett]
Gettysburg Tourist Info [www.gettysburg.com]

DAY 3 ~ Antietam, South Mountain and Harpers Ferry

This is the longest day and it's packed. Leave Frederick early, heading west on Patrick Street, which becomes Route 40. Watch closely for the left turn onto Alternate 40. You are on the historic National Road and the Antietam Civil War Trail.

About 30 minutes from Frederick, Alternate 40 passes over South Mountain through Turner's Gap, scene of heavy fighting Sept. 14, 1862. Stop at the cluster of Civil War Trails signs in the parking lot of the South Mountain Inn, which was a Confederate headquarters during the battle.

Continue down the other side of the mountain into Boonsboro, turn left onto Route 34 toward Sharpsburg, then (about 6 miles later) right on Route 65 to the Antietam National Battlefield visitor center. Spend the morning visiting Antietam.

After touring the battlefield, return to Route 34, turn right. Check out Sharpsburg, then continue across the Potomac River into Shepherdstown (about 10 minutes). Turn left (south) onto Route 230, Shepherdstown's main street. Plenty of opportunities for lunch here.

Leave Shepherdstown following the Route 230 (South) signs toward Harpers Ferry. After a nice 15-minute drive, turn left onto US 340, then 1.5 miles later turn right into the Harpers Ferry national park parking lot. Spend the afternoon at Harpers Ferry.

After your visit, turn right back onto US 340 and cross both the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers — you'll be in three states in five minutes. Back in Maryland, take the Route 67 (Boonsboro) exit and look for the brown sign to the Gathland State Park. Turn right (Gapland Road) back onto South Mountain. At the top, have a look at the park, the Correspondent's Arch and the Civil War Trails signs there.

After Gathland, drive down the other side of the mountain into Burkittsville. At the stop sign either turn left onto Route 17 to Middletown or get out and walk around a little. At Middletown, turn left back onto Alternate Route 40 and return to Frederick.

Antietam Civil War Trail [CivilWarTraveler.com]
Antietam National Battlefield [www.nps.gov/anti]
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park [www.nps.gov/hafe]