Fort Sumter National Monument

Fort Sumter National Monument

Fort Sumter National Monument
4.5
Historic SitesMilitary Bases & FacilitiesHistory Museums
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Learn all about this storied spot of the first clash between the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War, in which the Union forces finally surrendered after a 34-hour bombardment by the Rebels.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Missy B
    Edina, Minnesota19 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good tour
    The boat ride is nice and slow and we even saw dolphins on the side of the boat. We went on a crummy, rainy day but the boat had covered space as well as at the fort. Just a heads up to use the restroom on the boat on the way back if you are on the 2:30 tour as the National Park building closes at 4 - after the ship gets back and no restrooms are available.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 March 2023
  • LRCBME
    Farmington Hills, Michigan252 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Freedom is not free
    The ferry ride over had options to sit outside or inside. The rangers were very informative and new the history well. Take the first ferry out to raise the flag or the last one out to lower the flag.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 7 April 2023
  • Hilary C
    6 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Combo with USS Yorktown
    We did the 10:30 from Patriots Point because we got a combo ticket for the USS Yorktown. THIS IS AN ENTIRE DAY!!! I didn't expect to be here as long as we were and honestly we were so exhausted, we didn't even get to the USS Laffey or the Vietnam exhibit. The trip to Fort Sumter is a lovely but crowded ferry. We lucked out and saw a pod of dolphins right outside the fort. At the fort, the guides are scarce but very helpful if you can lock one down. We lucked out and found one to point out the fingerprints in the bricks. I appreciated the Museum and the model of what the fort would have looked at the time of the Civil War. The USS Yorktown is gigantic. There are lots of steep stairs to climb up and down. I would be nervous if I wasn't steady on my feet or had really little kids in tow. There are guided paths that you can follow. There are also guided tours that we didn't do but I sure would be very valuable if you can plan to do that. Either way, plan to be here the whole day if you want to see everything.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 13 April 2023
  • meg
    Mountainside, New Jersey27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    our trip to Fort Sumter
    Terrific visit to Fort Sumter. two highlights stood out. First was Ranger James. His passion for the fort and the meaning of the Civil War and its impact on the citizens was moving. second was the volunteer who recounted the history of that first battle in such vivid detail. unfortunately, we do not remember his name but it was during the noon tour on April 18th.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 April 2023
  • Faye G
    Fayetteville, Pennsylvania49 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience
    Great representation of many original items from the shelling of Ft. Sumter. FYI: there’s no food options at the Fort, so plan accordingly. Narrator on our boat was pleasant and very knowledgeable. Great trip to another amazing National Park!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 20 April 2023
  • Nancy P
    Glen Ridge, New Jersey78 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great way to experience history
    This is a very well organized way to explore important history. The half hour ferry ride provides ample time for the Park Ranger to give the background—-which ours did in a very entertaining and informative style. There’s plenty to see on site, but the hour was enough time for us to explore it. The Park Rangers on site were also helpful and informative. Very enjoyable!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 May 2023
  • Slarsons
    Chaska, Minnesota266 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    How can one not see this part of our history?
    One must take a 30 minute (ish) boat ride to island. Fort itself has struggled with age and hurricanes but to just be there is very impactful. Museum on island is very well done. Takes about 60 minutes or so to see everything on the island.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 May 2023
  • Red-Barchetta2011
    Suffield, Connecticut753 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very Imformative
    This is very nice tour about a veru important part of America history. Fort Sumter is on a island and only way to get there is ferry and you book through Fort Sumter tours. We order our tickets on line a few days before we went. The tour is poplular and i woudl suggest pre book. The tour leaves from downtown Charleston or Mt Pleasant. It is abotu 20 minute narated ferry to the island. One on teh island you ahev about 45 to 50 miiutes. We booked teh mronign tour whcih they do teh flag rasing on teh island. That was nice to see. Great tour and olnly issue is we wished we had a little more time on teh island.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 7 May 2023
  • Debbie and Tim
    Florence, South Carolina7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must experience Charleston tourist spot!
    What an awesome experience! Loved hearing all the interesting history from such a knowledgeable and entertaining park ranger guide! He handled our difficult, sad, and tarnished history namely slavery with such candid honesty. This tour was so well done! We learned so much about the history of the civil war and the confederate states. The ferry was clean with great seating both outdoor and in shaded areas. The ferry also had clean bathrooms and a great little snack shop. This was a must do tourist spot for Charleston.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 8 May 2023
  • 924lesaw
    Texas84 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Where the 1st shot was fired
    Enjoyed this museum very much . Could have had a little longer than the 1 hour that was allowed. Especially for the price of the tickets. Ferry ride was enjoyable also with the narrative speaker. Museum ranger was hard to hear. Bad microphone. But I am glad to have experienced it. Not for the handicapped, rocky uneven terrain.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 May 2023
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles5,901 reviews
Excellent
3,391
Very good
1,897
Average
507
Poor
83
Terrible
23

Kuvasz1988
Saint Paul, MN1,150 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Friends
The visit was worth the time although slightly high priced. I learned a number of facts I did not know about the siege which I enjoyed knowing. The museum was the highlight while the fort was good to see it is not much to look at. Great views!
Written 7 March 2024
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.

Debbie20092012
Knoxville, TN8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Really enjoyed touring the Fort. The ferry ride to and from the fort is very nice and educational. A must see! So much history and you will not be disappointed.
Written 6 March 2024
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.

JUDY K
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
This was a fantastic historic tour! Highly recommend for history buffs, that want to learn about our country’s past. The staff operating the boat were professional, and kudos to our excellent tour guide Woody; he was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge and we thank him for making this a memorable experience.
Written 27 February 2024
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.

chandelle
Pensacola, FL221 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
This was the 10th or so Third System fort our family has visited, and outside of the historical significance, it doesn't have as much going for it as some of the others. The ferry ride is crowded and unenjoyable (teenagers blasting music), even in the winter. Glad we went, but there are more interesting coastal defense forts out there that are easier to get to.
Written 19 February 2024
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.

Debbie
Mars Hill, NC1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Love Charleston! So much history and great places to eat! We stayed at Lodge Valley Inn so close to everything. You can walk to everything. Market is amazing. Had some great seafood at Hyman's.
Written 16 January 2024
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.

Archie
Glenmoore, PA5,326 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
We enjoyed our visit and learnt some history. The national park itself is free. You have to book tickets to the island that the fort is located on via boat. We booked them online. It was absolutely full. They asked us to arrive 30 min earlier. We took the first tour at 9:30 am. The visitor center opens at 9. They probably boarded around 9:15 am. There is a queue as people line up. The visitor center has some information that you can walk through. Restrooms are located in the visitor center and the boat. The boat has three levels the upper level is open but with a cover and best views but freezing cold when the weather is 35 degrees. The mid level has snacks drinks and tables setup. It's temperature controlled. The lower deck has the most seating. We saw some beautiful views of the USS Yorktown and pickney island. Dolphins jumping in water. The ranger gives a briefing on the boat. We enjoyed an hour before the boat set back. Such interesting history. We enjoyed walking around and the flag raising as the first tour. There is a museum and gift shop. Do the junior ranger program. Its a 25 min boat ride. We parked at liberty Square aquarium garage.
Written 30 December 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.

lvtraveler0389
Bethlehem, PA120 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
the national park representative is very helpful.

however, the placard information (which is now 20 years old) is presented in a way that diminishes slavery, it was not really that bad, most people were for it, the people of the south were somehow heroes against oppressors, etc.

it needs to be updated and reflect the history as it is.
Written 8 December 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.

Kathy K
Orange Park, FL172 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Been to several forts along the East Coast. This one is only accessible by ferry through Fort Sumter Tours. Even with senior pricing it was more than $30pp to visit. The fort is nice but not a lot to see as most is in ruins after Civil War even though a lot of restoration has taken place. Tour is only 1 hour and then back on the ferry to shore.
Customer service at Fort Sumter Tours was terrible regarding tickets. Rep at the counter and on the phone was not friendly or helpful. Ferry personnel were very nice.
Written 27 November 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.

fabdog
Williamsburg, VA407 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We took the first boat of the day over at 930. They do a flag raising, and you have ~ 1 hour to see the fort, museum, and exhibits. A ranger gave a talk on the way over, and the rangers were friendly and knowledgeable at the fort. A ,little more time on the fort would have been nice, but you know you have an hour and you make your way to what you want to see. At least at this time of year, don't show up 45 mins in advance.. the visitor center isn't open and they don't start boarding till 15 mins before departure.
Written 8 November 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.

Patron17
Denver, CO272 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Maybe it was because it was the last tour of the day…….
We had 1 hour, more like 45 minutes, to see a flag ceremony, the museum, the gift shop, and the grounds. Felt very rushed. The cruise out is nice, but eats up the majority of the time 2 hour ticket time in travel. Would have liked more time to visit the museum and read all the history.
Written 16 October 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.

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Fort Sumter National Monument, Charleston

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