Fort Sumter National Monument Travel Guide

  Bob, our son and grandchildren on the...
by grandmaR
 
  • Bob, our son and grandchildren on the ferry dock
      Bob, our son and grandchildren on the...
    by grandmaR
  • Our boat at the marina beside the ferry dock
      Our boat at the marina beside the ferry...
    by grandmaR
  • Wake of the ferry
      Wake of the ferry
    by grandmaR
  • Fort Sumter
      Fort Sumter
    by Basaic
  • Fort Moultrie
      Fort Moultrie
    by Basaic
 

Explore Fort Sumter National Monument

Things to Do  

Ferry to the Fort

Ferry to the Fort, Fort Sumter National Monument

 grandmaR Says:  The ferry to the fort is run by a private contractor. There are two different ferries running to the fort - from Liberty Square in Charleston and the once a day from Mt. Pleasant on the other side of the Cooper River. We went from Liberty Square.The ferry ride is quite a lot... 

Appreciating the Fort History

Appreciating the Fort History, Fort Sumter National Monument

 grandmaR Says:  When we got off the ferry, we walked around with a ranger for a short (10 minute) tour. After that we walked around on our own. You do not have to take the ranger tour, but it really helps to understand the history of the fort. One of the facts I remember is that the guns at... 

Fort Sumter Exhibit Hall in Charleston

Fort Sumter Exhibit Hall in Charleston, Fort Sumter National Monument

 grandmaR Says:  The ferry ride to Fort Sumter costs money - it is operated by a contractor. But the Exhibit Hall on the Charleston side ferry docks is free. Inside is a museum giving the history of the fort and the area before and during the Civil War. The Exhibit Hall is open 8:30 to 5... 

The museum

The museum, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  The museum on Fort Sumter is a tiny area which contains some interesting exhibits. One of the original flags which flew over the Fort is on display here. The photo shows how the nearly completely destroyed Fort after the war. During the attempts at preservation, the Park... 

Boat tours

Boat tours, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  In order to tour Fort Sumter, you must take one of the boat tours offered by the National Park Service. There are two departing locations- one on Calhoun Street and the other on Mount Pleasant. The tours depart twice a day- three times per day in the busiest months, and run... 

Fort Sumter was a nice visit!

Fort Sumter was a nice visit!, Fort Sumter National Monument

 saraheg77 Says:  Fort Sumter was an enjoyable day's visit for the price. The little boat ride out to the monument was very pleasant! There was some construction going on at the time we were there, but I'm sure it's gone by now! :) 

Transportation  

Island in the Harbor

Island in the Harbor, Fort Sumter National Monument

 grandmaR Says:  You can only get to Ft. Sumter by boat. Oh I suppose you could charter a heliocopter and go that way, but really, the only way to go is by boat. If you are a NPS ranger who is stationed at the fort, you can go in a NPS boat. Ordinary people however have two choices. They can... 

Shopping  

FORT SUMTER MUSEUM SHOP: Gift Shop

FORT SUMTER MUSEUM SHOP: Gift Shop, Fort Sumter National Monument

 grandmaR Says:  Open All Year Same as ParkClosures - Closed January 1 and December 25.Available Facilities - A small museum shop is operated at the fort. Snacks and drinks are available on tour boat. I think there is also a shop at the Liberty Square Charleston terminal. Unfortunately I... 

Local Customs  

Student vs teacher

Student vs teacher, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  General Beauregard, who commanded the Confederate forces, was the former student of Major Anderson, who commanded the Union forces at Fort Sumter. Since many generals and other officers took sides based on their ties to their home states, it was not uncommon for those who... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

DON'T Climb on the Cannons

DON'T Climb on the Cannons, Fort Sumter National Monument

 grandmaR Says:  One of the things that the park ranger who gave our tour EMPHASIZED was that visitors were not to climb on the cannons.I had to reprimand my granddaughter who was going to climb on one anyway. The rule book says:*. Walking upon, climbing, ascending, descending, or traversing... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Destruction

Destruction, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  Fort Sumter is the most heavily shelled structure in the U.S. As a result of the repeated attempts to break down these walls and the Confederate spirit, the fort withstood much damage. So much so that, once abandoned, the fort was nearly in ruins. Much of the fort has been... 

Canons

Canons, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  Fort Sumter was not heavily armed at the start of the civil war. In 1860, only 15 canons were ready for battle. After the Confederates seized the fort, they began fortifying its defenses. But some of the canons you see during the tour are Union canons which were located on... 

Favorites  

The First Shot and the Aftermath

The First Shot and the Aftermath, Fort Sumter National Monument

 grandmaR Says:  The first engagement of the Civil War took place at Fort Sumter on April 12 and 13, 1861, and after a brief battle, the Union surrendered the fort to the Confederates. At that time, the Confederates thought that the 60 foot tall fort's six foot thick brick walls were... 

The importance of Fort Sumter

The importance of Fort Sumter, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  Many people think of Fort Sumter as the place where the war began and do not realize the overali mportance of the Fort. The Union tried many methods of obtaining surrender from the Confederates and one of these was a naval blockade of the Atlantic Coast. The South needed to... 

In memoriam

In memoriam, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  In the now entranceway, there is a plaque which honors the Confederate defenders of Fort Sumter. A Union monument was also erected to honor the Union defenders of the opening bombardment. Although none of the Union soldiers were killed during the original bombardment, many... 

The Five Flags

The Five Flags, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  When the Confederates took over Fort Sumter, down came the U.S. flag and up went the flag of South Carolina. The Confederate flag also flew over the Fort. Today, there are six flags which fly over the fort: The U.S. flag is in the center, two of the former U.S. flags with 33... 

Visitors center

Visitors center, Fort Sumter National Monument

 goingsolo Says:  The visitor's center, shown in the photo is the place where tours start. There is a series of exhibits here which trace the events leading up to the war. Its worth taking some time to browse this area as the exhibits provide a great deal of background information that many... 

The Place

Plan a Fort Sumter National Monument vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Fort Sumter National Monument locals

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The People

 
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 Fort Sumter was an enjoyable day's visit for the price. The little boat ride out to the monument was very pleasant! There was some construction going on at the... 

 

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Top 4 Fort Sumter National Monument Writers

1

FIRE!

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 And so it begins. Following the election of President Lincoln, South Carolina delegates voted to secede from the Union, claiming that the Federal government violated its constitutional rights. Five...... 

2

Start of the Civil War

grandmaR profile photo

 We see Fort Sumter from a distance whenever we cross Charleston Harbor on the ICW or go in or out of Charleston Harbor From the NPS website: The first engagement of the Civil War took place at Fort... 

3

Basaic Fort Sumter Page

Basaic profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Fort Sumter National Monument. I'd love to share with you the 0 tips I've written, the 2 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

4

Fort Sumter

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 I've got some interesting experiences in Fort Sumter National Monument. I'd love to share with you the 0 tips I've written, the 3 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

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