Explore Charleston
Fort Sumter National Monument
Type: Active, Attractions, Family Friendly, Historic Sites, Military, Outdoor Activities, Outdoor Activities - Summer, Outdoor Activities - Winter, Parks
10Best Says
Fort Sumter, visible across the harbor from Waterfront Park and the Battery, is the famous site of the first shots of the Civil War. Sumter was taken by the Confederate Army in April 1861, and became... Read More
Fort Sumter, visible across the harbor from Waterfront Park and the Battery, is the famous site of the first shots of the Civil War. Sumter was taken by the Confederate Army in April 1861, and became a Southern stronghold for most of the Civil War, even towards the end of the conflict. Fort Sumter is only accessible by water: daily ferries run informative shuttle trips back and forth, leaving from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square and Patriots Point, year round. Nearby Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, is also worth a visit for its historial value and involvement in the Civil War. The Visitor Education Center, with extensive historical information on both forts, is located at Liberty Square, on Concord Street in downtown Charleston.
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Hours:
Due to COVID-19, please check with the attraction for the most recent updates to their opening hours. Admissions:
- Adult (12+) $19.50; Senior (62+) $17; Military $17; Child (4-11) $12; Child (0-3) Free
EXPERT TIPS BY:
Clare Sweeney
Charleston Local Expert
- Best Attractions & Activities, Historic Sites: "During your short ferry ride to Fort Sumter, keep an eye out for the many dolphins that call the Charleston harbor home!"
- Outdoor Activities: "Note that some areas of the fort island are inaccessible for those with mobility issues. See the Ft. Sumter Tours website for more info."
- Recommended as Best Attractions & Activities Because: This serene fort-island setting is the location where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861.
- Best for Outdoor Activities Because: A boat tour of Ft. Sumter, where the Civil War began, is an essential part of any history lover's visit to Charleston.
