You only spend about an hour there to see everything. We will email you if you're a winner. No reason to dock and get out unless youre a huge civil war buff. The ferries are equipped with an elevator/lift and handicapped accessible restrooms. This would be useful for anyone who was doing a research project or very interested in the detailed museum at the fort. Once you arrive on the island, youll have 60 minutes to tour the fort and surrounding areas. Fort Sumter is a fascinating place to visit, and only accessible by taking a 30 minute boat ride through the Charleston Harbor. This fort is such an iconic part of Charlestons history, its a must see. How long is the ferry ride to Fort Sumter? Below we provide tips for both the casual visitor and civil war buffs. The total travel time from the Salt Lake City airport is not bad, with some beautiful scenery along the way. Charleston International Airport operates a bus from Charleston Airport to Charleston every 30 minutes. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It is also a good idea to bring a hat, sunscreen and bug spray. Sights along the way include the WWII warship USS Yorktown, the wide-spanning Arthur Ravenel Bridge on your left as well as the historic downtown precinct on your right. Fort Sumter National Monument and Patriots Point are two Charleston attractions that are popular with history buffs, nature lovers and photographers. From here, youll get fabulous views of the Ravenel Bridge, USS Yorktown and Downtown Charleston. There you can explore the Fort on your own. Fort Sumter National Monument, Charleston - Tripadvisor The biggest attraction at Patriots Point is the maritime museum that features three vessels: There are also a few other attractions that appeal to visitors, including: You should plan to spend at least three hours here if you want ample time to visit all three vessels and time to take photos of the surrounding areas. Getting to Fort Sumter from Charleston is easy and can be done in a few different ways. We wished would have had longer to explore the Fort; you are given an hour (We still got to see pretty much the whole Fort and enjoy the experience. You only spend about an hour there to see everything. This tour/activity will have a maximum of 385 travellers. Enjoyed touring the ruins, and the group lowering of the flag was really cool. Fort Sumter Visitor Center 340 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401. You will be able to see Patriots Point, USS Yorktown, the Battery, the Ravenel Bridge, and other area Charleston landmarks. Fort Sumter National Monument - tours and tickets. Once it was completed and better armed, Fort Sumter allowed the Confederates to create a valuable hole in the Union blockade of the Atlantic seaboard. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experiences start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. The South Carolina aquarium in Charleston is the place to explore and learn about aquatic animals from across the state. 10:30am, 1:00pm From short 2-hour treks to long weekend excursions, there's plenty to see within driving distance of Charleston. Tickets for the ferry ride and tour to Ft. Sumter are $24 each and include a 1-hr tour of the fort which is on a small island facing the Atlantic ocean. Loved the boat ride learned a lot. Union Rear Admiral John Dahlgren mistakenly believed the fort was manned by a skeleton crew, but the landing party was met by over 300 Confederate infantry, who easily repulsed the assault. The Civil War began with an attack on Fort Sumter. By 1860 the island and the outer fortifications were complete, but the forts interior and armaments remained unfinished. 10:30am & 1:00pm The simplest way to visit is with guided tour tickets. See if you can spot these! d = document; Beauregard hammered the ironclad fleet with artillery fire, and underwater mines posed a constant threat to the ships hulls. A visit will take about 30 to 60 minutes depending on how much reading you do. Exploring Fort Sumter: Charleston, South Carolina - YouTube Relaxing ferry ride. Discover how to get to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National How Long Is the Boat Ride From Charleston to Fort Sumter? Basic tours include round-trip transportation to Fort Sumter (accessible only by boat), commentary from a National Park Service ranger during the 30-minute ferry ride, and a guided tour inside the fort. This fort is where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861. Choose a 1, 2, or 3-day pass with admission to Fort Sumter, Ghost Tours, Plantations, Museums, Carriage, and Bus Tours, Historic House Museums, Cultural sites, and much more. Fort Sumter is a National Monumentand access is infact free. Fort Moultrie is also near. The bombardment of Fort Sumter would play a major part in triggering the Civil War. Mount Pleasant. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat while youre at Patriots Point and one of them even offers great views of the water! Though famous for its role in the Civil War, Fort Sumter was actually named after an American Revolutionary War General and built as a response to the War of 1812. National Park Service.Fort Sumter. The fort is worth a visit, but is quite small. It would have been even better to have an hour & a half to 2 hours because there is so much to see, read & learn, as well as to to just take in the views & what all happened there.). On board the ferry there is plenty of seating and the open top deck provides the best viewing. Whether youre looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, you can enjoy some authentic lowcountry cuisine at these three spots. How far is Sumter from Charleston? Monitor. Allow us to create the perfect tour for your group! Sure eords is enough! Enjoyed touring the ruins, and the group lowering of the flag was really cool. Want a little more help with planning your next adventure? Clean boat. This ferry ride allowed us to enjoy harbor breezes, and snacks and beers while taking in the beautiful scenery. Ramps used to access the ferry can vary based on tides and adverse conditions. !PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and LIKE, and also leave your comments below. The departure point for the Fort Sumter tours is 10 minutes from Downtown Charleston giving you lots of other attractions to visit in the area. The Fort Sumter Tour is a boat excursion. There are 3 ways to get from Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park to Myrtle Beach by bus, train, night bus or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. Having already declared that any attempt to resupply the fort would be seen as an act of aggression, South Carolina militia forces soon scrambled to respond. Fort Sumter Battle Facts and Summary - American Battlefield Trust var l = window.location.href, Former National Park Ranger turned adventurer extraordinaire, I've roamed the untamed corners of the earth, capturing the essence of nature one breathtaking landscape at a time. Fort Sumter does not charge an entrance fee; however tickets for the authorized concession-operated ferry are required and may be purchased in advance. Adults: $30 (Ages 12 61)Seniors & Active Military: $28 (Ages 62+/Military ID)Child: $18 (Ages 4 11)Infant: Free (Ages 3 and younger). Patriots Point is home to the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier that served in both World War II and the Vietnam War. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. It was an Unforgettable and Great experience! Confederate troops then occupied Fort Sumter for nearly four years, resisting several bombardments by Union forces before abandoning the garrison prior to William T. Shermans capture of Charleston in February 1865. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/fort-sumter. Fort Moultrie The cheapest way to get from Port Charlotte to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park costs only $244, and the quickest way takes just 3 hours. 2.9 miles from Fort Sumter National Monument. There is currently no Elevator Service at Fort Sumter the museum, restrooms, bookstore and top level of Fort Sumter are only accessible by climbing stairs. There is a guide on board that will give you some history and answer any questions you may have. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. The overall tour is 2 hours and 15 minutes with about an hour left to walk the grounds. This ferry ride allowed us to enjoy harbor breezes, and snacks and beers while taking in the beautiful scenery. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time. Overall we had a great visit to Fort Sumter South Carolina and would recommend a visit to anyone, even if youre visiting with young kids. Fort Sumter National Monument is a must for history buffs and Civil War enthusiasts. The Ranger on the boat to the Fort was very knowledgeable and easy to listen to. It may suck you in and just as quickly spit you out if you are not Would love your thoughts, please comment. Your ticket will also include a boat ride out to the Ft. Sumter landmark. Driving Distance from Sumter, SC to Charleston, SC - Travelmath The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate electric & manual wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tide situations. If you are visiting with small children bring some small entertainment items if you think they will need them during the boat ride. Named for Revolutionary War general and South Carolina native Thomas Sumter, the fortification was one of nearly 50 forts built as part of the so-called Third System, a coastal defense program implemented by Congress in 1817. How to get to Fort Sumter from 5 nearby airports - Rome2rio Alternatively, you may use, Fort Sumter National Monument Questions & Answers, Military Bases & Facilities, Historic Sites, History Museums. Most dishes are between $5 and $9. Ferry To Fort Sumter From Patriots Point - PatriotsNet.com