Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry
- 2h 15m
- Skip the line
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
Highlights
Visit historic Fort Sumter with the only operator in Charleston providing access to Fort Sumer National Historic Site and Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point. Cruise by top Charleston sites from your ferry. For those departing from Patriots Point, experience views of the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier from up-close. Explore the grounds of Fort Sumter and stand where America’s deadliest war began at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. The first shots were fired here, igniting a conflict that saw more than 700,000 casualties. Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War and explore its origins with a National Park Ranger who will greet you upon arrival. Your approximate 1-hour visit to Fort Sumter allows ample time to explore well-preserved fort ruins and browse Museum Store souvenirs. Then enjoy the beautiful views of the city as you ride the ferry back to Charleston.
Inclusions
What's included
- Access to the Fort Sumter Museum, Bookstore, and Souvenir Shop
- Experience the opening battle of the American Civil War with a National Park Ranger
- Access to historic Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina
- 1-hour Self-Guided Tour to explore Fort Sumter and its well-preserved ruins
- Round-Trip Ferry Transportation from Liberty Square or Patriots Point (30-minutes each way)
What's not
- Food & Beverages
- Parking
Itinerary
Visit historic Fort Sumter National Monument located in Charleston, SC with the only operator in the city offering access to Fort Sumter plus Round-Trip Ferry Service. Experience a relaxing 30minute Narrated Harbor Cruise to historic Fort Sumter, where America’s deadliest war began. You will learn about the events which led to the outbreak of America’s most bloody war. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a National Park Service Ranger, who will provide further details about Fort Sumter and its pivotal role in the American Civil War. On the fort you will find a very informative museum (360 Video of Museum) with many historic artifacts and a souvenir shop. After your roughly one hour visit, you will enjoy a scenic cruise back to your departure point.
Fort Moultrie is a series of forts along Sullivan's Island. Enjoy views of the fort as you cruise by or while on Fort Sumter.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.6
- 52,841
- 4716
- 3229
- 252
- 1100
Ratings come from 3,938 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Very informative. The...
Very informative. The tour did not feel rushed. Plenty of time to get read an overview in the museum and to take in the sights.
4A lot of history and said...
A lot of history and said and you learn a lot. The ferry ride over is neat as you can to see the bridge and the skyline from the water. You get an hour at the fort and I feel like it is a good amount of time spent there.
5Incredible Historical Site
We took the ferry from Liberty Square and enjoyed the narration on the trip to Fort Sumter. The history of this fort is amazing and the small museum at the fort is very informative.
5Great tour
Excellent tour. Added treat...saw dolphins during the ferry ride.
4Parking is a real issue. We used a lot & couldn't get
Parking is a real issue. We paid $89.00 for parking because the phone # & code didn't work work. Also, the address for the center was was misleading. The tour guide only provided info on the trip to & from the island, nothing at the island. Other than that, the trip was worth it.
5Educational
It was an interesting and informative trip
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Tour requires a ferry boat to and from the island. Please select ferry departure location at checkout.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 385 travellers
- Operated by
- Fort Sumter Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time
- Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure time
- Accepted payment methods include all major credit and debit cards only
- The ferries are equipped with an elevator/lift and handicapped accessible restrooms. The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate electric & manual wheelchairs and scooters except in extreme tide situations. Although restrooms on Fort Sumter are unavailable; the ferry remains at the Fort so that restrooms on the boat are available during your visit.
How it compares in Charleston
- Its from-price is 17% below the median of the 319 experiences we list in Charleston.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 4 of 319.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Charleston
Charleston is a South Carolina port city of pastel row houses, cobbled lanes, church steeples, Gullah culture and Lowcountry cooking.
Charleston was settled in 1670 and grew on a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers, and it is one of the best-preserved colonial-era cities in the United States. Rainbow Row, thirteen pastel Georgian houses on East Bay Street, is the best-known sight. The Battery, a seafront promenade with old cannon and oak-shaded White Point Garden, looks out to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861. The city is nicknamed the Holy City for its many church steeples.
Top-ranked sights in Charleston: Charleston City Market, Rainbow Row, Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon.
Special offers in Charleston
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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