Fort Gaines
Fort Gaines
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A restored fort that dates back to the colonial era.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
544 reviews
Excellent
296
Very good
195
Average
46
Poor
5
Terrible
2
journalmytrips
Georgia717 contributions
May 2022
I have visited several forts along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and this one is typical for the era. You enter over a moat and pay your admission in the gift shop. Pay in cash as there is a 4% charge if you use a credit card. You are provided with a brochure to do a self guided tour as you stop at various numbered stations. The explanations are very good. I thought that I knew a bit about the Battle of Mobile but with this tour I learned even more. I would advise anyone who has a handicap to consider if they should visit. The lower level is accessible and there is a ramp to the upper level but from there the walk would be over rough stone.3
Written May 17, 2022
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.
Brandon K
Flagstaff, AZ2,026 contributions
Oct 2021
We ended up checking this place out while waiting for the next ferry over to Gulf Shores and it was a great place to stumble onto. The fort lets you come and go at your own pace with the self-guided tour. We wandered the cannons, magazines, and barracks and enjoyed the museum inside the fort. Well preserved and you can really get the feel of what this place was like. Price was good too for a self-tour while supporting the preservation efforts. Little gift shop that is your entrance and exit was nice as well.
Written October 22, 2021
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.
Terrie C
Thorsby, Alabama, United States924 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
I've had this place on my bucket list for years and this year I was able to mark it off. We arrived around 10 and I walked the entire area, the landscape was so beautiful. Its very clean and well maintained, there were restrooms and a museum. I didnt go into the museum because there were several groups headed over and due to Covid 19 I skipped. There are so many picture opportunities if you love to take pictures. I would arrive earlier around 8 to try and beat the heat and don't forget to pack drinks. My teenagers ended up going back to the truck because it was HOT. I ended up exploring the old buildings. Most ares are not handicap accessible but the main view in the fort is handicap accessible.
Written July 11, 2020
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.
Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,698 contributions
Jun 2020
This historic fort was established in 1821 and is best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War. There is so much to see here that it kept the interest of our kids (ages 6, 7 & 10) despite the heat (lots of walking too). A brochure and signage provided informative details as we self-explored the nooks and crannies of the fort. Pretty views of Mobile Bay too, but I couldn’t help but think of how different it was for the men in that hard-fought battle. You’ll get a view of the fort from the water if you take the Mobile Bay Ferry. Due to the damage of storms and erosion, Fort Gaines is on the top ten list of most endangered US Civil War battlefields and America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
Written June 27, 2020
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.
Austin G
Bellevue, NE243 contributions
May 2021 • Family
We really enjoyed this fort. We took the ferry over from Ft. Morgan. I liked the self guided pace of the tour. We spent $42 to get our family in. Averages out to about $6/person. Lots of neat history, explanation of the area, and great descriptions of the fort. There are some neat artifacts there as well from other parts of the area not related to the fort (think shipwrecks). Keep ahold of young kids - there are not rails and fences everywhere, which I really appreciated, but more simple black rails and signs to remind you where you shouldn’t go. Worth the stop.
Written May 30, 2021
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.
vox69nn
Medina, OH2,255 contributions
Feb 2023
Well preserved fortification at east end of Dauphin Island - guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay from the west. Started by the U.S. Army in the 1850s but finished by the Confederate States of America in 1862. Finally taken over by the Union Navy under Admiral Farragut in August 1864. (He's the "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!) guy.) The fort is in good shape. You are given a pamphlet with the history and a detailed tour guide which explains 26 points of interest around the fort. Everything is well marked and described.
Written February 13, 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.
Meowy
Montgomery, AL520 contributions
Jul 2021
Of the all the forts in the Mobile Bay area I have to say Fort Gaines is the one I enjoyed most. The fort is well maintained and parking is easy. The fort overlooks the bay and the beach and you can see the oil rigs and boats passing in the background. The self guided tour is very well laid out and easy to follow. I would highly recommend a trip out here.
Written August 7, 2021
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.
Frank J
26 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
An old pre civil war and civil war fort on the Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay. Pretty intact with a good walking tour pamphlet that lets you go at your own pace. Price is reasonable at $10 per person plus fee for credit card transaction. Very interesting with a little museum with artifacts.
Written February 29, 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.
whitejewelrdh
Michigan748 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Vacationing with a 74 year old & 7 year old who is obsessed with naval, ships and forts this visit was a must. Both Grandpa, grandson & son in law enjoyed this fort. Not as big as the ones we’ve seen in San Juan but Fort Gaines is nicely preserved. We got a great laugh in the laboratory and took our Christmas card photo for next year. Cute gift shop with great prices.
Written April 8, 2022
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.
Sarah E
Eastwood, KY121 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
There wasn’t really anything negative about this place. We went on a hot hot day which made our young children and us miserable walking around but the place itself was cool. So, if you’re going on a hot day, come prepared with fans, many water bottles, cooling clothes, et cetera. The only place that I could find with any kind of air conditioning was the gift shop where you buy your tickets to go in. The other thing we liked about it was the tickets were inexpensive. This would be a great area to explore for history buffs and a beautiful view of the ocean from here.
Written June 15, 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.
How long did it take to see Fort Gaines? I am trying to travel from Memphis, visit the Fort, take a Ferry to Fort Morgan then drive to Pensacola Beach in a day. Is this possible? Thanks!
Written October 18, 2018
I heard this fort is haunted are there any night tours?
Written January 17, 2018
Arthella
Franklin, Tennessee
According to Dog friendly. Com, dogs are allowed on grounds if on leash and cleaned up after.
Written July 19, 2015
If only planning to visit one Fort or another - is Fort Gaines or Fort Morgan a better choice?
Written April 16, 2015
Both forts are equally impressive and interesting. I think to properly answer that question would involve what you intend to do after visiting the fort. If you plan to go swimming perhaps, I would say choose Fort Morgan, as there are swimming areas leading up to the fort areas, inaddition to already being on the barrier island along with Pensacola Beach. If you are not planning on swimming/visiting the beach, it just depends on which city you'd want to visit. Mobile is closer to Fort Gaines, Pensacola is closer to Fort Morgan. If you time it just right, visit one fort, then take the ferry over to the other fort. My family planned on doing that as we were staying in Mobile and spent the day in Pensacola while visiting Fort Morgan. Regrettably, we missed the timing of the ferry in order to take in both forts in the same day. We ultimately drove down to Fort Gaines on our last day in Mobile. Swimming is only allowed on the western side of Daupin Island until sunset, so time your visit accordingly if going swimming.
Written July 26, 2016
Fort Gaines
what dates did the fort serve?
Written March 6, 2015
KC Marie J
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
How far is Fort Gaines from Hattiesburg, MS and from Fort Gaines to Fort Walton Beach, FL? Thanks!
Written February 18, 2015
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