Traveler Overview

4.5 447 reviews

Excellent52%
Very good38%
Average8%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“civil war”(53 reviews)

“self guided tour”(68 reviews)

“battle of mobile bay”(20 reviews)

About

A restored fort that dates back to the colonial era.

Contact

51 Bienville Avenue, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Website

+1 251-861-6992

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Reviews (447)

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Tom H

4

Reviewed 2 days ago

Absolute must visit!

You can give yourself a self-tour with the map provided. See how these people lived and read the letters on the walls! They allowed my wife and me with our leashed dog. We were very stunned by the history of this fort and its artifacts...More

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank Tom H

DanaO_1961

Naperville, Illinois

760141

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Two Forts in One Day

Makes for a full day to visit Fort Morgan on one side of the bay and the travel across on the ferry to Fort Gaines. A lot of the same history and construction since they both protect opposite sides of the same Mobile Bay.

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank DanaO_1961

Mary M

Foley, Alabama

105

Reviewed October 21, 2018 via mobile

Fun, fantastic fort

History under your feet. At the touch of a hand. Absorbing through sight. You can almost hear the battles, the every day chatter of the previous occupants. I’m awed at the construction. They laid herring bone brick patterns in areas used as barracks. Military quarters....More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank Mary M

rnjennysue

Jefferson City, Tennessee

13

Reviewed September 26, 2018 via mobile

Historical gem!

We were there the day the eagle scout who developed the app was being interviewed by the local news. It's a fantastic app and really adds to the experience. It's rumoured to be haunted so take pictures!

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank rnjennysue

mrsburn

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

626

Reviewed September 23, 2018

Neat Piece of History

The fort is very well maintained and a neat piece of history. Parking was easy and we quickly saw the fort.

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank mrsburn

Kmc747

Northampton, United Kingdom

3727

Reviewed September 6, 2018

Atmospheric location.

Visited on a boiling hot day in June. Great atmospheric fort that is really well presented. On the day we went it was very quiet with no activities which allowed us to explore the whole site uninterrupted. Well worth a couple of hours if you...More

Date of experience: June 2018

Thank Kmc747

andreabQ9247TP

Florence, Kentucky

183

Reviewed August 27, 2018 via mobile

Vacation

Took the ferry over to tour this fort also. It has a lot of walking but is very nice. Enjoyed walking around and exploring what life was like for them. There is a small museum also to go through.

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank andreabQ9247TP

Tabatha S

Haleyville, Alabama, United States

11417

Reviewed August 1, 2018 via mobile

Informative, yet weathered

Our family has enjoyed visiting the forts over the years. The tour is self guided and easy to follow. There is a lot of history here. Unfortunately, Fort Gaines is not as well kept as other historical sites. The site needs better preserved before it...More

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank Tabatha S

Sarah K

Springfield, Missouri

254

Reviewed July 31, 2018 via mobile

19th Century Fort

Went with our 4 boys, ages 6 to 13. They enjoyed exploring every bit of the fort. The museum was air conditioned to give us a nice break from the heat. Several items were on display from when the fort was in use.

Date of experience: July 2018

Thank Sarah K

Chris W

Calera, Alabama

224

Reviewed July 30, 2018 via mobile

We love history, so it was a win

We went after they closed, so couldn't go inside. We still enjoyed getting to see the stuff on the outside of the main fort. Very cool place.

Date of experience: July 2018

Thank Chris W

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Questions & Answers

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See all 8 questions

jenniferbX1444IO

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!

October 18, 2018|

Answer

I would plan about 3 hours. There is a lot of history to see there inside and out along with a nice gift shop so you don't want to feel rushed. You can always adjust your time accordingly. The only problem you may have is... More

George M

How much does it cost

July 12, 2016|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

I believe a little less that $10. But not sure

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Travel Forum Posts

Travel_with_Friends

Houma, Louisiana

Karma Beach House Trip Report 7/04/09-7/11/09 (0 Replies)

Summing it up – our trip to Dauphin Island was awesome and wonderful from the beginning to end. This was the 1st adult family vacation we’ve taken bringing our aging mother with dementia with us. What memories we all made. The Karma beach house is quite wonderful, well stocked and well appointed. You have about anything you’d need. We brought most of our own food to the island as groceries are limited and expensive. We did shop at Greer’s Food store about 15 miles north of the island once....More

July 15, 2009|

Erica P

Sugar Hill, Georgia

Bike Rentals/Ferry (2 Replies)

Does anyone know if the ferry/Gulf Shore bike rental companies permit renters to take bikes from Gulf Shores/Ft. Morgan over to Dauphin Island on the ferry? Or conversely, are there bike rentals on DI located near the ferry point? We want to explore DI beyond the Sea Lab and Fort Gaines (which appear to be in walking distance of the ferry), but don't want to take our car due to cost and plus bikes seem more fun.

May 04, 2015|

Response fromAlBeachFan|

That's a great idea! The pedestrian round trip ticket of $5 (children under 12 are free) includes bicycles. I would think the bike rental places would not have a problem with it as many bikers like to visit DI that way - but call them to confirm (Infinity Bicycles or Beach Bike Rentals in Orange Beach). The Sea Lab and Fort Gaines are within walking distance of the ferry on DI. Another fun place to ride bikes are the Back Country Trails between Gulf State Park and Orange Beach.

44statesandcounting

Westchester, NY

Day trip from New Orleons to Mobile, Alabama (8 Replies)

Coming to New Orleans for 5 days in April. We want to rent a car and take drive using the coastal roads from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama and then back to New Orleans same day. Want advice on what to see along the way. Thought of visiting Jefferson Davis House in Biloxi and vist Fort Gaines and Daughin Island in Mobile. Any other must sees?

March 20, 2009|

Response fromElusive_Blue|

Westchester: Driving from New Orleans to Mobile Ala., approx. 150 miles if you do it alont I-10. If however you elect driving along portions of Hwy 90, it will take a little longer with the decreased speed limits imposed thereon. If you visit the Home of Jefferson Davis, you will need to exit I-10 and head to the coastal route of Hwy 90. This will consume some time. Bellengrath Gardens is a time consuming spot to visit, and is mostly about what you would expect, the flowers and a history...More

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