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Fort Gaines

455 Reviews

#2 of 9 things to do in Dauphin Island

Sights & Landmarks, Historic Sites

51 Bienville Avenue, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Review Highlights

“Interesting Fort”

We did the self guided walking tour. It was very interesting. Walking in the footsteps of history... read more

Reviewed 2 days ago

NormaRae03

Waukesha, Wisconsin

“Great Historic Site”

If you're into the Civil War, or history in general, Fort Gaines is worth the trip! There are... read more

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

madmanmike1980

Independence, Louisiana

Read all 455 reviews

398

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Certificate of Excellence

Traveler Overview

4.5 455 reviews

Excellent52%
Very good38%
Average8%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“civil war”(54 reviews)

“self guided tour”(68 reviews)

“love history”(16 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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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|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

We saw it in about 2 hours.

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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1 2 3

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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Reviews (455)

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16633

Interesting Fort

We did the self guided walking tour. It was very interesting. Walking in the footsteps of history, it was hard to imagine living there. The day we were there, the blacksmith was working. He was a wealth of knowledge and shared his craft with us....More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank NormaRae03

112

Great Historic Site

If you're into the Civil War, or history in general, Fort Gaines is worth the trip! There are plenty of exhibits, and the site takes about two hours to see everything. The tours are self-guided, so you can go at your own pace. This was...More

Date of experience: July 2018

Thank madmanmike1980

CarlyReed416

Selmer, Tennessee

Educational and Interesting

We enjoyed the visit. It was so interesting to think about all of the history of this place. Our autistic son enjoyed roaming the grounds with us. Excellent visit!

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank CarlyReed416

cdubya6

Bullard, Texas

7023

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Visiting History

It was awesome to walk around and think about the history that happened right where we stood. We took the time to read the signs and imagine what it must have been like. The size of the cannons was exciting to see. No ghost were...More

Date of experience: August 2018

1 Thank cdubya6

Purpledeskee

Warsaw, Indiana

143

Great way to spend the day

Wonderful family attraction. Neat to ride the ferry over and neat to see the Fort. To really see a moment in history. Great expierence. We have been there 3 times taking different people there because we liked it so well.

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank Purpledeskee

J M

Nashville, Tennessee

385183

Reviewed January 4, 2019

just ok, too expensive for what it is

Too expensive for what it is. The cheap Christmas decorations detracted from the historical aspect. If you have to choose between Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, choose Fort Morgan.

Thank J M

grrprr

Tallahassee, Florida

382198

Reviewed December 29, 2018 via mobile

Well Preserved

As historic forts go Fort Gaines is being kept in good shape for visitors to roam about and get a good feel for what once was. They provide a well designed brochure with a decent map and informative descriptions for each numbered stop. Like others...More

Thank grrprr

Sara J

Reviewed December 12, 2018

Great, Affordable Family Day Trip

Everyone in my family enjoyed this (including my 6 and 4 year olds). The brochure gives you a ton of interesting facts for each stopping point. The blacksmith shop was amazing. We loved watching the blacksmith take a bar of metal and turn it into...More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank Sara J

Tom H

Reviewed December 8, 2018

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

1 Thank Tom H

Dana O

Naperville, Illinois

772145

Reviewed November 20, 2018

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.

Thank Dana O

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Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island: Address, Phone Number, Fort Gaines Reviews: 4.5/5

Fort Gaines