Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
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Address
Neighborhood: Ansonborough
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566 within 3 miles
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299 within 6 miles
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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
808 reviews
Excellent
466
Very good
262
Average
70
Poor
8
Terrible
2
quality_and_value (denuz)
HHI24 contributions
Mar 2023
love the new museum it does a great job of explaining the Civil war involvement – unfortunately the last we went (over 10+ years) the Ranger did a tour and explained the site that was very informative and was better than just reading the boarder. Ranger Andy did a good job with the kids during the lowering of the colors. If you have time highly recommend going to Fort Pulaski in Savannah very similar fort structure in much better conditions
Written March 11, 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.
Liz H
Atascocita, TX9 contributions
Feb 2020
We stopped by after out Ft Sumter tour and I think it would have been better if we went their first. Well don’t history time line of civil war events. Great views of the river. The stairs in front of the building look intimidating for someone with mobility issues but there is an elevator behind the stairs.
Written February 7, 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.
terry h
Birmingham, UK18 contributions
Sep 2019
Visited the museum and found it very interesting , then of course a boat trip out to Fort Sumter where the American civil war first started. The people of South Carolina are wonderful, welcoming , friendly . Charleston is a lovely place with lovely people.
Written March 6, 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.
Traveller
New York City, NY3,305 contributions
Jun 2021
I visited the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center in June 2021 during my visit to Charleston. It has a museum on the history of the events leading up to the attack on Fort Sumter. The boat tour of Fort Sumter departs from near here. There also was a nice gift and souvenir shop.
Written June 28, 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.
Sarah B
DeLand, FL7 contributions
Sep 2022
I took my two high school exchange girls from Europe to Charleston. We took the ferry out to Ft. Sumter and I highly recommend it for its historical value and awareness of how things can go badly wrong really quickly. But also that the war was set in motion decades before with many poor decisions. I know history fairly well, but I learned much.
Written October 22, 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.
FLGirl47
Sarasota, FL38 contributions
Aug 2022
We stopped in on our way to a harbor tour so we could learn about the fort before seeing it from the water. We didn't have enough time to do it right, but got what we needed. Unfortunately, we didn't get to view the fort because of a huge storm. Captain had to turn around because of poor visibility.
Written September 4, 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.
KBD87
Arkansas1,366 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
We did not take the tour but walked through the museum. It is not large and 30 min to an hour is plenty of time to see it. It is mostly story boards with a hand full of artifacts. It is mostly designed to give you something to do while waiting on the ferry to Fort Sumter.
Written September 23, 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.
1GiantsMSo
Sedona, AZ1,177 contributions
Jun 2022
This building is impressive inside and out. Lots of information about Fort Sumter and events leading up to the Civil War conflict. The gift shop is full of interesting articles related to Charleston and the Civil War. Purchased a couple of softcover books and pins.
Written June 5, 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.
Frank C
Sarasota, FL414 contributions
Aug 2022
Up on Second floor, but there is an Elevator. Great display, books, photos, artifacts. Rangers very helpful answering all the questions, even the dumb one's. Can easily spend one hour here. Restrooms clean. Uber right at Liberty Square entry, if needed. Many great artifacts and Historical stories of Fact. Not really a place for little kids, they get bored in two minutes.
Written August 22, 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.
Lisa J
Plant City, FL960 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Great National Park with lots of history. Lots of information about the fort and what was going on around that time. They take you over to the fort on a boat, and they give you about an hour over there to see it. But I think that is plenty of time.
Written September 25, 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.
Saxeygirl
Salt Lake City, Utah
69 contributions
I'm confused about the parking garages and meters. If the meters are only good for 2 hours that isn't long enough, is it? and the parking garages rates are reported as "reasonable" and also $1 for 30 minutes . Which is correct? Is there more than one parking garage?
Written October 16, 2019
Hello!
If you are lodging in the historical district, there us no need for cars since there is a FREE TROLLEY.
You can get to Fort Sumter Education Center and the tour to Fort Sumter by the free trolley and short walk.
If you are lodging outside the historical district, then the best alternate is to park in the garage. If you take the boat trip to Fort Sumter and stay around and your boat a d need to take the next boat, you will missing the 2-hour meter limit and get a PARKING TICKET. So go into the GARAGE.
Written October 18, 2019
Is it free for disabled vets and if you have a national park free admission card will that help with the price of the ferry
Written May 13, 2019
The ferry ride is part of the Fort admission. I do NOT know if the National Park pass allows you free admission.
Written May 29, 2019
An aerial view shows not much parking, where is the best or nearest spot to park?
Written February 21, 2019
You are right about extremely limited parking right near the educational building. There is, however, a large parking garage close by that you can leave your vehicle and with just a short walk, be right there. There is a circular drive beside the educational building so if you have passengers, you can drop them off there and go park. There is a parking fee but not much.
Written February 23, 2019
As far as I know, only service dogs are allowed. Access is by boat to Fort Sumter. You might need to kennel your dog until you get back. There are no kennels available on site that I remember.
Written February 25, 2019
I am confused. Do we purchase tour tickets at this location or another location? And do we board the boat here or somewhere else?
Written October 2, 2016
We plan on taking the tour to Fort Sumter. We are elderly so could you give me some idea of the walking distances and handicapped accessibility boarding and leaving the boat and on the island.
Written October 2, 2016
The parking lot and ticket counter are located fairly close to the boat dock. I think the boat is handicapped accessible, but there may be parts of the fort that are not so accessible. We took the tour from Patriots Point, not the main Visitors Center. You can check the Ft Sumter website or email their office for more info.
Written October 21, 2016
Cost, ferry cost and times of ferry to St. Sumter
Written June 8, 2016
I don't know if this information is still of any use to you. I was not alerted to your question right away it seems. The cost of the ferry was $25 person per adult and I think a senior discount of $5 off that price. I'm not sure of the times but I think they ran about every hour or so. I'm sorry I couldn't get this information to you sooner.
Written August 16, 2016
Do you get the boat to Fort Sumter at the Visitor Center?
What time does it go?
Do you have to book it ahead of time?
Written August 31, 2015
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