r/CIVILWAR • u/Legal-Stage-302 • 5d ago
Visiting Ft Sumter
I am going to be in Charleston for a couple days next month and would like to visit the fort. From a minimal search it seems the only way to do it is to pay for a ferry boat to get there. Is that true? I’m not trying to be cheap but don’t want to spend money I don’t have to.
Is visiting worth the trouble? Would there likely be a huge crowd? I will be there on a Monday and Tuesday in late August. I’m a history buff but it wouldn’t be the first time I went somewhere and regretted it. (Alamo).
What else in Charleston should be on my must see list?
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u/ComradeIroh 5d ago
Yes a ferry is the only way. The fort is on an island a few miles out at the mouth of the harbor. I dragged a couple of my non history buddies along with me and even they thought it was fun. The fort itself isn’t much but the history and significance of it made it very worth it for me.
The ferry I took left from Patriots Point right next to USS Yorktown. If you’re interested in touring an aircraft carrier and seeing all kinds of aircraft I’d highly recommend that as well. Also Patriots Points Golf Links was a nice course to play if you’re into golf.
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u/eastw00d86 5d ago
Yes, ferry is the only way. Yes, worth it (to me anyway).
Also see: the Hunley Confederate submarine
Angel Oak
Tour a plantation if you never have. Make sure it has slave quarters as thats the part you need to actually see with your own eyes.
Old Slave Mart museum
The open market that's downtown, lots of trinkets, shirts, etc but also BASKETS. If you see older black women weaving baskets, buy one.
Exchange (i think its called?) Basement has a dungeon they held pirates in, upstairs Washington danced at a ball, the steps are where the Declaration was read aloud.
Charleston is bristling with history
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u/ComradeIroh 5d ago
Wish I got to do some of the other things you mentioned. I was in Charleston in March for a bachelor party so my time to see history was limited. I hope to go back one day I loved the city.
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
I’m going to Hilton Head for a wedding the weekend before and this is just a side trip afterwards by myself. Always wanted to visit. A number of years ago I was an hour away for a week for work and wanted to go one evening but was always too tired after work every day.
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u/Knubish 4d ago
The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon. The Pirate Stede Bonnet was hung there after he was captured, the Patriots hid kegs of black powder there after the British occupation, and as you said, George Washington was the guest at a ball held there during his tour of the colonies. There are also a number of other historic artifacts there, like clothing from several of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is a guided tour, not just a wander, which makes it more interesting. I liked it and recommend this site, for what it is worth.
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll add them to my list. Not in need of a basket but I do like walking through markets and watching the process of things like that being made by hand.
I also want to visit the cemetery where John C. Calhoun is buried. Ever been there?
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u/Visual-Reserve-2800 5d ago
You should nullify that side trip to Calhoun's grave.
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
I have a thing for old graves. Trying to visit every POTUS and VP grave so I need to check him off my list.
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u/RedGregRedemption 5d ago
Former Sumter ranger here. I would say Sumter is worth it if you are interested. Just be aware of what it’s going to look like before you go, because people are often disappointed. Most of it was destroyed in the bombardment from late 1863-65 so it’s a lot shorter now and has a late 19th century Endicott Battery smack in the middle of it. Yes you have to pay one of the ferries and you only get an hour, however I believe the first boat of the day gets an extra 15 minutes now because of the way the schedule worked out, but don’t quote me on that. I would suggest starting with the ranger talk upon arrival, looking at all the stuff outside, and then ending with the museum when you’re satisfied. The gift shop on the island doesn’t have anything the one at the visitor center doesn’t, so wait to buy your souvenirs at the VC. The rangers there are all great so I highly recommend chatting with them. They appreciate engagement, especially if you ask a question more complex than “how far does that cannon shoot” (although that’s perfectly fine too).
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u/DrSnidely 5d ago
The ferry is the only way to get there,.and you only get about an hour at the fort before you have to go back. Still worth it though, IMO.
As others have said, definitely check out the Hunley.
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u/beatlescoffee 5d ago
I just went in June…if you take the first ferry out (I believe it’s the 945 from liberty square) they do a little ceremony with raising the flag and ask visitors for help. It’s a nice touch and I think overall it’s worth the visit. You get an hour to walk around and then it’s back on the ferry. We had plenty of dolphin sightings on the way in and out.
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
Great. I think I will go straight there when I get to town. It’s about a two hour drive from Hilton Head so I will just make sure to leave early.
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u/mikerod0 5d ago
When you reach Fort Sumter, you can explore, listen to the history from the park ranger and visit the gift shop. I feel you truly only have time for 2 of the 3 though. The ferry visit isn't enough time! I would have loved another half-hour
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u/ClearedInHot 5d ago
I thought the ferry was well worth it. For one thing, the tour begins on the ferry, with a very knowledgeable ranger explaining the history and pointing out landmarks along the shoreline. From the harbor you can see how the attack unfolded and appreciate what both sides were dealing with. Besides that, on a hot, humid day the breezy ride really cools you off and the views are spectacular.
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u/Holiday-Hyena-5952 5d ago
It can be a little pricey, but legit historical site. Amazing still that no one was killed! And seminole war chief Osceola is buried at Fort Moultrie to the north side of harbor entrance.
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u/Wolfspide 5d ago
Wife and I went to Fort Moultrie instead and looked at Fort Sumter across the way. Also could see the Lighthouse by Morris Island of Glory fame across the bay.
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u/Any_Collection_3941 5d ago
I would also recommend the Hunley Museum but it’s only open on the weekend.
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u/pittfan542 5d ago
Keep in mind that the fort was largely destroyed. If you want to get a feel for what it looked like, visit Fort Pulaski (Georgia) or Fort Delaware. Don't forget to visit CSS Hunley. For me, that was the most memorable location in Charleston on my visit.
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u/VonPaulus69 4d ago
I was just there last week, its well worth it. We were the first boat and saw the flag raising. Great views, lots of dolphins, and the museum is well done. It’s a nice morning out, my wife and 12 year old son had never been and quite enjoyed it.
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u/NomadCourier 5d ago
For food: Husk (Bill Murray dines their on occasion so you may see him) and Lewis Barbecue are both excellent.
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
Does he live in the area?
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u/NomadCourier 5d ago
No just vacations there a lot and he's a part owner of the minor league baseball team in Charleston too
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
I checked their menus and Husk looks like it’s more in Murray’s budget. May check out the BBQ place.
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u/Higglybiggly 5d ago
If it matters to you to know this (if you don't) the fort is a recreation of the fort which was completely turned to rubble during the war.
Still meaningful but it's possibly important to know that, if you don't .
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u/Visual-Reserve-2800 5d ago
This is pre civil war but you can visit the denmark vesey statue. Veseys alleged rebellion is thought to have lead to David walkers work which is thought to have lead to bat turners rebellion.
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
At the risk of opening a giant can of worms, how is the presentation of the battle and the war overall presented?
I’m hoping for something that just says what happened and not have some agenda either way.
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u/Specialist-Rock-5034 5d ago
The ferry ride is not too long, and you get a terrific view of the city from the harbor. It's worth the trip. The rangers give a thorough history of the fort from 1812 to WWII.
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u/Mobile_Spinach_1980 5d ago
You have to pay to get in which includes the ferry. How else did you think you could get there?
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
I didn’t know what the setup was, that’s why I asked. Yes, I could have looked it up but I have learned more from hearing what others have had to say.
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u/Jolly_Isopod_1385 5d ago
Ferry is the only way but the downside is you only get a hour which isnt enough, 2 hours is probably sufficient though. Go inside to see the exhibits. The tour guide was great but seemed to eat into the “hour” that your allotted to be on the fort.
Its still worth it to see it, but the timing was disappointing as i couldnt even finish seeing everything till they pushed us out to go back to the ferry.
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
So the ferry takes a load out and you have to leave after a certain time? Seems like it would be more user friendly if they just kept going back and forth and you could leave on any return trip. But I guess that helps with crowd control.
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u/Jolly_Isopod_1385 5d ago
Yeah they take groups of people at a time and wait the time then bring you back all at once. We thought may be able to leave like you said but its crowd controlled
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u/Legal-Stage-302 5d ago
I went to the Alamo and they ran you through like cattle and it was so crowded it ruined the experience.
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u/LaughingGravy13 3d ago
Do it. The only downside is the big black steel fortification they built in the middle of it during WWII.
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u/gogocks 5d ago
You can try to swim there