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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Neighbourhood: Ansonborough
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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 waiting 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 11 March 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.
theRobertL76
Greenfield, IN79 contributions
Feb 2020
The Fort Sumter Visitor Educatioon Center is small, but the displays are top notch. Visitors can get a feel for antebellum South Carolina and of course the actions that led to the American Civil War. Even if you do not want to make the trip to Fort Sumter (although I cannot imagine why you wouldn't) you can visit the education center and learn quite a bit from a 30-40 minute stop. And there is no cost to do so! I recommend all visitors to Charleston that they have this on their itinerary.
Written 15 February 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.
Sarah B
DeLand, FL7 contributions
Sept 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 22 October 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.
Jeffrey Koslowski
Canton, MI729 contributions
Feb 2020
Being a history teacher by trade, Fort Sumter has always been on my list of places to see. When I finally got the opportunity, I did my research to make sure I maximized my time. To take the tour that actually drops you off at the Fort, you can pick up the ferry at one of two places. I chose this site, figuring it was my best bet to learn how the National Park Services as well as the people of South Carolina approached this subject. You could also choose Fort Moultrie at Patriot's Point which, if I come back, I'll choose that route. That being said, I was not disappointed at all. It is not a big Museum but they do want to make sure you have your ticket before you enter. Truthfully, there isn't much of a reason to go if you are not going to take the tour. While you are waiting for the ship, you can see a replica as well as the remnants of one of the two flags that flew over Fort Sumter during the battle in 1861. You also get a good sense of the Fort prior to the attack as well as the events that led to the American Civil War. The flow is pretty easy. You walk in and the exhibits are straight ahead. There aren't much as far as original artifacts go but that's because you'll see more of them at the Fort (not to mention the fact the fort IS the original artifact). Still, you get a good sense of why the Fort was chosen and occupied, and what it meant to South Carolinians. The facility is right next door to the South Carolina aquarium so parking is very close. So much so that they even share a parking structure which is an easy walk from this Museum. It is a pay structure but it is proected. There are also enough places to eat just down the entry way so even though food is not an option in this Museum (if you are on the boat, there are snacks to purchase onboard), you can leave your car at the structure and walk.
Overall, this is a good Museum and a nice jumping off point to Fort Sumter itself. I would definitiely recommend it if you are going to tour Fort Sumter. You'll learn and prepare yourself.
Overall, this is a good Museum and a nice jumping off point to Fort Sumter itself. I would definitiely recommend it if you are going to tour Fort Sumter. You'll learn and prepare yourself.
Written 20 March 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.
John Doe
7 contributions
Jan 2020
We spent about half an hour at the visitor center before the ferry departed for Fort Sumter. They have several exhibits which summarize key developments in the history of Charleston and the South in general. These were easy to read and informative, and just about right for the time we had before the tour. The facility was clean and situated right next to the aquarium, so you could visit both sites in one stop if you wanted to. There was a nice view of the harbor as well. We walked there from a house tour we were on near the Charleston Museum, so it's not too far from other sights.
Written 15 January 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, NY3,337 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 28 June 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.
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 7 February 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
Sept 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 6 March 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.
KBD87
Arkansas1,375 contributions
Sept 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 23 September 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.
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 4 September 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.
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 16 October 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 18 October 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 13 May 2019
The ferry ride is part of the Fort admission. I do NOT know if the National Park pass allows you free admission.
Written 29 May 2019
An aerial view shows not much parking, where is the best or nearest spot to park?
Written 21 February 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 23 February 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 25 February 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 2 October 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 2 October 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 21 October 2016
Cost, ferry cost and times of ferry to St. Sumter
Written 8 June 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 16 August 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 31 August 2015
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