Visiting Fort Sumter: An Iconic Piece of Charleston History
Visiting Fort Sumter is a must-do for any traveler to Charleston. I have lived in the Carolinas since my twenties, and I am only now visiting, which is a shame.
I knew that the first shots of the American Civil War were shot at Fort Sumter. That’s where my knowledge ended. When visiting Fort Sumter, I learned that these shots were fired around 4:30 am on April 12, 18611. Fort Sumter was evacuated 34 hours later, and the Union forces tried for almost four years to take it back. This ignited a conflict that killed 700,000 people.
Tip: There are restrooms on board, but none are available at Fort Sumter.
The tour departs daily from two locations: Mount Pleasant and Charleston. When visiting Fort Sumter, you will board the boat tour for a 30-minute ride to Fort Sumter. We left from Mount Pleasant, which provides views of the USS Yorktown and the Ravenel Bridge. If you go from downtown Charleston, you’ll pass by Aquarium Wharf. As you get closer to the fort, you may see dolphins frolicking in the water and sailboats gliding by. The boat ride itself is enjoyable on a beautiful Charleston day. They sell drinks, and there were plenty of seats when we visited. We chose a seat in the sunshine, but there is plenty of space in the shade.
Once you arrive at Fort Sumter, the guide gathers the group and provides a brief overview. You can then choose to wander on your own or stay near the ranger for more information.
When visiting Fort Sumter, your tour will be conducted by National Park Rangers who provide a wealth of knowledge about the courage of those who fought there. The tour includes a one-hour visit, allowing time to explore the ruins and visit the gift store. The ruins are highlighted with signs explaining the areas within the fort and the views surrounding it.
The views from the top of the fort are lovely as well. When visiting Fort Sumter, you can see the Ravenel, the Morris Island Lighthouse, the Charleston Light on Sullivan’s Island, and Charleston from the water.
The gift shop also sells National Park stickers, a selection of books about the history of Fort Sumter, and a few other souvenirs. I bought a sticker for my National Parks 'passport.'
The history lesson when visiting Fort Sumter is well worth the visit to this national park and a good way to learn a little about Charleston’s part in the Civil War. The boat ride is a bonus.
