Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter Information

This iconic location is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and it is an absolute must see! On April 12, 1861, Confederate soldiers opened fire on the fort for 34 hours straight, and the shots ultimately ended with a Union surrender and evacuation. The fort is located on Sullivan's Island in Charleston Harbor, and it attests to the historic significance of the city itself. The fort can be reached by a 30 minute ferry ride from the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center or Patriots Point. 

Hours of operation

Fort Sumter is open year round with the exception of New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Hours of operation are: January 1 — Closed January 2 - February 29 — 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM March 1 - March 14 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM March 15 - August 20 — 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM August 21 - August 28 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Labor Day Weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun) — 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Labor Day - November 30 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Thanksgiving Day — Closed December 1 - 24 — 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM December 25 — Closed December 26 - 31 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM