Fort Sumter National Monument — Attraction in Sullivan's Island

Fantastic and revered historical landmark. This of course is of major interest to history buffs, but it's more of a relaxing, informative, and inspiring half-day experience.

The history begins as soon as you enter Aquarium Wharf which was built 300 years ago with ample signage attesting to the history.

The boat ride out features a ranger talk in addition to the opportunity to meet fellow travelers. There are spectacular views of the harbor and its various sites, sights, and features from start to finish. Bird life fills the air over the water, dolphins ply the waves, and ship traffic ranges from miniscule pleasure craft to tall ships and container vessels. Near the end of October before the switch to standard time, you hit the about an hour after sunrise and get all the brilliant effects of the low sun. The aircraft carrier USS Yorktown sits across the harbor.

The fort is actually smaller than it looks from shore but covers close to 200 years of coastal defense history from the original brick structure to modern WWII gun emplacements. You can even find the finger prints of the slaves who made the bricks in some places, allowing you to practically reach out and touch the people who lived 2 centuries ago.

The flag program involves the visitors as well, and like the finger prints in the bricks, brings on a closer emotional sensation of what happened here. The museum is small but excellent. Skip the gift shop, there isn't enough time.

There is a sand bar that developed since the war. There is a low coastal forest and abounding bird life. It looked to me like it would be just as interesting to spend a day birding as exploring the history. Shore birds, wading birds, peeps, plovers and gulls packed onto the sandy strip.

Time is a little tight. You get about an hour and a half on the island which isn't really enough for lingering, reading and pondering. The ranger says you can skip the trip back and wait for the next boat to return, or even the third. That could give you enough time for both history and natural history. The price to get out there certainly makes it desirable to spend as much time as you can doing everything you can.

Worth 5 stars but the exorbitant 37-dollar ferry fee takes it down a notch in my book. I don't know exactly what it takes to run a ferry back and forth, but it seems excessive. I miss the days when the NPS didn't always have to rely on price-gouging third parties to service their facilities, in this case...

I spent my vacation this summer in Charleston and went to more than 20 historical sites. Of those, Sumter was easily the most disappointing, a disappointment accentuated by the fact that Sumter was by far the most expensive and they will only give you one hour at the the fort to explore.

The ferry ride over is nice and the guide did a good job explaining what we saw around the harbor. However, he lost me when he started discussing how long it was taking to restore Sumter and then began verbally attacking people who tend to think the government is not exactly efficient in its work or with money. It was his excuse as to why little work has been on making Sumter a better experience. Perhaps he could just say they're working on it and leave out the political attacks against patriotic people who pay his salary and, from the looks of it, most of the people who were on the tour. Everyone knows the government struggles to get its work done in a reasonable amount of time and to manage it's money well.

When we arrived I had high expectations but when I got inside the fort it slowly dawned on me that the fort was mostly piles of rubble on worn grass with a few cannons. The upper part of the main fort is nicer because looks out over the water, but its also marred by an giant ugly building. The guide had mentioned restoring troops quarters and many other projects but there was 0 evidence of that inside the fort. You don't really gain anything more by going to the fort than by seeing it from the shore. Save your money and go to Charlestown Landing--that is a...

In the heart of Charleston's embrace, where the whispers of history intertwine with the salt-laden breeze, we found ourselves amidst the hallowed grounds of Patriots Point. Our pilgrimage through time began with a solemn salute to Fort Sumter, standing sentinel in Charleston Bay, where the echo of cannon fire still resonates through the ages.

As the morning sun bathed the horizon in hues of gold, we embarked on a journey through the corridors of time, guided by the steadfast rangers who breathed life into the tales of yesteryear. With each step, the echoes of the past grew louder, painting vivid portraits of valor and sacrifice upon the canvas of memory.

In the pre-dawn stillness of April 12, 1861, the first rumblings of conflict reverberated across the waters, as Confederate troops laid siege to Fort Sumter's walls. In less than thirty-four hours, the echoes of defiance yielded to the somber strains of surrender, marking the dawn of a nation divided.

Yet, amidst the turmoil and tribulation, Fort Sumter stood as a beacon of resilience, a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dared to dream of a more perfect union. For the North, it was more than a bastion of brick and mortar; it was a symbol of hope, a rallying cry for justice and unity.

Thomas Corrao Stray Compass...