Tour Civil War Charleston in One Day

An itinerary of key sites and things to do

If you have one day to do Civil War Charleston, you’ll have plenty to do in this wonderful city, known by many at the time as the “cradle of secession.”

Total Stops: 4
Total Time: 8-9 hours
Total Distance: 9-mile radius | Tour Map
Before You Go: Watch the Fort Sumter Animated Map

Stop #1: Fort Sumter National Monument

Time: 2.5 hours
Details: www.nps.gov/fosu/planyourvisit/index.htm

Confederate forces fired on the Union garrison at Fort Sumter in the early hours of April 12, 1861, marking the beginning of the Civil War.

What to do:

Start at the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center (340 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401)
Purchase your tickets, tour the exhibits and catch your boat to Sumter.

Stop #2: Fort Moultrie

Time: 1.5 hours
Details: www.nps.gov/fosu/planyourvisit/index.htm

In use from the Revolutionary War to World War II, was occupied by Maj. Robert Anderson and his Union troops before they moved to Fort Sumter in 1860. Confederates used Fort Moultrie in April 1861 to shell Fort Sumter, and also occupied Fort Moultrie to defend Charleston from a Union naval siege from 1863 to 1865.

What to do:

Tour the Visitor Center (1214 Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482) exhibits, watch the orientation film, find out what ranger programs are offered that day
Tour the fort.

Stop #3: Historic Downtown Charleston

Time: 2.5 hours
Details: www.charleston-sc.gov/index.aspx?NID=161

Walk the streets of this charming, well-preserved Southern city.

What to Do:

Stop by the Charleston Visitor Center (375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403) for maps touring information
Walk along the Charleston Battery and admire the beautiful city.

Stop #4: HL Hunley

Time: 1.5 hours
Details: http://hunley.org/

Visit the remains of this preserved submarine that was used by Confederates to try and disrupt the Union siege of Charleston Harbor—the first submarine to sink an enemy warship.