Fort Gaines Reviews

It was awesome to walk around and think about the history that happened right where we stood. We took the time to read the signs and imagine what it must have been like. The size of the cannons was exciting to see. No ghost were captured in our photos.

We really enjoyed our afternoon here. Be ready to walk around in the heat during most of the year here-- It was a hot day, and the museum had some welcome cool air conditioning. I wouldn't tote a small child around who isn't obsessed with history, but anyone who can appreciate learning more about the Civil War, the origin of "Damn the Torpedoes!" and more will like this place.

I was traveling to check out the acclaimed "haunted beachs" on the west end of Dauphin Island. I laid on the beach well into the night and around decided to leave around 1 AM. It turns out that the reenactment was going on the day of my visit and the next day, so as I'm walking by the fort for the last time These guys from the Reenactment yell down to me.. Long story short they let me in this place and it was pretty amazing feeling to visit such a historic site from 1-3AM, I was able to free roam the entire fort, I shot some images you may enjoy. I am not from this area so This was very neat to me.

Great place to visit and explore. Found out a lot of interesting history that I never knew anything about before. The kids loved it too.

If you're into the Civil War, or history in general, Fort Gaines is worth the trip! There are plenty of exhibits, and the site takes about two hours to see everything. The tours are self-guided, so you can go at your own pace. This was my second visit in 21 years, and hope to go back soon!

Wonderful place to visit to acquire history of the fort. It is well kept and the self guided tour was laid out very well. Nice little gift shop.

My husband and I love doing historical trips. While at Dauphin Island, we went out to Fort Gaines. Tours are self-guided at your own leisure. We had some beautiful views of the ocean. The pamphlet explained different aspects of the fort and its location. You can spend a couple hours here and see everything and still have time to do other things on the island.

I really enjoy forts like this. Very interesting history, and informative self guiding tour There was a good museum on the site. It’s well taken care of, and a good way to spend a couple of hours. Awesome step back in history.

Looks impressive from the Beach but I would not pay the price of admission to walk through unless I were a serious history buff.

We enjoyed the visit. It was so interesting to think about all of the history of this place. Our autistic son enjoyed roaming the grounds with us. Excellent visit!

We ended up checking this place out while waiting for the next ferry over to Gulf Shores and it was a great place to stumble onto. The fort lets you come and go at your own pace with the self-guided tour. We wandered the cannons, magazines, and barracks and enjoyed the museum inside the fort. Well preserved and you can really get the feel of what this place was like. Price was good too for a self-tour while supporting the preservation efforts. Little gift shop that is your entrance and exit was nice as well.

This was a really interesting outing for the adults, and the younger children in our group were amazed with the tunnels and cannons.
I was not looking forward to this at first, went along with my brother. But, it ended up being one of my favorite outings of the trip! There is a working blacksmith 3 days a week.
It was very hot though!

We went to the Fort twice during our visit. First time to tour which was very interesting and worth the $8.00 fee to get in. You are given directions around the Fort with numbers and descriptions of the stops. Second time was for a Renaissance Reenactment. The reenactment seemed a little disorganized and you really couldn't see much of the battles because of poor locations. The venders were interesting and so were the costumes. We enjoyed the Fort much more just going on the tour.

a lot of history here i didn't know glad i stopped in very clean and well kept and informative most out side and no frills but nice

You can use a booklet or your cellphone for self guided tour. The blacksmith demo was great. He is very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. He has a passion for his work and craft.

I have visited several forts along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and this one is typical for the era. You enter over a moat and pay your admission in the gift shop. Pay in cash as there is a 4% charge if you use a credit card. You are provided with a brochure to do a self guided tour as you stop at various numbered stations. The explanations are very good. I thought that I knew a bit about the Battle of Mobile but with this tour I learned even more. I would advise anyone who has a handicap to consider if they should visit. The lower level is accessible and there is a ramp to the upper level but from there the walk would be over rough stone.3

The whole family enjoyed exploring the fort. The blacksmith was on site that day too. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here.

Very very windy!! Great place to visit A little difficult to find the different places. Lots of tunnels and alleys which the grandkids loved.

Fort Gaines was not nearly as crowded as Fort Morgan, but certainly just as interesting. The walking tour was very well marked and so informative. The museum was excellent, even though it was small. Again, wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

The fort is still in pretty good condition. The self guided tour gave an accurate and telling story of the fort when it was active. The fort has a blacksmith demonstrating his craft.

Everyone in our family, with ages ranging from 2-60 years old, found something to love at Fort Gaines. In fact, of all the attractions on Dauphin Island, visiting Fort Gaines was my 4 year old son's favorite stop. He was captured by all the cannons, rooms, and the very large "potty bench." It was nice to be able to move through the different rooms at our own pace, with some people reading more than others. My favorite part of the visit was reading some of the love letters written by the soldiers stationed there.

We went after they closed, so couldn't go inside. We still enjoyed getting to see the stuff on the outside of the main fort. Very cool place.

Although we arrived after hours,we were still able to walk the grounds and see the cannons and battlements.We also climbed the area to the left of the front and explored the rooms underneath.The ship wreckage in front was interesting as well.Would love to return sometime to explore the rest.Great point of interest on the beach.

Ft Gaines is smaller than several Civil War forts we have visited, but learning about how the Confederacy "torpedoed" - or maybe as we would say these days, "land mined" Mobile Bay to keep out the Union ships/submarines was very interesting. Also interesting to read about how "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead" may ... or may not, have been historically accurate.

Self guided tours of a rather small fort. Reasonable ticket prices, museum and small gift shop. Preferred Fort Morgan, but still a nice way to break up days at the beach.

A tremendous amount of history in a very small spot. It needs the support of the State or Federal Government as it is currently privately funded. There is much to see! Damn the Torpedo's (?)

This is a self guided tour of the fort. We spent most of the morning walking the grounds of the fort. The view of the gulf and the bay is beautiful and just knowing that fort protected the bay during war time is a history bluffs dream.

It was a rainy day and this was a perfect place to go to learn about the Civil War history. We found it by accident when we visited the Dauphine Island Welcome Center.

What a great way to get a history lesson into our Spring Break! And everyone working here was so nice and willing to take time to show us things!

The tour is self guided with a brochure that is given at the admissions counter. The brick structure is impressive and the significance of this fort during the Civil War is portrayed.
On site parking is available and there is a small gift shop.

We arrived at 4:15 and it closes at 5. We were able to see most everything, but we did go a little more quickly than if we had arrived earlier. This place has so much history, and there are a lot of wonderful artifacts and information.

We really enjoyed walking around and looking but we had a couple of demonstrations that were really cool. The views are awesome and Fort Gaines is really kept up nicely.

Great place for the Civil War buff- and those interested in local history. The blacksmith was informative- and fun to watch. The museum was a bit shabby- but very interesting, with great exhibits and pictures. The bookstore/gift shop was small with a very limited selection of literature. The staff was wonderful. The fort, itself, really takes you back in time- and the views are amazing. We'll be back.

This is worth an hour or two as a break from the beautiful nearby beaches. It’s amazingly well-preserved.

If you are into history this is worth a stop. You get a walking guide and the spots around the premise are numbered. Gives a fairly in depth history of the civil war battles in Mobile Bay.

Inexpensive place to explore history. They fire cannons, guns and have a blacksmith on site. Lots of nooks and crannies to wander around in and see life back in the day.

The fort and gift shop is awesome! The ladies are wonderful and the shop has lots to choose from with very reasonable prices. The fort itself is amazing to think what the men had to go through and how they lived. The island and gulf views are a must see. We walked around everything and it took us about two hours.

Way cool with dressed soldiers doing stuff like working the blacksmith shop, air conditioned museum, and pet friendly!!!

Pretty much your standard fort if you have visited a fort before. Cost $8 to get in takes less than an hour to walk through. The views are amazing from here looking out towards the beach and Mobile Bay.

Believe in spirits? I do after visiting this place. After I left, I saw the whole island differently. Especially the beach on a quiet night near the fort. So much rich history on these grounds. Situated right on the water, so make sure to drive or walk around the back side. Highly recommend this place. We did our own exploring around the grounds and you can go in the gift shop free. Check out the corner room in the gift shop for a book sale area that used to be solitary confinement. Inside the hallways take you back in time. Highly recommend this and fun for all ages....if you can get them off their mobile devices long enough.

We were here once before just as they were about to close and thought perhaps from the quick view it was just a bunch of "old ruins" that you could just walk around in. Well, we were wrong! The second time we were able to get to the Fort we were able to buy a ticket and do the tour. You are handed a small brochure with 26 points on interest within the walls of the fort. From what I understand it was founded in the early 1800's and has seen wars and conflicts for many MANY decades .. from pre Civil War parts of the fort, Civil War area buildings, and on forward it is rich with history that I will not spoil here for you. Well, worth the admission and plan to spend a few hours. Warning.. there is a lot of walking but it takes you all around and inside areas that are just amazing.

We had wandered beyond Gulf Shores to see Ft. Morgan and discovered that there was a sister fort across Mobile Bay called Ft Gaines that could be reached by car ferry. So we had about a 30 minute wait before boarding the ferry then enjoyed the 40 minute ferry ride over to Dauphone Island. From the ferry landing it's just short distance to the entrance to Ft Gaines. There is a small entrance fee but you have nearly complete access to all of the fort. It takes about 30-40 minutes to see the fort ad wander through its museum. Plenty of time remained to catch the ferry back to where we started. If you miss the ferry, there is a land route over a causeway to get you back to Mobile but it is along drive.

We visited on a very hot May Day. We didn’t do the audio or guided tour but I felt like we got good information just from the brochure and self guided walking tour. We actually liked this fort better than Fort Morgan. It had more displays of daily living, I thought. Took us about 60-90 minutes but we were rushing because we were hot.

We spent over 2 hours and had a great time!! This is fun for history lovers and not too expensive! It is a self guided tour and it was nice to explore at our own pace. There was a pamphlet guide with the numbered spots around the fort so you could read what each one was as you went to them. There was also a great little museum! There are places you can climb down steep stairs almost underground and explore the rooms. Also tunnels which my kids loved. The views from the top of the surrounding bay are beautiful. I would definitely recommend this if you visit Dauphin Island!

We enjoyed touring this fort. My husband loves going to forts around the US, so we always make a point to visit one when on vacation. No guided tours, but not really necessary anyway. You can use your smartphone for mini tour, but we didn’t try it.

This is, in my opinion the best fort. It's a great day visit and while here stop at the beach. This is lots of fun for young and old. History buffs and youngsters. Share a piece of real history. You'll have fun

Makes for a full day to visit Fort Morgan on one side of the bay and the travel across on the ferry to Fort Gaines. A lot of the same history and construction since they both protect opposite sides of the same Mobile Bay.

My son, 7, loved climbing and exploring this place. The cannons, the magazine, even the latrine held his attention. The blacksmith was there on Monday's and Wednesday's the week we went (sign in the main road in Dauphin Island). The kids watched the blacksmith for at least 30 minutes, which is long for younger kiddos. This place brings history alive and seeing the artifacts and learning about the various battles fought there were lots of fun!

This was a great stop looking for thing to do. Amazing adventure exploring the fort. I wish we could have stayed longer.

Pretty neat fort. Unlike fort morgan, u can bring your dog (ours is a shepherd). No problem at all. The touring around was open and lasted about 45 minutes. Great views too. The people working there were great.

The grand kids loved it our granddaughter loved watching the blacksmith and the grandsons loved going through the tunnels​

Its a bit of a drive to get there from downtown Mobile, and even with GPS I still managed to take a wrong turn. Once there you are awed by the solid walls of this old fort.
Walk in through the main entrance to the gift shop and for a small fee, you get to wander around, on, and inside the walls of the fort.
The rooms inside the walls have descriptions displayed and many have artifacts from the war or from the maritime history of the area.
Up on the walls you get a commanding view of the bay entrance, which is the reason for the existence of the fort, the protection of Mobile from seaborne invasion.
You can easily loose track of time here as you step back in time and put yourself in the shoes of those who fought and died here.
It was a real honor to be here and I will always remember it.

WE spent a day on Dauphin Island, and one stop was to Fort Gaines. We love the blacksmith shop that they have and got to watch some of the stuff first hand. We meet a young guy from our home town of Oxford MS working there, working his way through school. This is a must see if you love history

The other fort protecting Mobile Bay, Fort Gaines is a great example of Civil War Brick Forts. The added fun of visiting this site is the reenactors. The day I was there, a group was doing photography with period "box cameras" and firing a cannon a couple of times an hour. Quite fun!

Very interesting and educational site. You can just wander around the site, there are informational signs all over and you can get more on your cell phone. Bigger than I expected and very interesting even tho I'm not a huge history fan. We were able to take our dog in with us on a leash of course. Reasonable price, nice way to spend a few hrs!

staying a few weeks in gulf shores, and decided to take the ferry to daulphin island - we weren't sure what to expect or what to do (we were not well prepared!) so stopped at the fort - what a great surprise. it's off season, but was a gorgeous day and perfect to walk around and enjoy. you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring. we took our 18 month old daughter and while we did have her stroller she enjoyed running around the grounds (the stroller did OK - lots of gravel, grass and stairs). what a fascinating history of the fort. no guides, but the map was just fine. would recommend to civil war buffs and anyone on the island with a few hours to wander.

Fort Gaines is not run by the federal or state government, but by a private local group. However, it has not been kitschified or had redundant "attractions" added to it, and costs a reasonable amount of money to enter. It is in slight disrepair which we kind of liked. The museum was interesting, as was the self-guided tour you go on. Best of all was Ralph Oalmann, a blacksmith who mans the forge and tells you about his craft as he practices it.

We enjoyed touring the fort. It is very well kept and interesting. It is a self guided attraction and the give you a pamphlet of information as you enter. There are number points of interest and information about each point is listed on the pamphlet. I'd rather see signage than have to keep up with the pamphlet. Overall, we like the fort. It is a great place for an historical outing.

We visited on a 3rd grade field trip. This was my 3rd visit. They shot the canon and musket for our class. This was my first time for that at this Fort. The blacksmith gave a very good exhibit. This was a great field trip. Be sure to pack water for your class if going during hot Alabama months, and do not want to pay a fortune in the gift shop.

My 15 year old son and I found the fort an interesting way to spend about three hours. The blacksmith shop was open also and he was interesting to listen too. Though I do think it was a bit pricey for a self guided tour.

Fort Gaines was a pleasant surprise at the eastern end of Dauphin Island. We spent a week along the Gulf Coast and this was our final stop during our vacation. Very quiet and relaxed but loaded with a sense of Civil War history! The fort itself has survived quite well and there are artifacts such as cannons that can be readily viewed. If fishing is your interest, there are plenty of spots around the fort in the immediate area along with places to put your boat in the water. Swimming is not recommended on this end of the island due to unfavorable currents and depths of the ship channel. It is about a 30-45 minute drive to the fort from Mobile, but it is worth it as the island is relaxed and uncrowded. Just being in the vicinity of the fort gives one a sense a pride and history of what conditions were like during one of America's most turbulent periods.

To begin, the state is a private venture so they charge $8 for adults and $4 for kids, but it is well worth it for the chance to see this kind of history.
Fort Gaines is one of three forts guarding the entrance into Mobile Bay, and lots of the original architecture is still present. Unlike Fort Conde in Mobile, which is a scaled-down representation, this is the actual historical fort from the Battle of Mobile Bay. They give you a very nice pamphlet to help you understand what you are looking at - which corresponds with the numbers labeling parts of the fort.
There is a small museum on site, as well as a gift shop. Lots of parking was available. This is a great place to visit, little kids will enjoy running around the ramparts and older kids will appreciate the history.

Kids can have fun exploring this place. Very little roped off. Kids love all the tunnels and books and crannies. Some exhibits put mostly empty rooms. They have markers where you can read about what the purpose is of each area.

I love this place! Its nice to be able to know the history of place, and that's just what this is!!! Recommend highly especially if you like history

You can give yourself a self-tour with the map provided. See how these people lived and read the letters on the walls! They allowed my wife and me with our leashed dog. We were very stunned by the history of this fort and its artifacts represented. Fascinating and well worth the trip.

It is fun to explore this large fort. The history is well told throughout. The brickwork makes for amazing photos.

We Spent the morning exploring the Fort and taking in the History as well as the view of Mobile Bay. This is a great learning experience for children and for History Buffs as well. The Fort is in good shape but there are some areas that could use a little TLC.

There was a Blacksmith at the site the day we visited. We thoroughly enjoyed watching him work and discussing this "vanishing art" with him. This was well worth the time spent.

If you find yourself on Dauphin Island, this is a must visit attraction.

Too expensive for what it is. The cheap Christmas decorations detracted from the historical aspect. If you have to choose between Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, choose Fort Morgan.

Great for history buffs! Step back in time and tour this old fort!! A Dauphin Island must do!!

"Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"

My husband and I joked when we decided to visit here with our two adult children while staying on Dauphin Island, that we were adding another notch to our "fort tour of the gulf" circuit, since we've literally been to every fort between Pensacola and Dauphin Island and some of them twice. Guess, we've tired of forts because we just found this to be more of the same that is present at all of the others. If you're a huge history buff then you'll probably still enjoy this. We do enjoy history, but too much of it between these various historical fort sites seems to be the same and the building structures are very similar, in various forms of decay. As it stands, this fort seems to be in better shape than some of the others, hopefully due to the hefty admission fee when your family is all adults - $8 each. We spent about an hour here and that was all.

The civil war history was informative. Seeing all the handmade brickwork was unbelievable Cannot imagine living there with 400 soldiers with wool clothes on in the summer.

Stay off the grass due to stickers but that is the only complaint. Interesting to see and a great way to spend some time and learn a little history.

this is a nicely preserved fort from the civil war ear, complete with cannons and historical markers. Plenty of parking. Might want to avoid the heat of the day.

First time I have done a history tour. I really enjoyed it. It was a self guided tour. That is nice cause you can take your time. They have it all opened up so you can really explore. I enjoyed the blacksmith.

We love visiting historical sites throughout the US, and this fort was one of the most enjoyable I’ve been to. We saw dolphins swimming and tons of birds while we walked along the perimeter of Fort Gaines.

It was amazing we had fun wouldn't want to miss it for the world I would one day go there again I loved it so far and I hope you all do as well

Guides were great. a learning experience for adults and children alike!
Highlights were the blacksmith shop/demonstration and firing of the cannon!

Gift shop. Bathroom facilities

Everyone who visits the island should come here at least once in their lifetime! We have been here several times because our son is such a history buff and just loves it here! You need to bring hiking shoes or tennis shoes because it is a lot of walking but it is such a neat piece of History... usually is pretty warm so dress in cool clothes and wear lots of sunscreen! We always something fun and unique in the gift shop too.

Appreciate viewing and learning at our own pace. Enjoyed visiting with the blacksmith. Bought one of his creations. Very humble place to see and understand what our ancestors and veterans went thru.

This fort was well laid out. Great self guided tour with lots of information to read. We took the ferry as walk on passengers for $6 each person. It was a five min walk to the fort from the pier.

I was pleased to see the improvements to save this fort that's just feet from the Gulf. The staff is friendly and the museum is pod though I fear many exhibits of the relics are not properly displayed and are suffering from the effects. The museum anx the exhibit cases needs a good cleaning.
The fort has pretty good signage though the sea air is having a definite effect on their appearances. They do provide a good description and the self guided brochure is easy to follow. Additionally, at various times special events such as reinactors are present. A blacksmith is on site several times per week. A visit here as well as to Fort MorgN across the bay give a most interesting view of these two forts gauging Mobile during the War Between the States. Kids would enjoy exploring the many rooms. The latrine is not to be missed!

We love visiting old forts but this one really didn't offer anything special. It was also much smaller than many of the forts we have been too. One thing it did have that some forts don't is a museum which I enjoyed.

If you have trouble walking you will definitely have problems with the very steep steps. The floors are also in bad shape in some areas and are very uneven so watch your step.

This fort guarded the entrance of Mobile Bay. It's one of the top 11 most endangered forts in America due to shoreline erosion. Be sure to check their website for the dates of their reenactments or other special events.

We stopped by for a quick visit but stayed outside of the fort. It was an interesting bit of history for any Civil War buff. The ferry is nearby with access across the bay toward Fort Morgan. We grabbed a delicious snack before boarding the ferry.

The views were awesome we took a lot of pictures a must see if your on dauphin island.. incredible history..

Vacationing with a 74 year old & 7 year old who is obsessed with naval, ships and forts this visit was a must. Both Grandpa, grandson & son in law enjoyed this fort. Not as big as the ones we’ve seen in San Juan but Fort Gaines is nicely preserved. We got a great laugh in the laboratory and took our Christmas card photo for next year. Cute gift shop with great prices.

We spent 2 hours touring the fort. The children loved it. They could run, play and still learn some history. The fort area was well maintained. The hit of the day was watching the blacksmith.

Visited Fort Gaines on Daulphin Island on a beautiful day. This is a cool, historic fort on the beach. This is a must if your on Daulphin Island.

I almost didn't visit Fort Gaines during my trip to Dauphin Island. That would've been a huge mistake. I'm not a fan of paying entrance fees, but this one was totally worth it. You're given access to about 98% of the site and all of it is really, really cool. I recorded my adventure on Dauphin Island. The YouTube video can be found by searching for Nash Potatoes Outdoor Show...enjoy!

we enjoyed checking out the fort it was interesting to see how they stored the cannons and lived back then.

This is a must see when you visit Dauphin Island!!! The best Blacksmith on site!!!! They have Fabulous Reenactment Days.
A lot of history!!!!! Also everyone is so nice that works there.

The last trip we toured Fort Morgan, so this time we took the ferry across to Dauphin Island to tour Fort Gaines and look around the island. It was a good day trip. There is not a lot of difference between the two forts, although Fort Gaines does have a blacksmith working onsite. It was in the mid 80s degrees when we were there and we got quite hot walking around. I can imagine that it would be miserable on a hot summer day. They don't allow outside drinks, which was a bummer, but I understood. This is a good place to visit with kids if they are studying the Civil War in school. We enjoyed our visit and thought it was reasonable in price. We recommend going to Pirates Pleasure to eat while you are on the island. Yummy!

Very typical of civil war forts. If you are expecting something different; don't go. If you are a civil war buff; then it is worth it. Mort Morgan (Across the bay) is better in my opinion)

I can't say that my opinion is not clouded by Fort Morgan which I visited just before this, however it paled in comparison.

First, these Forts are only separated by a Ferry and yet one lets you in for free as a veteran and the other doesn't.

Second, while I appreciate the effort and enthusiasm of the reinactors, it's just not something I want at a Fort. I like the original, untouched authenticity that a Fort can have and for me, they took away from that. Not a bad job, just not for me.

Lastly, I do love exploring these old Forts. Part of that is finding places that I pretend not everyone will notice. Walking through Fort Gaines...every time I thought I found an odd corner, there was electrical wire or conduits lurking. Nothing active, but it just takes you out of the environment.

Wonderful family attraction. Neat to ride the ferry over and neat to see the Fort. To really see a moment in history. Great expierence. We have been there 3 times taking different people there because we liked it so well.

We had the best time...but we all love history! $8 for adults/ $4 for kids. You can spend as little or as much time here as you want. This is a self guided tour. The highlight was watching the Master Blacksmith -Ralph ! We could've stayed all day just watching him! He is so knowledgeable about the Fort,local history, and of course blacksmithing! We watched him make a few pieces that we had ordered from him....from start to finish! Many interesting facts to be learned here about our great country!

As historic forts go Fort Gaines is being kept in good shape for visitors to roam about and get a good feel for what once was. They provide a well designed brochure with a decent map and informative descriptions for each numbered stop. Like others have said, the on-site blacksmith is not to be missed. Allow for at least 90 minutes. And yes, dogs are welcome.

This is a well preserved piece of Civil War history and a great educational experience. Museum is filled with fascinating memorabilia. $8 for adults. Printed guide but audio guide available on website.

Anyone who enjoys history or anything war/battle related needs to visit! They have a slew of events each year that are awesome but it's a good visit even during the normal, everyday visits. Avoid visiting during the middle of summer unless you like the heat! Very little shade!!

I actually did the free tour. Meaning when I got there they were closing in 10 minutes so I decided not to pay and looked around the outside and read all the signs. The moocher tour was still great. Enough stuff to see and explore. Grabbed my cell and looked up the history. Pretty cool to learn about US history.

Ft. Gaines is a great place for everyone in the family. Its beautiful and educational. Sitting on Mobile Bay, the views are magnificent. Children love it and adults love it. The history plaques along the route are mesmerizing. There's also a museum, clean restrooms, and a nice gift shop featuring a drink machine. Ft. Gaines is a must see on Dauphin Island.

Fun and interesting afternoon especially the ten hole latrines and the many everyday aspects of a fort with 4000 soliders

After the non denominational sunrise service my husband and I toured the fort.
We've been coming to the island for years and this was the first time at the fort. It is well preserved and maintained beautifully. Being history buffs we thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't miss it!

I am always up for visiting historical sites, and I really enjoyed this one. They offer a map and each site is numbered. There is a small museum, and gift shop. And it is very well maintained. It is a self-guided tour.

Great place to bring an adventurous family !! We loved discovering all the tunnels and hidden rooms ! Great place for a kid to let their imagination soar !!!

After reading the Trip Advisors reviews, we decided to stop by Fort Gaines as we like to stop at historical places. Several reviews mentioned good things about the blacksmith that seemed like something we like to see. Unfortunately, when we got to the blacksmith area, he was talking to another employee and completely ignored us. We stood there looking at his tools for several minutes, but we weren't acknowledged. Although we didn't get to see a reenactment of the blacksmith, we enjoyed the Fort itself. Make sure to pick up a History and Tour Guide brochure as it is full of information to make your self-guided tour more enjoyable. The employees collecting the admission money (inside of gift shop) were very friendly and knowledgeable about the Fort.

I grew up on the Gulf coast so forts on beaches are pretty common. This one actually has some interesting history, artifacts, and a museum. You can walk through many of the bunkers, batteries, and buildings. It has been well restored and you can get a good feel for just how grim those conditions must have been when the soldiers fortified it. The Fort has many events throughout the year with blacksmiths and re-enactments, too. As a bonus, the bathrooms are incredibly clean and the view of the surrounding beach is spectacular. Go early in the morning if you have kids unless you want cranky children with heatstroke in about an hour.

We were in Mobile and went south to Dauphin Island to see Fort Gaines. Definitely worth the drive, lots of history and exhibits. Admission of $8 well worth it. Good way to spend an afternoon!

We had a great time walking around the Fort with the self-guided pamphlet. It is always great to learn more history of the island and our nation. A fun way to spend a couple hours on the island.

Took the ferry over to tour this fort also. It has a lot of walking but is very nice. Enjoyed walking around and exploring what life was like for them. There is a small museum also to go through.

This Fort has been well preserved I was worth the time to learn of the past. The staff was very accommodating and helpful.

If you have extra time on the island, then add this to the list of things to do. Depending on how much one enjoys history, it could be more interesting to some than others.

Although we did not have time to tour the inside of the Fort, we did stop in the gift shop. The lady inside was very friendly and informative. Would go back and tour the fort at a later date.

Ft Gains was an interesting place to relive history and watch ships enter Mobile Bay. Gift shop was well stocked with books and souvenirs with knowledgeable staff. The fort was well preserved with lots of cannon and fort masonry.

Another Fort, but this one feels more like a tourist trap. Couple of cannons out front. The piece of the ship they found from the storm out front is interesting.

There's not a lot to see at Fort Gaines, but does have beautiful views. It's definitely worth a visit if you're already on Dauphin Island.

Like the name says it's historic and like other forts around the country it's a granite and stone structure built mainly into a hillside but this one is of special interest to my wife and I are both ex-Navy. Fort Gaines is the site of the last confederate stronghold regaring port cities. It's also, famously, the site of the exchange between union battle ships attempting to enter a heavily mined Mobile Bay where Admiral David Farragut of the USS Hartford was heard yelling to the other boat commanders "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" Cool!

As you enter you can pick up a brochure that gives you a lots of interesting facts for all of the stopping points around the fort. You'll find that it has pretty good signage throughout that provides a good description of the tour, that's self-guided, so you can stop and go as you chose allowing you to see everything and it gives you some excellent background on what you're looking at. This is also a great place to learn more about the Island itself and the history of our young nation

Additionally, at various times there's special events when reinactors are present. We were there, in September, for the Massacre Island Pirate Event to experience a day in the life of a pirate from the 1700's when they pilfered and pillaged Fort Gaines, there were Flintlock Pistol duels, Pirate-Tug-Wars, Swashbuckling sword play, cannon firing and more. It was nicely done and the pirates were happy to pose for pictures with us and oh the blacksmith shop was awesome. We got to watch the blacksmiths take a bar of metal and transform it into something beautiful! They also had a lot of their creations on display and for sale. The blacksmith shop is a regular attraction of the Fort experience all year round.

There is a small gift shop thst's well stocked with books and souvenirs with a knowledgeable and pleasant staff.

It's a fun way to spend a couple hours on the island but bring hiking shoes or tennis shoes because it is a lot of walking with steps, cobblestones and some inclines and I would recommend trying to go when it's cooler, it's pretty toasty in the heat of the summer.

We were amazed at how well kept this fort had been. Relaxing stroll around the past and also viewing the water and people fishing.

This is a good place to visit if you like historical sites. The fort is well preserved allowing you to go into several of the buildings. There is a nice small museum with artifacts that help explain the history of the fort. As you walk around the upper part of the fort where the cannons are, you have a nice view of the bay.

My son is a history buff and loved the fort. It was well maintained and a pretty neat place to walk through. It was so hot on the day we went, though. They definitely need a few shady spots!

Went with our 4 boys, ages 6 to 13. They enjoyed exploring every bit of the fort. The museum was air conditioned to give us a nice break from the heat. Several items were on display from when the fort was in use.

Great visit, clean, friendly staff, great fun for the kids. Price is decent and the view is spectacular.

Had a wonderful time walking through the old fort with the family. The grandkids were just enthralled with stories that their poppy shared about the people who actually lived there.

This area is very well maintained. We walked all around it looking for birds more than anything. If you are able to get inside we did not find the spot. We were there later in the day.
It is right on the beach.

We took a self-guided walking tour and learned a lot about this pivotal battleground. I kept thinking as we sweated our way around the 25+ stops, what it must have been like for the soldiers here, in August, in wool uniforms! I saw especially tickled at the community latrine and how it was "flushed" daily by the tides.

Really enjoyed this museum and historical site from our tumultuous past! I can't imagine what our forefathers had to endure in order to shape this country. Very proud our past is being preserved so well for future generations! A must see!

Couldn’t check into our condo yet so wanted to “waste a few minutes “ we were there for almost 2 hours! Very neat place to visit!! Educational (used it towards sons homeschooling) awesome gift shop with inexpensive gifts, and cool history lesson!!! Would love to go back!! My son asked to go back tomorrow!!

We enjoyed having the whole place to ourselves, and the self guided tour is very nicely laid out and easy to follow. Learned a lot! Definitely worth a stop if you are staying on DI. The views of the gulf and bay from the top of the fort are beautiful as well.

The "outhouse" was intriguing, as it was just a long bench with many holes to sit over, with the human waste simply being washed out to sea with the tide. There were an army of men using it, but I never discovered where the few women (wives of the top brass, some nurses and others) went for elimination needs.

Some of the seaward side of the fort is filling up with sand. The museum had some interesting information and photos about some of the women involved in the civil war.

So glad I went! We are down here for a field trip with 6th graders. The guide was FANTASTIC! I LOVE that he was in period dress!

We love this fort. It's in great condition considering its age. I learn something new every time we visit

Take time to visit all the stops..and read the brochure!

Make sure you visit the blacksmith..arrives at 10 am his work is amazing.

We explored this fort and Ft. Morgan and although Ft. Morgan is larger we preferred Ft. Gaines. The map was easy to read and follow and we found the information very helpful. We especially liked the museum and the soldier’s letters. The best part for the kids was the blacksmith! Make sure you tour on a day he is demonstrating. The site involved some climbing and walking and the sun was hot and high the day we were there but it was well worth the admission. They have a nice gift shop with a penny press machine too.

We travelled with a 6 year old to see the fort and honestly he had more fun than the adults. It was fun to us all, but looking at the artifacts and getting to go down where soldiers once were was pretty exciting. If you love history, definitely go! If you aren't fond of the heat then I recommend doing it any time other than summer seeing as it gets so hot walking around.

We visited Fort Gaines during a rainy day but had a great time! The staff was so friendly and accommodating to us and our pets. It was wonderful to have them along and still get to tour this historic site. They have done wonders preserving this site and I'm sure money is tight. The gift shop is exceptional with a wide variety of items, but the best part, they are at a reasonable price. I bought a t-shirt for only $10. If you visit Dauphin Island this is important to see.

Very pretty place that is rich in history and in learning.
Well worth a trip there, and lots of stuff to do on the island as well!

We frequent Dauphin Island 2-3 times a year. We went to Fort Gaines the first time we went there and when we take new people down there......we always have to show them the Fort. ITS HOT in the summer!

I brought my sister here for here first visit to coast since Katrina. She had such a blast and unleashed her inner mermaid.

Most of your trip through Fort Gaines will be spent outside, so this is not a good attraction for a hot day. It also involves a lot of walking and isn't stroller friendly, we ended up carrying little kids through most of it. They little kids didn't care much for the tour part but did enjoy seeing the cannons and they thought the bathroom party was funny. We enjoyed the blacksmith presentation but didn't stay long because of the heat. The views were amazing of the ocean. Was a nice afternoon trip but would have been better if we'd gone earlier in the day when it wasn't as hot.

The fort is very well maintained and a neat piece of history. Parking was easy and we quickly saw the fort.

Very cool area to check out while you are on the island. Definitely a lot of history in this area and a great opportunity to look around and view the architecture and some interesting pieces and relics of the Civil War.

Not too much here for the $8 entrance fee when you can walk around the outside for free.

Didn't spend the $. Walked to Pelican Point instead.

Really enjoyed the self guided tour. The view of the gulf and East End Beach is beautiful as well! It's a good place to see how the shoulders lived and fought during the battle s there.

This was a wonderful find! We got lucky and there was a group of people in Civil War costumes and gear there that day. The fort itself is a lot of fun to explore. I feel like there was more access to explore here than at other forts I have toured. Nice markers with descriptions of what you're looking at and some historical information. We really enjoyed reading the letters from soldiers stationed there and other documents in the little museum. It was the best part of our day on the island!

You always have that one day..rain and clouds... Here is a place to go when that day hits. Takes about 2 hors max. Very interesting.

This was a fun and interesting experience! And we could see Dolphins playing in the water from the top level of the fort. We spent at least an hour here exploring. The only downside I experienced is my large dog kept picking up burrs in between her paw pads. My two little dogs were able were fine. Would definitely go back but I’m getting my dog some booties.

We learned so much about the fort, plenty to read or refresh your knowledge on Civil War events. So much is still intact it was easy to imagine it filled with soldiers and activity.

The lady working the gift shop was friendly and conversational. The blacksmith demonstration was fascinating. We were the only ones there toward the end of our tour, it was such a cold and windy day. But we also were able to take some great pictures without other tourists!

Great historical site.

Interesting to learn the history of this fort. I hope more people will take the time and learn some history before it's erased.

Great location for a walk around history. Well done with a lot of information in small area. The cannon firing very interesting. Robert was very willing to talk and explain the cannon procedure. Really enjoyed

We came when it started to rain, but that just made it more fun because once you were within the confines of the fort walls, you had to run in the heavy rain from building to building. You get a paper 'tour' guide, with numbers for locations to follow. We enjoyed this, going at our own pace, and the running in the rain just made us laugh and giggle...memorable.

We actually liked this fort better than Fort Morgan - smaller, but not as much walking & not as many steep stairs to climb & better scenery. They did not have a military discount on admission like Fort Morgan does, though - still not bad admission price. Many tunnels and hidden rooms to explore, even an eleven seated - 'open air' latrine! Very interesting to see how the soldiers lived. Brick masonry (like Fort Morgan's) was something to see! Great scenery from on top - oil rigs, Sand Island Lighthouse, Fort Morgan, the bridge going to Dauphin Island, the ferry boats passing by. Self-guided tour with a pamphlet listing points of interest.

Smaller gift shop, but prices were very reasonable - unique items & the ladies running it were very friendly and nice.

Highly recommend - well worth the time & money!

Tip: bring a pocket flashlight, if you want to see inside some of the hidden rooms - as many do not have a light.

History under your feet. At the touch of a hand. Absorbing through sight. You can almost hear the battles, the every day chatter of the previous occupants. I’m awed at the construction. They laid herring bone brick patterns in areas used as barracks. Military quarters. The size of the windows, the slate floors. The arches. The people. Those men.
Stunning beauty intertwined with greasy, practical mechanics . Frightening, dark, hollow rooms. Light, airy, aesthetically pleasing spaces.
If walls could talk...

Glad my husband and I took the time to tour Fort Gaines. Fascinating to see the architecture and ingenuity of the engineers of that time. It's humbling to read about the trials the soldiers experienced while stationed there--made me realize how blessed I truly am. Worth a stop if you appreciate American history. You might consider the outdoor heat index before touring on a summer afternoon.

Go at your own pace place to visit, filled with history and artifacts. Affordable and a cute gift shop. Walking around and getting a feel for how things were at that time was really fun.

nothing to it there is no guide no knowledge about Fort Gain nothing?????? I asked the locals about what was going on there I was told they couldn't keep help or volunteers there.

I just love history so this place was a great way to spend an early afternoon. The place is self guided so you can spend as much time there at your own pace and its in a beautiful location on the shore.

A nice place to explore. Easy to walk and they do allow dogs inside the fort. We spent about a hour and felt like we got a good understanding of the history. Only two rates to get in. 13 and above $9 and 12 to 5 $5; no senior discounts. A nice area to explore while on the island or waiting for the ferry. It is walkable from the ferry station.

I come to Fort Gaines every time I stay on Dauphin Island. I love the historic and educational site as well as the beautifully, old, structure that encloses it all. Walking through here is like stepping back in time. The staff is both friendly and very knowledgable of the fort as well.

Ft Gaines is a neat place for all the history buffs. There is some things that need some up keep or work on to improve. Like storing the lumber and stuff that they are using. It should be hidden on the property since that had areas locked. Over all it is nice place Adults $8.00, children $4.00 and 4 and under free.

Historical Fort overlooking the gulf...no hands on exhibits for kids. No person there to add some interesting facts concerning the fort

What a significant site in terms of history, not just from the Civil War aspect where Admiral Farragut said his famous line. The fort itself is a wonder to behold. There is a small fee for admittance, with a little gift shop. There is a detailed walking tour pamphlet and signs throughout. I could have spent much longer here taking it all in. Plus great views of the bay. Plenty of parking available.

Visited on a boiling hot day in June. Great atmospheric fort that is really well presented. On the day we went it was very quiet with no activities which allowed us to explore the whole site uninterrupted. Well worth a couple of hours if you are visiting the island as it's another good presentation of US history 👍

I visited with my adult so. We had a great afternoon. There wa a walking tour and some World War Two demonstrations. There is lots of history there including Spanish, French, and civil war.

A shame there is a fee to go in here, given it isn't a very big town. Still an interesting place from outside the grounds and the waterfront area surrounding the fort.

This fort has been through a lot of military drama. It was built during the aftermath of the War of 1812. It was attacked during the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. The Battle of Mobile Bay is the source of, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"
My friend and I conducted self-tours during a March week-day. While we were exploring the fort, several local schools were visiting Fort Gaines for field trips. A costumed docent guided each class, and to their delight, fired a cannon or two.
My favorite part of the visit was exploring the dark tunnels, staircases, and rooms. As I entered each one, I imagined the "voices" of the soldiers from the past. I also enjoyed reading a wall of preserved letters from the soldiers to their families.

My family loves visiting historical sites, especially from the civil war era. Fort Gaines was great. Lots of outdoor walking, looking at the various sites. You can do an audio tour on your phone. You can cool off in an air conditioned museum. Definitely go inside the museum and check out the exhibits. The restrooms were decent and had fans in them today. If you have a small toddler or preschooler hang on to them and watch them close because there are some places they could fall, there’s not railing everywhere. Our 8 year olds were fine but our 2 year old made me a nervous wreck running around where there’s not proper railing. I wouldn’t expect better railing, I prefer it just the way it is, original and not modern. Just a warning to watch your kiddos! Enjoy!

We LOVE this Fort! So much history wrapped up in fun. On this day there was a celebration of the Battle of Mobile Bay. If if you love history you must visit this place.

Of the all the forts in the Mobile Bay area I have to say Fort Gaines is the one I enjoyed most. The fort is well maintained and parking is easy. The fort overlooks the bay and the beach and you can see the oil rigs and boats passing in the background. The self guided tour is very well laid out and easy to follow. I would highly recommend a trip out here.

Although we did not tour this fort, we did stop and look around. It was evident that Fort Gaines was kept up better than Fort Morgan which we toured the day before. We were told it was because Fort Gaines is privately funded. If we had known there were two forts, we would have waited and toured this one but didn't want to spend money to tour another fort.

Fort Gaines was an interesting spot to visit, but similar to other forts around the country. It is showing some "wear and tear", such as signage needing to be replaced, etc. But if you are on the island, I recommend stopping by. It is what you make of it!

Nice little fort full of lots of historic information.
Cool the day we toured so did not stay very long But still worth the time to go.

Lots to learn, very fascinating, it's also cool to go into when it's hot out! Lol my kids loved it!! Not expansive and very nice people who run it! Well taken care of!!

Very interesting tour through the fort, if you are a history buff. There is a small museum that has quite a few artifacts from the time period.

I've only been to two forts, one 1/3 scale replica of a fort, two sites where forts once stood, and a national historic battleground, so I'm no expert on the subject of forts. In my opinion, Fort Gaines was the most interesting, informative and well preserved of all of them.

Fort Gaines is slightly smaller than it's neighbor across the way, Fort Morgan. If you know where to look on a clear day, you can actually see one from the other. It was between these two forts that Admiral Farragut uttered his famous words "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

Atop the walls of the fort, you can get an up close and personal look at the canons. Inside the walls of Fort Gaines, there are several structures and rooms such as ammo rooms, bunkers, a blacksmith shop, and museum-ish rooms featuring copies of letters from soldiers, photographs, maps, clothing, pieces of ships that had been recovered, and other historic information. There was also a kitchen with brick ovens that any modern day cook would envy. We also were able to sit on replicas of the community latrine, which was washed out every day during high tide. I'd sure hate to be standing between that room and the coastline. Ick! If you're into photography, there are tons of great photo opportunities at Fort Gaines.

Admission is $8 for adults and it takes a little over an hour to walk through and see all there is to see. The gift shop is awesome too, and has very reasonably priced souvenirs.

If you're a history buff, Fort Gaines is a can't miss on the Alabama Gulf Coast! I love it so much, I'll probably name my next male dog Gaines.

We visited in the morning and it rained, but it was still great. We walked all over the fort. The museum is informative and interesting. The cannons are awesome. The staff is friendly and helpful.

Been to the island.many times but never took the official tour. This is a great and inexpensive way to get the history of the island. Self guided walking tour and great museums of local history...must do if you like history!

If you love history, this place is a gold mine! We did the guided tour ($9 per adult) and spent about 2 hours overall, really taking our time, exploring the entire fort.
Note- there is very little shade and only the main building (tickets and gift shop) and the museum (stop 19 on the tour) provide A/C - in other words, hydrate and don't forget the sunscreen, hat, sunglasses!

I was here just a few days ago and really enjoyed the visit. I have been to Dauphin Island many times, without visiting the fort. If you're ever in that area, this is a stop that is well worth your time. The history there is absolutely amazing. The fort is well preserved, and small enough to walk in a decent amount of time. Everyone there was very helpful and informative. The blacksmith was on duty and actually made me a pair of wall hanging hooks that I have been wanting for quite some time. This was a special treat because these guys are not everywhere anymore, and it truly is a dying art. I had no idea that Admiral Farragut is the one who coined the phrase "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" and he did it right there in front of the fort while entering Mobile Bay. That was a special treat to learn. The Ford is well preserved with a lot of things to see inside. It was also nice reading about the history of the island and how there was an Indian colony several thousand years ago. I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in history of any kind.

This historic fort was established in 1821 and is best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War. There is so much to see here that it kept the interest of our kids (ages 6, 7 & 10) despite the heat (lots of walking too). A brochure and signage provided informative details as we self-explored the nooks and crannies of the fort. Pretty views of Mobile Bay too, but I couldn’t help but think of how different it was for the men in that hard-fought battle. You’ll get a view of the fort from the water if you take the Mobile Bay Ferry. Due to the damage of storms and erosion, Fort Gaines is on the top ten list of most endangered US Civil War battlefields and America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

if you love history and you will enjoy this place, and in the summer it is very cool to be inside . Enjoy!!

Great piece of history but self guided tour needs better information on stops. A little pricey as well.

Helpful employees, nice way to spend a couple hours learning about history, great views of the bay, walking tour

The cost to visit is only $9, neat place to visit. My husband is more into that than I am, but it was very interesting.

This Fort on Dauphin Island was interesting to visit. I admit to not being too much for history, but I enjoyed it. Walk around at your own pace and view exhibits. You are able to walk in and out, up and down. Smallish museum with lots of artifacts.

Very cool!! This is a great historic monument. I would highly recommmend & I am not a huge history buff...So very cool to see a piece of US history..
Self guided tour which is nice. There are markers at every stop for information.

The gift shop here is well stocked and the staff are really nice.

The self guided tour of the fort is well mapped out, I suggest following the map as they have it set out, I deviated and realized later it would have been better if I didn't. Lots of interesting structures and tunnels, and the latrine is a hoot. The disappearing guns and the ammunition rail stories are well explained. The black smith shop has some nice exhibits, but you can also see where it has kind of turned into a junk place, which was sad, would have liked to see it as it was without the junk.

Lot of historical data in the brochure given and had a nice time here.

Our family has enjoyed visiting the forts over the years. The tour is self guided and easy to follow. There is a lot of history here. Unfortunately, Fort Gaines is not as well kept as other historical sites. The site needs better preserved before it is no longer tourable.

What a fantastic job this site has done with the self guided tour. The map and paths are easy to find and follow. I was so interested by the tour that I did more research when I got home!

If you're on the island, swing by. If not, probably not worth the extra trek from Mobile unless you're doing this with some other visits on the island.

Really interesting stroll through time.. See how they lived.. The conditions they endured.. Pretty neat.. They also have reenactments from time to time.

I thought it was a bit overpriced to just walk around in an old Fort.. But, since there isn't many things to do on the island that's probably how they make some money. It was fun just blistering hot. Very cool place for kids and anyone who loves history like I do.

We went with our children; ages 8, 10, 11, and 14. The kids loved exploring and we loved the history. It was a great experience.

After breakfast one morning we decided to drive to the east end of the island. On a whim we parked at the fort... We climbed on The portion of the fort that's not part of the tour and enjoyed the view before deciding we wanted to see more. I've never visited an old fort like this before and found it very interesting. We enjoyed the view and learning more about the times soldiers spent at fort Gaines. I really enjoyed the voices of the past section and reading letters from soldiers stationed at the fort and sent home to family. I would recommend this for anyone who likes to step back into history.

Great unchanged area of two centuries of island history. Docents are knowledgeable and helpful. Reenactments are worth attending. Plenty of parking.

Well preserved fortification at east end of Dauphin Island - guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay from the west. Started by the U.S. Army in the 1850s but finished by the Confederate States of America in 1862. Finally taken over by the Union Navy under Admiral Farragut in August 1864. (He's the "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!) guy.) The fort is in good shape. You are given a pamphlet with the history and a detailed tour guide which explains 26 points of interest around the fort. Everything is well marked and described.

This fort is by far smaller than Fort Morgan but still worth the tour. They gave me and my hub senior discount and we are 50 and 51. I thought that was very nice, but I felt so old lol. Went with my two kids that are 10 and 14. It was a very interesting fort. It also had an air conditioned museum to go in. Very interesting.

Not so much to see but an interesting stop in history if we truly read all panels. Probably a bit too expensive for a self guided tour with a piece of paper.

Our most memorable memory of Fort Gaines is the Admiral's Ball on the night preceding the 150th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Mobile Bay. This historic fort is one of two guarding the entrance to the Bay - the other being Fort Morgan due east across the water. On this occasion, 150 years had softened somewhat between Southerners and the Damn Yankees, so we could socialize, chat, eat, and drink together. As history buffs, we like to return occasionally to recreate "the feel" of the era. Fort gains has the architectural ambience to do just that.

Senior Couple. We had visited Fort Pickens near Ft Walton Beach. Each fort is interesting but are very similar. If you have not visited one of the old forts that protect harbors, this would be a good place to visit.

We didn't get to stay long since they were closing in about 30 minutes. Good thing we had been here before. Nice little museum with great A/C.

Took two 11 year olds here and we all enjoyed learning some Alabama history. We went in August and the heat nearly did us in. But there are a few spots with A/C, which was nice.

There was a man in the blacksmith shop but at the time we walked through he wasn't doing a demonstration.

The tour map/pamphlet was done well and was easy to keep up with when you follow the numbers posted through out the fort.

If in the area you should definitely make a stop here if time permits. I think it was $8/adult and $4/kids.

The ferry closed for the day due to the wind and big waves so we went to the fort instead. Usually history is not my thing....but I loved it! It was really neat to walk and we got to watch a real blacksmith make handles. Very interesting for the kiddos.

This is a place where you can let your imagination run wild. Think about how it would have been to live back then and that fort was your home? So great to see that they are continuing to preserve Fort Gaines. Just wish the would have had more details about life back then, instead of a small pamphlet trying to highlight 30+ points of interest around the place.

We spent a couple hours here, really took our time looking around. We enjoyed it, there was a gentleman who was very helpful to answer questions we had. Museum was nice too

My family and I really enjoyed the fort with the exception of a ton of screaming prepubescents. There was a lot to be learned and many live demonstrations.

I didn't know anything about Fort Gaines until today! I have heard of the quote "Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead"

We loved the fort and it had great views. Lots of tunnels to go through. Everyone would enjoy this place

Enjoyed walking around the fort. I liked going on the top of it and underneath it too. It was nice to be able to enjoying being outside to see a sight. Loved the ocean views from up top.

Fort Gains was very cool, I decided to check it out after taking my dog to the public beach, which is right around the corner, and they ended up closing the fort after I had been there for about 10 minutes. But it was obviously something that I would have enjoyed, it's so full of history, and it's just a cool thing to see. They also have a piece of a washed up shipwreck outside of the fort, it was very cool

Ft. Gaines is a relatively quick visit (about an hour to hour and a half). The site is in amazing shape for a civil war fort, the staff is friendly (they have a blacksmith working there a few days a week with civil war era equipment). The air conditioned museum is small but full of interesting items and information. The fort is directly across from the Estuarium so you can make a fun day trip between the two.

The fort is in pretty good shape for being over 150 years old. You can walk in almost all parts of it. There are buildings in the center of the fort still and the walls are in good shape. There is a walking tour you can take and it's self-guided which is nice. The workers are nice and knowledgeable about most things to do on Dauphin Island.

This was a lot more fun than we thought it would be! We have a family of 6 with 4 children under the age of 11. We had a picnic lunch on top of the fort first and then decided we would pay the admission to go in. Seemed kind of high but I was very glad that we decided to go in. We were there for over an hour running around and exploring the various tunnels and stairways. There is a lot of history here and it was fun to incorporate that into our vacation

Self guided tour. We enjoyed watching the blacksmith work and a knowledgable worker let me daughter shoot a gun. We were there about 2 hours.

Everyone in my family enjoyed this (including my 6 and 4 year olds). The brochure gives you a ton of interesting facts for each stopping point. The blacksmith shop was amazing. We loved watching the blacksmith take a bar of metal and turn it into something gorgeous! There is also a small museum that had tons of things to see and read about. The gift shop also has some of the cheapest souvenir shirts you will find on the island. If you are nearby, I highly recommend visiting Fort Gaines. You won't be sorry!

Definitely a must see if you enjoy history. Very detailed and informative with a friendly staff. The museum was very interesting.

Great historic location to visit while on Dauphin Island. It is shameful the state of Alabama does not help fund the place, so locals should petition Alabama state politicians to throw some money at this location. Self guided tour, I think it took us about an hour or so. The site is well kept and has some entertaining sights - check out the 10 man latrine! Please stop, support, and help kids appreciate our history.

History at your finger tips. Much to see. We enjoyed a sunrise Easter service this year for the first time. What an experience. Beautiful!!!

It's a self guided tour so you can go at your own pace. Some narrow stair ways if you choose to venture. I came in very pessimistic, less then 1/4 way in was very happy we came. The museum section was very interesting with hand written letters, pictures, and different memorabilia.

The whole family enjoyed the self-guided tour. We have also been there for a living history demonstration that was wonderful.

Love it here. Well preserved and VERY interesting history. Self guided at your own pace touring. Even my teens enjoyed it...highly recommend.

our family very much enjoyed both forts, i would love to come back and see the reenactments at some time

We had a fantastic time exploring this old fort! The kids loved exploring all the corridors and rooms, but got bored of it before my husband & I did. My husband really enjoyed watching/ chatting with the blacksmith. There was a sign on the main street telling what days the blacksmith would be working at the Fort. That's why we went on Saturday. The air conditioned museum was wonderful, even my kids lingered there for awhile. I felt this was well worth the money!

Interesting and educational site. You can just wander around the site. The day we went they had a reenactment of the Battle of Mobile. Gives a good overview of the battle. The fort has a rich history up to the Spanish American War. If you love US History and want to get a better understanding of the life of a soldier in the American Civil War you should visit. My kids loved the live action battles and actors.

We went to Mobile for a weekend getaway. We found this fort while driving around dauphin island. We really enjoyed the self guided tour. If you are interested in the civil war this is a must see.

This place was a lot of fun. My kids loved climbing through all the tunnels and passages. It's a self-guided tour so you go at your own pace and see what you want to see. There was a lot of interesting historical information. Seeing where and how the soldiers lived was really neat. Especially seeing the latrines and how they did their bushiness. It's worth spending a couple hours exploring the fort. People with younger children should keep them close. There are places where they could fall and hurt themselves pretty badly.

Usually I don't care to visit forts... But everyone else went so I did, too. And, I had a great time. The masonry work is absolutely amazing! The kids can run around and explore.
Cool things in the gift shop.
Wear a hat and sunscreen... There's not a lot of shade.

My husband and I enjoy history and Fort Gaines definitely satisfied that hobby. We toured the grounds at our own leisurely pace and since we were there in the earlier part of the day, we didn't have to deal with a lot of other tourists. We took some amazing pictures, some with us and some of the beautiful architecture. Although this may have been a fort that served a great service to our country, it is now a rare and glorious look into our past. I highly recommend making this a point of interest for you and yours when you visit Dauphin Island.

Historic famous Cival War Fort. Admiral Farigut Famous quote was uttered here "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead.

An old pre civil war and civil war fort on the Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay. Pretty intact with a good walking tour pamphlet that lets you go at your own pace. Price is reasonable at $10 per person plus fee for credit card transaction. Very interesting with a little museum with artifacts.

Outstanding historical location! The blacksmith was working on the day we visited. Very informative and friendly. Must visit when in the area.

If you have kids, or are into history, plan a trip to see Fort Gaines. My family spent some time exploring the creepy tunnels together. Our four-year-old really enjoyed it. Glad we spent some time here!

Being a northener I had no idea there was such a gift on the gulf coast and the role it played in the Civil War. Self guided tour was easy to follow and covered all points if the fort. Amazed by the number of bricks that went into to this fort.

This old Civil War Fort is a very well preserved artifact and if you want to see how it protected Mobile and the surrounding area you will here. It played a very strategic part in the war and is more well known for what happened around it than anything else. The Battle Of Mobile Bay and Admiral Farragut's famous words "Damn the Torpedoes". You will need about an hour to explore the entire fort especially the views from the cannon emplacements but, leave some extra time for the gift shop. Admission is $8 for adults but, if you stop at the Island Visitor Center first they will give you some discount coupons to use.

We took our time to explore this fort and really enjoyed it. There is a printed handout with numbered stations, it's all very clear to understand. There is a museum area with photos and letters as well.

History buffs and youngsters will enjoy exploring this historic fort at one's own pace and understanding what it was like to defend Mobile Bay and live in less than desirable accommodations ...from rope beds to underground latrines.The small museum has some interesting artifacts and the magazine where arms and gunpowder were once stored can be visited.Views of Mobile Bay are excellent and the grounds are very well kept.

Made our way to the end of Dauphin Island on a rainy day and ended up at Fort Gaines. Wonderful ladies at the entrance showed us our way. Kids (8 and 11) were highly engaged. You have to do the tour by yourself following the map but it added a nice historic touch to our beach vacation!

Always something new to learn each time we go. We also enjoy sitting on the wall and watching the boats. No tours or guides, you just take a pamphlet and take as much or as little time as you want. If you can catch Colonial Times, you are in store for a treat.

We stopped because my husband is a huge history buff and this place is a Civil War Fort! I didn't expect to enjoy this, only sweat and steps, but i enjoyed it just as much as the husband and kids! It is a real brick free-standing fort used in the Civil War!! From the cannons set up on the edge of the walls, walking through the magazine rooms down little stairwell passage ways, walking through captains cabins, bakery and a small museum inside, there was history everywhere! I passed on the latrine, but my husband even said that was even cool! There is memorabilia that is facinating! What got me the most is the native american tribe that disappeared and the letters home from soldiers that were written both horizontal and vertical! The whole family came away with some new knowledge and some smiles! Great for the whole family!

Loved our trip to the fort. To walk around and see and touch the history, it’s amazing. We paired our visit with a trip across the bay to fort Morgan and I will tell you that between the two it was a great day filled with informative history. Don’t hesitate to explore the grounds and take your time, there are interesting bits of knowledge tucked away in every corner of this place.

We were there the day the eagle scout who developed the app was being interviewed by the local news. It's a fantastic app and really adds to the experience. It's rumoured to be haunted so take pictures!

Fort Gaines is very informative and enjoyable. The architecture is so impressive. The ladies working in the gift shop were friendly and helpful. Be sure to use the tour guide pamphlet given to you and follow the order of the self guided tour. You get so much more out of it.

My wife and I visited on a hot day! Go early or on a cool day! They did have a cell phone interpretation but it was not very worthwhile. DID have a working blacksmith and he WAS interesting. Had to ask questions to get him going but was the best part of trip!

The fort was historic and beautiful and the views of the ocean were amazing! I would be cautious with kids though. It was a little foggy on the day we went and some of the twirly stairs were slippery. It takes about 1 hour to explore it all but it’s definitely worth your time!

We visited Dauphin Island via the Mobile Bay Ferry to visit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and as a bonus for dad (me) my family suffered through a tour of historic Fort Gaines. It was a bit pricey for the short time we spent at the Fort, and if your family isn't necessarily interested in Civil War history, then this destination may not be for your family. That said, you can see and walk around the outside of the Fort at no cost, and that alone would be worth the trip.

There is unique history to this structure, built between 1821 and 1859 by the US Army using military and slave labor. The walking/reading tour takes around an hour and walks you from spot to spot through the fort to read about the design, geographic importance of the fort during the Civil War and other historical significance along the way. It would have been a better experience with a narrated/audio tour, and I honestly don't know if one is available. .

This fort that witnessed the Civil War is well maintained. But.... It may be lost to mother nature since the beach is being eroded away. This is a must visit piece of history. If you visit this fort on the same trip with a visit to Fort Morgan, the ferry ride is a hoot!

great history and the cellphone tour is very informative. I know it's an old fort but the outdoor displays are nearly impossible to read, some fences falling down. other than that, I really enjoy visiting this fort. great history

We had fun exploring the Fort. We got to the Fort maybe an hour before it Closed. It was the third fort we visited that day. It was the easiest to get around. Nicely marked on the map and numbered stops. The cannons were cool.

There wasn’t really anything negative about this place. We went on a hot hot day which made our young children and us miserable walking around but the place itself was cool. So, if you’re going on a hot day, come prepared with fans, many water bottles, cooling clothes, et cetera. The only place that I could find with any kind of air conditioning was the gift shop where you buy your tickets to go in. The other thing we liked about it was the tickets were inexpensive. This would be a great area to explore for history buffs and a beautiful view of the ocean from here.

Self guided tour with Civil War history and relics. Very interesting. Take your time and explore all the fort has to offer.

Fort Gains is nice to see, but only takes a few hrs to see. Cool history also. Lots of interesting things and stories about Fort Gains.

This is a well preserved fort at the entrance to Mobile Bay. It played a key Civil War role in the defense of Alabama. The wall is mostly intact and various rooms used by its residents are on display in the courtyard. Take a leisurely self guided tour and enjoy the views of the Gulf. It's dog friendly, too.

This was the site of the last confederate stronghold with regard to port cities. It is also, famously, the site of an exchange between union battle ships trying to enter a heavily "mined" Mobile Bay where Admiral David Farragut of the USS Hartford was heard yelling to the other boats' commanders "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" If you travel just a little further westward to Pelican Point you will see the effort that is being made to save this fort from erosion caused by littoral drift.

Fort Gaines is a nice place for families to learn the history of this place. A leisure stroll with period cannons and the fort itself. Beach is right around the back side and you can fish off of rocks. Also you can catch the sunrise from this area. Beautiful views!

Lots of history, self walking tour small fee. The views are amazing on the top of the fort. Great gift shop!
We had fun!

I visited with my sister who lives on the island. I learned quite a bit. You may walk at your own pace through the self-guided tour.
Some interesting points. Many of the Confederate soldiers were only 12 to 16 years old. When the Union Army took the fort and they realized how young they were, they "sent them home to their anxious mothers in Mobile." Many of the shell types available for the cannons are on display. They also have a ten-holer for sanitation, and the tides would flush it. They made hundreds of loaves of bread each day in the bakery ovens, and their is a description for how they did it.
"Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" A torpedo isn't what you think it is. You'll learn about them too. You'll also see an operating blacksmith shop. We enjoyed the fort, and I covered it all! Quite interesting.
I purchased hats and t-shirts for friends at home in the gift shop. Lots of interesting things to purchase for kids that are inexpensive. Lastly, kids would likely enjoy running the grounds. Lots of open spaces.
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We went here with our family and I recommend going early or late to avoid the heat. It was SO hot that we couldn't enjoy it as much as we would have otherwise. Also, I don't remember there being a charge to get in last time we were there but I could be wrong. The admission wasn't too bad. It's a very neat piece of history and worth visiting! The kids did surprisingly well. I expected them to get bored easily. :-) nice family visit.

If you're on the island, don't miss this amazing piece of living history. The buildings are about 90% original, and the repairs that have been made were done with brick of the same period. The exhibits are very interesting, especially if you're a history geek like me. It's well worth the cost of admission. Don't miss it!

To be completely fair, we arrived at 20 minutes to closing. Our bad. But note that we'd already enjoyed a great trip and a great day. We don't hold against someone who needs to say: "Sorry, we're closed," or "sorry, that will be a 45 minutes wait." We're also the kind of folks who might be willing to pay $8.00 for a 20 minute experience, if we knew that it might years (hopefully not never) before we returned that way again. The employee at Fort Gaines was downright disdainful and insulting in her successful attempt at discouraging our entry. I'm hoping that she isn't representative of whatever organization runs the show. Anyway, we looked through various slats in the fence on our way out and decided we didn't miss much. It sure ain't no Fort Ticonderoga. Not sure it's worth anyone's $8.00

We did the self guided walking tour. It was very interesting. Walking in the footsteps of history, it was hard to imagine living there. The day we were there, the blacksmith was working. He was a wealth of knowledge and shared his craft with us. He answered any and all questions. The fort is well preserved.

It is a must see if on Dauphin Island. Not crowded, plenty to see and in a great location. It gives an account of why the fort was built and is use in the Civil War.

Instead of a family setting we found neo-military types waving around rifles! No thanks! Unsettled to find out of shape non-military people in World War Two uniforms waving rifles around!

Great with the family. Make sure you go on the days that the blacksmith is there, it's great watching his creations. Very skilled.

This fort was informative and interesting. The breeze and view on the top level is awesome. The staff was friendly and helpful.

I've had this place on my bucket list for years and this year I was able to mark it off. We arrived around 10 and I walked the entire area, the landscape was so beautiful. Its very clean and well maintained, there were restrooms and a museum. I didnt go into the museum because there were several groups headed over and due to Covid 19 I skipped. There are so many picture opportunities if you love to take pictures. I would arrive earlier around 8 to try and beat the heat and don't forget to pack drinks. My teenagers ended up going back to the truck because it was HOT. I ended up exploring the old buildings. Most ares are not handicap accessible but the main view in the fort is handicap accessible.

Adding to our tour of forts land gulf coast. Although many look much the same, there are subtle differences. This park will s not sponsored by federal or state funds. $9 per adult on this day. Cute gift shop. Awesome views of gulf and Mobile Bay. Located on west side of mouth of Mobile Bay directly across from Fort Morgan (another great visit). Did this one before but time it right and ride the ferry across the bay

We are soaking up Civil War history as we tour the Gulf Shores area. This fort is another worth visiting. You must take the ferry over to Dauphin Island but both are experiences worth doing. We also visited the estuary while in the Island. Recommend all!

Was raining and storm in area---could not spend much time but will definitely return sometime to see it.

Lots to learn throughout our wonderful country. Really enjoyed this stop in Dauphin Island. Letters between soldiers and their families on display were so interesting to read. Great gift shop. Well worth the time and cost of admission.

Def a good place to visit! We were able to see so many dolphins from the high lookout spots by the cannons. Very informative and cool experience!!

We really enjoyed this fort. We took the ferry over from Ft. Morgan. I liked the self guided pace of the tour. We spent $42 to get our family in. Averages out to about $6/person. Lots of neat history, explanation of the area, and great descriptions of the fort. There are some neat artifacts there as well from other parts of the area not related to the fort (think shipwrecks). Keep ahold of young kids - there are not rails and fences everywhere, which I really appreciated, but more simple black rails and signs to remind you where you shouldn’t go. Worth the stop.

History buffs will like it but it is just an old fort with walls.Your time is better spent on the island enjoying nature, fishing, and going to the beach.

The top of the fort has a great view over the beaches and bay. The structure itself is very interesting and well-preserved. There are some cool stair cases and tunnels. It is worth every penny! ($9 for adults, free for children under 4). I came with a stroller and most areas are accessible with the stroller

A little overpriced, unless the money goes toward upkeep. History fascinating and views of the bay are terrific.

Great place to learn more about the Island. It's a little dated, but it's a Fort, after all! They have a gift shop and there's a small admission fee to enter. Worth the visit! (try to go when it's cooler)

Very interesting to walk around the site and read about the housing and daily operations.
Being self guided also enhanced the tour since we could take our time and go at our place.
The museum was really emotional reading letters from the soldiers to their family's.

Another great old historic fort on the sea! I loved the old rescued ship of unknown origin outside and cannons all around inside this massive fort!

Fort Gaines is a well-preserved Civil War fort that was occupied by the US military up through WWII. Visitors can see parts of the fort that were added to aid in the Spanish-American War as well as WWII. Reenactments and living history are ongoing year round and the staff is very knowledgeable. The on-site museum is very educational.

Fort Gaines is a great stop for history lovers! Great self tour or guided tour. Beautiful views of Mobile Bay. Many interesting items that have been found locally, washed up from the Gulf. Items in gift shop very reasonably priced!

We really enjoyed this but we like history. Our two 11 yr old boys seemed to enjoy it as well. Lots of walking up and down so take note. Had a working blacksmith.

My friend and I went to Fort Gaines for the Battle of Mobile Bay 5k. I have been to Fort Gaines many times and always learn something new. This was my friends first time to go and he can't wait to go back . A must visit to put on your agenda if you go to dauphin island .

I have a 6yo and he loved going in and out of the areas of the fort!!! He would run from room to room!! He would even try to look in dark places and he is afraid if the dark!!! This was a great tourist attraction, despite the 95 degree temperatures!!!

We took the ferry over from Fort Morgan,

If you only want to visit the fort, you can park for free at Fort Morgan and take the ferry across for $5/person and walk a very short distance to the fort-keep this in mind!

At $8 per adult, it isn't cheap to visit Fort Gaines. But, we were among the only visitors and felt we had the fort to ourselves. There's a nice guide/map you get when you purchase tickets that explains the fort and how it evolved over the years, as well as the historic Battle of Mobile Bay ("Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!").

The museum has some interesting photographs and artifacts, although I'm sure a museum curator would cringe at how the items are being preserved. The fort doesn't get federal or state funding and they are pretty fortunate to do what they do on their limited budget.

This was a pleasant way to spend 1.5 hours on a lovely morning in February, getting fresh air, learning about the past, and supporting an endangered place.

Gift shop has a large selection of Civil War books (including military and cookbooks/women's interests) and money goes to support the fort.

Bathrooms just inside the entrance. Make sure you take plenty of water during the summer!

A nice place to visit and walk around. Easy to self-guide and well-marked information to learn about the history of the fort.

This fort is rich in history and is very well preserved. I myself was very suprised in hearing that Aaron Burr was captured and held at this very fort. My favorite thing about this place is the beautiful view over the water. If you look closely, you can even see Fort Morgan across the Bay!

We took 3 teens and 1 preteen to the historic site to learn about the fort in mid-July. It was fun climbing around, up and down, in all the nook and crannies. The museum, air conditioned thank goodness, was well laid out and had some very nice pieces from the Confederate war. The kids enjoyed watching the Blacksmith make a decorative hook using equipment that was over 100 years old. Good educational activity and enjoyed the grounds.

We were traveling to Mobile, like history, and decided to take a detour to Fort Gaines. We spent two or three hours exploring the fort, learned a bit, and had a good time.

Fort Gaines is a great historical site for all ages to visit! It's in great condition, well priced, and a self-guided tour is fun. It would be nice if there were people dressed in period costumes performing tasks available to talk with any time you visit. A snack shop with period snacks would be fun.

Seeing the old fort was a great experience for the entire family. Easy to get to and plenty of parking. Even a little gift shop.

We enjoyed the self guided tour of the fort. They had a lot to explore. Wear good sturdy shoes. Also it can get very windy, but it is worth it

Very cool place. The tour is structured so that you can read along as you walk through the fort that has each area numbered. Very cool history and would definitely recommend.

Has bathrooms and plenty of parking.

We were on a road trip and just thought we stop at the island for one night. Had no idea the Fort was on the island. Well preserved fort of historical value. Definitely worth the entrance fee and " Damn the torpedoes ...full speed ahead'.

I always found forts interesting. It's like stepping back in time. So if you like that sort of thing, it did cost $9 for an adult and it was a self-guided tour.

Fort Gains is a great place for Civil War Buffs, and is at the very Eastern end of Dauphin Island. Admission is $8 for adults. The exterior makes for good photos.

As is most forts, this one is not friendly for mobility challenged individuals. The fort is very much like all Civil War forts. Basically, if you've seen one, you have pretty much covered them all. Same design, same features, etc. Nothing spectacular even for a Civil War buff.

We've been to this fort several times over the years. Lots of interesting history. I love days the blacksmith is working, or when they have a group of kids for field trip, you can follow them along and get to see a little more than the self led tour (shooting gins, and people dressed in costumes). There is a room with letters written by men from the civil war, lots of very interesting stories that give you a good look at what life was like for them. Lots of relics.

Great place to visit for the history buff. There is not a lot of activities on the island so this is a don't miss. $16 per person fee seemed a little high for what doesn't take very long but glad we went.

A nice fort with awesome views of Mobile Bay. History you can touch. Our dog was welcome on the grounds and enjoyed herself too.

We have visited here. It’s an visual treat for sure!! Lot of history and you can view Ocean from this fort! There is museum that talks about lot of history. With minimum entry price, it’s good place to sit and know about fort

This fort I really liked because it was self guided so you can go at you own speed. But if you not a fan of this you may want to pass on it. But you will be missing out on a chance to stand where history happened.

Ps. You will also miss out on the chance to take the best family photo ever with you all setting on a 10 man latrine!!!

Smaller than Fort Morgan, this is a wonderful fort with a meaningful history and stories. Can be seen in 30 minutes. Spend an hour if you are really into Civil War history.

Fascinating time at the fort. We highly recommend it. It certainly helped us determine why Farragut said Damn the Torpedoes, full steam ahead!

Very unique and must have experience.. very inexpensive and educational! Should be on any Gulf if Mexico tour destination!