This may have been my favorite place we stopped on our Charleston field trip! I feel like I learned so much it was very cool!! We started the tour by listening to our guide tell us more about the Hunley we sat in a small room with lots of large photos. She made the information interesting for the adults as well as for the kids. After we finished we switched with the other group and went to view the submarine and the artifacts found with it. It was awesome! Next, we ventured to the gift shop, of course! My kiddo picked out a lovely snow globe and an adorable stuffed bear. This is a must visit if you're in Charleston!! read more

Hunley - Museums Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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I didn't really know what to except but am pleasantly surprised. Nice educational exhibit with some sprinkling of videos and talks. You can actually see the Hunley, too at the back of the building. Driving there you may think that you're in the wrong place but then you see the entrance. They have a nice gift shop too! read more

Amazing museum. I love that it covers two eras: the development and operation of the Hunley during the Civil War during the 1860s and also its discovery and recovery from the 1990s to now. It really is a must see for any history buff visiting Charleston. read more

Second time here. Despite not much changing in the past couple of years, it's still a critical stop for anyone interested in military history. I'd encourage watching some of the live presentations as the volunteers are quite knowledgeable. read more

Hunley - The coin - Museums Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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Great historical visit! You may feel like you are going to a foreign area as it is winding, desolate and on not the greatest roads but be on the lookout for the small, faded sign for the exhibit. Small parking area. Upon entering you can read about the Hunley before entering the building main area. Enter, pay the entrance fee (military discount!), and enjoy the trip! The inside is well organized, large and informative. Friendly and helpful staff. Very educational. Highly recommend for all ages. read more

This. Was. My. Fav. Part. Of. Charleston!!!! Omg this museum was absolutely amazing. The staff is so nice. I am sooo glad I got to mark this off my bucket list!!! 5 stars!!! The Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley has the distinction of being the 1st submarine to sink an enemy warship in wartime, although the boat and its crew were lost as a result of this endeavor. Privately built in 1863 by Park and Lyons in Mobile, Alabama, with the financial backing of Horace Lawson Hunley, the submarine was constructed from rolled iron boiler plate with custom cast iron fittings. It was powered by a hand crank operated by a crew of 7, with an 8th member to pilot the boat. She was shipped by rail on 12 August 1863, to Charleston. Hunley (then referred to as the "fish boat", "fish torpedo boat", or the "porpoise") sank on 29 August 1863, during her 1st test run, killing 5 members of her crew. She sank again on 15 October 1863, killing all 8 of her 2nd crew, including Horace Lawson Hunley himself, even though he was not a member of the Confederate military. Both times Hunley was raised and returned to service. On 17 February 1864, the Confederate submarine approached USS Housatonic, a 16-gun, 1,240-ton sloop-of-war, on blockade duty 4 miles off the entrance to Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The Hunley carried a torpedo packed with explosive black powder bolted to a 16-foot spar. It rammed Housatonic below the water line, detonating the torpedo, tearing a hole in the Union ship's hull and sending her to the bottom along with 5 of her crew; however, the Hunley (and her 3rd crew consisting of 8 crewmen) was not seen again for over a century. In 1995, it was found by preservationists. It was raised in 2000 and taken to North Charleston's Warren Lasch Conservation Center, which had been constructed for the Hunley. The crewmen's remains were later removed for burial, and the submarine underwent extensive preservation work and research. read more

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We spent a total of 2 hours visiting the Civil war Museum as well as the tour of the Hunley itself You can't see everything as the ship is still partially underwater as it is still undergoing the restoration process It is hard to believe that this small little boat along with its brave crew, was able to sink a boat back in the civil war days. It is hard to fathom the elation the crew 1st experience upon success, followed by the horror of being trapped and inhumed in the sub as it filled with Water The overall tour and stories told at the Museum were pretty amazing and really taught the wife and I a great deal. There is a replica that people can go into and sit behind the human cranks that give an idea of what it must have been like during this one and only battle this ship faced. The crew remains as well as artifacts have been. The Hunley crew buried, in the last funeral of the Confederacy at Magnolia Cemetery read more

What a historical jewel the Hunley exhibit is for the Charleston area! The entire facility is very informative and interesting. It covers in depth not only the historical aspects of the Henley, but also the amazing story of its discovery, salvaging, and restoration efforts. While you can spend as as much or little time touring the exhibit as you like, I found that about 2 hours is a good time to plan for. Unless of course you're a history nerd for civil war stuff like me, then I'd plan on 3 (or more) hours to really soak in all of the aspects of the Hunley. read more

Learned lots I never knew about subs and the Civil War. Followed up with my own research and found a great book that answered soooo many questions the visit caused and highly recommend anyone read it before or after going. It even explains the big question they pose about how the sailors died without ever leaving their seats. It's called In The Waves (by Rachel Lance) and it's a great, entertaining read. The museum (and book) are definitely worth it. read more

This tour experience was notable for being the first place in a year where I walked into wearing a mask and was told specifically by the security guard that I didn't have to wear it. I could if I wanted, I was told. Yelp reviews aren't the place for a lengthy medical dialogue, but for myself, I was okay with going maskless and working through the psychological experience of being inside with other people. I suppose in a few years this review will read strangely, but the COVID era has been a strange time. The tour is only open on weekends and requires reservations. My tour started a bit before the time on my ticket and one can also wander through some exhibits beforehand, so definitely get there early. My tour guide emphasized the fact that the building's main purpose is as a workspace, not as a museum, which definitely is accurate. At present, you'll walk up some stairs and look down at the submarine from above immersed in a tank of water. There are some historical exhibits, including notably a coin that apparently deflected a bullet and saved the life of one of the men on board - and it sure looks like a coin that took a direct bullet hit. There are a few replica bits of the submarine that you can climb in, which were apparently build for a movie and are not to scale (they're actually bigger than the tiny metal tube that eight or so adult men somehow fit into), which is kind of a disappointment. The focus of the tour is narrowly on the boat itself and not much on the broader Civil War history, but it is interesting. The idea of stuffing one's self into a pre-industrial experimental submarine is mind-boggling. The propellor was literally powered by the men cranking it by hand. The only weapon was a single torpedo at the end of a stick. The thing sunk and killed a total of a dozen or so people inside it on two separate occasions before it even saw battle, at which point it victoriously sank a ship and then disappeared under circumstances that remain mysterious before being found over a century later and preserved in its present form. I don't have a strong opinion on the various theories of what happened to the crew, but the whole story is just bonkers. The submarine is apparently owned by the Navy (that is, the United States Navy, who claim it as spoils of war). The story emphasizes the fact that the submarine was built by profiteers, and it seems a far more profitable enterprise as a historical artifact than it ever was in practice. You'll likely see plenty of people from the contemporary U.S. armed forces visiting here, and the relationship this place and the people have to Civil War history and the broader American story is something I haven't really gotten my head around, despite living in the South for several years and giving a good faith effort to understand it. Commentary aside, the visitor experience here isn't amazing, but this thing is such a weird piece of history that I do think it's worth seeing for anyone who is on the fence about it. The tour and a little time before and after exploring is likely to run on the order of an hour and a half. read more

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Very nice museum. Everything was so nice, and available to see. The best part was seeing the actual hunley. Would define go again

This is a great museum for adults and kids alike. You don't want to miss this piece of American history! The exhibits were very well done - easy to read and also interactive. You will need about an hour here to take it all in. Parking is free and there are an adequate number of spaces. The gift shop was quite nice with a fairly large selection of items. The only negative thing I have to say is that it is a bit hard to find - definitely need to use your GPS as there were no signs. read more

Hunley - Museums Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

The HL Hunley is a must do whether you're a local or visitor to the Charleston area. A unique piece of national history from the Charleston area, the museum and tour is exceptionally well done and informative. The tour guide/docent was very knowledgeable and passionate about the HL Hunley and excited to share his knowledge. The museum walk through and tour took a little over an hour and was worth every minute. Excellent!! read more

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Extremely interesting story of a lesser known event in the Civil War. I have tried to visit this many times before, but it is closed during the week. I was able to visit during Veterans Day weekend and was definitely not disappointed. What an amazing find that keeps on teaching. My wife had no idea about this chapter in history, and typically hates museums. She was able to walk through without once scolding me that "this is taking too long." She even sat and listened to an expert (Jamie) speak about the night in question. Fascinating explanation exhibits and information. If you like obscure history, this is the one for you. read more

First off, you can only see this site on the weekends, so plan accordingly. I would also buy tickets ahead of time, as space is limited. This is an active research and restoration site for a civil war confederate submarine. How many times can someone expect to see something like this?! They have a nice museum, then a tour guide leads you up to show you the submarine and discuss the history and the restoration. After having plenty of time to see the sub and snap photos, there is more discussion of theories about how the sub sank as well as interesting stories surrounding the crew. You can tell everyone on site is passionate about history and this project. Excellent opportunity to see something amazing and unimaginable. read more

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This laboratory is a blessing, considering the discovery of the Hunley is very recent and that research is still being done on this vessel five days out of the week. The Hunley still keeps its secrets and we are trying to unmask this sub. Very good tour guides and nice public displays make this "museum" hybrid the most exciting exhibit in the country right now. read more

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This is a hidden gem in North Charleston for sure. There are a lot of signs for the Hunley along the highway and the main road but even my traveling partner, who lives down the street, wasn't sure where it was! We paid our entrance fee (which really wasn't expensive, especially considering the amount of time and money they're putting into preservation and towards a new museum) and walked around the museum until our "tour" started. We were taken into the back room and were told the story of the Hunley before walking up the stairs to see it in the holding tank. Afterwards we saw some more artifacts, read stories on the wall, voted on how we thought it sank, and asked our tour guide so many questions he asked if we'd be interested in leading tours in the future. I truly cannot believe how cramped the interior of the sub was, and to think of how many people were in there! Crazy. This was an ideal way to spend a hot and humid afternoon. We followed it up with a drive through Magnolia Cemetery, just down the street, where the crews are buried. read more

The confederate sub Hunley sank a Union vessel off Charleston in 1864. The sub itself sank later that night for reasons unknown and was lost for over a century. It was raised in 2000 and resides in a tank of water where it is being cleaned and studied. The remains of the crew were found at their stations. After several years of forensic analysis, they were buried with military honors in Magnolia cemetery, near the Hunley. There are exhibits that describe the history of the sub, and some personal effects of the crew. The guide was very knowledgeable. This is a part of history that cannot be observed anywhere else in the world, and is well worth the time and cost. read more

Hunley - The aft end of the Hunley in its tank - Museums Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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It has been easily 15 years since we visited the Hunley. Wow! What a place this has become. We decided to check it out on a rainy day while in Charleston. First, the conservation efforts are amazing. Now that the National Geographic license is over, you can photograph the sub. The science behind the conservation is fascinating and the volunteers giving tours are knowledgeable. The museum portion is great as well. A concise history of the Civil War, Charleston, and the Hunley. The sections on the recovery may be the most interesting part. This is well worth a visit -rain or shine! read more

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This was my first visit to see the Hunley, and I was very impressed. The tour is simple yet very informative. Our guide knew a lot of the Hunley history, as he should, and was able to answer all questions that were tossed his way. The Hunley has been well preserved over the years, and the removal of concretion on the hull gives viewers an amazing glimpse in to Civil War maritime history. The self guided tour part of the building is full of information, which allowed my dad and I to really dive in (pun intended) to the facts behind the Hunley and her crew. Following our tour, I took my dad to Magnolia Cemetery, where the crew of the Hunley is buried. If you've never been, type it in to the GPS and make the 2 mile trek down the road. Mr Hunley himself is also buried there. read more

We had been to the Hunley with a large group of Cub Scouts in August of 2001. At that time it looked something like a Sea Cucumber in murky water.....to return was amazing! First thing is that they have made such improvements in the actual space, without losing the hands on approach that we still remembered 19 years ago.... Dr Lee, who has been "hands on " on the project from the beginning greets you and checks you in, sends you inside the museum where you are handed your tickets. Our guide was more than knowledgeable, and the ship itself is in the process of a remarkable restoration. There she sits, submerged upright in a crystal clear tank. Every rivet is visible, the details are remarkable. After the tour, we strolled through the museum, checked out the gift shop and were so motivated by the presentation that we became Friends of the Hunley....Nice to see this kind of energy and devotion.....talked to Dr Lee on the way out, he is an absolute font of knowledge about the Hunley! And talk to him about supporting the project....it is truly money well spent read more

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We loved our tour of the Hunley and relevant artifacts. I have a great appreciation for the time and effort put in to this museum by the conservationists. There was plenty of parking and enough to entertain kids and adults alike. read more

Hunley - Museums Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

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This was an extremely interesting exhibit to visit if you are in Charleston. Amazing story, definitely worth a visit.

Notice sign and website closing time. We arrived at 3:30 PM on Saturday afternoon to be turned away. We were told they close at 3 PM although all of the signage and website say 5 PM. The volunteer working explained that they knew about this but could not get anyone to change it. We drove a long distance out of our way to get there. This was very disappointing especially to my 10-year-old son who was looking so forward to this. read more

Hunley - Museums Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

We planned this visit for our way back out of Charleston because it's pretty far off the beaten path. This was an enjoyable excursion and we learned a lot about the Hunley. Although I would not consider it a premiere attraction, I would definitely include it on a visit to the Charleston area. The displays are informative and the guide was quite good. We were in and out in about an hour. read more

Unfortunately our visit to Charleston did not include any weekend days, so we could not view this attraction. I communicated with staff several weeks prior to our visit, and was offered a private tour for $400. There was no real attempt to help us see the museum outside normal hours. The schedule seems strange to me; not a single weekday? I'm told there's a replica outside which can be seen while the museum is closed, but the location is inconveniently distant from downtown- too far to walk, not on a bus route, not worth the Uber ride to see a replica. We saw lots of history in all the other museums and Fort Sumter, all open on weekdays. Sorry to have missed this piece of history. read more

I've seen a couple of history channel documentaries about the CSS Hunley but I was extremely happy to see her in person. But it is not as easy as you might think. They are only open on Sat-Sun. You should really purchase a ticket in advance b/c they only let in so many people per tour. Each tour lasts a mere 20 minutes. No cameras are allowed in the area with the sub. We were not told why, I can't imagine that camera flashes are going to harm the metal hull. You'll need a car to get out there or grab a taxi but you'd have to make arrangements to get back as there were no taxis waiting outside. It is located in a very run down part of the area that used to be the Charleston navy base. And no public transportation either. I do wish that they allowed more than 20 minutes per tour. There is so much to learn about the sub. You are not actually forced out of the sub area but you do have tour group after tour group filling in. I have to think that they are trying to maximize revenue and get as many people through there as possible. Some of the tour guides are ex-navy guys and are very friendly. Beyond seeing the sub in its water tank, you can also see the schnorkel, the boom that held the explosive charge that sank the USS Housatonic. It was the first sinking of a naval ship by a submersible ever. The next successful attempt was over 50 years later during WW One! Amazing. They have info on the crew and reconstructed wax heads depicting the third and last crew to die in the CSS Hunley. Very brave men fighting for many reasons, not just slavery. A very complex subject. But I could not help to notice that there were no blacks among the visitors. Who can blame them? Slavery was a major cause of the war. You also get to see the gold coin that had saved Lt Dixon at Shiloh as well as the two diamond rings that he had in his posession. As well as other objects found in the sub. They also have a mock up that you can get in but there was a chain preventing one from turning the crankshaft. Still, it gave you an idea of what it would be like. I learned many things like: there were three European (German) born crew members. The Union navy had fore warning of the attack from some confederate desserters so the USS Housatonic was able to get under way by a few meters almost making the CSS Hunley miss its target. I understand from the tour guide that in 5-6 years they will be opening a much bigger museum so that they can show off the many objects that they found in the sub but don't have the room to show now. I look forward to see that. The only unpleasant thing was our tour guide (Joan, I think) got off topic and started to describe her disdain for global warming theories. Believe what you want but such political discussion absolutely does NOT belong in part of a tour guide's work. I snagged a cool book on the Hunley and a cool t-shirt for the memories of such an interesting event in history. read more

While visiting Charleston consider taking about 1-2 hours out of your day and explore the Hunley museum and learn about the first submarine to sink a ship in combat. The mysteries and legends about this vessel are now coming to the light of day with the help of the researchers who work here. I'm a history buff and really enjoyed myself here. Tons of information and videos for those of you who want to take the time and learn about the history of the Hunley. read more

Fascinating chapter at intersection of Civil War, submarines and modern warfare. The actual submarine, the Confederate H.L Hunley, is displayed in a giant water tank as historians and scientists study it while stabilizing it. Many artifacts, pictures, hands-on exhibits, and life-size displays tell its story. Six men in a narrow tube blow up a Yankee ship, sail away, but mysteriously perish under the waves... but no one knew why or where for over 100 years. Helpful guides add flavor during talks and discussions about the discovery and recovery as well as its storied history ... along with it's continued mysteries. Well worth it for Civil War and maritime aficionados. read more

We did a noon tour on Sunday. We had tried for a Saturday afternoon but was sold out by noon. I would have liked to avoid online service fee but not sure how early the tours sell out for day. My 13 yr old son picked this and had been wanting to see sub for a while. Had a great guide. My 13 yo and 17 yo love science and history. The info could be over the head of some younger kids but perfect for tweens and up. The guided tour portion was 30 mins or less and then you're free to roam at leisure through public exhibits. Cameras and cell phones are allowed. There are also a few "hands on" exhibits so perfect for the kids that want to touch and feel things. If you have any interest in Civil War history it's a must see! read more

Well worth the visit whether you're a history buff or not. Even my 12yo understood the ambition and significance of the Hunley, and bravery of its crew. I wish the tour was longer than the 20 minutes allotted. I'd recommend buying your tickets online. Tours are only on the weekends and fill up quickly. The tours are led by volunteers, some were Navy veterans. While the submarine itself is impressive, the personal artifacts and stories of the crew bring her story to life. The only downside was that our tour guide talked too fast and his words ran into each other, which made it difficult to understand him. Thankfully the other exhibits in the warehouse give you the history, so I didn't feel completely lost. I look forward to when the Hunley will be housed in a permanent museum when the conservation is complete. read more

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They have done such a GREAT job with informing people about the Hunley! The Hunley is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, which is kind of a bummer for locals, as it definitely gets quite crowded. That is the only negative thing I could say about the Hunley! The volunteers who give their time to educate the public are incredibly passionate and knowledgable. When they tell you the history of the Hunley, the story telling is so good that you actually feel like you are there! The Hunley is currently enclosed behind glass because it is in a solution that is potentially harmful to us humans, as it is trying to work down the concretion inside and outside of the sub. They say it will take another 5 years before this process will be finished! However, you can still see the Hunley, and the volunteers point out different parts of the sub with a laser pointer. The museum was not what I expected, at all. It is very interactive, and has a great flow. It isn't one of those exhibits with tons of useless information that you try to cram into your head but can't.. No, it has incredibly memorable facts, and it does a great job at assisting your memory but creating great displays and exhibits so you remember everything! I know the Hunley is a bit of a drive from downtown Charleston, where most people stay during their visit, but I strongly urge them to come visit. It is off the beaten path, there is good food nearby at Park Circle and it is just such an interesting part of Charleston's history! read more

My wife and I would highly recommend that you visit the Hunley Conservation Laboratories during the weekend to be able to tour the facilities and learn about the Civil War Hunley! It is well worth your time. read more

The Hunley was the first submarine to ever successfully sink a ship in combat, and then itself mysteriously sank shortly after the engagement. The sub is sitting in a water bath to avoid corrosion - almost as interesting as the thing itself is seeing the efforts around it to study and conserve the vessel. The volunteer tour guides are very well informed, and there's tons of additional information on placards and videos about how the sub was found, raised and excavated. I should mention that my mother, who is not particularly into history, found the sub creepy. I kind of understand what she meant - after all, the thing was the coffin of eight men for a hundred and fifty years. There's a certain level of cognitive dissonance involved in, on the one hand, praising the bravery and determination of the men who powered the submarine and on the other recognizing that the society they fought to defend was deeply unjust. But still, definitely make an effort to see this place if you're a history buff in the area. read more

If you're a history buff and on vacation in Charleston - GO! The legend of the Hunley is extremely interesting and the foundation has done a great job of converting an old laboratory into a mini Hunley museum. 20 minute tours are given Saturday and Sunday - my recommendation is to go on Sunday as both volunteer tour guides are veterans who live and breathe the stuff. Carl was my favorite! I think it costs $10/adult which is well worth the information, exhibits, and sweet little tour. Don't go expecting a large museum but do go expecting to learn!! read more

This was expensive! Too expensive to see the Hunley from above, behind glass! The guide was informative but I was so disappointed. I understand that it's sitting in something comparable to draino. I'm sure the fumes are strong. Still, you'd think they could've put it in a tank where you could see it at ground level. I regret coming here, just wasted time that I could've better spent elsewhere. read more

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Very interesting exhibition. Our guide was awesome, but completely forgot his name, my bad. Really interesting part of our history. Plan for a two hour stay at most. read more

I'm giving this experience a 5 star review. I bought a Groupon for the Hunley Experience and tour and absolutely loved it. It's educational and interesting and there is something for everyone. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Hunley and you could tell that he was passionate about it! There is also a gift shop and a muesum to walk through, all which are included in the cost of entrance. I highly recommend a visit to the Hunley! read more

Hunley - Hunley - Museums Near Me - North Charleston, South Carolina

This was our second visit 10 years later. Wow, did it grow up. Still a smaller museum but of good quality and cool stuff to see. Tour was very informative. Don't expect to stand next to the Hunley, it's another 4-5 years away so you see it about 10 ft away submerged in a tank. Priced right for what it is, definitely something to see. read more

It's incredible to see this unique piece of Civil War and naval history undergoing conservation efforts and to hear the stories of the submarine and its lost crew. This is well worth the visit and I'm sure I'll return when I'm in the Charleston area again. (If you don't have a car, plan ahead. This isn't that far outside of Charleston, but I didn't notice any public transportation, nor were there taxis nearby.) read more