There is no doubt that many of the Civil War battle sites in the US are located in the South region, and it’s also true that not all Civil War battle sites offer the same experience.
If you’re a civil war enthusiast and are looking for a list of of Civil War battle sites where you can truly experience and get a sense of Civil War battle times, below, we’ve rounded up ten of the best American Civil War battle sites in the US:
Fort Sumter National Monument
Fort Sumter National Monument is located in Sullivan’s Island South Carolina, just a 30 minutes boat ride from Fort Sumter visitor’s center in Charleston. Fort Sumter National Monument is perhaps the most historic of all battle sites since the first shots of Civil War rang out here.
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| Must See Places in southern US |
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park is located in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, and it’s just a couple of hours drive from popular vacation spots in Mid Atlantic such as Washington DC and Baltimore.
Gettysburg National Military Park is definitely one of the best American Civil War battle sites where you can really take in American history!
Gettysburg National Military Park boasts a visitor’s center and a museum where you’ll be able to watch short movies, and marvel at plenty of interesting civil war exhibits.
Shiloh National Military Park
Shiloh National Military Park is located in Shiloh Tennessee, just a half-hour drive east of Memphis.
Shiloh National Military Park boasts lots of historic markers, monuments, museums and an interpretive center with many artifacts on display that will allow you to grasp an idea of what Civil War soldiers would’ve endured.
Again, Shiloh Park also offers various options such as taking an audio cd tour, or a ranger-led tour of the park.
Antietam National Battlefield
Antietam National Battlefield is located in Sharpsburg Maryland, just an hour’s drive from Washington DC and Baltimore.
Antietam National Battlefield is another of the best American Civil War battle sites where you can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring everything on offer!
Antietam Battlefield also boasts a museum with great exhibits on display, and a visitor’s center where you’ll be able to purchase an audio cd tour or hire a ranger for a detailed tour.
Fort Pillow State Historic Park
Fort Pillow State Historic Park is located in Henning Tennessee around a 30 minute drive north of Memphis.
Fort Pillow State Historic Park is also free to enter and boasts an interpretive center and museum where you’ll be able to see interesting Civil War exhibits, as well as a short film.
Besides these, Fort Pillow State Historic Park boasts interpretive programs such as live demonstrations, ranger talks, and regular reenactments throughout the year.
Vicksburg Battlefield Park
Vicksburg Battlefield Park is located in Vicksburg Mississippi; around 60 minutes drive west of Jackson MS.
Vicksburg Battlefield Park is, undoubtedly, one of the best American Civil War battle sites you can visit hands down!
Vicksburg Battlefield Park boasts lots of interesting displays such as a Civil War hospital room and trenches, as well as monuments, fortifications and cannons.
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Pea Ridge National Military Park is located in Garfield Arkansas and it's just a couple of hours drive north of Fort Smith. If you enjoy being close to nature, Pea Ridge National Military Park is one of the best Civil War sites to explore since the battle site boasts miles of trails that run through wilderness.
Pea Ridge National Military Park boasts a visitor center, museum and lots of outdoor interpretive exhibits such as history markers, monuments and images that tell this battlefield story.
Fort Donelson Battlefield
Fort Donelson Battlefield is located in Dover Tennessee, just a couple of hour’s drive northwest of Nashville.
Fort Donelson Battlefield visitor’s center is one of the best Civil War centers in the region as it not only boasts many Civil War artifacts on display, but also an exhibit on the Underground Railroad.
You’ll be able to tour Fort Donelson Battlefield, though audio cd’s and guided tours aren’t available here.
Columbus Belmont State Park
Columbus Belmont State Park is located in Arlington Kentucky, along the shores of the Mississippi River.
Columbus Belmont State Park boasts a 9ft long cannon and 12ft long anchor on display and it is, without a doubt, one of the best American Civil War battle sites to get a glimpse of Civil War times because of the originally dug battle trenches.
Tip. One of the best times of the year to get the most our of your visit to a Civil War battle site is during the summer months since most battlefield sites hold live demonstrations and re-enactments.
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