Educational, understandable, engaging, interesting, interactive, and fun all at the same time. I am fascinated by the conservation methods and practices as well as the archaeology, sociology, history, and other pursuits involved in this incredible endeavor. I will most definitely continue to follow future developments online. Well worth the time to visit here. Thanks!

Very interesting museum. And its free. There is a tour guide. Remember to wear your mask

Wonderfully done exhibit and guided tour of the first sub used in warfare to sink an enemy ship. Well worth the cost of admission. Thanks to the volunteers who knowledgeably tell you the Hunleys incredible and tragic story.

A must see when in the area. Our guide (Duane) was awesome. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of our groups questions. Great displays explaining the process of recovery and restoration. Nice gift shop. Staff friendly and very helpful. Highly recommend.

We visited the Hunley Submarine and it did not disappoint! Our tour guide, Jaime was very knowledgeable about the submarine and could answer any questions we had! A must do in Charleston! Thank you, Jaime!

This was amazing! Very informative and the volunteers do an excellent job.

The The museum is a little hard to find down by the docks but well worth the trip. volunteers are very knowledgeable and friendly. An incredible amount of work has already been done to the Hunley to be able to view it in the state it’s in now the other exhibits in the museum a very interesting and well done. The gift shop is well stocked with all kinds of Hunley items. This is a group that should be supported with your generous donations.

What a beautiful piece of history in the making. Great tour guides, amazing bravery of those to get in the sub

We loved our tour of the Hunley and other exhibit/info sections! Volunteers are very friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to engage in conversation with you. Gift shop was nice too. There are books and DVDs available, plus your usual souvenir type items. We’ll come back again next time we visit Charleston.

This museum of Charleston history is a must see! The exhibit is presented in an excellent fashion with pictorial and hands on displays.I was amazed that our 3 yr. old grandson loved the museum and was genuinely interested in the mini sub and wanted to hear all about the submarine.The inside tour is spectacular, you can clearly see the submarine and the step by step process it has taken to preserve the sub.I would highly recommend visiting this museum!

Very interesting tour. They are still in restoration of the Hunley but we got to see it. The story of what happened to it is still to be determined.

We LOVED our visit to the Hunley. my husband watched the live news coverage when the Hunley was originally recovered and has waited for years to see it in person. The guide was knowledgeable and very friendly. He answered all of our questions and kept both our children engaged throughout the tour. Our kids actually became interested in the history of the Hunley during the tour. The museum has lots of information and relics. We would definitely visit again when we have more time to look at the museum more thoroughly.

Location is out of the way. They are trying to save money to build an actual museum. This is more of a temporary holding center. Loses a star for location, otherwise a great little civil war historic site to visit.... the actual sub is still in vat solution, but you can easily see it from the viewing platform. The guides were fantastic. They had a couple of retired navy gentlemen who were colorful and some of the most entertaining and knowledgeable guides I have ever experienced. They also gave great advice on local places to eat. The sub as you walk in is just a model.

Such a strange museum. Located in the middle of absolutely nothing. Its really fascinating and amazing theyve been able to salvage as much as they have. That it hadnt completely disintegrated by the time it was discovered is a miracle. Its a nice exhibit with lots to see and read. Worth the trip. Its also interesting how many locals dont even know it exists. Both lyft drivers were confused as to why they were even out there.

Good and knowledgeable staff ! Great source to experience and to learn the history ! The time to witness the Hunley in its gallery is limited with the time of the guided tour ! It would have been great if I had additional self-guided time !

I got a private tour and got to see the lab and current projects being worked on. The detail of information was so detailed. To get to step back in time and see how the first submarine that actually sunk a ship was amazing. If ever in Charleston make sure you visit here.

This was a fantastic experience, Ive learn more from the one on one interaction with the staff and volunteers then I could get out of any book. Thank you to Bryan for getting me on the Charlie tour. Dr. Lee for your insight on the how these men lived. And Bill a Vietnam Vet, who told me that wonderful story. And most of all Charlie who dress in period clothing and could have been there in 1864.

Excellent history and great interactive, hands on excitement for the kids. The staff does a great job of explaining the submarine and the mission, and the exhibits put you in the Hunley. Very good.

Fascinating tour!!!Off the beaten path but very worth the trip.

Neat tour. Great piece of history. The exhibits are not elaborate but they are packed with information. Seeing the submarine is a bit haunting. The simulated sub lets people experience what it would have been like to be on board. The artifacts are interesting, but you really need the tour guide to bring it all together.

Our tour guide, Steve, was very knowledgeable and entertaining.Very interesting and educational.

Well worth the visit. Very knowledgeable and friendly docent.

Absolutely Wonderful, if you never been you need to go..

A must see! Its amazing to think what the men in that little tube went through, and the historic significance of what they achieved. Ive written a full review on Mechtraveller.

Very informative and inspirational. The Tour Guides are wonderful and make the visit so much more interesting. To be able to see the actual submarine really brings everything into perspective.

It was set up very nicely something to be proud of. Lots of history. Way to go@

Great museum honoring the first attack submarine. Tour was indepth, viewing area should be expanded. Excited the gift shop!

I love history so this was a museum and tour I wasnt going to miss!! I remember reading about the H.L. Hunley in our school history books so when they pulled it out of the water it was such an historic moment to see something I had read come to life so to speak. One of the stories our history teacher told us about was a gold coin that saved the life of Lt. George Dixon during the Civil War at the battle of Shiloh. It was said a bullet ripped through his pants and struck a gold coin in his pocket, leaving it bent. The tale was so intriguing but it was just a tale, no one knew if it had really happened. Until 137 years later when a team of scientists discovered the gold coin and some oranate jewelry near Lt. Dixons remains inside the Hunley. The gold coin is indeed bent and on the back of the coin is a hand inscription that reads:ShilohApril 6, 1862My life PreserverG. E. D.This is one of many artifacts you can see on display now. The submarine (as of this moment) is still immersed in water but you can see it from above, behind a glass panel. Scientists are still working to get years of salt water out of the submarine in order to preserve and display it out of water later. I cant even describe the feeling of getting to see the submarine in person, even displayed like this. Its incredible. The tour guide also gives you a plastic coin before the tour. As you go through the tour your guide tells you about 4 possible ways as to how the Hunley sank. At the end of the tour, you can place your coin inside a tube of which theory possibly made the Hunley sink. I felt this was a great example of critical thinking and very educational. This museum is very interactive so its fun for kids and its a great learning experience for all ages! I highly recommend adding this tour to anyones Charleston bucket list.

About a 30-minute tour and you get to see the actual 1860s sub, brought up from the Charleston harbor 18 years ago. The museum and research are collaborations of Clemson University and the US Navy. The volunteer tour guides are really knowledgeable, passionate about the subject. Well worth the trip. Amazing story and lots of history.

We were so impressed with this tour! The restoration process itself is simply amazing.The tour guides were very knowledgeable and informative. It’s a miracle this great piece of history was discovered, was able to be recovered, and now restored. We’re excitedfor future and the end result of the restoration.

This museum is incredible. The volunteers are all very knowledgeable about the events that took place that led to the demise of the Hunley. I highly recommend visiting. And thank you to all the volunteers for your time!

I was very pleased with how much the tour guide knew. I went late on a Sunday and had the guy all to myself! I am a submariner and this is a must visit place to experience the conditions these submariners experienced in order to accomplish their mission. Truly amazing.

I read about the submarine on the internet but i wasnt interested at all, but when i went there it was amazing, the story, data, info, sculptures, photos all was amazing.

It was my first visit and I was not disappointed. I have dreamed about seeing her since I was child. To see her in all her glory was truly awe inspiring and as veteran a true honor. I will be going back.

I teach third grade S.C. history and this was a great place to visit to learn more about the American civil war. One of the kids favorite events of the civil war is learning about the the first submarine to successfully sink an enemy warship.

My whole family, including a 6 and 9 year old, really enjoyed this. The museum is somewhat small but contains alot of information. You learn how the Hunley came to be and its story, the story of her final crew and what may happen in the future. You only see a few actual artifacts and, at this point in the preservation process, you can only see the submerged ship from above and from behind glass. I would have loved to have seen more but I totally understand why I couldnt and look forward to a time when that is possible. Its really very emotional to see the actual Hunley itself and know what happened to the people aboard her. Unfortunately, your time with the ship is limited. A guide takes you in to see it, tells you the story and then you can stay on the viewing platform only until the next group is ready to come in, approximately every 20-30 minutes. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Parking was available at the building. I would definitely recommend it and will return.

Its awesome to see history unfolding. They are still restoring this submarine and extracting salt from the iron. It will be amazing to see it when its finished several years from now.

Plenty to read and learn while youre there, gift shop has some pretty cool stuff, tour was very informative and the guides are well informed so ask them questions!The atmosphere is much like a true, working lab, with a museum simply attached to it.Looking for forward to going back next time and seeing what progress theyve made.

Civil war tour from Gettysburg to Charleston & this was the highlight but CHECK opening times in advance!

Our tour guide Duane did an amazing job! Very interesting!

After 20 years of waiting I finally got to see her

Great exhibit and tour about the history and mystery of the Hunley!

The place was nice, a/c worked great and the museum was interesting. However I felt it was over priced. If you want to go here wait for a deal on Groupon or online. Also theres a coke machine before you enter the museum, dont bother buying a drink...you cant take it inside with you.

Our experience can best be described as seeing a ghost in the water. Our visit to see the Hunley was a must while in Charleston. We are history buffs and Civil War re-enactors (Union), have read about, own books about the Hunley, seen a video, and so we had to come there to see her in person. We were overwhelmed by the exhibits, and with an incredible docent to guide us, had a most memorable several hours. The most incredible part was seeing the Hunley in her water tank. Having learned so much about her, even before coming to Charleston, there she rested, in an eerie setting, a ghost in the water. The remains of the 8 men who rowed and directed her to the destruction of the Housatonic were recovered and eventually identified when she was raised from the bottom. Seeing that little submarine, it was amazing they could all fit inside and work so hard. We could spend but a short time looking at the Hunley; I could have sat there for an hour or more and watched, imagining that she would come to the surface. I was literally transfixed in her presence. We had a wonderful vacation in Charleston, a lovely welcoming city, but of everything we did and enjoyed, the highlight, for me, was the Hunley, with Fort Sumter in second place. Visitors must visit the Hunley, an absolutely unique Civil War and historical experience.

Great tour and wonderful learning museum targeted towards kids. Guides were knowledgeable.

Great fun. Very cool tour. Only open Saturday and Sunday.

Spectacular! A myst see for any geek or history buff!

A fantastic look at a famous example of Civil War technologic history - from the cleaned up and opened up sub itself to the actual configuration of the spar torpedo used to sink the USS Housatonic. Lt. Dixons (captain of the CSS Hunley) famed, inscribed $20 gold piece that saved his life at the Battle of Shiloh when it stopped a bullet is also on display.

A real piece of history thats a must see if youre in Charleston. Almost a surreal feeling as you are standing so close to a piece of American history. From the tour, to the artifacts found within the Hunley, it was amazing.

Great stop hidden away in Charleston. Very interesting tour with lots of history

Incredible history attached to this sub. The tour guide was very informative. A must see.

Fascinating place to visit. Even if your not a Civil War enthusiast it is well worth the visit if you are in Charleston.

This research center is first class. Thank you Clive Clusser and NUMA for finding our Confederate submarine!

Fascinating! Wonderful insight into the conservation of a captivating piece of history

Great place to learn about a pivotal event in history! Had interactive activities. Well in depth tour. Couldnt go in actual Hunley, however replicas were made!! Would go back to revisit

The tour is super in depth, takes a little over an hour. The whole museum is very well done with lots of explanation on the history of the submarine itself as well as a lot of detail about the raising and restoration. If you have any interest in Civil War history or maritime history this is a must see.

Love the interactive museum. Our guide was very knowledgeable and told the story of these brave pioneering men.

I love history and the Hunley delivered. The interactive museum is small but has artifacts, history, and hands on learning around every corner. Our guide was a wealth of knowledge.

Read about the hunt in Sea Hunters, incredible to finally see it.

Nice informative place. Great piece of history on display. Our guide was very friendly and informative. Make sure you plan other things to do if youre making a special trip.

The Hunley museum is a fascinating visit Private Tours during the week Public tours during the weekend. The last time I was here was still covered in concretions but now the whole is mostly clear and theyre working on the inside. The history involved in it the technology and the overall design has similarities to its descendants up until the modern day. The fact they still dont know exactly why it sank despite no damage and everybody in their positions is fascinating

Not a large place to visit, but I really enjoyed learning more history surrounding the Hunley. Would definitely recommend it!

They have continued to upgrade the exhibits...the volunteers and tours are excellent. You can see the Hunley and see firsthand the work done on the sub. The artifacts are on display and tell the story firsthand. Merchandise in the shop are beautiful and will add to your enjoyment and help the conservation efforts. If you enjoy history or just admire the courage of the men who went to sea with her...a must see while in Charleston SC. Note: Check the hours before you go. As of this writing..Saturday and Sunday only....they work on it during week.

Not for everybody. Very informative staff full of history about Hunley. Locals would be more interested in this type of place.

The website said it was open, we drove a long way to see it, only to find a note on the front door, that the facility was closed until further notice due to the pandemic. We were not the only people driving up only to turn around and leave. This is no way to run a museum, the manager needs to be replaced.

Everyone needs to see her and understand what it means to history. First submersible attack in history. Look how far submarine have come and what they can accomplish today

Very good museum experience.

Guided tour is great. Then you can roam through exhibits at your leisure.

Cool piece of American History. The first successful combat submarine! The museum outside the Hunley is an incredible Civil War museum, with artifacts found inside the submarine. How they found the submarine, how they recovered the sub from the Atlantic and how they are restoring the rust bucket.The H.L. Hunley is Charleston area must see!

Really remarkable to get to see the actual Hunley was very interesting and there is also a nice tribute to the men who died serving on the Hunley

Theres plenty of seating both inside and out. I liked the ambiant lighting and the unique look of the place. For example, a giant fridge lined the walls in the back with every sort of drink they serve I enjoyed my meal

This is such a cool experience and story. Definitely something out of the norm but I didnt find myself bored for a single minute while I was there. They offer private tours during the week for an additional cost or public tours on the weekend.

The exhibits alone are quite wonderful. And the work they have done on the Hunley herself is impressive. Any history or Civil War buff will love this stop! And if you are lucky, George the Confederate reenacter will be there!

This is a great stop for a history lover. When we moved to the area, my son learned about the Hunley, and he was so excited to visit. The history and scientific exhibits are very nicely set up. It is not a huge museum space, but there is a lot to learn and it is nicely done. The tour itself to see the Hunley was great. It was a lot of talking, without much moving around (it is a lab, so there isnt much to see except the Hunley itself), which was a bit much for my smaller children (8, 5, and 3), but we mostly went for my son, and he did love it. Great stop!

A must see. My son, who lives in Charleston, was surprised he had never heard of it and he really liked it. The Hunley was the first submarine used in battle. The Confederate Hunley sunk a Union ship in the Charleston Harbor. Then the Hunley promptly sunk and was not found for 120ish yrs. It was finally found in 1995 and has been going through a slow restoration ever since. I think the history of submarine evolution is interesting. They have lots of exhibits explaining restoration, function, and battle.

Lots of fun. Very knowledgeable staff. Interactive displays are greatd

This is amazing! I was visiting Charleston in 2000 when the Hunley was raised. Its fascinating to learn about what has been recovered 18 years later! The museum is only opened on Saturday and Sunday. I highly recommend seeing this piece of history. You do have to climb 19 steps in order to see the submarine. Not sure if there is an elevator. If you have problems climbing stairs, you may want to call to find out.

This was a very interesting, educational and excellent tour. How often do you hey to see do much history in one place and a submarine that sunk in 1864.

Interesting story of a period of us history

The whole museum was great, very informative and well put together. We paid for two students and one adult ticket. Which cost about 37 dollars. Anyway, it was great until our guide started talking. We could not hear a WORD of what was being said. And we saw two perfectly fine microphones sitting on the table. It was so frustrating, it completely defeated the point of the tour. So angry at this tour

Always wanted to see the Hunley and there it was right in front of me. Nice place to go to if your into history . Very imformative on the Hunley .

Wonderful place and the guides are very engaging. Nice to hear the history told from a southern point of view. Even my alma mater gets a good mention.

Great experience and nice tour guides. First of its kind in the world so a must stop place

Really worth the time to take the tour and learn a lot.

A fascinating experience for an avid Civil War Buff or just someone with a general interest in history. The museum is laid out chronologically so that you can learn about the Hunley from the time of its discovery to the preservation efforts still underway. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend the H.L. Hunley tour and museum to anyone.

Nice museum. Awesome views of the Hunley. Only open on weekends and limited people on a tour at a time.

Wonderful. The tours were very informational. There are also interactive areas for kids and adults

A museum and people were fantastic but the gift shop stuff was made in China

Great history lesson that we knew nothing about. If youre in the area be sure to go to this attraction.

Incredible work preserving such an important piece of our history

There is nowhere else on earth you can go to see the worlds first successful combat submarine.

This museum is great because you actually get to see the real thing.

Oldest submarine you can lay eyes on

Civil war era submarine is a proof of a spectacular scientific and military history achievement as well as multiple human tragedies location. Standing right next to it you can clearly imagine how claustrophobic it would feel inside and appreciate the crews courage and ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is located right in front of the Charleston museum and it is a great starting point for discovery of museums treasures.

Great place to see a bit of history. Their restoration work on the Hunley is impressive. The tour is short and you can easily be out of there in 90 minutes.

Great tour of an amazing submarine crew and ship thats still a mystery!

Very interesting. First submarine to sink a big ship.

There is a very interesting Hands-On exhibit that is free to participate in. You can even go inside a replica and hand crank as though you were in the submarine. Very cool!

A really neat experience that explains what happened with the Hunley submarine.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent at the Hunley restoration center. I wish we could have been there earlier before closing time to be able to see all of the exhibits. The tour was well researched and interesting.