Good to know
- Tickets
- Free to visit, with no entry fee.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours for the fort, museum and a walk around the grounds.
- Best time
- April to October for walking and the waterfront.
- Getting there
- The fort is in Hampton. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is about 25 minutes away; Norfolk International is about 30 minutes.
Where to stay nearby
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Fort Monroe National Monument questions
Why is Fort Monroe called Freedom's Fortress?
In 1861 the Union commander refused to return three men who escaped slavery, calling them contraband of war. Thousands more followed, making the fort a place of freedom.
What happened at Fort Monroe in 1619?
The first enslaved Africans in English North America were brought ashore at Point Comfort, where the fort now stands.
Is Fort Monroe free to visit?
Yes, the grounds and Casemate Museum are free. Check nps.gov before you go for current museum hours.
