today, the restored fort sumpter, along with the visitor center and education center (both in charleston) and fort moultrie are popular tourist attractions. the fort is accessible only by special ferries that depart from liberty square. the ride to the island takes about 30 minutes. there is also a ferry service from patriots point which has parking for recreational and taller vehicles. the monument is open to visitors 362 days a year. the restored fort is one level instead of the former three levels. several of the brick walls still have artillery projectiles stuck in the masonry. the park museum has a scale model of the original fort. it houses the original 33-star u.s. flag that flew during the first bombardment. also on display is the original flag of the south carolina militia (called the palmetto guard) who took possession of the fort after the union surrender.