Updated in September 2026, this Colonial Fort Condé guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Colonial Fort Condé is a reconstructed 18th-century French fort in downtown Mobile, Alabama, operated by the History Museum of Mobile. The 2026 Blue Star Museums free-admission programme for active-duty military families ended on Labor Day, September 7, 2026, so standard admission rates now apply again. This guide was updated in September 2026 and reflects that change, along with the fort’s current admission prices. The fort sits alongside the Fort Condé Welcome Center, making it a natural first stop for visitors arriving in downtown Mobile.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Mon–Sat 9am–4:30pm; Sun 1pm–4:30pm |
| Ticket prices | Adult $14; Senior/Military/Student (18+) $12; Ages 13–18 $10.50; Ages 6–12 $8; 5 & under free |
| Address | 150 South Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602 |
| Nearest transport/parking | Downtown Mobile; 2-hour street parking or nearby paid lots |
| Typical time needed | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
Colonial Fort Condé opening hours
Colonial Fort Condé is open Monday through Saturday, from 9am to 4:30pm, and Sunday from 1pm to 4:30pm.
- Historical interpreters are on site Wednesday through Sunday, demonstrating daily life in colonial times and offering guided tours.
- Musketry demonstrations take place most Saturdays at 11am and 2pm in the courtyard, weather and staff permitting.
- Closed for holidays, including New Year’s Day, Mardi Gras weekend, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; the site also closes early on Mardi Gras parade days.
Colonial Fort Condé ticket prices
Adult admission costs $14, and covers both Colonial Fort Condé and the History Museum of Mobile.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $14.00 |
| Senior (65+) | $12.00 |
| Active/Retired/Veteran Military (w/ ID) | $12.00 |
| Student (18+, w/ ID) | $12.00 |
| Children (13–18) | $10.50 |
| Children (6–12) | $8.00 |
| Children (5 & under) | Free |
| Members | Free |
Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month. The museum also partners with Museums for All, offering free entry to SNAP recipients who present an EBT card and photo ID, and offers free admission to SEMC (Southeastern Museums Conference) members.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. You can check current details on the official History Museum of Mobile site.
Colonial Fort Condé is not part of a commercial city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPASS. Its admission ticket already covers the History Museum of Mobile, and Phoenix Fire Museum admission is always free, making it easy to combine all three sites in one visit.
How to get to Colonial Fort Condé
Colonial Fort Condé stands at 150 South Royal Street, in historic downtown Mobile.
Travelling on I-10 East or West, exit at Water Street/Downtown (Exit 26B), turn left at the first light onto Government Street, then left at the next light onto South Royal Street.
Parking at Colonial Fort Condé
Two-hour street parking or paid lot parking is available in the immediate area.
Parking lots include the north-west corner of Government and Royal Streets, the south-west corner of Church and Royal, and the parking garage at the Riverview Hotel on North Royal Street. Complimentary bus parking is available nearby.
How long to spend at Colonial Fort Condé
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour at Colonial Fort Condé.
Add extra time if you plan to also visit the History Museum of Mobile, since one admission ticket covers both sites. Visiting on a Saturday around the musketry demonstrations, or when historical interpreters are on duty, can extend your visit further.
Accessibility at Colonial Fort Condé
The History Museum of Mobile has two elevators, benches and seating throughout its galleries, and a limited number of wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Registered service animals are welcome, as defined by Title II and Title III of the ADA; emotional support and comfort animals do not qualify.
- Contact the museum in advance for specific accessibility needs at the fort itself, since its outdoor walls and walkways differ from the main museum building.
What to see at Colonial Fort Condé
The original Fort Condé was built by French explorers in 1723, and went by several names under different colonial powers, including Fort Louis, Fort Charlotte, and Fuerta Carlota.
Remnants of the original fort were uncovered in 1966 during construction of the Wallace Tunnel, and can still be seen today in Mardi Gras Park, facing Church Street.
The replica fort now standing was opened in 1976 as part of the United States Bicentennial celebrations. About one-third of the original fort was reconstructed, built at four-fifths scale.
Inside, exhibits display artifacts and recovered archaeological pieces from Mobile’s colonial past, while the fort’s walls offer views over the modern Mobile skyline.
Costumed historical interpreters share details of daily life in the colonial era, and the fort hosts living history events throughout the year, alongside its regular Saturday musketry demonstrations.
Under French, British and Spanish control at various points, the site’s history reflects the broader story of colonial competition along the Gulf Coast before Mobile eventually became part of the United States.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit Wednesday through Sunday to see historical interpreters in period dress. |
| Crowds | Visit on the first Sunday of the month for free admission. |
| Entry process | Buy your ticket on arrival, since admission isn’t sold online in advance. |
| On-site logistics | Combine your visit with the History Museum of Mobile, since one ticket covers both. |
| Layout | Check the events calendar for Saturday musketry demonstrations at 11am and 2pm. |
Frequently asked questions about Colonial Fort Condé
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Colonial Fort Condé open on Sundays? | Yes, from 1pm to 4:30pm, alongside regular Monday-to-Saturday hours. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, tickets are sold on the day of your visit rather than online. |
| Is admission to Colonial Fort Condé free on any day? | Yes, admission is free on the first Sunday of every month. |
| Are dogs allowed at Colonial Fort Condé? | Only registered service animals are permitted, as defined by the ADA. |
| Does Colonial Fort Condé admission include the History Museum of Mobile? | Yes, one ticket covers both Colonial Fort Condé and the History Museum of Mobile. |
Things to do near Colonial Fort Condé
- History Museum of Mobile – the fort’s parent museum, sharing the same admission ticket, a short walk away.
- National Maritime Museum of the Gulf – a maritime history museum on the riverfront, a short walk away.
- Mobile Carnival Museum – a museum dedicated to Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions, a short walk away.
- Phoenix Fire Museum – a free firefighting history museum, also run by the History Museum of Mobile, a short walk away.
- The Exploreum Science Center – a hands-on science museum, a short walk away.
Alternative attractions
- Fort Morgan Historic Site, Gulf Shores, AL – a 19th-century coastal fort across Mobile Bay, roughly 1.5 hours’ drive.
- Fort Gaines Historic Site, Dauphin Island, AL – a Civil War-era fort facing Fort Morgan, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive.
- Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola, FL – a 19th-century masonry fort on Santa Rosa Island, roughly 1.5 hours’ drive.
- Fort Barrancas, NAS Pensacola, FL – a National Park Service coastal fort, roughly 1 to 1.25 hours’ drive.
- Fort Massachusetts, Ship Island, MS – a Third System fort reached by seasonal ferry from Gulfport, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours’ drive plus a 1-hour crossing.
More Alabama travel
Other Alabama travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama.
- How to get the best out of Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile, Alabama.
- Key information for visiting Gulf Shores Public Beach and Gulf State Park.
- Visitor guide to DeSoto Falls near Mentone, Alabama.
- What to know before visiting the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
