• Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Written by our human editors, structured with the help of AI.

Review & FAQ:

Best known for its role in the War of 1812, Fort McHenry is a star-shaped fort that is part of the U.S. National Park Service’s Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. It is located on East Fort Avenue just south of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The fort successfully defended Baltimore Harbor when the British navy attacked it.

It was this battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words of The Star-Spangled Banner, which later became the national anthem of the United States. The park welcomes school field trip groups, and one of the park’s programs helps children to earn a Junior Ranger badge. The park is open every day.

2400 East Fort Avenue, 410-962-4290

Fort McHenry National Monument
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Walters Art Museum The Maryland Zoo National Aquarium Maryland Science Center Baltimore Inner Harbor B&O Railroad Museum Fell's Point Oriole Park Tours Port Discovery Children's Museum Urban Pirates Fort McHenry National Monument Clavel Reginald F. Lewis Museum Baltimore Museum of Art American Visionary Art Museum Historic Ships in Baltimore Patterson Park Costas Inn Miss Shirley's Cafe The Brewer's Art Wet City Baltimore Alma Cocina Latina Top of the World Sherwood Gardens The George Peabody Library

Explore more: Baltimore, Maryland > Things to Do in Baltimore, Maryland

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.