Fort McHenry National Monument

Type: National Monument and Historic Shrine, managed by the National Park Service, in Baltimore, Maryland. Size: 43.26 acres. Built 1798-1800 as a pentagonal bastion fort designed by French engineer Jean Foncin. Site of the 1814 Battle of Baltimore that inspired the U.S. national anthem. Received national park status in 1925 and was redesignated a National Monument and Historic Shrine on August 11, 1939, the only NPS site with that dual designation.

Fort McHenry sits on Locust Point in Baltimore Harbor, a star-shaped fort built between 1798 and 1800 to defend the city. Its defining moment came during the War of 1812: on September 13-14, 1814, British warships bombarded the fort for roughly 25 hours during the Battle of Baltimore, and American defenders held firm through the night. Seeing the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn, Baltimore lawyer Francis Scott Key wrote the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry," later set to music and adopted as "The Star-Spangled Banner," the U.S. national anthem. The fort continued in military use through World War I and later served other roles before being preserved as a historic site. Today it is jointly a National Monument and Historic Shrine, the only National Park Service unit to carry both designations, and visitors can walk its ramparts, tour restored garrison buildings, and watch flag-change ceremonies that echo its founding story.

Fort McHenry is located at 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230, on Locust Point about three miles southeast of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, just off Interstate 95.

Baltimore has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. Because much of a Fort McHenry visit takes place outdoors on the fort's grounds and seawall, summer visits can be warm and humid while winter visits can be quite cold and windy along the harbor.

Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the outdoor fort grounds and the one-mile Seawall Trail. The site hosts special military ceremonies and living history programs throughout the year, so checking the park's event calendar before visiting can add to the experience regardless of season.

Fort McHenry was built between 1798 and 1800 to a pentagonal bastion design by French engineer Jean Foncin, defending Baltimore Harbor. Its historic peak came during the War of 1812: beginning at dawn on September 13, 1814, British warships bombarded the fort for about 25 hours as part of the Battle of Baltimore; American defenders repelled the attack, and the British withdrew, an American victory. Witnessing the fort's flag still flying the next morning, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner." The fort remained in continuous U.S. military use through World War I. It was given national park status in 1925 and redesignated a National Monument and Historic Shrine on August 11, 1939, making it unique among National Park Service sites in holding both titles simultaneously.

Visitors can walk the fort's ramparts and explore restored garrison buildings, watch historic weapons demonstrations, and take in morning and evening flag-change programs. The one-mile Seawall Trail offers harbor views and is popular for walking, biking and running. Junior Ranger programs are available for younger visitors, and ranger-led programs run throughout the year.

The star-shaped fort itself, with its restored barracks, powder magazine and ramparts, is the primary attraction. The Seawall Trail circles part of the site along the harbor. The visitor center offers exhibits and a film on the fort's history and the writing of the national anthem.

Fort McHenry sits just off I-95 in Baltimore; from I-95 northbound, take Exit 55 to Key Highway and follow signs, while southbound travelers exit immediately after the Fort McHenry Tunnel at the same exit. The nearest major airport is Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, about 11 miles away, with Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport roughly 46 miles away. A bus stop outside the entrance serves Maryland Transit Administration buses and the free Charm City Circulator, and the seasonal Baltimore Water Taxi also serves the site from the Inner Harbor, though tickets must be bought elsewhere.

As of research, the park's entrance gates for purchasing passes were open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Confirm current hours on the official NPS website before visiting, since schedules can change.

As of research, general admission was $15.00 per person for ages 16 and up, with visitors 15 and under free; an annual park pass was $45.00, covering the cardholder plus up to three additional adults. Interagency passes such as the America the Beautiful Pass are accepted. Confirm current pricing on the official NPS site before visiting.

Plan about one hour for a self-guided tour of the fort itself, with a typical full visit, including the visitor center and Seawall Trail, lasting around two hours.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor and downtown area, about three miles from the fort, offer a wide range of hotel chains and independent hotels within easy driving or rideshare distance. Locust Point and Federal Hill, the neighborhoods immediately around the fort, have more limited lodging but are close to the broader downtown Baltimore hotel market.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Federal Hill neighborhoods, both a short drive from the fort, offer a wide range of restaurants including well-known Chesapeake-style seafood and casual dining options. Locust Point itself has a smaller number of neighborhood restaurants and bars near the fort.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor, about three miles away, offers museums, the National Aquarium and waterfront dining. Federal Hill Park provides harbor views and is a short drive from the fort. Downtown Baltimore's broader historic and cultural attractions are all within easy reach for visitors extending their stay.

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, about 11 miles away, is the closest major airport. Locally, Maryland Transit Administration buses and the free Charm City Circulator stop near the entrance, and the seasonal Baltimore Water Taxi connects the fort to Inner Harbor stops.

The fort's ramparts and seawall involve uneven, elevated surfaces, so supervise children closely near edges and railings. Summer visits call for sun protection given the largely outdoor nature of the site. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable walking shoes for the ramparts and Seawall Trail, sunscreen and water for warm-weather visits, and a light jacket for cooler harbor breezes are all worth packing. A card or cash alternative is useful for admission, though note the park does not accept cash for entry at some other Maryland/Civil War NPS sites in the region (confirm Fort McHenry's own payment policy on-site).

Checking the flag-change program schedule in advance lets visitors time their trip around this signature event. Because the site sits just off a busy interstate interchange, following the NPS's specific exit and street directions (rather than GPS alone, which can suggest an incorrect route) helps avoid confusion. Combining a visit with a stop in nearby Locust Point, Federal Hill or the Inner Harbor rounds out a Baltimore day trip.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For visitor information, Fort McHenry National Monument's office can be reached at 410-962-4290 x250, per the National Park Service's official site.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.