Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
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HistoryMilitaryNational MonumentGuided TourEducationalHistoric BuildingMust-See
Overview
Fort McHenry is a historical American coastal pentagonal bastion fort on Locust Point, now a neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. It is best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British Royal Navy from Chesapeake Bay on September 13–14, 1814. The fort was built in 1798 and was used continuously by U.S. armed forces through World War I and by the United States Coast Guard in World War II. It was designated a national park in 1925, and, in 1939, was redesignated a U.S. National Monument.
Practical Info
Every day9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeSpring and summer are excellent, but mid-September during Defenders' Day features incredible historical reenactments. For general visits, arrive before 4:00 PM to catch the stirring daily flag-lowering ceremony inside the star-shaped fort, while enjoying panoramic breezes over the Patapsco River.
Getting ThereDuring warmer months, the most scenic method is boarding the Baltimore Water Taxi (Blue Line) from Inner Harbor straight to the fort's pier. By land, catch the complimentary Charm City Circulator (Banner Route), which loops directly from downtown to the Fort McHenry historic site entrance.
Travel Tips
- The iconic flag changing ceremony occurs daily at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM; visitors can assist rangers by arriving at the central flagpole 20 minutes early to secure a slot.
- The historic star fort core sits beneath restrictive airspace, making it an absolute civilian drone no-fly zone; violations incur severe federal charges and immediate hardware seizure.
- Utilize the official free visitor parking lot outside the historic gate; the access road locks promptly at 5:00 PM, and staying late triggers parking citations and vehicle booting.
Reviews
Positive
- A profoundly historic national shrine; the iconic star-shaped fort is impeccably preserved and stands as the proud birthplace of the US National Anthem.
- The introductory film at the visitor center is deeply moving, culminating in the dramatic curtain reveal of the massive flag waving over the actual fort.
- Beautiful waterfront park setting; the surrounding green lawns looking out over the harbor are peaceful, spacious, and filled with benches to enjoy the breeze.
- Incredibly affordable ticket price ($15 per adult, kids under 15 are free, National Parks Pass accepted), offering unbeatable historical value for the cost.
Heads up
- The historic stone barracks and ammunition rooms have narrow doorways and high stone thresholds, making wheelchair or stroller access difficult inside.
- The outdoor fort structures and ramparts offer zero shade protection from the blistering sun, making summer midday visits intensely hot and draining.
- The on-site parking lot is relatively small and fills up instantly on weekends or during living-history events, leaving visitors to search the tight neighborhood roads.
- The historic ambiance is occasionally disrupted by views and sounds of modern container ships and massive industrial cranes from the adjacent active port.