Fort McHenry National Monument
Fort McHenry
A star-shaped fort that repelled British bombardment in 1814 and the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the U.S. national anthem.
In September 1814, British forces bombarded Fort McHenry for an entire night without taking it. At dawn, Francis Scott Key saw the enormous star-spangled flag still flying over the fort and wrote the poem that later became the U.S. national anthem. The five-pointed, star-shaped fort includes barracks, a powder magazine, and gun batteries that visitors can explore. After a short film at the visitor center, the flag flying outside the window is unveiled. Admission for ages 16 and up is about US$15, and the fort is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. Water taxis run here.
Opening hours
09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Fells Point
- Little Italy
- American Visionary Art Museum
- Federal Hill Park
- Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum
- National Aquarium
- Inner Harbor