Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore: Photos, Reviews & Location

Fort whose War of 1812 victory inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner," the U.S. national anthem.

At a glance

#2 of 22 Historical landmarks in Baltimore #2 of 8 Monuments in Baltimore

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.70

3.8 km from the center of Baltimore

Rating breakdown

5 ★80%
4 ★16%
3 ★3%
2 ★0%
1 ★1%

2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230

nps.gov

(410) 962-4290

Photos of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (154)

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Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 1

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Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 3

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 4

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 5

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Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 9

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 10

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 11

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – photo 12

Quick facts

What is the rating of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 10,969 reviews.
How does Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine rank in Baltimore?: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is #2 of 22 Historical landmarks in Baltimore by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine located?: 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230 — 3.8 km from the center of Baltimore.
How can I contact Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine?: Phone: (410) 962-4290 · Website: nps.gov

Reviews (9)

Natalie D 2023 Oct 09

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

This is one of the best spots in Baltimore with a lot of history and some fantastic views!
Start at the visitors centre where there's a small gift shop and displays and a movie to watch. It's free to visit the centre and surrounding grounds but there is a charge to go into the fort itself and you get a wristband ($15 for a 7 day pass).

You then walk up to the fort (this is where they'll check your wrist band). One of the best things is the flag changing ceremony at the start and end of the day (do check for the times) as it's very interactive and really an experience to help raise it (especially if it's a calm enough day to put the big one up!).

The fort itself has a variety of areas that you can go in- the open ones will have an Open sign even if the doors shut. The displays are really interesting and well worth looking at. Then you can head up the steps to the ramparts or head to the perimeter of the fort and see the cannons!

Richard George 2023 Oct 05

It was a beautiful fall day and we got to walk along the river to the fort. It starts in the tourist center where there is a multimedia presentation that tells how the fort was the inspiration for the Star Spangled Banner. But there is much more to this fort than that. You will see artifacts, learn about the War of 1812 and how that was a pivotal moment in the history of the US (hint: we weren't always a super power). Layer on top of that the recruiting center for two world wars, an 1100 bed hospital that pioneered plastic surgery for the returning soldiers, statues, and expert guides and you are in for a wonderful experience. There are some really big cannons there too, and examples of different types of shells designed to be effective against people, rigging, or infrastructure.
Now if all you are interested in is people you have a great variety of those too. I could identify at least 12 different languages being spoken from all different parts of the world. The curators are very knowledgeable and it runs deep. Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions to gain some great insights into how things truly were (not exactly like I was taught in third grade).

MadMoose 2023 Oct 03

I lOVE U.S. history! The fort that won the battle that produced the Star Spangle Banner - AWESOME!!!!

You need to watch the movie in the visitor center - all the way to the end. Very nice.

Read the signs inside the fort - so much to learn about the fort, during the war of 1812 and beyond,

Sheila 2023 Sep 12

We had a great time visiting the fort with family. The staff was very helpful and pleasant. There are great views of the scenery on top of the fort too. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area. This is also a national park stamping point.

Kevin Maloy 2023 Sep 07

Wonderful place! Very well preserved! One of the most historical places in the United States!

A guided tour is absolutely the way to go and is so much easier than any other historical place I've been to!

The access to the different rooms and areas is fantastic! The views are fantastic! It's amazing to think what it would've been like from a historical sense but even today it is so picturesque.

Even if you didn't go as a tourist to the fort, the grounds serve as a nice walking/running path. During the time I was there, I saw numerous people who were clearly not tourists, walking around the area. What a great thing!

Would highly recommend making it a point to stop and see the birthplace of the National Anthem!

JD Zakerski 2023 Aug 22

Very nice historical site that takes care to tell the stories of its significance across the early years of the country up through its use as a hospital during WW1. The gounds are well kept and open with easy to navigate walkways that take you into the heart of the fort. Once there you can go inside the buildings that are there and see what life was like in the fort previous times. There is an good display of an officer's mess explaining how they would gather to discuss and teach teach tactics to the junior officers. One building is set aside to the significance of the battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Outside you can walk the defense line amongst some the cannons and take in the great view of Baltimore's harbor.

Reese C (Peanut) 2023 Aug 07

A beautiful fort with a lot of cool history! There’s a great intro video at the entrance of the park with lots of air conditioning. The city itself is also just beautiful looking. If I was a local, I would visit every day!

MistahZ 2023 Jul 30

A living preserved artifact of the past, For McHenry is an awesome national monument! The Fort itself is befit by a nice visitor center and park like Path befit by plaques and small dedications to the surrounding area! The Fort section is just as great! From the outside and going in there are TONS of things to see, with personal highlights for me being the inner center were the buildings are and inner artillery around the walls! Everything is incredibly well preserved and looks just as they did during the days they were first put to use! The staff were great too, being incredibly friendly, talkative and interactive, case in point being when the flag was lowered by them and some tourists in the area! My only gripe is I wish I had gotten a better Souvenir but the pamphlet I got was really nice on its own! Other than that? The small admission fee without any paid parking is a small price to pay for visiting such a cool place! Highly recommended, go there if you're in the area!

Pictures and videos are of the whole monument as a whole and the pamphlet I mentioned!

sandy platt 2023 Jul 22

How beautiful this National Park is. Spend the day outdoors. Bring a picnic lunch, chair, and a good book. Sit by the water and enjoy the views. It does cost to walk inside of the Fort and explore, but it does not cost to walk the beautiful trail in the surrounding area. This is mainly a self guided tour and all outdoors. Bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen if you're planning to visit during summer. In the fall/winter dress appropriately. Sweatshirt for the cooler Temps of fall since u are right on the water. Be sure to stop and watch the quick video about the battle and the Star -Spangled Banner. On your way out, don't forget the gift shop. There are some great gifts you can purchase. My favs are always the National Park patches and medallions for my walking stick. If you're a National Park Pass holder, it is free for two people. You can stamp your passport book at the front counter as you check in.