Fort McHenry

Set along the coast of Baltimore, Maryland, Fort McHenry has been an important fortress since its construction in the 1700s. The fort's design and architecture are worth a visit, but the whole place is imbued with history. During the War of 1812, Baltimore ended up being the site of several battles and lookout points, thanks to its proximity to Washington, D.C. (which had been named the nation’s capital only 20-odd years earlier). This stronghold in the city’s southeastern corner played a significant role during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814: Not only did American forces hold off a British invasion of the harbor, but it also served as the inspiration for “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” a poem written by Francis Scott Key, which was later set to the tune "To Anacreon in Heaven" and became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States.

The fort has developed into a popular tourist destination and a center of recreation for the people of Baltimore. Each year, thousands of tourists go to the "Birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner." It is conveniently reachable via a water taxi from Baltimore's well-known Inner Harbor. The National Park Service does not, however, allow users of the water taxi to return to the Inner Harbor unless they first used it to get to the monument in order to avoid exploitation of the parking areas at the Fort.

Location: Baltimore, Maryland