Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore (must see)

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a historical fort well-known in the United States for its successful defense against the British in the War of 1812. Fort McHenry is famous for being the inspiration behind the country's national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." The poem put to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven," was inspired by the flag that continued to wave at Fort McHenry even after an onslaught of bombing by British warships.

Fort McHenry is a pentagonal structure that occupies more than 43 acres. It was built in 1798 on the grounds of a previous fort, Fort Whetstone. The fortress, designed by French engineer Jean Foncin, was named for James McHenry, a delegate to the Continental Congress and the U.S. Secretary of War under Washington and John Adams.

Fort McHenry was continuously used as a military fortress through the end of World War I. It was then declared a national park and a national monument and shrine. The fort was declared a U.S. National Monument in 1939 and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It is also a Baltimore City Landmark.

Visitors to Fort McHenry may purchase a guided tour of the fort's interior. There is no charge to explore the grounds and the fort's exterior. Visitors will see a replica of the flag that flew over the fort in 1812. They will also find a monument of Orpheus dedicated to Francis Scott Key and the soldiers who served at Fort McHenry.