Fort McHenry National Monument 3.6 (reviews)

O! Say can you see....by the dawn's early light...! Now we KNOW you recognize those words - it is of course the Star-Spangled Banner, and it had to have come from somewhere! That "somewhere" is in fact Fort McHenry National Monument. And do you know why?

Here's a little fun bit of history for you! Back during the Battle of Baltimore in September, 1814, the fort was being defended so gallantly, that Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem for the United States. Pretty incredible!

Now the whole family can head down to this historic site and learn all about the history of the battle, as well as that incredible influence it had on the entire country! (What would baseball games be without it!?)  

You time at Fort McHenry National Monument should begin at the informative Visitor Center, where you can gather all the information you need for your time at the fort! There is an informative orientation film to get kids up to speed on the history, as well as exhibits!

Then, the whole family can enjoy a self-guided tour of the fort, normally about an hour. So leave a couple of hours in total for your trip!

Keep an eye out for any special events happening at Fort McHenry National Monument too! Some of the fun spectacles you might come across at the concert series, the Civil War weekend, Living American Flag, and of course, the Star-Spangled Banner weekend!

The summer months even have great activities for the family, including daily ranger talks and drill, musket and artillery demonstrations! 

And the rockets' red glare...the bombs bursting in air..!!