Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore

I went here with my wife, in-laws, and 3 kids under 8 years old. I really enjoyed learning the history of the fort. They had a few people in 1812 attire who were doing live demonstrations of life on base. Most of the original buildings have been maintained very well, and you can walk through them. Each building you can walk through has descriptions of what it was used for, and a biography of some of the more famous people who lived there. There is a short movie in the visitor center that describes how Francis Scott Key came to be on a British Navy ship during their assault on the fort. Then he witnessed something that inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. We spent about 2.5 hours walking around and talking to the park staff.

Very cool place to visit. Lots of walking! Always watch the movies before going out into the fort!! So uplifting to see people standing and hands are on hearts or saluting the flag, when they finish the film with our wonderful national anthem!!!! The flag talk was really cool! Loved the musket demonstration and the fife and drum demo! More fun to go and see when this stuff is going on!!