For nearly three centuries, Baltimore has stood as a center of commerce and
culture for the Chesapeake Bay. The city has seen the incredible
transformation of American identity, shaped by war, prosperity, and struggles
for freedom and civil rights. Visit the Baltimore National Heritage Area to
experience the places and people that shaped the nation and forged the
American identity.

For nearly three centuries, Baltimore has stood as a center of commerce and culture for the Chesapeake Bay. The city has seen the incredible transformation of American identity, shaped by war, prosperity, and struggles for freedom and civil rights. Visit the Baltimore National Heritage Area to experience the places and people that shaped the nation and forged the American identity.

Washington Monument, Baltimore

Baltimore National Heritage Area

The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a collection of sites
impacted by the War of 1812. These local, historic sites tell the story of the
Chesapeake Campaign, culminating in the writing of our National Anthem. In
addition to their historic significance, many of the sites along the trail are
fantastic places to go for a walk, explore the outdoors, and access local
waterways.

The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a collection of sites impacted by the War of 1812. These local, historic sites tell the story of the Chesapeake Campaign, culminating in the writing of our National Anthem. In addition to their historic significance, many of the sites along the trail are fantastic places to go for a walk, explore the outdoors, and access local waterways.

The PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II is a sailing ambassador for the Trail.

PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II

Historic Sotterley

British forces set fire to the original home of the U.S. president on August 26, 1814.

White House

The Sassafras River Water Trail is one of the many paddle trails to explore along the Star-Spangled Banner Trail

Paddling on the Sassafras

Living history at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Living History at Fort McHenry

Civilian cooking at Fort McHenry

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

O! Say can you see by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue
banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly
streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the
Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814, inspired Francis Scott Key to
write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds
many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.

O! Say can you see by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.

A star-spangled banner still gallantly streaming o'er the ramparts of Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry with SSB

Compilation of Images around Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Fort McHenry Guard

The Garrison Star Spangled Banner, Fort McHenry

Rope tension Snare Drums at Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry Fife and Drum Corps playing on authentic War of 1812 rope tension snare drums

Fort McHenry Fife and Drum Corps

Costumed Interpreters provide a Cannon Demonstration at Fort McHenry

Cannon Demonstration at Fort McHenry

Flag change program at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Attend a historic weapons demonstration by the Fort McHenry Guard.

Cannon Demonstration

Visitors can help rangers change hoist the colors during a morning or evening flag change program.

Flag Change Program

Kids of all ages can discover the history of Fort McHenry as they earn their Junior Ranger badges.

Junior Rangers at FOMC

Bike, walk, run, or relax along the park's one-mile-long Seawall Trail.

Bike Around Fort McHenry

Hampton National Historic Site preserves what remains of a once 25,000-acre
enslavement plantation. For hundreds of years, enslaved people, indentured
servants, tenant farmers, paid laborers, and the Ridgely family all made their
own contributions to Hampton, creating a space where cruelty and decadence
collide to provide a complex history of the United States.

Hampton National Historic Site preserves what remains of a once 25,000-acre enslavement plantation. For hundreds of years, enslaved people, indentured servants, tenant farmers, paid laborers, and the Ridgely family all made their own contributions to Hampton, creating a space where cruelty and decadence collide to provide a complex history of the United States.

Baltimore National Heritage Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Hampton National Historic Site