Perhaps one of the greatest historical landmarks in the region, Fort McHenry is a national park situated in Baltimore, MD. During the War of 1812, Fort McHenry played a key role in the defense of the city as well as the defeat of the British navy. It was here that Francis Scot Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. Today the fort is a popular destination for thousands of visitors each year.
How to get to Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry can be accessed by car, bus and water taxi. Free parking is available on site for drivers.
Best and worst time to go to Fort McHenry
The best time to visit the park is during the weekdays. Visitors will want to plan their visits on days without inclement weather. The park closes at dusk.
Admission to Fort McHenry
While general admittance to the grounds of Fort McHenry is free, entrance fees are required to visit the actual fort. Schools can arranged free tours with an educational application ahead of time. Seniors can also obtain discounted passes.
Must see/do at to Fort McHenry
Visitors will want to visit the visitor's center with its theater, exhibits and information booth. Passes can be purchased there. The actual fort is a highlight of the park with exhibits reveal soldier's quarters, weapons and information on the battles that took place. Scenic lovers will enjoy strolling along the edges of the fort where much of the Baltimore harbor can be viewed.
Other places to visit near to Fort McHenry
Nearby attractions include the Domino Sugar Plant, the Baltimore Inner Harbor, and Federal Hill.
Insider tip for visitors to Fort McHenry
Consider signing up for a guided tour when visiting the park. Seniors will want to check for any discounts available at the visitor's center.
Author's bio: Bruce Emmerling is a freelance writer residing in Baltimore, MD. He's been writing independent articles about technology, travel, events and events for six years.
Elks National Veterans Memorial was built to commemorate the memory of American veterans and patriots. It houses two memorial rotundas, a reception room and art work, including paintings, murals and statues. The Elks National Veterans Memorial currently is undergoing construction and renovation with a projected completion date in spring 2013.
Washington, D.C.'s United States Navy Memorial is a popular outdoor spot for locals and a great place to visit if you're traveling down the storied parade route of Pennsylvania Avenue. The prominent sculptures, fountains and signal flags combine to honor those who have served in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.
How to get to the United States Navy Memorial
If you're traveling by car, bike or foot, the United States Navy Memorial is located directly off of Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between 7th and 9th Streets NW, directly opposite the National Archives Building. Street parking in the area is metered. By metro, the memorial is found on either the green or yellow line at the top of the escalator upon exiting the National Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station.
Best and worst time to go to the United States Navy Memorial
Beautifully lit during the evening hours, the memorial's fountains are best experienced at night during the Spring and Summer months. If you visit during the daytime and the sun is shining, you'll be sharing the memorial with crowds of office workers lounging on their lunch break.
Admission to the United States Navy Memorial
The memorial is free to all and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Must see/do at the United States Navy Memorial
Take the time to walk around and enjoy at the 26 finely carved relief sculptures which surround the memorial's front entrance. Each one depicts a stirring scene from the navy's history in marvelous detail.
Other places to visit near the United States Navy Memorial
Take a trip across the street to see the Declaration of Independence or the United States Constitution at the National Archives Building. If the line is too long, head over to the intersection of 7th and E Streets NW to visit Clara Barton's Missing Soldier's Office Museum.
Insider tip for visitors to the United States Navy Memorial
A great nearby lunch spot is Hill Country Barbecue at the corner of 7th and D Streets NW. If you like the idea of eating pulled pork sandwiches and drinking lemonade out of a mason jar, this is the spot for you.
Author's bio: Aaron is a freelance writer and licensed D.C. tour guide living in the nation's capital. He is a true history geek and loves showing off the city to visitors. Follow his exploits by visiting www.historicamerica.org.
Right inside one of the most populated areas in the United States are some of the oldest living trees on earth. A half hour north of San Francisco lies Muir Woods, a grove of old-growth Coast Redwood trees named for pioneering conservationist and naturalist John Muir. Coast Redwoods are very rare, now only growing on the California and Oregon coasts with most getting cut down in the last 200 years. Pictures of the giants, while impressive, do not compare to seeing them in person.
Must see and must do at Muir Woods
If you don't take the path and see the Coast Redwoods, you've missed the entire point of going to the park. There's only one main paved walking path at Muir Woods but you can make it as short as a mile or as long as three miles. There are wheelchair accommodations and parking.
Best and worst time to go to Muir Woods
Traffic is awful at Muir Woods in the middle of the day. There is minimal parking because it remains rather isolated. To avoid the major crowds either get there around 8 am when the park opens, or late in the day, after four o'clock or so. The park is only open until dusk, so closing times vary throughout the year. There is no overnight camping or lodging inside the park.
Admission to Muir Woods
It's generally under $10 per person to get in. Kids 15 and under are free. No cost for parking (except high stress levels if you get there in the middle of the day and can't find a spot for hours). Muir Woods shuttles run on mostly summer weekends from various spots in Mill Valley (check Golden Gate Transit for details and schedules). Cost is around $5 for those over 15 (again, kids are free) but does not include entrance to the park. There are two gift shops and a cafe.
Wildlife at Muir Woods
In addition to the Coast Redwoods, many other trees and plants grow in the grove. Coho and steelhead salmon spawn in Redwood Creek, which runs through the monument. Close to 50 types of birds including woodpeckers and spotted owls are known to frequent the area, but the Stellar Jay is the loudest and most prominent. Because of the crowds deer are rarely seen, but squirrels and chipmunks are.
Internet access at Muir Woods
There is no internet access or cell service at Muir Woods. Your phone is just a camera and that's a good thing. Enjoy being with nature and not on social media.
Insider tip for Muir Woods
Get up early and get there. The park opens at 8 a.m., and if you're there between 8 and 9:30 a.m. there are minimal crowds and it still feels like a real forest. The birds are out, Redwood Creek is bubbling, and you can hear the wind in the branches. As soon as the big groups show up around ten, that experience is replaced by big groups and people who ignore the "please talk quietly" signs. Make your time there more memorable by starting your day being almost alone with some of the most impressive trees that have ever grown.
Author's bio: Alex Drude is a Bay Area native. He always gets to Muir Woods early. Follow his sports and travel musings on Twitter @Alex_Drude and on Facebook.
Fort Pulaski National Monument is a fun outdoor adventure situated between historic downtown Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia. Visitors can enjoy guided or self-guided tours throughout the grounds. Children particularly love wondering through the remains of the fort and climbing over the old cannons. There are several miles of trails for walkers and bikers. Fishermen will enjoy their sport while sitting along the surrounding Savannah River.
How to get to Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fort Pulaski National Monument is accessible by car only. Travelers should take US-80 East from downtown Savannah, Georgia.
Best and worst time to go to Fort Pulaski National Monument
Fall is the best time to enjoy the grounds. The worst day as far as crowds is July 4. Visitors during the summer months should strive to arrive at 9:00 a.m. when the park opens to avoid the hot Savannah sun.
Admission to Fort Pulaski National Monument
Admission is set at $5.00 per adult. Special rates are set for commercial tour vehicles that range from $25.00 for up to six people to $100.00 for vehicles that carry up to 100 passengers.
Must see/do at Fort Pulaski National Monument
First time visitors should be sure to walk the Lighthouse Overlook Trail. This access trail gives the best views of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse.
Other places to visit near Fort Pulaski National Monument
Tybee Island is just a few miles away from the fort. Tybee offers more than three miles of beach area and is consistently voted one of America's top family-friendly beach towns.
Insider tip for visitors to Fort Pulaski National Monument
Historic weapons demonstrations are held at 1:30 every afternoon except on Saturday. There are three demonstrations that are held on Saturday: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Author's bio: Jamie Davis is a freelance writer and top-selling author with Llewellyn Worldwide. She lives on Wilmington Island, an area of Savannah, Georgia. She loves all things coastal Georgia and if pressed to describe herself in one word, she would choose "traveler."
