Fodor's Expert Review Fort McClary State Historic Site

Given the clear line of sight down to the Piscataqua River from here, it’s easy to understand why this has been considered a strategic locale since the 1600s. The fort was named for Andrew McClary—an Irish immigrant whose family settled in New Hampshire prior to the Revolution and who was reportedly the last Continental Army soldier killed at Battle of Bunker Hill—and although it never saw a major conflict, it was manned and developed during several of them, including the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The remaining fortifications showcase the history of American military architecture and include the Magazine Building (circa 1808) and the iconic Blockhouse (1846), a large, hexagonal structure set atop an imposing granite-block foundation. Wandering the grounds or along a short trail here is, given the original purpose of the site, an ironically peaceful way to pass an afternoon.