TOP 12 Most Popular Presidential Sites to Visit
- Deborah Guthrie
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
I've always contended that one of the best ways to boost the American economy was to shorten the work week to four days, extending the weekend to three days instead of two and giving the American people not only time to maintain their home, but to enjoy a staycation or short getaway.
There are several reasons why having a three day weekend is so much more beneficial, including an extension of being able to travel. When I worked a full time 40 hour work week, as a government employee, I was granted more vacation days than I could use. One of the reasons I was able to bank vacation time is that I chose to use vacation days on a Friday or a Monday and tagged it along with a three day holiday weekend to extend my vacation to four days without having to use four days of vacation and only using one day.
As I earned my way up the ladder to leadership positions, using vacation days seemed impossible as I often found myself writing our local magazine articles from out of town, writing press releases, posting and monitoring our social accounts, editorial reviews, and many correspondences while out of the office. Work from home, to me, was a welcomed tried and true practice well before COVID.
President's Day Weekend is as just a popular weekend for travel as other holiday weekends. When our children were in year round schooling, they had President's Week off. This was especially great as most schools did not and going to popular destinations meant less crowds and more fun. Many times when I plan a vacation I try to find an opportunity to explore a UNESCO site, National Monument, or other historically significant site at the place in which I am visiting. Even it it's visiting a building with a plaque on it or eating at the longest standing restaurant in town. I try to immerse myself in the community and not make it about a insta spot destination.
There are several ways in which President's Day weekend can be honored in this way and travel across the country can be within a days reach. I'm not making it political and it's not about any particular President. This federal holiday began with President Washington and is technically still under that name. But we have come to know it and call it as President's Day. Here are ways in which to celebrate President's weekend as part of your staycation or vacation to add a little history to the day:
We will start with watching a presidential movie. There are several but we start here as Ronald Raegan was an actor who became a President AND this a staycation option where you don't have to travel anywhere. If you're in a cold weather snowstorm time of year, this may be the best option to stay in and stay warm. IMDB has a ranking of the 25 Best Presidential Films.
Next closest to a staycation outside the home is to visit local historical buildings, state capital, or other historic sites and establishments.
If you are book nerd like me, local libraries often have presentations and/or a list of books to read or section dedication to President's Weekend for your to check out, support your local library and curl up on your couch to read from home. Reading a Book, fact or fiction, is a great way to connect with history and feel more immersed in the day.
Across the United States there are several Memorial sites and National Monuments to visit over the holiday weekend related to this day. At least each of these are an option to hop in the car within a days drive from each region of the United States.
Washington DC has several historic sites
the US Capital, Washington DC
Abe Lincoln's home (National Historic Site), in Illinois
Abraham Lincoln National Historic Park in Kentucky
Mt. Rushmore,
Ronald Raegan Presidential Library and Museum,
JFK Assassination Site and Dealey Plaza 6th Floor Museum in Texas (Although we did this once and I felt strange visiting an assassination site).
Thomas Jefferson's Home in Virginia (UNESCO site) and gardens
Quincy Adams Historic Home in Massachusetts
Jimmy Carter's boyhood farm in Georgia
Gettysburg and the Four Presidential places to visit in Gettysburg in Pennsylvania:
Eternal Light Peace Memorial
Gettysburg National Cemetery (Burial Place of Abe Lincoln)
Eisenhower National Historic Site
David Wills House
In 2004 my family went to Washington DC for a family reunion trip and my kids and I (below), still have fond memories of that trip to this day. My youngest son is a HUGE Abe Lincoln fan and was studying up on him in school for a class project. Caravanning by car to DC with my family is a treasured memory we spoke about over the weekend and what inspired me to write this blog and encourage you to visit historic sites in our nation like these.
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