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It’s February and that means we will be celebrating Valentines day, Black History Month, and of course Presidents Day. This year presidents weekend falls on Monday the 17th. To make the most out of your presidents weekend we here at Family Travel have come up with 5 great destinations you won’t want to miss!

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

Downtown_Springfield_IL_smIllinois, known as the “Land of Lincoln”, is home to President Abraham Lincoln. Settling in Springfield, IL in 1837, Lincoln married and raised his four sons at Eighth and Jackson Street. Today visitors will have the chance to follow in the footsteps of President Lincoln in his Springfield neighborhood. Don’t get too worn out walking the streets of Lincoln’s neighborhood because there is much more to see in Springfield! You’ll be able to checkout a few more sites dedicated to Lincoln but you’ll also have the chance to visit the Illinois Old State Capitol building, take a stop off at the Museum of Springfield history, stroll through the downtown plaza, where you’ll find quaint shops & restaurants, and enjoy performances by local musicians.Lincoln_Home_National_Historic_Site_sm

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Skylines_-_Skylines_-_Indianapolis_Alignment.tif_smIndianapolis, Indiana home to our 23rd President, Benjamin Harrison. Harrison was the only president to lose to a former President. In Harrison’s bid for re-election he was defeated by Grover Cleveland. Another interesting fact about Harrison is that his Grandfather was the 9th President of the United States. If you’d like to learn more about this fascinating man and his family you can visit a city that takes a liking to their one and only president from Indiana. When you’re in Indianapolis be sure to visit Fort Ben, an old military base turned state park where you can golf, horseback ride, and hike. If you’d like to learn some history about your good ole 23rd president stop by his home in historical northside district of Indianapolis. On Presidents weekend at the Benjamin Harrison house you’ll have the chance to interact with historical interpreters and find out more about what life was like after the President returned home from the White House.HarrisonPresidentialSite_sm

CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY

caldwell-3_smGrover Cleveland was our 22nd and 24th President of the United States. He was a man committed to honesty, fairness, and non-partisanship. Grover began his life in small town Caldwell New Jersey, now it’s a much more developed area considered to be a suburb of Newark and New York City. If you happen to be visiting NYC you might want to take a detour to New Jersey to see President Cleveland’s birth home. While on your visit to the historic home you’ll have a chance to take a tour led by a docent or try meandering on your own through the house on the self-guided tour. The little ones will enjoy an area dedicated just for them!

exterior_smNEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

sunsetskyline_tomperry_smPresident Roosevelt was a busy man before and after he became the 26th President of the united states. He was an American author, naturalist, explorer, historian, and politician. A native New Yorker, Theodore Roosevelt remains the only President that was born in New York City. He was raised in a townhouse located at 28 E. 20th St., in what is currently known as the Flatiron district. If you’d like to visit his childhood home you can stop by Tuesdays-Saturdays and learn more about our fascinating 26th President. Manhattan is full of wondrous and exciting places to visit, which can leave your wallet a bit lighter. You will be happy to know that you and the kids can visit this museum for FREE!Roosevelt_Home_sm

HONOLULU, HAWAII

04645_sm“You can’t really understand Barack until you understand Hawaii.” ~ Michelle Obama. Hawaii is home to President Barack Obama, born in Honolulu, HI on August 4th 1961. Obama lived most of his early life in Hawaii, he wrote about his experience growing up in Hawaii “”The opportunity that Hawaii offered—to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect—became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.” Obama is considered a local Hawaiian, knowing the great local places to enjoy while on a visit to Hawaii. In our quest to find out about Obama and Hawaii we found out what places Barack Obama likes to enjoy on a trip back home. Check out GoHawaii.com to find out more.

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