Travel like a President: Presidential Vacations Over the Years

See highlights of where U.S. presidents have spent their vacations, which presidents have spent the most time on vacation and other fun presidential vacation facts:

Calvin Coolidge - Sapelo Island, Georgia 

During the Christmas holidays of 1928, President Coolidge planted a commemorative live oak on the grounds of newly-constructed Spanish Revival style hotel, The Cloister at Sea Island. Now considered one of the top luxury resorts in the country, with a Five-Star rating from Forbes, Sea Island has hosted the G8 summit and many international events.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - Warm Springs, Georgia

The town of Warm Springs drew President Roosevelt, who sought relief from polio in its therapeutic waters. He ultimately built a six-room cottage called ‘The Little White House’ where many New Deal programs were conceived. Today, the National Park Service offers tours of Roosevelt’s personal retreat and the nearby rehabilitation center named for him. 

Harry S. Truman - Key West, Florida

After 19 months in office, Truman’s doctor ordered a warm vacation and so he visited Key West in November 1946. During the Truman years, Cabinet members and foreign officials were regular visitors for fishing trips and poker games. Today, the "Harry S. Truman Little White House" is a state historic site and museum, which has been visited by other presidents including Clinton, Kennedy and Carter.

Also read: 8 Great Florida Vacation Destinations

Dwight D. Eisenhower - Augusta, Georgia

President Eisenhower was an avid golfer who loved playing the course at Augusta National and visited Georgia over 45 times during his lifetime. Eisenhower took issue with a Loblolly pine tree planted on the 17th hole on the course. He hit the tree so many times during his games, that he proposed removing it. He was overruled however, and it’s gone on to become perhaps the most infamous tree in golf.

See how travel insurance can help on a golfing trip

John F. Kennedy - Palm Beach, Florida 

The Kennedy family owned a sprawling estate on Millionaire’s Row in Palm Beach. The Mediterranean-style home earned the name "winter White House" as President Kennedy made frequent trips with the first family for vacations and holidays. President Kennedy met with advisors and cabinet officials at the beachfront home and spent his last weekend in Palm Beach before his assassination in 1963. 

Also see: Best Places to Rent a Beach House in the U.S.

Gerald Ford - Beaver Creek, Colorado 

An avid skier and golfer, President Ford first visited Vail as a member of Congress. After becoming the country’s 38th President, he drew international attention to Colorado’s ski resorts. The Fords bought their home in Beaver Creek in 1980 when the resort opened to the public and is now available as a rental property.

Also read: Six Great Colorado Small-Town Getaways

Ronald Reagan - Santa Barbara, California 

Rancho del Cielo or Sky Ranch, served as the ‘Western White House’ for President Reagan. The Reagans hosted world leaders like British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth II and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at their vacation home in the Santa Ynez mountains. The Young America’s Foundation now owns the ranch and offers tours on a limited basis.

Also read: 7 Great Destinations for Your Next California Vacation