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By Editorial Staff / No matter what your mother told you, chances are you're never going to be President of the United States – after all, only 43 men in history can make the claim. So where on earth does the leader of the free world go for a little R&R? Anywhere he wants. It may come as a surprise, however, that the favorite places of the first families are often decidedly low-key destinations – places ordinary civilians vacation every day. So even if your job isn't quite as stressful as the Commander in Chief's, take a trip to one of the destinations on our top 10 presidential getaways list, and you can vacation like it is.
By Editorial Staff / No matter what your mother told you, chances are you're never going to be President of the United States – after all, only 43 men in his... more
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1
Bahamas
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a man of many travels, but it wasn't all work and no play. In fact, the 32nd President traveled south to the Bahamas on fishing expeditions several times during his presidency. It's no wonder FDR made the trek – besides its crystal-clear water and soft sandy beaches, the Bahamas are known for excellent deep-sea and bone fishing. With near-constant fishing events and competitions, as well as experienced guides, fishing lodges, and charter boats on nearly every Bahamian shore, there's no shortage of ways and places to cast a line in the Bahamas. You might have a real "fish tale" to tell once you've vacationed in this premier sport-fishing spot – the islands claim more than 50 record catches.
2
Catoctin Mountain Park
You'll know you've hiked too close to Camp David, the 125-acre mountain retreat used by every president since FDR, when you're stopped, X-Files style, by armed secret-service agents. Dubbed Shangri-La by FDR and renamed by Eisenhower in honor of his grandson, Camp David is situated in a top-secret location within Maryland's forested Catoctin Mountain Park, where camping, picnicking, fly-fishing, and cross-country skiing welcome presidents and civilians who come to escape the sweltering heat of Washington, D.C., 60 miles to the southwest. Stay in one of the quaint-but-austere cabins built by the Works Progress Administration in the '30s, or head to the nearby town of Thurmont and book a room at the historic Cozy, an inn and restaurant packed with presidential memorabilia.
3
Glenwood Springs
Named for its mineral springs and awed for its scenic Rocky Mountain beauty, Glenwood Springs garnered attention long before neighboring swanky ski resorts of Vail or Aspen ever did. In 1905 the Hotel Colorado, today a National Historic Landmark, was the base for then-President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt during a three-week bear-hunting expedition. Legend has it that the teddy bear was born here when maids presented the President with the stuffed animal after an unsuccessful day of hunting. Make the Roosevelt Suite – the same room where the President stayed – your home base for a vacation spent at the confluence of the Colorado and the Roaring Fork rivers and known for its white-water rafting, fly-fishing, and cave tours.
4
Hyannis Port
When you see those classic photos of JFK and Jackie on a sailboat with the wind blowing through their gorgeous hair, you're looking at the waters off Cape Cod. The quaint village of Hyannis Port is the Kennedy family's most beloved retreat and the former President even referred to the area as a place "to be revived, to know again the power of the sea, and the Master who rules over it and all of us." The family compound comprises a main house – nicknamed the Summer White House – plus two other Kennedy-owned residences and several guest homes to house the vast Kennedy clan. Hyannis Port is positively bursting with visitors who come for the Cape's miles of sandy shores, delectable fried seafood, and of course, sails around the peninsula.
5
Jamaica
Winning the general election certainly calls for celebration, and that's exactly what Gerald B. Ford and wife Betty did after his team's 1972 win. The locale of choice? Montego Bay, Jamaica, where the well-documented vacation of the soon-to-be 38th President and his wife produced photographs of them lounging on beach chairs, deep-sea fishing, and napping on their chartered boat. Today, you can enjoy these same activities in Montego Bay today &dnash; and then some. This slice of Jamaican paradise is known for its uber-luxe resorts, ever-present Reggae beats, laid-back vibe, and spectacular natural surroundings. If you're looking to make it a romantic retreat, make like Ford and take along your favorite first lady.
6
Kennebunkport
For all the boot-strappin', cowboy hat-wearin', and Texas-drawlin' of our current Commander in Chief, it's hard to imagine him fitting in with the preppy people who summer on Maine's rocky coast. George W. spent his childhood summers on the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport and still returns to the century-old house of his parents – former President George Herbert Walker Bush and First Lady Barbara – on Walker's Point from time to time now. Famed for lobsters, lighthouses, and blueberry pie, coastal Maine is classic New England. You could spend your visit looking out for the Bush family security detail, but why not instead spend a few days browsing the souvenir shops, sailing the chilly waters, or soaking up some sun on nearby beaches.
7
Key West
The historic presidential pad on Key West dubbed the Little White House (www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com) certainly earned its moniker – after all, it played host to President Harry Truman for 175 days during his tenure in office. Since Truman began migrating south in 1946, millions of sun-and-fun seekers have descended on Key West for its tropical weather, laid-back attitude, and loads of charm. Between your bar-hopping and sun-worshipping, take a tour of the very house where Truman and his go-to guys enacted bills, prepared budgets, and even composed the State of the Union address during their many visits. Other presidents, including JFK and Jimmy Carter, have also roamed the house's halls.
8
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard has long been a celebrity sanctuary, but celeb-stalkers and political junkies alike took notice of the island enclave when the Clintons traded in the White House for a vacation house here during Slick Willy's presidency. Biking, kayaking, and fishing are all popular pastimes on the Vineyard, but if you're looking for a less-active vacation, miles upon miles of sandy beach are ripe for sunbathing. Buy an ice cream cone at one of the ubiquitous shops and stroll the centuries-old streets while admiring the historic homes and charming seaside shops. With all there is to do and see on Martha's Vineyard, you'll see why the Clintons came back again and again.
9
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara's allure was not lost on Ronald Reagan, and by the end of his governorship he had snatched up what would later become known as the Western White House – the 688-acre Rancho del Cielo (Ranch in the Sky). Overlooking the magnificent Santa Ynez Valley and the Pacific Ocean, the California landscapes here are so lovely they once inspired Reagan to quip, "No place before or since has ever given Nancy and me the joy and serenity [Rancho del Cielo] does." You can't tour the ranch, but the idyllic wine country, bucolic landscapes, palm-fringed Pacific beaches, gourmet fare, and posh hotels of Santa Barbara are sure to inspire you the same way they did the man who was both movie star and 40th President of the United States.
10
Warm Springs
As depicted by Kenneth Branagh in the recent HBO biopic Warm Springs, Franklin D. Roosevelt first retreated to this eponymous rural Georgia town in 1924. Eight years later, just before his presidential inauguration, FDR built the Little White House, a modest six-room cottage that's been kept intact (museum addition notwithstanding) since his death there in 1945. Southern charm and hospitality still beckon weary travelers to Warm Springs (located 1.5 hours south of Atlanta) where life moves to the rhythm of the languid rocking chairs that front so many of its antique stores, specialty shops, and rustic B&Bs. The hot springs where FDR sought a cure for his polio are not available for public use, but FDR State Park – with nearly 40 miles of verdant hiking trails – is just minutes from town.
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