Spend President’s Day Weekend with Presidents

President’s Day Weekend is this month, so why not spend time with U.S. presidents? Aside from the White House in Washington, D.C., there are plenty of places around the country to pay tribute to the presidents. Here, we take a look at a handful of spots for your family to have fun while at the same time learn a little something, inspired by the four presidents showcased on Mount Rushmore. Shhh … don’t tell the kids they may learn something from having fun!

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In fact, let’s start with a visit to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota for a large- than-life perspective of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. Afterwards, see how your kids size up with the presidents in downtown Rapid City, S.D. Life-sized bronze statues of each of our country’s past presidents are found along the city’s streets and sidewalks, the City of Presidents.

George Washington

The first President of the United States had ties to the south: He was born in Colonial Beach, Va., where the George Washington Birthplace National Monument now stands, and made his home outside what would become Washington, D.C., at Mount Vernon, one of the most visited historic sites in the United States.

Thomas Jefferson

Virginia wasn’t home to only Washington, however. In fact, the state lays claim to eight U.S. presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, born in Shadwell, but it’s Monticello, his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, that people visit for a look into his life.

Abraham Lincoln

In Kentucky you’ll discover plenty of sites dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln, including the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park in Hodgenville; his boyhood home at Knob Creek; and the Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington. And in Indiana, your family can visit Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home in Lincoln City.

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Theodore Roosevelt

Our 26th president was born in New York City, and his childhood home is easily accessible during any visit to the Big Apple at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, the townhouse in which Roosevelt was born and raised until he was 14 years old. The reconstructed house features five period rooms and galleries to take a peek into Teddy’s early years.