Even the Commander and Chief needs a vacation from time to time. What most people don’t know is when the president travels for a little getaway, hundreds of people travel along with them. When you are traveling with your extended extended family, it’s important to pick the right place that gives you a well-deserved break, along with your entire entourage. Here are some of past presidents’ favorite and most interesting places to vacation throughout the years.
Massachusetts and Maine
This state already carries a big history, so it’s no wonder the presidents flock to this colonial territory. From John F. Kennedy and iconic Cape Cod to Barack Obama and Blue Heron Farm in Martha’s Vineyard, there is plenty to take in on a seaside vacation. Blue Heron Farm rented for $50,000 a week for the Obamas. Included in this small fee is a par 3 golf course, both tennis and basketball courts, beach front access and a wine cellar. Sounds like a perfect beach getaway for you and the big family. Maine has been the place for presidential sightings from the Bush family. One of Bush Senior’s favorite spots to dine was Mabel Lobster Claw which is a seafood lovers’ dream including the best New England clam chowder.
Mar-a-Lago, Florida
There’s no denying when you hear this name you think of one president. But this vacation spot actually has a deeper history than Trumpland. This estate in Palm Beach, Florida was originally built by the Post cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post in the 1920’s. It was left upon her death to the U.S. government for use of president’s vacations. During Jimmy Carter’s administration, he deemed the location too much of a financial burden to the government and gave it back to the Post family. Trump tried to purchase it for the small price of $25 million dollars, but they said no. After years of power moves, Trump finally acquired the estate, and it became what we know it as today. Other fans of Florida locales were Harry S. Truman, and Richard Nixon.
Georgia
FDR frequented Warm Springs Georgia because in his mind it contained very therapeutic water. Because he suffered from polio and was paralyzed from the waist down, he felt transformed and improved when he vacationed here. Eventually he bought the resort and founded the Warm Springs Foundation to help treat those with polio. Jimmy Carter also was a fan of Georgia and would visit his peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. It was the same farm he worked on as a child.
If you are looking for your next vacation spot, look no further than the recommendations from former power presidents. You might find your next paradise spot that is fit for a chief – and about 200 of your closest friends.