Ultimate Presidential Libraries Road Trip
One great way to learn about our US Presidents is to visit the Presidential Libraries. We have had 45 presidents but as of 2018, there are 14 presidential libraries. We have been able to visit 8 of them so far, but of course, we are already planning our next road trip to visit another one of the Presidential libraries. If you love learning about US History and our presidents, this list of Presidential Libraries around the US will help you in your planning!
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Presidential Libraries around the US
The Presidential Library system is composed of fourteen Presidential Libraries. These facilities are overseen by the Office of Presidential Libraries, in the National Archives and Records Administration.
Print the Presidential Libraries Checklist
210 Parkside Drive
West Branch, IA 52358
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4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538-1999
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
500 W US Hwy 24
Independence, MO 64050
Website
200 SE 4th Street
Abilene, KS 67410
Website
John F Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Columbia Point
Boston, MA 02125
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2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78705-5702
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
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Our first visit to a presidential library was by accident. We were in Atlanta for a quick day trip and saw a sign for the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Of course, we weren’t going to pass up the opportunity to learn about President Carter with the family.
441 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
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40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065
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2943 SMU Blvd., Dallas, TX 75205
2500 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Have you visited any Presidential Libraries? Which one is your favorite? I’d love to hear about your trips to these historic sites!
We have visited the Truman library in Independence and found it very quiet and relaxed. The staff was very helpful in locating documents.
The LBJ Library at Austin was nice but the LBJ ranch at Johnson City was awesome.
The George H. Walker Bush Library at College Station was informative and reflected the personality of this kind, unassuming man.
The Nixon Library was nice but reflected a sense of starkness and the mood of President Nixon.
The grandeur of the Reagan Library with Air Force One and the beautiful setting was by far the best.
The Kennedy Library setting was relaxing and emphasized his accomplishments during his tenure as president. The assassination remember an Ed were covered on the day we were there out of respect for family members that were on site that day.
The ground had just been broken on the George W. Bush Library when we were there.
Hyde Park was beautiful and moving. The preservation of FDR’s home bought chills when thinking about his time there.
We had to choose between the Carter Library and attending his Sunday School class. We drove all night to get there in time. It was worth it.
We need a mid-west trip to see Ford, Clinton and Eisenhower Libraries.
We must do more to get high school and college students to these libraries and museums. They would be more beneficial than the overseas trips the colleges encourage. Imagine weeklong studies not-abroad so they could learn about our history.
Greg
You’ve been to quite a few! Yes, these are really great educational stops!
My family visited the FDR home and library in Hyde Park, NY. We loved it. My kids had just completed and going to ha AP US history on high school. With the Vanderbilt mansion nearby great way to learn of 80 years of history. The guilted age, women’s suffer age, WW I, the depression, WW II, and United Nations. Plus we stayed at a cute 1950 style motel nearby.
We just visited the Rutherford B Hayes Presidential museum/library in Fremont Ohio. I don’t see it on your list.
I have visited five (5) Presidential Libraries:
John Kennedy; Bill Clinton; Jimmy Carter; George W Bush & Lyndon Johnson. I also visited the Truman Library, but did not get a chance to tour it because it was closed for renovations. I did tour the Truman House and other historical sites.
I enjoyed all of the libraries, but the ones that I enjoyed the most were 1. Clinton and 2. Johnson. They had more artifacts and history than the others. Kennedy’s library had less than any of the other libraries and I supposed it was because his time served as President was shorter. My time spent in both Clinton & Johnson libraries were much more extensive than the others because there was so much history and the libraries were also much larger than the others toured.
My goal is to visit more Presidential Libraries. I am a retired librarian and I enjoy visiting libraries. They are great learning experiences.
i have visited 2 libraries. the Ford library in Grand Rapids and the LIncoln library in springfield. the ford library was really interesting. im born and raised in the area and my grandmother-in-law personally knew him so it was cool to hear her personal stories from before he was president living in grand rapids and see his work while in office. the lincoln library, not an official library by NARA, but most definitely a must see. ive been there twice. he lived such an interesting life.
This post reminded me of our trip to the Truman Library in Independence MO. We were there in the early 70s and remember it to be a wonderful experience. I have especially enjoyed reading your readers comments and am thinking in retirement we have time to see more of these historical sites. I’m so glad you shared.
Why is the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, IL not listed? We enjoyed visiting !!
Great catch! I’ll get that added in!