Hail to the Chief! Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of the Perfect President’s Day

Every third Monday in February, our nation celebrates George Washington’s birthday. No, wait. Abraham Lincoln’s? Wait. All the Presidents! Whatever iteration of President’s Day you celebrate, you have plenty of options in Atlanta for hailing the Chief. Read on to get some ideas for your campaign for presidential family fun.

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
You say “President,” we say “Carter!” How cool is it that Georgia is home to one of our more recent presidents, and that we have the ability to visit an actual presidential library and museum… on President’s Day? Check out the full-scale replica of the Oval Office, then head over to the current exhibit, “Diplomatic Patterns,” which showcases White House china used during State Dinners and other social events. Cap off your day by hitting Mud Monkey on Peachtree to let your kiddos transfer all that inspiration into a pattern of their own creation.

Details: Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30307, 404-865-7100 and Mud Monkey on Peachtree, 2385 Peachtree Road NE #105, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-812-1750

Young Chefs Academy
Maybe Mommy needs a day of presidential relaxation and has booked a stay-cation at the spa. Or, more likely, Mommy and Daddy have to work but the preschool is closed. Whatever the option, the Young Chef’s Academy has your back. Send your littles ages 5 and older to the President’s Day Camp, where they’ll learn how to make all the favorite foods of presidents past! They’ll be rocking Ronnie’s favorite mac and cheese, Nixon’s meatloaf, and Laura Bush’s chocolate chip cookies, among others.

Details: Young Chefs Academy, 2903 North Druid Hills Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-633-2633, President’s Day Camp (9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 5 years and older, $65)

Zoo Atlanta
We all know that Washington can be a zoo, so what better place to spend President’s Day than at the Atlanta Zoo? Pack the kiddos up for the School’s Out Safari Day Camp, where they’ll get hands-on with behind-the-scene action for either a day or the entire week of February 17th – 21st. School-aged kids (K-5th grade) can explore different continents and the animals that call them home.

Details: Zoo Atlanta School’s Out! Safari Day Camp, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, (404) 624-WILD, $70 daily or $340 weekly, Ask for member rates

National Parks
Head to one of America’s best ideas to celebrate President’s Day with free entrance to a National Park from February 15th – 17th. Make a road trip of it and head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or stay local at one of Georgia’s own 11 National Parks. Regardless of where your GPS takes you, be sure to turn your littles loose on the National Park Service’s WebRangers site while you’re packing the car. They’ll be able to teach you a thing or two about where you’re heading en route.

Details: National Park Service Free Entrance Days, Multiple locations

Party Like It’s 1732
Since President’s Day started out as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday, why not indulge in some of Atlanta’s best cake at Piece of Cake. And, since we’re talking about kids here, we all know that no birthday party is complete without a trip to a bounce house. Need party favors? No problem. Check out these cool ideas for crafts with kids on President’s Day. Voila! You’ve just thrown Ol’ George the best bash he’s had in quite some time. Go Mom!

How will you spend this President’s Day? Share with us in the comments section below.

—Shelley Massey

Photos courtesy of Jimmy Carter Presidential Library via Facebook, The White House via Facebook, Young Chefs Academy via Facebook, National Park Service via Facebook and Creative Commons via Flickr