In May 2006, President George W. Bush was asked what was his best moment in office so far. After admitting he’s had “a lot of great moments,” the moment he chose referred not to his daily duties as commander-in-chief, but to his cherished vacation time: "I would say the best moment was when I caught a 7 ½-pound largemouth bass on my lake.”

It’s hard work to preside over the home of the free and the brave, which is why vacation was built into the presidency since the start of the nation. George Washington had his beloved Mount Vernon plantation; John Adams his Massachusetts farm. More recently, we’ve gotten used to hearing about George W.’s vacation compound in Crawford Ranch, Texas, with his stocked fish pond, river canyons, and sprawling, single-level home visited by everyone from Vladimir Putin to Lance Armstrong.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Susie Go Go.

Bill Clinton’s destination of choice was Martha’s Vineyard for golfing, yachting, and mingling with celebrities. Bush Senior repeatedly retreated to Kennebunkport, Maine. Reagan escaped to Santa Barbara. Poor Jimmy Carter holds the place in history as the president who took the least vacation (79 days total at his home and peanut farm in Georgia).

The Kennedys, of course, vacationed at Cape Cod’s Hyannis Port where multi-generations enjoyed sailing, socializing, and long walks on the beach. Richard Nixon’s former Florida vacation home had a helipad and went on to star in the movie Scarface along with Al Pacino. Harry Truman was also a fan of Florida. After dropping the A-bomb, his haven for recuperation was in Key West in what he called the “little White House.”

Of the current contenders, Barack Obama has shown a predilection for the U.S. Virgin Islands. And Hillary, we can assume, would continue her sojourns with Bill to The Vineyard. As for McCain, he’ll probably continue firing up the barbecue grill at his southwest-flavored vacation home in Page Springs, Arizona.

So, which president do you think has the best vacation pad so far?