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With all the excitement surrounding the inauguration of the 44th president, travelers looking for ways to keep the momentum going should visit one of the President’s favorite spots. With Presidents’ Day weekend (February 14-16) fast approaching, we've come up with five destinations near and dear to the President that are worth visiting.

 Bali, Indonesia

President Obama lived in Indonesia for several years of his childhood and returned there soon after law school to work on his best-selling memoir.  It has been said that he escaped to Bali for the peace and quiet of this tiny island where he and his wife lived for several months. Bali has long been known as a place of serenity and tranquility and often finds itself at the top of any serious traveler’s “must see” list. 

 We Say: Bali has long attracted Americans with its luxury resorts, favorable exchange rate, stunning beaches and mountains, and gentle people. February is an excellent month to visit as the rainy season winds down, the temperature hovers in the low 80s, and the crowds are few. Five-star hotels are widely available for less than $200 per night.   

 Chicago, Illinois

The must-see city for Obama fans, Chicago is chock-full of the places the first family ate, slept, and shopped before their move to the most famous address in the U.S. First stop: the Obamas’ previous home at 5046 S. Greenwood Ave in the Kenwood section of the city.

 We Say: The good news for travelers is that all this popularity hasn’t led to increased prices. According to Travelocity’s data, airfare and hotel rates in Chicago are way down – 17 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

 Oahu, Hawaii

President Reagan had Santa Barbara, President Clinton had Martha’s Vineyard, President Bush had Crawford . . . and it looks like President Obama has Oahu.  The 44th president visited most recently over Christmas and nearly every year since he left his home state for college in Los Angeles. Follow in his vacation footsteps with a plate lunch in Waikiki, teeing off at Olomana Golf Links, and taking a dip at Hanauma Bay.

We Say: Check out Waikiki, where hotels are plentiful and up to 50 percent off regular room rates. Three-star hotels are available from $89 per night; four-star hotels are available from $179 per night. Don’t forget to take advantage of free room upgrades, free breakfasts, and all the other offerings at Hawaii hotels where available.

 St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

When the weary presidential candidate needed a break from campaigning, he headed to the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Candidate Obama spent several days in March 2008 on the island of St. Thomas. It was his second visit in six months, according to a local island newspaper.  The then-presidential hopeful enjoyed a round of golf at Mahogany Run. 

We Say: The U.S.V.I. is a great Caribbean destination as it has plenty of direct flights to get travelers there and back in no time.  The President stayed at the five-star Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas on Great Bay. Rates on Presidents’ Day weekend are from $619 per night.   For something less expensive, check out the three-star Sapphire Village Resort from $179 per night.

 Washington, DC

Don’t’ worry about missing the inauguration, visit D.C. now, when there are fewer crowds and hotel rooms are less expensive. Stay in the Hay–Adams hotel, the place the Obama family called home in the weeks before they moved to the White House. The hotel is located very close to St. John’s Church; the National Mall; the Washington Monument; and of course, the White House. Visit the Smithsonian’s special – and timely – exhibition through March 9: Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956-1968, which is a collection of evocative images, beginning with the Rosa Parks case in 1955-56 and ending with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968. 

 We Say: Thinner crowds and lower prices mean travelers can take advantage of the whole city and all its attractions.  The five-star Hay-Adams was completely sold out for the inauguration, but as of press time, there were rooms available over President’s Day weekend from $299 per night. For something less expensive, the four-star Liaison Capitol Hill, An Affinia Hotel has a convenient location and rates from $124 per night.