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Things to do on Presidents Day

Posted On: February 23, 2018

Maybe as Presidents Day approaches, people at work ask each other, “Doing anything fun for Presidents Day?”

Actually, that question sounds a little funny to me, as when growing up in Central New York, I doubt anyone used to say that. I never heard it anyhow. But, it seems to be a growing trend now a days as people not only do something for Presidents Day but Presidents Week!

Presidents Day falls on the third Monday of February, making it a 3-day weekend. However, as a three day weekend may not be enough, some take off the whole week – starting with Presidents Day, or most likely, the third week of February- making it Presidents Day Week or Presidents Week. Most salaried positions (unless working for the state or government) probably have to take the day or days off as Presidents Day is not typically a day most offices have as a paid holiday. In fact, though almost all states commemorate Presidents Day on the third Monday of February, not all do (more on that below).

 

Things to Do on Presidents Day or Presidents Day Week

Go on a Ski Vacation 

Growing up, there were people who went on ski vacations, but most people I knew would have preferred to go on a beach vacation to Florida. Living in Upstate New York, most people get sick of snow, and the last thing they wanted to think of was snow. Maybe Floridians or people from hotter climates in the US would travel to Vermont or other places in the Northeast for ski vacations as they may get sick of hot weather? In fact, it must have been true because in 2000, I heard that there were ski resorts in Vermont and New Hampshire booked up for more than 10 years in advance! It’s hard to believe, but true! Now a days, other popular ski vacation destinations include Park City (near Salt Lake City, Utah), places near Jackson Hole, Wyoming (near Grand Teton National Park), places in Colorado (Telluride, Aspen, Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge), and Sun Valley in Idaho, among others.

Go on Any Vacation 

Moving to Utah this year, I was surprised to see how the news channels were all saying that some of the Mighty 5 National Parks (Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon) would be overcrowded for Presidents Day and possibly the entire week. In fact, there were specific events such as the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival and the Moab Red Hot Marathon (with routes through or by Arches and Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park). As all the events would be going on during a vacation weekend, hotel prices were 1.5 to 3 times higher than even the weekend before that (I had personal experience with booking in Moab, and was sticker shocked into going the weekend before Presidents Day.) And, from what I hear others going on trips to other parts of the US had similar concerns. 

 

Author, Jennifer Kumar, at Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park.

Book as far in advance as possible for hotels, flights, rental cars or anything you may need a reservation for. Some websites were suggesting booking as early as the third week of January (around Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Even if this doesn’t save money, it will help secure a spot as seats on flights fill quickly and rooms in hotels also can book up pretty fast. 

Tip to save money on Presidents Day Travel:

Go to locations in the US that don’t celebrate Presidents Day this time of the year.

1. States that DO NOT celebrate at all: Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Wisconsin
2. These states celebrate on the day after Thanksgiving/Black Friday (4th Friday of November): New Mexico
3. One state observes this on Dec. 24th: Georgia
4. Different Dates in Indiana: May be observed on Christmas Eve, the day after Christmas or the day after Thanksgiving 

Take your High School Kids on a College Tour 

Since most school kids are off this week, many parents of juniors or seniors (11th or 12th graders) may take their kids on a college tour. Arranged by colleges, free of charge to prospective students, these tours can help you make a decision as to which college your child may prefer to attend. Check college website admission office websites or Facebook pages for details on tour dates, times and sign up information.

Celebrate National Engineers Week

The week of Presidents Day coincides with National Engineers Week. It is said that this particular week was chosen as George Washington (who’s birthday coincides with Presidents Day) was the first American engineer. During or around this week, schools may hold events to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers. Companies in the STEM or engineering fields may also commemorate employees or hold events in relation to this.

#HappyEngineersWeek #USA #Advenser pic.twitter.com/P7pGgKMBGg

— advenser (@advenser) February 22, 2018

Go Shopping

When is there not an occasion for a sale in the US? (That’s a rhetorical question!) The first Presidents Day Sale I ever remember going to was in 2002 (there may have been “Presidents Day Sales before that, but I wouldn’t have cared to notice.). That sale was in a department store. The best deals were found on the end of the season winter wear. Besides winter jackets, boots, mittens, hats and any other winter gear, you may also find good deals on cars, household appliances and mattresses.

Note: For those with younger children, sometimes one parent may elect to take time off to avoid higher child care charges when school’s out.

Previous US holiday- Valentine’s Day
Next US Observance – Spring Forward- Start of Daylight Saving Time (DST)

 

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Related Posts:
A basic introduction to Presidents Day in the USA
Is Kerala the Florida of India?
US State Birthdays

Photo credit: Edward Simpson, Flickr, creative commons. US Flag: DWilliams at pixabay.