Obama Flockspots
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| The Honolulu Skyline glitters at night 1 |
As the 44th President of the United States, Barack
Obama has inspired millions with his humble beginnings, positive message, and
grass roots approach to politics. His global popularity has sparked touristic
interest in the cities he has lived, including Honolulu,
Chicago, and Washington
DC. As the child of an academic mother, Obama spent many of his formative
years in Hawaii, before
attending Columbia
University in New York City,
then the Harvard School of Law in Boston.
He later settled in Chicago, where he began his political career and met his
wife, Michelle. Obama now resides in the White
House in Washington, DC.For those interested in following in Obama's
footsteps, Worldweb.com has assembled a guide to the places the President has
called home, along with a selection of notable attractions, dining, and accommodations.
HONOLULU
The Formative Years
As a young man, Obama attended the Punahou
School in Honolulu, where he enjoyed basketball and pumpkin carving. His parents
met at the University
of Hawaii, which has grown to several campuses throughout the islands,
and members of his extended family still call the Aloha state home. The serenity
of the botanical
gardens offer an inspiring and thought provoking oasis and may have
provided a setting for the President to contemplate the future.
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| Tropical palm trees at Waikiki Beach2 |
There is an overwhelming choice of accommodations
for visitors to Honolulu, including the Ala
Moana Hotel,
which provides luxurious accommodations in the heart of the city, while the
boutique hotel Aqua
Palms is a retro-centric facility with a deluxe spa and restaurants
specializing in regional cuisine. Many local restaurants
offer international menus, reflecting the diversity and emerging cosmopolitan
lifestyles of residents and visitors alike.
Perhaps one of the best known beaches in
the world, Waikiki
Beach is famed for its white sand, cooling blue waters, and soothing
ocean breezes and it may well have provided a place for relaxation and reflection
for Obama during his teen years on the island.
CHICAGO
Discovering Destiny
After settling in Chicago,
Obama received generous support from the University
of Chicago in the form of a fellowship, enabling him to pen his best-selling
memoir, Dreams from My Father, which was published in 1995. He was also a professor
at the school for 12 years, teaching constitutional law.
During their first date, Obama and his wife-to-be Michelle perused the impressive
art collections at the Art
Institute of Chicago, followed by a stroll down the Magnificent
Mile. Two years later, Obama proposed at an upscale restaurant on Clarke
St. The city has an eclectic restaurant scene, covering the gamut of
cuisine,
from Chicago-style stuffed pizza, to the famed hot dogs, never broiled and served
on poppyseed buns. The city is also home to a vibrant music
scene, with a bounty of blues and jazz clubs.
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| The glittering Chicago skline at night 3 |
Over the years, Obama was often seen walking the
streets of Chicago with his wife and their two daughters. The family home, on
the South Side neighborhood of Kenwood,
has become something of a photo Mecca for supporters who drive by, eager to
get a snap of the now famous residence. Obama was elected senator of Illinois
in 2004 and held the position until 2008, at which time he resigned to accept
the role of President.
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| The famed Chicago Bridges4 |
On election night, millions watched the powerful
acceptance speech from Grant
Park, which is also home to a wide range of public art. During the summer
months, the area blooms with flowers while clusters of strollers enjoy the gentle
weather . Nearby, Lake
Michigan stretches for as far as the eye can see, with photo ops aplenty.
In addition, the Chicago
River Bridges are world renowned and worthy of a cruise on one of
the many tour
boats.
Chicago has a rich and colorful history and boasts some of the most impressive
architecture in the United States.
A variety of downtown hotels offer exceptional
service and sumptuous surroundings, including the Omni,
situated in the heart of the Magnificent
Mile. With its distinctive design, the Sofitel
Chicago Water Tower is a landmark building with spectacular views. The
opulence of the Peninsula
Chicago is world renowned, with marble bathrooms and deluxe amenities,
while the hip and modern Hotel
Burnham caters to guest with pets.
WASHINGTON
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| The Lincolm Memorial5 |
Rising to the Occasion
Barack Obama
delivered a riveting and rousing speech the day before his inauguration at the
Lincoln
Memorial, and millions watched as his wife Michelle held the bible while
he took the oath of office.
The Obama family now resides at the prestigious address, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,
or as most people know it, the White
House.
As the hub of policy making in the U.S.,
Washington
boasts a bounty of historical landmarks, including Congress,
Union
Station, and the Smithsonian
Institute. Cruises are offered along the Potomac
River, affording sensational views of the wide range of monuments.
Built in 1800, the Sofitel
Washington DC Lafayette Square is an historical treasure within walking
distance of the White House.. The infamous Watergate
Hotel harkens back to a dark period in American politics, and has undergone
an extensive renovation, re-opening in late 2009. An official historic site,
the storied Willard
Hotel has been a home away from home for a variety of presidents and
Martin Luther King penned his famous I Have a Dream speech in one of its well-appointed
rooms. For those seeking modern accomodations, L'enfant
Plaza Hotel is a sophisticated marvel, with stunning views of the
National
Mall.
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| The Capital Building, home of Congress6 |
Many local restaurants have capitalized on the President's popularity by naming menu items after the iconic leader. Acadiana offers a warm cocktail, simply dubbed the Dream in honor of Obama, while Mie n Yu, with its clever name, is an enduringly popular hot spot that has created a special cocktail called Hail to the Chief, a strong beverage featuring bourbon, peach juice, and fresh ginger.
Following in the footsteps of Obama, intrepid travelers are sure to find a plethora of riveting sights, unique dining, and diverse accommodations. Some lucky folks may even get a glimpse of the man himself.
If you enjoyed this feature, please take a look at these Worldweb travel articles:
• Frank
Lloyd Wright Architecture
• A
Movie Buff's Tour of North America
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Honolulu Skyline; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- Waikiki Palm Trees; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- The Chicago Skyline; Chicago, Illinois, USA
- The Chicago Bridges; Chicago, Illinois, USA
- The Lincoln Memorial; Washington, DC, USA
- The US Capital Building;
Washington, DC, USA






