Looking for a bit of American history to help celebrate Presidents Day weekend? Here are four spots in NYC with connections to our commanders in chief.
George Washington
Fraunces Tavern first opened in 1762. In 1783, Gen. George Washington gave his farewell address to his troops in the upstairs Long Room. Visit the museum and have lunch. 54 Pearl St.; 212-425-1778, frauncestavern.com
Ulysses S. Grant
The nation’s 18th president lived in NYC before he died in 1885. Now he rests peacefully in a marble-and-granite tomb in Riverside Park, bedecked with mosaic murals showing scenes from his life. Riverside Drive and West 122nd Street; 212-666-1640, nps.gov/gegr
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln gave an address in Cooper Union’s Great Hall in 1860, when he was just a little-known presidential candidate. He boldly denounced slavery and coined his famous phrase “Right makes might” at the hall’s podium. Foundation Building, 7 E. Seventh St.; 212-353-4100, cooper.edu
John F. Kennedy
Our 35th president dined at the ‘21’ Club the night before his 1961 inauguration. JFK even donated a a model of his famous PT-109 torpedo boat to decorate the restaurant, where every president from Truman to Clinton, has dined. (Still waiting for Obama.) 21 W. 52nd St.; 212-582-7200, 21club.com