Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

The LBJ Ranch is a living memorial to the 36th president of the United States. This is the home of the Texas White House, so named because Lyndon B. Johnson spent 20 percent of his presidency there. When the weight of the office became too much to bear, he retreated to this ranch to escape the rigors of Washington.

You and your family have plenty of things to do here to escape the rigors of your own lives. Johnson's boyhood home contains artifacts from his childhood, including a baseball glove and ball. The president loved cars. You can view a 1915 fire truck, 1934 Ford Phaeton and a rare Amphicar, a car designed to travel on land and water. He also owned a Jolly 500 Ghia, a gift from the owner of Fiat. There's even that era's Air Force One, the plane Johnson used to get to the ranch.

Travel back to the 1860s by viewing barns constructed by Johnson's grandparents. There are also some well-preserved farmhouses, built by German immigrants, as part of the site. The rolling hills form a pastoral setting, and it's no wonder Johnson came here to unwind.

The same is true for you. Get back in touch with your soul and your spirit by camping near the Johnson historic site. You can get an idea what farming was like more than 100 years ago. Christmas is particularly beautiful on the grounds, with decorations and a tree-lighting ceremony every year. It might even be warm enough for camping.