Mr. President, This Is Your Life

Gerald Ford's presidential library opened in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1981. (Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum)

Gerald R. Ford, the 38th American president, died late last year, but his life and achievements have been immortalized at attractions and sites across the country. To celebrate Presidents' Day, go ahead and give a nod to those other fellows, then turn your attention to Ford, whose adventures led him from Omaha to Michigan to Washington and back to Michigan.

-- Andrea Sachs

THE EARLY YEARS. Start at the beginning: Ford's baby years in Omaha, where he spent the first 16 days of his life before moving east. The President Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens, at 32nd Street and Woolworth Avenue, includes a mouse-house-size replica of the family's three-story Victorian home, which was razed in 1971 after a fire, and a rose garden that honors former first lady Betty Ford. Info: 402-444-5955, http://www.nebraskahistory.org/conserve/brthsite.htm.

The Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center, near his birth site at 1326 S. 32nd St., features a small exhibit on the state's favorite son. Info: 402-595-1180; tours by appointment.

GRAND RAPIDS. Ford moved around this Michigan city a lot in his youth, and you can take a house tour-- but from the outside only, since the residences are private. The family first lived at 1960 Terrace SE in Grand Rapids (it's now Prospect Street), then at 630 Rosewood Ave. in East Grand Rapids. For other addresses, including the home he shared with his newlywed, see http://www.ford.utexas.edu/avproj/hseries/homes.htm.

Betty and Gerald Ford exchanged vows at Grace Episcopal Church (1815 Hall St., Grand Rapids, 616-241-4631), where his funeral took place Jan. 3.

For an overview of his accomplishments, visit the Gerald R. Ford Museum (303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, 616-254-0400, http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/; $7), where he is also buried and honored with a plaque. Permanent exhibits cover Ford's time in office, including a Watergate display and memorabilia from the '70s (hello, ugly platform shoes).

FOOTBALL AND FRATS. Ford received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he was a football star (1934 MVP) and a brother at Delta Kappa Epsilon (also the frat of choice for Prez Bush). Michigan Stadium, built during Calvin Coolidge's term, kicks off its football season in September. Info: 734-647-2583, http://mgoblue.com/schedule.cfm?section_id=259&top=2&level=3&season_id=1008.

If you prefer Ivy League games, Ford was a football coach at Yale in New Haven, Conn.; the Bulldogs' first home game is Sept. 22 against Cornell. Info: 203-432-1400, http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/yale-m-footbl-sched.html.

PARK SERVICE. In 1936, Ford spent the summer as a park ranger at Yellowstone National Park (307-344-7381, http://www.nps.gov/yell), guarding the bear-feeding truck and glad-handing VIPs at the Canyon Hotel and Lodge. Although you can't feed the bears or stay at the hotel (it was demolished decades ago), you can hire a horse at the former lodge site and trot around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Overnight at the nearby (and similarly sounding) Canyon Lodge and Cabins (866-439-7375, http://www.travelyellowstone.com/; open June 1-Sept. 16), where cabins run from $65 to $155 a night.

CAPITOL ATTRACTIONS. While working on Capitol Hill as a congressman, Ford and his family set down roots in Alexandria, at 1521 Mount Eagle Pl. and 514 Crown View Dr. The addresses are private, so be discreet . . . . At the National World War II Memorial on the Mall, pay tribute to Ford's service as a lieutenant commander in the Navy. . . . The Senate wing of the Capitol houses the Senate Vice Presidential Bust Collection, which includes a marble rendering of Ford by Walker Kirtland Hancock. Ford's bust sits on the second floor in a staff area; make an appointment with your senator to view it.