Short biography and timeline
Barack Obama was born in 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1967–1971 he lived in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1971–1979 he studied at Punahou School in Honolulu. In 1979–1981 he attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, then graduated from Columbia University in New York in 1981–1983. From 1985 he worked as a community organizer in Chicago; in 1988–1991 he studied law at Harvard, then taught in Chicago and entered politics. In 2008 he won the election and became the 44th President of the United States, took office in 2009, and was reelected in 2012. After the White House he has lived between Washington and Martha’s Vineyard and often returns to Hawaii.

Childhood and study places
Honolulu, USA. The Makiki and Manoa neighborhoods, the Punahou School campus, and Oahu’s south‑shore beaches are easy starting points. Combine a campus stroll with Ala Moana Beach and views from Diamond Head. Jakarta, Indonesia. The late 1960s addresses are now busy city districts; look for school buildings and family streets in the south. Los Angeles, USA. Occidental College in Eagle Rock keeps the early 1980s vibe. New York, USA. Morningside Heights and Columbia University mark the end of his undergraduate studies and early work.

Chicago: regular addresses
Hyde Park and Kenwood are the South Side neighborhoods where he lived and taught. The University of Chicago campus and the Law School are classic stops. Valois Restaurant on 53rd Street is known for Obama breakfasts and neighborly chats. Italian Fiesta Pizzeria and the Hyde Park Hair Salon add everyday detail. Promontory Point and Jackson Park are lakefront walks. In 2008 his victory night filled Grant Park — the lawn became a symbolic stage for “Yes We Can” and “Change we need.”

Washington and the capital’s symbols
The White House and President’s Park are first stops; begin at the Visitor Center. Nearby, the Lincoln Memorial hosted many of his national ceremonies. Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street is the legendary spot he visited in January 2009. Around the same time he stopped by Five Guys near Pennsylvania Avenue, showing his taste for simple burger joints. The National Mall, the Capitol, and the King Memorial are key stages of public life and marches where he spoke.

Hawaii: winter breaks and “home” spots
Kailua, Oahu. In 2008–2016 the Obama family spent most winter holidays here. Favorite shave ice — Island Snow on Kailua Road. Kailua and Lanikai beaches are perfect for swimming and kayaking to the Mokulua islets. Golf — at the Klipper Golf Course on Marine Corps Base Kaneohe and at the Mid Pacific Country Club. Food — Alan Wong’s in Honolulu and Rainbow Drive‑In on Kapahulu Avenue. Walks — the lookouts of Diamond Head, Koko Crater, and snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

Europe and the world: signature visits
Berlin, Germany. On 24 July 2008 Obama spoke by the Victory Column in the Tiergarten before about 200000 people — the site became part of his global story. Cairo, Egypt. In June 2009 he delivered an address at Cairo University and toured the Giza Plateau with the Pyramids and the Sphinx. China, Beijing. In November 2009 he visited sections of the Great Wall near the capital. London, United Kingdom. In May 2011 a state visit included Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Wales and England, United Kingdom. In September 2014, after the summit, he stopped at Stonehenge for a walk among the megaliths. Israel and Jordan. In March 2013 he visited Yad Vashem and the Dead Sea Scrolls display at the Israel Museum, and then the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. Cuba, Havana. In March 2016 he made a historic visit, walked Old Havana, and attended a baseball game at Estadio Latinoamericano. Vietnam, Hanoi. In May 2016 he ate bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien and explored the Old Quarter. Kenya, Nairobi. In July 2015 he visited his father’s homeland, met in the capital, and went to see family in Kogelo.

Parks, nature, and civil history
Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, USA. In August 2009 the First Family visited both National Parks on a classic western road trip. Alaska, USA. In August 2015 Obama hiked to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park to highlight climate issues and announced the restoration of the name Denali for North America’s highest peak. California and New Mexico, USA. In June 2016 he visited Yosemite and Carlsbad Caverns for the National Park Service centennial. Selma, Alabama. In March 2015 he marked the 50th anniversary of the march, crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge with movement veterans.

Places by country and city
USA, Hawaii, Honolulu — Punahou School, Diamond Head, Ala Moana, Alan Wong’s, Rainbow Drive‑In; 1971–1979 and regular visits 2008–2023.
Indonesia, Jakarta — school addresses in the south of the city; 1967–1971.
USA, Illinois, Chicago — Hyde Park, Valois, Promontory Point, Grant Park; 1985–2008 and regular visits.
USA, Oahu, Kailua — Island Snow, Kailua and Lanikai beaches, Klipper Golf Course; 2008–2016.
USA, Washington — White House, Lincoln Memorial, Ben’s Chili Bowl; 2009–2017.
Germany, Berlin — Victory Column, Tiergarten; 2008.
Egypt, Cairo and Giza — Cairo University, Pyramids and Sphinx; 2009.
China, Beijing — the Great Wall; 2009.
United Kingdom, London — Buckingham Palace, Westminster, 10 Downing Street; 2011.
United Kingdom, Stonehenge — the megalithic site; 2014.
Israel, Jerusalem — Yad Vashem, Israel Museum; 2013.
Jordan, Wadi Musa — ancient Petra; 2013.
Cuba, Havana — Old Havana, Estadio Latinoamericano; 2016.
Vietnam, Hanoi — Bun Cha Huong Lien, Old Quarter; 2016.
Kenya, Nairobi and Kogelo — meetings and family sites; 2015.
USA, Wyoming and Arizona — Yellowstone and Grand Canyon; 2009.
USA, Alaska — Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords; 2015.
USA, California and New Mexico — Yosemite and Carlsbad Caverns; 2016.
USA, Alabama, Selma — Edmund Pettus Bridge; 2015.

Practical tips for visitors
In Chicago start in Hyde Park with breakfast at Valois, then head to Promontory Point and finish in Grant Park. In Washington plan the White House and Smithsonian museums for early morning and Ben’s Chili Bowl on a weekday outside rush hours. On Oahu rent a car: do Kailua Beach in the morning, Island Snow at midday, and a Diamond Head sunset. In Berlin come to the Victory Column early to see the Tiergarten axis. In Havana explore Old Havana before noon and check the baseball schedule for Estadio Latinoamericano. For US parks book lodging early and check seasonal limits — Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are crowded from June to August. In Petra arrive at opening time for a cool walk through the Siq. In Hanoi try bun cha on a weekday before lunch to avoid lines.