New York City is full of hidden spots most tourists never encounter, from a secret subway platform at City Hall to rooftop gardens in Rockefeller Center and hospital ruins on Roosevelt Island. While those are all open to the public, there’s another, lesser-known secret that lies below one of the city’s most historic hotels in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Discover the storied history of Track 61, located beneath New York City’s iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel.

The Waldorf Astoria

The Waldorf Astoria New York opened in 1931, occupying an entire city block from 49th Street to 50th Street between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue. The 47-story building was both the largest and tallest hotel in the world from the year it opened until 1957. The hotel hosted many glamorous events over the years, including the engagement party of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. The Waldorf Astoria also served as the temporary residence for both Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra, among other A-list celebrities. After years of continuous operation, the Waldorf Astoria temporarily closed in 2017 to undergo extensive renovations. And despite many delays and setbacks, the hotel is finally scheduled to reopen in spring 2025.

Track 61

Located beneath the hotel is Track 61, which was built during the construction of the nearby Grand Central Terminal during the early 1900s. The track was intended to be used as a storage area for unused railroad cars, and it was also relied on to help carry away ashes from the power station that previously existed on the site of the hotel. As the Waldorf Astoria was being built in 1929, The New York Times reported that this private railway track could also be used by guests to directly access the hotel, instead of transiting through Grand Central. It wasn’t long until some guests began taking advantage of this hidden perk.

Who Got VIP Access?

One of the first confirmed private uses of Track 61 was in 1938, when General John J. Pershing — the only general appointed to General of the Armies while still alive — used this platform to access the hotel. World War II-era General Douglas MacArthur also used Track 61 during a 1951 visit. More recently, Track 61 was planned as a potential escape route during a 2003 visit to the United Nations by President George W. Bush. But the most famous person to rely on this secret entrance was President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

According to author Sam Roberts, Roosevelt used this secret access route during visits to New York City, “in part to hide his disability from the public.” On one occasion, FDR’s private limo was privately transported along the tracks directly underneath the hotel, and then lifted into the garage by an elevator. The president’s private railcar would wait for FDR underneath the hotel and take him directly back to his home upstate in Hyde Park. 

For many years, a private train car sat gathering dust on Track 61, and it was rumored to have belonged to FDR. The myth persisted for quite some time until the railcar was relocated to the Danbury Railway Museum in Connecticut. It was eventually revealed to simply be a normal storage car without any connection to the former president.

Other Uses for Track 61

In addition to serving as a VIP entry, Track 61 has been used, on rare occasions, for other purposes over the years. In 1946, a new diesel-electric powered train was exhibited on Track 61, denoting the only instance in which the track was open to the public. Two years later, a fashion show was staged on Track 61 as a collaboration between the clothing store Filene’s and the New Haven railroad. It was also the site of an exclusive “underground party” in 1965 that featured artist Andy Warhol. 

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The U.S. airline industry is more consolidated than ever before. The so-called “Big Four” airlines — American, Delta, Southwest, and United — now control nearly three-quarters of the U.S. market. But that wasn’t always the case. After the federal government deregulated airlines in 1978, a rainbow of airplane tail colors could be seen at airports across the country. Over the years, many of these airlines merged with larger carriers, while over 100 airlines went bankrupt. Take a trip down memory lane and learn more about 20 defunct U.S. airlines you might remember flying at some point.

National Airlines

National Airlines, a major carrier of the regulated era, commenced operations in 1934 with an airmail route from Daytona Beach to St. Petersburg, Florida. It moved its headquarters from St. Petersburg to Miami in 1940, and introduced a passenger fleet of Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar aircraft on routes from Florida to New Orleans, New York City, and other major cities throughout the East Coast.

National called itself the “Airline of the Stars” and began flights to the West Coast on Douglas DC-8s in the early 1960s. The following decade, the airline introduced service from Miami to London and other cities in Europe. By the end of the 1970s, however, National faced several takeover bids and was ultimately acquired by Pan Am in 1980.

Braniff International Airways

Before deregulation, the federal government set airfares and decided which airlines were allowed to fly which routes. When deregulation went into effect in 1978, a wave of new carriers cropped up, eager to attract new customers to the skies with low fares. Not all of the existing carriers could easily adapt to the new competitive environment — along with the surging fuel prices and economic pressures of the era — and Braniff International Airways was one of the first major casualties. 

The airline was founded in 1928 but ceased operations in 1982. A second iteration of the airline, formed partly from the assets of the original, flew from 1984 to 1989, and today the brand lives through retail and licensing agreements. At the time it went out of business, the original Braniff had a fleet of over 100 aircraft. The airline’s largest hub was at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport — today one of the busiest airports in the world — and it had a major presence in the southwestern U.S., the Midwest, and Latin America. 

Pacific Southwest Airlines

Pacific Southwest Airlines, better known as PSA, was one of the earliest pioneers of low-cost travel, inspiring future carriers like Southwest Airlines. Billing itself as the “World’s Friendliest Airline” and painting a smile on the nose of its aircraft, PSA began service in 1949 with a single leased Douglas DC-3.

During the regulated era, PSA became one of the dominant intrastate airlines in California, alongside AirCal, which was acquired by American Airlines in 1987. PSA was headquartered in San Diego, with additional hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. US Air acquired PSA in 1987, and the airline flew its final flight in 1988.

Eastern Airlines

Eastern was founded in 1926, and like many airlines of that era, began by transporting airmail. During the following decades, Eastern became one of the “Big Four” airlines of the regulated era in U.S. aviation. The airline dominated the Florida-to-New York market during this time and was also the first to introduce shuttle service between Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. 

In the 1980s, the airline struggled with high costs and labor disputes, ending in liquidation in 1991. American Airlines acquired Eastern’s former operation at Miami, which is now one of American’s largest hubs, and Delta acquired many of Eastern’s assets at Atlanta International Airport. 

Pan American Airways

Pan American Airways — better known as Pan Am — was founded in 1927 and started flying its famous long-range flying boats called “Clippers” in the 1930s. In 1955, Pan Am was the launch customer for the Boeing 707, one of the world’s first passenger jets. The following decade, the airline introduced the Boeing 747 jumbo jet into service, which it used to establish a global route network and become America’s unofficial flag carrier. 

During this time, the Pan Am brand became synonymous with the “golden age” of aviation, but like many legacy carriers, it struggled after deregulation, gradually selling off key assets — like its transpacific route network to United Airlines — before declaring bankruptcy in 1991. The brand lives on, however, through licensing agreements, and is even set to take to the skies again in 2025 for special charter flights. 

Western Airlines

Western Airlines was established as airmail carrier Western Air Express in 1925. When Western merged with Delta Air Lines in 1987, it was the oldest continuously operating U.S. airline at the time. Through a major expansion in the 1940s, Western established a significant footprint in the western U.S., with hubs in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. The airline introduced passenger jets with the Boeing 707 in 1960 and the Boeing 737 in 1968.

Throughout its six-decade history, Western was known for its service innovations, including becoming the first airline to introduce complimentary in-flight Champagne in 1954, and its longtime slogan: “Western Airlines… The Only Way To Fly!” After a failed merger with Continental in 1978, Western was finally acquired by Delta in 1987. 

Trans World Airlines

Along with Pan Am, Trans World Airlines — better known simply as “TWA” — was one of the iconic airlines of aviation’s golden age. In the 1930s, TWA was controlled by pioneering aviator and business magnate Howard Hughes. The following decade, the airline launched transcontinental flights from New York to Los Angeles on Lockheed Constellations, with a scheduled flight time of over eight hours. The jet age at TWA kicked off in 1959 with the introduction of the Boeing 707, and Hughes left the airline the following year. 

After deregulation, TWA acquired Ozark International Airlines and developed St. Louis into its primary hub, along with its existing transatlantic hub at New York’s JFK Airport (where there is now a TWA-themed hotel). But with continued financial struggles, the airline faced a takeover bid from investor Carl Icahn and later filed for bankruptcy twice in the 1990s. Eventually, TWA declared bankruptcy for a third and final time in 2001 and agreed to be acquired by American Airlines. 

Northeast Airlines

Northeast Airlines flew for nearly four decades, from 1933 to 1972. The carrier began service under the name Boston-Maine Airways and was rebranded as Northeast Airlines in 1940. During the jet age, Northeast was the first to fly the Boeing 727-200 in 1967, and its planes became known as “Yellowbirds” thanks to the airline’s yellow-and-white livery. 

Howard Hughes acquired a controlling stake in Northeast Airlines in 1962, but the airline was one of the smallest trunk carriers in the regulated era. During the 1960s, it faced continuous financial challenges and was eventually bought by Delta in 1972.

Republic Airlines

Republic Airlines was born in 1979 from the combination of North Central Airlines and Southern Airways (both founded in 1944). It was the first merger approved in the deregulated era. Republic was based at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, with additional hubs in Detroit and Memphis, and operated the largest fleet of Douglas DC-9s in the world. 

To expand the airline’s footprint in the West, Republic purchased Hughes AirWest in 1980, making it the largest U.S. airline at the time in terms of destinations served. In 1986, Northwest Airlines (then known as Northwest Orient) purchased Republic Airlines for $884 million, which was then the largest merger in U.S. aviation history. The Republic name lives on as Republic Airways, a regional carrier operating flights on behalf of American, Delta, and United.

Northwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines traces its roots to 1926 and was headquartered near the Twin Cities throughout its long history. After World War II, Northwest established itself as the dominant airline across the Pacific. It introduced separate branding under the Northwest Orient name and established a hub at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to facilitate connections throughout Asia. 

Following deregulation, Northwest merged with Republic Airlines in 1986, a move that increased its domestic market share through hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Memphis. In 2010, Northwest merged with Delta Air Lines under the Delta brand, becoming the world’s largest airline at the time. 

Piedmont Airlines

Piedmont Airlines was formed in 1940 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as Piedmont Aviation, an aircraft service business and pilot training school. The airline flew its first scheduled commercial flights between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1948, on Douglas DC-3s. 

After deregulation, Piedmont grew quickly, establishing hubs in Charlotte, North Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland; and Syracuse, New York. By 1983, it was the 10th-largest airline in the U.S. by passengers carried. By the end of the decade, however, the Piedmont name no longer flew, as the carrier was acquired by US Air in 1989. Today, American Airlines has a regional subsidiary carrier called Piedmont Airlines, which was formerly known as Henson Airlines.

Continental Airlines

Continental traces its roots back to 1934. By the 1960s, the company, then headquartered in Los Angeles, was known for its elevated service offerings and a route network that extended into Asia and the South Pacific. However, like many other airlines at the time, Continental saw its finances decline in the 1970s and especially post-deregulation. 

In 1981, Continental was acquired by Texas International Airlines, who chose to keep the Continental brand and move the airline’s headquarters to Houston. The combined airline expanded its route map and grew into one of the country’s largest carriers. It merged in 2012 with United Airlines, and the Continental brand flew into the sunset. 

People Express

People Express started in 1981 as a low-cost carrier in a newly deregulated environment. The airline was based at Newark Liberty International Airport, near New York City, and also operated hubs in Baltimore and Denver after purchasing rival Frontier Airlines (a different airline than the ultra-low-cost carrier flying today). People Express launched Newark-to-London flights in 1983 on Boeing 747s, offering unheard-of fares as low as $149. 

The experiment, while popular, was short-lived. After piling up debt, the airline was forced to merge with Continental Airlines in 1987, giving Continental its major Newark operation that remains an important transatlantic hub for United Airlines today. 

Midwest Express

Midwest Express (later Midwest Airlines) was a beloved regional carrier headquartered in Wisconsin, known for its slogan “The Best Care in the Air.” The airline fitted its fleet with plush, roomy leather seats and offered all passengers complimentary meals, including warm chocolate chip cookies. Its primary hub was Milwaukee, with additional bases in Omaha and Kansas City. Following the 9/11 attacks, Midwest Airlines struggled to recover financially and eventually merged with low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines under the latter’s name in 2010.

US Air

US Air (which later rebranded as US Airways) began as a carrier called All American Airways, which was founded in 1939 and later became Allegheny Airlines. In the 1960s and 1970s, Allegheny grew into one of the largest airlines in the northeastern United States, changing its name to US Air in 1979.

In the 1980s, the airline grew its domestic footprint significantly through mergers with San Diego-based PSA in 1986 and North Carolina-based Piedmont Airlines in 1987. During this time, US Air developed major hubs in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport. In 2005, US Airways merged once again with Arizona-based America West Airlines. Finally, American Airlines merged with US Airways in 2013 to create the world’s largest airline. The US Airways brand hasn’t flown the skies since.

AirTran Airways

Low-cost carrier AirTran Airways got its start in 1993 under a much different name: Conquest Sun Airlines. Shortly afterward, AirTran Corporation acquired the airline and renamed it AirTran Airways. The airline merged with ValuJet Airlines in 1997, with AirTran chosen as the surviving brand name in an effort to distance the airline from ValuJet’s poor safety record.

In 1999, AirTran became the launch customer and eventually the largest operator of the Boeing 717 twin-engine aircraft (which was developed as the MD-95 before Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas). With hubs in Atlanta, Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Orlando, the airline served over 70 cities in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean by the time it was acquired by Southwest Airlines and operated its last revenue flight as AirTran in 2014.

Reno Air

Reno Air was short-lived, but during its seven years of existence, the small airline certainly made a splash. With a fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-80s, Reno Air commenced operations in 1992 with flights from its home base in Reno to Seattle, quickly expanding its route network throughout the West and opening a second hub at San Jose’s Mineta International Airport in the Bay Area. Taking a cue from its hometown’s motto, Reno Air called itself “The Biggest Little Airline in the World.” In 1999, American Airlines acquired Reno Air to expand its West Coast presence.

Aloha Airlines

Aloha Airlines traces its roots to Trans-Pacific Airways, which first took to the skies in 1946, before Hawaii was even a state. Adopting the Aloha Airlines name in 1958, it was a dominant carrier in intrastate Hawaii travel for many decades, along with Hawaiian Airlines. Aloha began service from Hawaii to the mainland in 2000, but it faced an uphill battle: Economic challenges and a costly fare war ultimately led to the airline’s demise in 2008. 

ATA Airlines

The 1960s and 1970s saw the proliferation of air travel clubs, which were private clubs that ran trips for their members. Indianapolis-based ATA (formerly known as American Trans Air) started flying Boeing 720s for Ambassador Travel Club in 1973. In 1981, ATA began operating charter flights, with an emphasis on transporting military service members. During the Gulf War in 1991, ATA transported 108,000 military personnel on 494 missions to the Persian Gulf. 

Throughout the 1990s, the airline grew its leisure travel hub at Chicago Midway International with charter flights to Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In 2000, ATA began regularly scheduled flights, but the airline struggled financially in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and declared bankruptcy in 2004 and again in 2008. ATA’s final flight was from Honolulu to Phoenix on April 3, 2008. Southwest Airlines acquired many of the airline’s assets, particularly at Chicago Midway. 

Virgin America

The most recently defunct airline on this list is Virgin America, which first flew in 2007. The airline licensed the iconic brand and logo from Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group (which also flies British airline Virgin Atlantic Airways), aiming to revolutionize domestic U.S. air travel with better in-flight service and hip branding. For example, it became the first U.S. airline to introduce mood lighting onboard its aircraft. The airline had hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco, but it was short-lived — Seattle-based Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America in 2016. 

Editor’s note: This article has been updated and expanded from its original version.

When Christianity emerged in the first century, most Christians practiced in “house churches,” which were converted homes that doubled as clandestine places of worship. As Christianity became widespread, churches grew in size and style, transforming from humble abodes to magnificent pieces of architecture. From Baroque buildings to ancient ruins, here are eight of the oldest churches in the world.

8. Basilica of San Lorenzo – Italy

Of the many spectacular churches in Florence, the Basilica of San Lorenzo is one of the oldest, dating back to the fourth century CE. The original Roman site was renovated in the 15th century under the direction of Italian architect Brunelleschi, who made it a place of worship for the Medicis, the powerful ruling family of Florence at the time. Today, members of the Medici family are buried in San Lorenzo’s private mausoleum, while the church’s glorious painted frescoes, tomb sculptures, and portraits are exemplary of the shapes and artistic styles associated with the Italian Renaissance.

7. St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City

A famous pilgrimage site for Catholics all over the world, St. Peter’s Basilica is not only the planet’s largest Catholic church but also one of the world’s oldest churches. Located in Vatican City, the church dates back to the first half of the fourth century, shortly after Christianity was legalized in 313 CE. Built on the site of a former Roman cemetery, the basilica was erected over St. Peter’s tomb to honor Jesus’ apostle who was one of the early leaders of the Catholic Church. After 1,200 years, St. Peter’s Basilica was reconstructed in the Baroque style, with several Renaissance architects contributing to the grandeur still admired by millions today.

6. Cathedral of St. Peter – Trier, Germany

Dating back to the early fourth century CE, the Cathedral of St. Peter in Trier is the oldest church in Germany. The church contains original relics donated by Empress Helena, a beloved patron saint of Christianity and the mother of Constantinople. One of these contributions was the Holy Robe, a seamless tunic said to have been worn by Jesus before his crucifixion. To this day, the Holy Robe continues to draw visitors, making the Cathedral of St. Peter in Trier another popular pilgrimage site.

5. Mar Sarkis – Syria

Situated inside Maaloula, an early Christian village located in modern-day Syria, Mar Sarkis is a monastery that dates back to the early fourth century CE. Although only the foundation remains in existence today, there is evidence of a horseshoe-shaped altar that is believed to have been used for Christian worship. Named for St. Sergius, a Christian martyr who refused to renounce his faith, Mar Sarkis also contains one of the oldest icons in the world to depict the Last Supper. Today, some residents of Maaloula continue to speak Aramaic, the ancient language of Christianity that was spoken by Jesus Christ.

4. Church of the Nativity – Israel

Built on the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born, the Church of the Nativity dates back to 327 CE. The famous site in Bethlehem was first constructed by Emperor Constantine, but it was partially destroyed during a rebellion. A later emperor rebuilt it in the Byzantine style, and although it was renovated throughout the centuries, it remains largely the same build. A notable architectural detail from the Ottoman era includes the Door of Humility, a small doorway that requires visitors to stoop upon entrance to the church.

3. Megiddo Church – Israel

An accidental archaeological find, Megiddo Church was discovered in 2005 inside a local prison in northern Israel. When the prison was breaking ground to expand the complex, inmates uncovered the remains of a Christian worship site. In addition to the foundations of a rectangular building, the workers found an intricate, well-preserved mosaic with an inscription to “the memory of the Lord Jesus Christ” and early Christian symbols. Researchers date the worship site to sometime between 300 and 400 CE.

2. Aqaba Church – Jordan

Named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest purpose-built church, Aqaba Church was built sometime between 293 and 303 CE. Unlike the secret converted “house churches” prevalent at the time, Aqaba Church was constructed with the express purpose of being a church before the legalization of Christianity. As such, the church would have been considered radical for breaking the norm. Built with stone and mud brick, Aqaba’s modest construction still allowed space for Christian architectural elements, including a nave, an apse, and a baptismal site.

1. Dura-Europos Church – Syria

Believed to be the oldest church in existence, Dura-Europos was discovered in the 1930s by an archaeological team. The church was located in an ancient city of the same name, which was founded around 300 BCE on the banks of the Euphrates River. The church itself dates to approximately 233 to 256 CE.

After studying the ruins, researchers ascertained that Dura-Europos was a “house church.” The former residence was transformed into a place of worship, used for secret meetings and clandestine baptism rituals, allowing Christians to practice their faith while avoiding persecution. As some of the earliest examples of Christian art, the biblical scenes painted on the church walls were removed and are now preserved at Yale University.

Nancy Reagan once said that living in the White House was like living in a fancy hotel. The former first lady would know: Throughout America’s history, U.S. presidents (and their families) have sought refuge in some of the country’s most luxurious hotels while traveling on official business. These hotels have served as conference rooms, raucous party spots, and temporary sanctuaries where presidents can confidently conduct business out of the public eye. Some hotels have been favored time and again by U.S. presidents, becoming intertwined with the fabric of American politics. Read on to learn about five favorite hotels of former U.S. presidents over the years.

The Hermitage Hotel – Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville’s original “million-dollar hotel,” the Hermitage has been a Tennessee political hot spot since opening in 1910. From its earliest days, the hotel — named after President Andrew Jackson’s nearby estate — has been a go-to for governors, state legislators, and lobbyists, thanks to its location near the Tennessee Capitol. It also played a pivotal role in the historic 19th Amendment, acting as headquarters for many in the fight for suffrage. 

Of course, the Hermitage has welcomed several U.S. presidents over the years, too. President William Howard Taft was the first to grace the breathtaking Beaux Arts building at a banquet in 1911. Presidents Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Lyndon B. Johnson were also known to frequent the Hermitage, along with more recent former presidents including Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. 

Despite its popularity among political heavyweights, the hotel has faced uncertainty through the years — it briefly closed its doors from 1977 to 1981. But more recently, the Hermitage has undergone additional renovations and restorations that have preserved its Southern charm, including the lobby’s famous painted glass ceiling.

The Blackstone – Chicago, Illinois

Billing itself the “Hotel of Presidents,” the Blackstone has been one of the most prestigious hotels in Chicago since its 1910 opening on the city’s famed Michigan Avenue. The turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts beauty has hosted several U.S. presidents in its time, from Theodore Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter and Dwight D. Eisenhower, the latter of whom watched his own presidential nomination on television in the historic Suite of Presidents in 1952. 

President John F. Kennedy also favored the Blackstone’s Suite of Presidents while staying in Chicago — it was in this room, in 1962, that the 35th president enjoyed a bowl of the hotel’s famous Boston clam chowder before rushing back to the White House to attend to the Cuban missile crisis. The luxurious suite, which is available for the public to book, boasts sweeping views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park. Its primary bedroom was even inspired by President Kennedy’s bedroom at the White House. 

The Waldorf Astoria – New York, New York

Few hotels garner as much political prestige as the iconic Waldorf Astoria in midtown Manhattan. The hotel’s Presidential Suite is nothing short of legendary — over the years, it has hosted every sitting U.S. president from Herbert Hoover to Barack Obama. Perhaps the hotel’s most famous admirer, however, was President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who reportedly used the hotel’s secret Track 61 — a hidden railway platform beneath the building — to discreetly arrive in his private train car. 

The historic hotel, which originally opened on Park Avenue in 1931, temporarily closed its doors in 2017 for extensive renovations and is currently set to reopen in 2025. With any luck, the Waldorf Astoria’s historical art deco design and presidential ephemera — including a rocking chair favored by President John F. Kennedy — will remain proudly displayed for future guests.

The Fairmont – San Francisco, California

Perched atop the swanky Nob Hill neighborhood, San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel opened its doors in 1907, a year after rising from the ashes of the great earthquake that all but destroyed its original building. Two years later, President William Howard Taft became the first U.S. president to make the hotel his temporary home on the West Coast, but he wouldn’t be the last. Every sitting president since Taft has also stayed at the legendary property. 

The Fairmont is known not just for its opulence, but also for its secrets. The luxurious penthouse suite, spanning 6,000 square feet, boasts a hidden passageway behind a sliding bookcase — a feature that, according to legend, was used by President John F. Kennedy during his stays. In addition to its presidential history, the Fairmont also holds a special place in U.S. diplomacy: In 1945, it was the site of the drafting of the United Nations Charter.

The Brown Palace – Denver, Colorado

Since opening in 1892, the Brown Palace has been a Denver landmark, hosting countless celebrities and dignitaries that include several U.S. presidents. Theodore Roosevelt was known to celebrate with Champagne and cigars after hosting press conferences in the hotel’s triangular, Romanesque building, while President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously made it his “Western White House” during the summer of 1955. While staying in the hotel, he practiced his golf swing and ran his presidential campaign on site. 

Three suites at the Brown Palace are named after former presidents who favored the downtown Denver digs while in town: the Eisenhower, the Roosevelt, and the Reagan, the latter of which was recently remodeled in the style of a 1950s ranch. Indeed, only two former U.S. Presidents have not stayed at the Brown Palace since Roosevelt’s presidency: Calvin Coolidge and Barack Obama.