THEODORE ROOSEVELT, New York, N.Y.
At the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, five restored rooms are open to the public, including the library where the sickly Roosevelt (known to his family as Teedie in those days) was homeschooled as a child. Next door, on the site of what was once his uncle Robert's house, there's a museum gallery with Roosevelt's christening gown, his Rough Rider uniform, a machine gun he used during the Spanish-American War, and the shirt he was wearing during an attempt on his life in 1912. 28 E. 20th St., 212/260-1616, nps.gov/thrb, $3.

WALT WHITMAN, West Hills, N.Y.
With the first self-published edition of Leaves of Grass in 1855, Whitman secured his place as one of the most influential American poets. Though the collection wasn't widely read by the general public at first, it was immediately praised by literary greats like Ralph Waldo Emerson. Leaves of Grass went through six editions during Whitman's lifetime, with the poet making alterations to the book with each printing. His final edition was published in 1892, the year he died. Exhibits at the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site's interpretive center include portraits of the poet, personal letters, and manuscripts, along with a writing desk from his days as a schoolteacher. 246 Old Walt Whitman Rd., 631/427-5240, waltwhitman.org, $4.