President Donald Trump and his family are spending some time at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster while the White House undergoes renovations.

It was a decision that baffled some who are used to presidents vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard or in Hawaii. The Boston Globe even trashed the choice, calling New Jersey “the land of spray tans.”  

But New Jersey has a rich history of United States presidents using the state as a summer spot.

“Woodrow Wilson was the seventh of seven presidents over a span of about 45 to 50 years who spent their summers here in Long Branch,” says Monmouth University professor Patrick Murray. “That’s why we have Seven Presidents Park.”

President Ulysses S. Grant was the first to vacation in Long Branch.

President James Garfield spent his final days in the Jersey Shore town of Elberton, where he succumbed to a gunshot wound that he had sustained.

Wilson rented out Shadow Lawn Mansion on what is now Monmouth University campus. The original building burned down and now Wilson Hall stands in its place.

President Trump has stayed at his resort in Bedminster on several occasions since taking office. But if he gets tired of golf, he has also been invited to stay at the gubernatorial beach house.

“I’d be happy to welcome him,” Gov. Chris Christie said. “We’re just happy that the president has decided, of all the places could go for some relaxation…that he's coming to the state of New Jersey.”

Cape May has also been known as a presidential vacation destination. Four presidents have stayed at the 200-year-old Congress Hall Hotel in town.