Frequently Asked Questions

The Grand Opening Ceremony occurs June 18, 2026, as an invite-only event with livestream access. Public visitation begins June 19, 2026. Opening Weekend celebrations follow June 20–21, 2026.

The Obama Presidential Center is designed to be a vibrant space for the community to gather. Our outdoor areas — including the Playground, Women’s Garden, and Promenade — are open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Our building hours are as follows:

• Museum, Forum, and Campus Shop
  Monday, 1 – 8 p.m. | Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

• Restaurant
  Monday 1 – 8 p.m. | Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

• Cafe
  Monday 1 – 5 p.m. | Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

• Home Court
  Open Daily: 12 – 8 p.m.

• Public Library:  
  Mon & Wed: 12 – 8 p.m.
  Tue & Thu: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  Fri & Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Sunday: 1 – 5 p.m.

All buildings will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Most of the campus is free and open to the public. Visitors can explore art installations, gardens (Women’s Garden, Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden, John Lewis Plaza), nature walks, a playground, and a Chicago Public Library branch. Dining options include a cafe, restaurant, and picnic areas. 

Various programs, tours, and events occur throughout the year; some require separate registration or tickets.

The Obama Presidential Center is a place for the next generation to explore and grow. To ensure a safe experience, children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult while on campus. Museum guests under 18 also require an adult chaperone and their own ticket. Museum admission is free for children ages 2 and under.

Strollers are welcome throughout the campus, though we kindly ask that you use elevators rather than escalators. Please note that wagons and double-wide strollers are not permitted. 

You are welcome to bring your own wheelchair or mobility aid. We also offer a limited number of wheelchairs on the ground floors of the Museum and the Forum. You are welcome to borrow one during your visit to the Museum, however these wheelchairs are first-come, first-serve. We recommend that you check in at Coat Check in the lobby of the Museum to see if we have any available. Prior to your arrival, you can also call us the day of your visit to see if we currently have any available. 

A limited number of lockers for luggage are available at the Museum Coat Check on a first-come, first-served basis.

Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome at our designated outdoor areas. Inside our buildings, food must be kept in sealed containers and is not permitted in the Museum galleries or Library. All liquids should be disposed of before entering (reusable bottles may be emptied). Alcoholic beverages must be purchased and consumed within our Cafe or Restaurant.

We welcome you and your pets to enjoy our outdoor parks and gardens. Please keep dogs leashed. For the safety and comfort of all guests, only service animals are permitted inside Center buildings.

To ensure a safe environment for all, please review our Visitor Policy for a full list of prohibited items.

If you misplace an item, please find any staff member or visit the information desk in the Museum lobby for assistance.

The campus itself is free; only Museum entry requires paid timed-entry tickets. Museum tickets are now on sale for visits from June 19 through November 30, 2026. Museum tickets are anticipated to sell fast, and online advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets may not be available on-site.

Museum entry requires a paid, timed-entry ticket. To ensure broad access, we offer several discount ticket options and  free admission for Illinois residents every Tuesday. The majority of our campus—including the Playground, Public Library, and outdoor parks—is free and open daily, keeping the Center a welcoming space for all.

To provide a comfortable experience for all guests, Museum tickets are issued for specific time slots. Please arrive during your designated time frame to guarantee entry.

To give you ample time to explore, final entry is at 7 p.m. on Mondays, and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

General Admission offers access to four floors of dynamic exhibits—including the replica of the Oval Office on Level 4 —and the Sky Room on Level 8, which offers panoramic views of the city and the lake. 

We also offer daily guided tours and seasonal programming across our core pillars: arts and culture; food and community; sports and wellbeing; and civics, democracy and leadership. Select programs and events may require separate ticketing.

To reserve a ticket to the Museum, you may buy your ticket online or purchase your ticket in-person at the front desk of the Museum (subject to availability). We recommend purchasing your tickets online. On-site tickets are not guaranteed and may be unavailable during peak times.

Museum General Admission prices align with other Chicago museums and include everyday discounts for educators, active-duty military, veterans, Chicago first responders, and more. Every Tuesday, admission is free to Illinois residents. 

A variety of programs, tours, and events will be available across campus throughout the year. Some programs and events may require separate registration or tickets. 

Absolutely—we welcome the next generation of changemakers! Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and require their own ticket. Admission is free for children ages 2 and under.

Personal, non-flash photography is welcome in most areas unless otherwise noted. To protect our exhibits and ensure a comfortable visit for all guests, flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited indoors. Commercial photography and drones are not permitted anywhere on campus.

We are proud to call Chicago’s South Side home. The Center is located in historic Jackson Park at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, IL 60637. Home Court, our athletic and programs facility, is located at the south end of the park at 6121 S. Stony Island Ave. Learn about getting to the Center.

Yes, the campus is easily accessible by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses and Metra trains. You can find detailed routes on our Getting to the Center page.

Yes, paid parking is available on campus. The garage entrance is located off Stony Island Ave. between the Forum building and Home Court (6121 S. Stony Island Ave.). Learn about getting to the Center.

Complimentary wheelchairs are available on the ground floor of the Museum and the Forum on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend inquiring about availability upon your arrival at the lobbies of both buildings.

Yes, accessible parking is available in our on-campus parking garage at standard parking rates.

We offer assistive-listening devices, hearing loops, and closed captioning throughout the campus. Explore Accessibility Guide for full details.

Braille signage and tactile stations are integrated across our spaces. Explore our Accessibility Guide for full details.

Wellness Rooms are located on the Lower Levels of the Museum and Home Court. As you prepare for your visit, you may also wish to review our Sensory Guides to help you identify quieter, less crowded spaces in advance. See Accessibility Guide for details.

Service dogs and miniature horses are welcome across the campus. To ensure the safety of all guests, animals must be harnessed or leashed. For more information, please refer to our Accessibility Guide .

No. Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center Museum are for personal use, non-returnable, and may not be resold or transferred. 

We recommend purchasing your tickets to the Museum in advance to secure your preferred date and time as tickets sell out. You may do so online or in person at the registration desks located in the Forum or Home Court. 

Museum tickets will initially be available for visits between June 19 and November 30, 2026. To stay informed about future ticket releases, please join our newsletter.  

Yes. To ensure broad access to our exhibits, we offer several discount ticket options , as well as free admission for Illinois residents every Tuesday. 

All guests are able to easily manage their reservation by heading to their confirmation email and selecting “Manage My Tickets.” From there, ticket holders will be able to modify your visit date and choose a new time, subject to availability.

All guests require a ticket to enter the Museum, however children 2 and under will receive a free ticket. Ticket buyers may reserve free tickets for children under 3 during checkout. 

Groups of 10 or more can use our personalized booking service for Museum admission and enjoy streamlined entry. While the broader campus is always free to explore, our specialized booking applies specifically to the Museum. Learn more about group visits. We do not accept reservations for our outdoor spaces, such as our Picnic area.  

We are delighted to welcome K-12 students and educators for self-guided visits at the Obama Presidential Center. All Illinois K-12 schools are eligible for free tickets, subject to  availability. Learn more about visiting with students . 

School visits launch in fall 2026, with reservation availability starting spring 2026. Contact education@obama.org for immediate inquiries.