A few things to know before heading to the Obama Presidential Center.

• How do I get a ticket to the Museum?

  You must purchase General Museum Admission tickets online in advance. We update availability on the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. CT. Sign up for our newsletter to stay notified. If you qualify for one of our discount groups, review our policy for details on how to reserve.

• Can I transfer or resell my Museum tickets through a third party vendor or marketplace?

  No. Museum tickets are for personal use and may not be resold or transferred through third-party vendors such as Facebook Marketplace.

• If I buy my Museum ticket online, how will I receive them?

  You will receive an email from tickets@obama.org (Opens in a new tab) with your Museum tickets, which can be accessed via email or uploaded to your digital wallet. If you don’t see the email, please search your inbox for “tickets@obama.org.”

• Do I need to purchase a ticket in advance?

  We recommend reserving your tickets online, in advance to secure your preferred date and time as we anticipate tickets are in high demand. 

• How far in advance are tickets available to the Museum?

  Museum tickets are timed-entry and currently available for visit dates approximately six months out. Tickets are very limited and your preferred dates may not be available. We update availability on the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. CT. Sign up for our newsletter to stay notified.

• Should I reserve my ticket in advance or buy them at the Museum?

  You must purchase General Museum Admission tickets online in advance. Staff will not have additional tickets available at the door.

• How does the online Museum ticket sale work?

  You can enter the waiting room anytime before 10 a.m. CT on the second Wednesday of every month, although joining early does not give you an advantage. When the sale opens, everyone in the waiting room will be randomly assigned a place in line. 

• During the online Museum ticket sale, how long should I expect to wait in line?

  Once the sale opens, you’ll see your estimated wait time. If your wait time is longer than one hour, it is unlikely tickets will be available when it’s your turn to purchase. You will be notified when tickets are no longer available.  

• How do I secure Museum tickets for my preferred visit dates?

  We recommend having a few alternative dates and times for your party’s visit in case your first choice is unavailable. When you land on the ticket page, you will be presented with the nearest dates with ticket availability. Select "show more dates" to open a calendar view with more options. Once you land on the ticket purchase page, you’ll have ten minutes to check out and secure up to nine tickets.

• I noticed tickets are available for a date that was previously sold out. What happened?

  The Museum is committed to making its exhibits and programs accessible to all members of the public. To uphold this commitment, we regularly release 50% of General Admission Museum tickets for visit dates approximately six months out and reserve 50% for select discount groups. This helps to give equitable access to U.S. Veterans, U.S. Active-Duty Military, Museums for All participants, Illinois K–12 Educators, and Chicago First Responders, who are strongly encouraged to contact us in advance at tickets@obama.org. 

  In addition, we reserve tickets for participants in our Civics and Democracy Education program and availability for future self-guided group tickets. 

  If we have unused inventory after these discount groups have been served, we will make additional visit dates available for General Museum Admission.

• Any tips to avoid technical issues?

  To avoid any issues with the waiting room and queue, access the ticket sale from just one device. Ensure you are on a stable network and an updated browser (we recommend using Google Chrome). Once you land on the ticket purchase page, you’ll have ten minutes to check out and secure up to nine tickets.

• Does my ticket include entry to the Oval Office and Sky Room?

  Yes, General Museum Admission tickets include access to all four levels of the Museum, access to the Oval Office, and access to the Sky Room. 

• What is the last visitor entry time and how much time do I need?

  Last entry on Mondays is 6:15 p.m. CT, and Tuesday–Sunday is 3:15 p.m. CT. We recommend planning at least two hours for your Museum visit. The museum closes on Mondays at 8:15 p.m CT and Tuesday-Sunday at 5:00 p.m CT

• Can I reserve tickets for a group?

  Groups of 10+ can access personalized booking through groupsales@obama.org. School visits are managed through our education offerings; please email education@obama.org for details. Offerings are subject to availability, and currently on pause.

• I require a caregiver/personal aide. Will they need to purchase a ticket to the Museum?

  Caregivers and/or personal aides will not have to purchase a ticket to accompany you to the Museum. Visit our accessibility offerings to learn more about our support options for visitors including wheelchairs, hearing loops, and more. 

• I am an education/administrator. Can I set up Museum trips for schools?

  School visits to the Museum are managed through our Center’s education offerings. To learn about reserving tickets for your class or school, please review our education experience or email us at education@obama.org (Opens in a new tab) . 

• If I arrive late, will I still gain entry to the Museum?

  Our campus is large, please arrive ten minutes before your entry time to the Museum. If you are more than 10 minutes late, we may be unable to honor your entry time. You may reschedule for a different date or time, if available.
  

• Do babies and children need tickets?

  All guests require a ticket. Children 3 and under receive a free ticket, which must be reserved during checkout.

• I'm a veteran, active-duty personnel or first responder. Do I still need a ticket to enter the Museum?

  You still need a ticket to enter the Museum but the Obama Presidential Center offers free tickets to veterans and active-duty personnel. To learn about reserving tickets please review our discounted ticket policy to see if you qualify. 

• Do donors or members receive complimentary admission?

  Donations and Obama Foundation Memberships do not include complimentary Museum admission. However, Founding Members of The Obama Foundation enjoy early and exclusive access to purchase Museum tickets, curated content, Shop discounts, and more.