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orywireThe Obama Presidential Center is open to the public in Chicago, with timed tickets required for the museum only. Here are the current ticket prices, hours, opening-weekend availability and visitor details to check before going.
The Obama Presidential Center is now open to the public in Chicago, and visitors need timed tickets only for the museum. The Obama Foundation says museum tickets are sold out for Grand Opening Weekend, while future museum visit dates are posted for booking through Nov. 30.
Most of the 19.3-acre campus is free to enter, including outdoor areas and several public amenities. The paid museum ticket covers the museum’s four levels, the Oval Office replica and the Sky Room.
A ticket is required to enter the Obama Presidential Center Museum. Entry is timed, and the Foundation recommends reserving online in advance because tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
The Foundation says visitors may also buy tickets at the museum front desk if tickets are still available. The online and in-person inventories are the same, so museum staff will not have extra same-day tickets if a date is sold out online.
Tickets are for personal use and may not be resold or transferred through third-party marketplaces. Visitors who buy online receive tickets by email and may also add them to a digital wallet.
Illinois residents receive free general admission to the museum on Tuesdays, subject to availability and proof of residency. The Foundation says visitors should be prepared to show a valid photo ID, Illinois driver’s license, state ID or city-issued ID.
Separate free or discounted ticket options are listed for some groups, including Illinois educators, eligible school groups, active-duty military, veterans, Chicago first responders, Museums for All participants and Blue Star Museums participants. Those tickets are subject to capacity limits, and some must be reserved by email or in person.
The museum is open Monday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT and Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. The last museum entry is 7 p.m. CT on Monday and 4 p.m. CT Tuesday through Sunday.
Chicago Public Library, Obama Presidential Center Branch: Monday and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m. CT; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT
Grand Opening Weekend runs June 19 through June 21. The Foundation’s public schedule lists Friday activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT, with Saturday and Sunday activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.
Museum tickets are sold out for the opening weekend. Campus activities are free, but the Foundation says capacity is limited and activities are first-come, first-served. Visitors should expect the campus to be busy and allow extra time.
Food and beverage are scheduled to be available for sale in several areas, including Tafari’s Kitchen, the Cafe, the Plaza, the Fruit and Vegetable Garden Picnic Area and the Home Court Picnic Area.
The Center is at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave. in Chicago’s Jackson Park.
The Foundation says the campus is accessible by car, public transit or bike. CTA bus routes #6, #10, #15 and #28 have stops directly in front of the campus. The closest Metra Electric Line stops are University of Chicago / 59th Street and 63rd Street, though the Foundation notes those two stops do not have elevator access. The closest Metra stop with elevator access is 55th-56th-57th Street.
On-campus paid parking is available in a limited-capacity garage off Stony Island Avenue between the Forum and Home Court. The garage is ticketless, cash is not accepted and a smartphone is required to pay. The Foundation lists parking rates as subject to change.
Arrive at least 10 minutes before your museum entry time. The Foundation says visitors who are more than 10 minutes late may not be able to use that entry time and may need to reschedule if another date or time is available.
Visitors and bags may be subject to security screening. Large bags and luggage must be checked, and food and drinks are not allowed in museum galleries or the Chicago Public Library branch. Personal, non-flash, non-commercial photography is generally allowed unless otherwise noted, but drones are not permitted.
Ticket inventory, free-day availability, parking rules and opening-weekend access can change. Visitors should check the Obama Foundation’s official ticket and visitor pages before leaving for the Center.
