Guide to Visiting the Obama Presidential Center

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President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle will inaugurate the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday with a ceremony streamed live. Located at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., in Chicago’s Jackson Park, the nearly 20-acre campus features a range of amenities. Outside, visitors enjoy free park and garden areas. Inside, there are dining options, a museum, a public library, and a full-size NBA basketball court.

Getting to the Obama Presidential Center

For public transportation details, visit transitchicago.com. Several bus routes stop directly in front of the campus:

No. 6 Jackson Park Express
No. 10 Obama Presidential Center/Museum of Science & Industry Express
No. 15 Jeffery Local
No. 28 Stony Island

For ‘L’ train access:

From the north: Exit at Garfield Boulevard station (Red and Green lines)
From the south: Exit at 63rd Street station (Red line) or Cottage Grove station (Green line).

Metra users can check metra.com for schedules. Closest stops are 59th Street (University of Chicago) and 63rd Street.

Rideshare services should use the drop-off and pick-up zone on Stony Island Avenue. Divvy stations and bike racks are located at 56th and 64th streets on Stony Island Avenue.

Parking Information

Limited parking is available in the on-site garage accessible from Stony Island Avenue, between the Forum and Home Court. Payments are made via the Metropolis app on smartphones. Accessible parking is provided.

Operating Hours

The campus is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Museum hours are:

Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Last entry is at 4 p.m., except on Mondays when it is 7 p.m.

Ticket Reservations and Pricing

Timed museum tickets can be reserved at tickets.obama.org, allowing up to nine tickets per reservation (non-transferable). Many campus elements like playgrounds and parks remain free and open daily.

Admission prices:

Adults (12+): $30, Illinois residents: $26
Children (3-11): $23, Illinois residents: $15
Free admission for Illinois residents every Tuesday (sold out through November).

Discounts for educators, school groups, military personnel and families, and first responders, must be purchased in advance.