My wife was moved to tears during our visit to this museum. Every gallery was beautifully detailed, informative, and truly amazing. The staff were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. You can genuinely feel the positive energy in the museum and how much everyone cares about creating a wonderful experience for visitors. Kali, one of the museum staff members, was especially helpful. He went above and beyond to make sure our visit was memorable and enjoyable. You can truly tell that he loves what he does, and his passion shines through in the way he treats visitors. Kudos to the museum and its amazing staff! This was one of the most remarkable experiences of our vacation in Chicago, and we will always remember it. read more

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I've never even thought about past Presidential Centers before. I'm talking visiting, learning about or caring about their existence. This one is different. I've chosen to become a founding supporter/member. This history I really want preserved and known to all in the future and it to be accurately represented, reflected and stories told. I know it wasn't a glorious time for everyone it for many it was historic. Compared to today's human climate and interactions, going to the Obama Presidential Centers is like taking a step back in hope, love, smiles, laughter, gratitude and belonging for many with the word inclusion all mixed together. The displays of pictures, artifacts, words, the sounds of voices from the past and the people you see walking around with smiles you can tell the are reminiscent of times they long to be in again. I not only felt it in my body, heard it in my ears I saw it in my eyes the many people with tears in their eyes talking to each other asking, "How do we bring all of these feeling of joy back.?" They have a Cafe where you can get something to eat quick like a snack. It was good. I chose to get the tuna sandwich and pasta salad. I felt the prices are high, your average person is not going to be able to purchase a meal, ticket to get in and parking. Here I say they need to do better with checking people out through the line. There is only one cashier and that is what seems to hold everything up. We did not see or go to the restaurant. We did stop in at the gift shop. Prices in gift shops are always high as well. There is also a charge for a bag to put what you purchased your items in. I'm set to look into the past Presidential Centers now to see if they are as moving and beautiful as this one. I'll be going again because there is so much to see and displays will rotate in and out. There is a floor of restrooms between each museum floor which I think is perfect. It's very well laid out and very inviting and warm. read more

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Wow can't believe that I scored last minute tickets here!! So there's hope, check everyday if you are visiting and in the area. I didn't have a ticket at first so I just explored the grounds. Which were beautiful and so much to see outside of the museum. The center its self is a work of art. So maybe important topics discussed. Beautiful artwork and installations. It really takes you back to that time America felt so hopeful! The last part, the sky room was my favorite. Visited the cafe and had the Obama family chili. It was good but nothing to write home about! read more

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This is the most stunning, perfectly curated, uplifting, and inspiring museum I have ever visited and I can't wait to return. It was pouring on the day we came, so we were not able to tour the grounds too much, but I will come on a sunnier day when I can fully take in the scenery and the outdoor vibe. Perfect from start to finish, for all ages. The people working here, in every role, including the cafe, gift store, entry, security, and staffing the exhibits are all so warm and welcoming as well as knowledgable. They answered all of our questions. The visit to the replica Oval Office gave me chills. We got to see so many artifacts, like the "To Do" list President Obama wrote on a legal pad and Michelle's dresses! The gifts from visiting dignitaries. And the videos of all of the musicians who have visited the White House. The art is fantastic, too. We could have stayed for days. read more

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Even though tickets to tour the new Obama Presidential Center are still very much sold out, getting to visit the outdoor gardens, playground, basketball court and Forum was still a joy and privilege. My family and I made a side trip to check this out during our recent trip to Chicago. There were lots of people (excited to see it!), and while this led to many, many lines, it was so worth the trip to see this source of positivity and action. First, to know about parking: I was hesitant to download another app just for parking, but it's very intuitive, and I was impressed with the easy process overall. Your license plate is scanned when you drive in the garage, so when you then use the QR code to access the pay site (or the app), you register your license plate, and it shows you exactly how long you've been parked. And then when you leave, you just drive off. Immediately after exiting, I got a notification that my parking had ended and how much I would pay. Overall, this was very easy. And the evidence of such thought carried through our experience. My kids LOVED the expansive playground, which is fun as much as it's artistic. There were long slides and climbing equipment in the shape of bugs and animals. And with the size of the play area, kids could be entertained here for a while (my kids sure were)! We also popped in the Eleanor Roosevelt garden and other outdoor areas, and then we went into the Forum, which houses the public library (a joy to see!), gift shops, cafe and restaurant. To enter the Forum, any of the eateries, the gift shop -- even the elevator to go downstairs -- we had to stand in line. It was that busy. But each of these lines moved swiftly, and everyone we chatted with was so friendly. The gift shop has an array of items, at various price points. I ended up buying a coffee mug, ornament, print and some buttons and stickers. You can also look up the gift shop's website before you enter to get an idea of what you can find. We only had a couple of hours to spend here, though I feel like we could have spent much longer (even not counting the time in line). And it was present how much this center is dedicated honoring other people (Eleanor Roosevelt, John Lewis, the people of Chicago, etc.) alongside President Obama and his family. I can't wait to go back and actually tour the center! Hopefully one day! read more

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Incredible tribute to President Obama in the Southside of Chicago! There aren't enough words to describe how beautiful this building is on the outside with all of the trails, gardens, statues, tributes, rare flowers, playground along the river. Once we went inside, we had access to the Sky Room, which is free and a real treat. The museum is sold out for months at a time. I'll have to save that for another trip! I'm so glad my friend had the idea to come. Definitely a highlight while visiting Chicago! The best part is the staff. Such great service. I would personally like to thank Melanie in the gift shop. She was awesome! read more

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We received museum tickets as a surprise gift from my sister and this was the most beautiful, amazing, inspiring experience of 2026 for me!! I was totally absorbed in every moment. Houses in a breath-taking 8-story structure, art throughout, personal touches and amazing artifacts around every corner. I'll let other Yelpers go into detail about the exhibits, as I want to highlight how well the Obamas and the museum design folks did with accessibility!! I appreciated the braille, resting benches, wheelchair accessible galleries and ASL interpretation for every video!! The café offered gluten-free options. The caféwas also very reasonably priced!! I anticipate museum cafés to change a premium, but not here!! I got a cup of fantastic soup, a huge hot healthy sandwich and a nice soda for less than $20. Well done to all involved!! read more

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When I caught word that our former, hometown president made the announcement he was going to build a museum/library in Chicago, I was stoked! Construction and delays went on for months, if not years. Finally, over Juneteenth weekend, the center was open to the public and I was invited by my best friend to visit the Presidential Center. We did not get tickets to go the museum. Those apparently were sold out months in advance. In fact you'll be put on a wait list till year end to get in however the outdoor grounds we had access to were impressive. My friend came with her son so we spent most of the day outside hanging out in the playground area. For a school age child, the playground is an outdoor mecca of endless activity and fun. Whoever constructed the playground for this center did an amazing job with design/layout with each part of the playground set for specific age ranges. I may not be a kid anymore however I caught the itch to scratch the playground experience. I tagged along my friend's son to do a short portion of the low ropes course. It was a brief stint but I had a blast. I even noticed a few adults doing the same thing somewhere in and around the playground. The sheer joy, regardless of age, is that infectious. My friend and I agreed that we need to do a return visit to actually go inside the museum. Despite being thankful and grateful to have visited, opening weekend was just too high volume to fully immerse yourself. Everywhere we went, there was a line for things and ain't nobody got time for that! I also don't do crowds. It's just way too much going on. I like chill and spaces where I'm not waiting around, bumping elbows with others to see/do things. On the weekend we went, there were multiple snack/food tents selling items at a very reasonable price. It was like $5 each for nachos, hotdogs, drinks and desserts. We arrived on a good weather day and there were plenty of picnic benches around the campus to sit and eat. One of the spaces we had planted ourselves for lunch had nearby grills which I assume could be used for cookouts if you bring your supply. I'll wait some months when the hype slows down to really have the time to take it all in. On the next visit I'm hoping to go to the food court which I heard was pretty good too. Overall, it's a beautiful facility worth visiting. Lastly, if driving in, they have an underground parking garage. You'll need to download an app to pay for your space. read more

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Speechless. Truly a great man and legacy. Nothing compare to the impact he made to the world read more

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The entire OPC campus is amazing. I will admit the outside build of the museum building was shaped a bit odd at first glance but once inside, I fully understand the concept in design and get the layout of this beautiful museum. It's wonderful! Each floor tells a story and honors someone in history that Barrack admires. Michelle is included of course! We walked each floor, admired all of the art and watched all of the many videos. There is a cute hand plate that Barrack created as a kid in the first floor exhibit. Highly recommend you plan to spend at least 3 to 4 hours here. There is a basketball court, an auditorium, a forum building with a gift shop and restaurant, there's the library and the main museum! It's amazing! read more

Obama Presidential Center - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Welcoming, inclusive, inspirational, beautiful and well-curated describe Chicago's Obama Presidential Center! This museum, presidential library and historic timeline of the United States leading up to and during the Obama two-term presidency is a must see! They've thought of everyone and everything making the experience accessible to everyone including ASL interpreters in video presentations, braille and audio assistive technology throughout the museum. The exterior grounds include an adaptive equipment playground, fruit and vegetable garden, walking trails with plenty of bench seating and views of the south side Jackson Park, Yacht Club, Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park and Chicago's fabulous lake front! Reserved tickets are available online; however, check the website for free entry promotions and free days. There is a long wait for the gift shop entry, we were told 1-2 hours, so we decided to take a pass. There is a parking garage on site with limited space; however, we arrived an hour before our entry time and there were plenty of spaces. I would highly recommend downloading the METROPOLIS parking app before you go and enter your credit card information, license plate, etc., because you will need the app which has an auto-pay feature to exit the garage. Once you're setup and drive to the exit, the gate arm will automatically open. We noticed someone holding up the exit queue, frantically trying to set up the app/payment, etc., which was no doubt frustrating. Our entire group of four thoroughly enjoyed the visit and we were able to visit the museum, library and walk the property in 2 hours. This museum is definitely a must-do! read more

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It was such a joy to see the museum and library being built. I remember when it was just a pile of dirt and steel. My husband and I enjoy visiting museums. So it should be no surprise that when they announced on the news tickets were going on sale, I jumped right on it. I waited in the online queue for over two hours to secure two tickets. As it got closer and closer to our day to visit, I became even more excited. My husband tried hard to hide it, but there was no denying his excitement. Easy to reach, nice underground parking for a small fee. Or, street parking for FREE. Good luck with that one. Tickets are checked on phones so have them ready. There are eight floors of artifacts, exhibits and videos to explore. Take your time and enjoy every bit of it. This is such a beautiful, cultural piece of history. Welcome to the South Side. We truly enjoyed ourselves. On the top floor, which is designated for observations has the most breathtaking views of the grounds and the city's south side. We also took our time exploring the beautiful gardens and the children's playground complete with splash pads. No details were overlooked, there is truly something for everyone. read more

First, I'm going to say that the enthusiastic staff of the Obama Presidential Center make you feel very welcome as soon as you arrive! They are helpful and upbeat....and our tickets were towards the end of the day (6pm). They let us in at 5, so take a chance and go early. You can visit the beautiful grounds, the basketball court the library and several other places if you can't get in early. Parking in the garage might be pricey, so we found street parking that was free! The Presidential Center is everything you hope it will be; and I'm not going to spoil it for you! If you are emotional, bring a tissue, but you will leave full of hope! read more

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Must experience. I felt safe and seen. It was refreshing, peaceful and beautiful. I watched burly men weep. Children looked around, full of wonder. I can't wait to go back again and again. I recommend spending a minimum of two, half-days on the grounds. Plan to do a lot of walking. read more

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I will post a more complete review soon, but I really wanted to share an epic 360° photo. When we came down from the "sky room" on the 8th floor of the Obama Presidential Center, we were in the large elevator with a group of people that were obviously as happy and emotional as we were. I told them I was taking a 360° photo and they all smiled politely, but then I said "Come on, we love the Obamas more than that!" And the elevator exploded with energy and joy. I am so glad I took a chance and invited a bunch of strangers to share their emotions and pride in an elevator as they were leaving the Obama's gift to Chicago in the world. read more

Obama Presidential Center - Pure joy in the elevator coming down from the "sky room" on the 8th floor. - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been looking forward to the opening of the Obama Presidential Center ever since it was announced. I made sure to "buy" tickets the first day they went on sale. I lucked out and got tickets for the 1st Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Why Tuesday? It's because Tuesdays are free for Illinois residents. I saw the building during construction and thought it was very ugly. The completed building is not as ugly as my first impression, but honestly, it's not my favorite building. :) That said, the interior is the exact opposite. The art throughout the center is phenomenal! The tickets are timed and you are let in either by the 1/2 or 1 hour. Ie) 11:15 can enter at 11. Once you enter, you go through security. Tickets are collected on the next level. On the way, you'll pass by President and Michelle Obama's portrait. Once you reach the 2nd floor, at the top of the escalator, you are greeted by a montage of President Obama's words and speeches and a copy of the Declaration of Independence. The 2nd floor represents the journey and backgrounds of the Obamas'. I was most inspired by the 3rd floor. This floor represents democracy. It reminded me what made President Obama so inspirational and how he represented what makes the United States so great. The 4th floor shows off what President Obama accomplished during his administration. This floor is where his Oval Office and Michelle's iconic outfits are located. You can take photos of yourself sitting at the resolute desk in the Oval Office. A member of the staff is there to take photos of you. The staffer who was there when we were there, took great pictures! It's also where you can find his Nobel Prize! iykyk. :) From this floor you can either head back downstairs or you can go up to the 8th floor Sky Room. Here's where you can enjoy the view of the entire campus and surrounding south side of Chicago. I've been to numerous presidential centers and libraries, hands down the Obama Presidential Center was the best. I left feeling hopeful and inspired. Regardless of your political beliefs, I highly recommend a visit as it's a part of our history. read more

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Interactive history & artifacts, art and architecture exhibits, kids' activities, and a view of the city! Three living U.S. presidents have Presidential Libraries or Museums. Friends in Chicago gave us a chance to visit The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago a few days before the grand opening (Jun 2026). Other Presidential Libraries for future road-trips: Pres. G.W. Bush's in Dallas TX, and Pres. Clinton's in Little Rock AR. As far as I know, Pres. Trump and Pres. Biden haven't opened one at this time. We saw interactive history and artifacts, at least 14 amazing art and architecture exhibits, and kids' activities. We heard audio / ASL guides including voices of Steph Curry, Tom Hanks, and Oprah Winfrey among many others. A lot of that guide material is available online for free. The art one has 17 small representative photos. The museum building is that tall one with writing built into the Sky Room observation windows on the top floors. We saw great views of the city! Our visit to The Obama Presidential Center was more of a fast walk-through than a tour, and it was pretty cool. We were lucky! Museum admission is currently sold out, with more to be available in July. It looks like prices are $23 to $30, less for Illinois residents. read more

Obama Presidential Center - A view over a young friend's head of the museum and Sky Room observation tower - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Felt incredibly privileged to visit the Obama Presidential Center about one month after the grand opening. We planned on 4+ hours for our visit and it still wasn't enough! The grounds are expansive and even on a stormy day, we spent time checking out the garden and the playground. So many happy kids on that playground! The museum has four floors of exhibits which have several videos to watch and narratives to read, which is why it takes a lot of time to get through. There's a long line for the mockup of the Oval Office. There also can be occasional lines for the elevator up to the sky room. The sky room was beautiful and offered some great, albeit scary, views of the incoming storm! Once you're in the sky room, the only option is to go back down to the entry levels. So if you're like us and you wanted to go to the sky room first, return to the entry level and they will allow one rescan of your ticket within a few hours. We also checked out Tafari's Kitchen. They're still working on the service process, but the food was reasonably good and the service team was trying hard to keep up. I have them a little grace since it's still early in the operation. They also have a full bar and are open late on Monday. I'm already hoping to get tickets for next year! read more

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I had the incredible opportunity to preview the Obama Presidential Center campus before its grand opening on Juneteenth, and I left feeling inspired, proud, and excited for what this space will mean for Chicago and visitors from around the world. As a lifelong Chicagoan, there is something truly special about seeing a project of this magnitude in the heart of the South Side. The campus is a beautiful investment in a community that deserves to be celebrated, and I am proud to have such an iconic destination in our city. From the moment I arrived, I was in awe of the modern, chic architecture that flowed seamlessly throughout every inch of the campus. Whether viewing the museum building, the library, or Home Court, there was a clear attention to detail and intentionality in every design choice. The large windows throughout the buildings allowed an abundance of natural light to pour into the spaces, creating an atmosphere that felt warm, open, and inviting. I also appreciated the stunning art pieces displayed throughout the campus, which added depth, culture, and beauty to the visitor experience. The lighting fixtures were equally impressive, serving as functional pieces of art that complemented the contemporary aesthetic. Even the furniture reflected thoughtful design. I especially loved the comfortable seating with blue cushions, which not only looked elegant but appeared durable enough to maintain the beauty of the space for years to come. Tafaris Kitchen was a delight as well. I enjoyed the cedar plank salmon with rice, and it was the perfect addition to an already memorable visit. I cannot wait to purchase my ticket and experience the five-story museum once the initial crowds and traffic slow down a bit. Congratulations to President Obama, Mrs. Obama, and everyone who played a role in bringing this vision to life. YES WE CAN! read more

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This is one of the best presidential centers I've been to...but to be fair I've only visited thr Bill Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. I attended on thr 4th of July of 2026. I did not have a ticket so this is not a review of thr actual museum..but of the grounds, basketball court and auditorium and playground...all the things. The grounds is very nice. The playground is huge and has a soft squishy flooring to minimize injury. The shapes are of plants to blend in to nature but there's also a big kid part of thr playground. The trail is nice and connects to Jackson Park....which is important to note because you can inadvertently walk further then intended because the Obama Center trail merges with city parks. Bathrooms are nice...the restaurant was packed and had a huge line so I didn't have a chance to try. There is a Cafe in the bottom.floor that serves sandwiches, wraps drinks salads and chip seed parfait. The basketball court is a nice size with a small bleacher section. Overall a great addition to the city. read more

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Me & My G'Son went on a Sunday afternoon. It was still very busy & I bought our museum tix in advance. The building & all of the historical memorabilia was amazing. You should plan on. Spending the day wandering thru all of the floors, displays, info, photos, art & esp the Oval Office replica! The 8th floor Nelson Mandela Sky View was amazing too. Unfortunately there was about a 45 min wait for the Gift Store & Restaurant separately. Luckily we packed our own lunches & brought it w/us, you can't take food or drink in the museum, but they will check it for you @ the Coat Check Room! Safe, Secure, Super Convenient, Friendly & Well Organized process. This was a highlight for me & my G'Son enjoyed it too. I'll have to plan another trip w/my siblings! read more

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I mean, just what can you say that adequately captures this experience...I don't have the words.. Speechless..I highly recommend everyone who loves the idea of America to come and see what she can be!!! read more

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This was one of the most uplifting, inspiring, educational museum visits that either my wife and I have ever engaged in. It takes a MINIMUM of two hours and we only had an hour and a half so get in early! We left happier than we've been in awhile. read more

Obama Presidential Center - Oval Office - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As someone who's visited every presidential center/library in the modern era (plus a handful of presidential museums from the pre Hoover era), I've been looking forward to this Presidential center for years - it was well worth the wait! We spent two days at the center, a Tuesday and Wednesday which is a great way to split the experiences. Beyond the education and historic value, I came out feeling inspired and appreciative of the diversity of the crowd, and the kindness that everybody showed one another while on the presidential campus. On the first day, we visited the outdoor activities like the women's garden and pavilion, the wetland walk, and fruit / vegetable garden. We also visited the public library, and the forum building. We passed up the playground and the home court (sports/fitness center), but all of these areas that I mentioned are free and openly accessible even without tickets. Since our first day was on a Tuesday, we found that the center was busier than usual, since Tuesday's allow Illinois residents to visit and get tickets at no charge. There are so many picture taking opportunities, interesting sites and quiet places to sit even without tickets if you're in the area. On the second day, we visited the main museum - I got tickets on the first day that they were available, so definitely get tickets in advance if you plan to go. At $30 per ticket this was an excellent value. There is a line that queued up on Wednesday morning starting around 9:30 a.m. which was for people who wanted to take the express ride up to the sky room. They let about 200 people per day go up to the sky room without advance tickets. Since we did have tickets, we were directed towards the second level "Toward a more perfect union" exhibit on the second floor, designed to give some national history, and focus on the people / events/movements that shape the obamas lives. I was already inspired just off that level alone. We then took an escalator to the third level, "working for the common good" which addressed the work of the Obama administration. Then off to level four, "the people's house" all about the White House grounds, with the replica of the oval office - another picture opportunity, then level five "we the people" was a great reminder about the values of democracy. Finally off to the sky room level for more motivation and great photos of the surrounding neighborhood. A few thoughts: - some critics have complained that this building is an eyesore, I didn't come close to finding it to be an eyesore. It fits in with the Chicago skyline, and while it stands out as a beacon of freedom, democracy and education, that's what a presidential center is supposed to be. - people are inherently good. It was amazing how anytime I stretched my arm to take a selfie with my wife, some other patron would show up and offer to take our picture for us, and we did the same. The feeling of joy abounds at this great facility. Everybody was smiling, even when they were waiting in line for lunch. This energy is truly what America needs more of. - it's conflicting to feel both the inspiration and excitement of being there without seeing the clear differentiation versus what our country is currently going through. The Obamas went out of their way to discuss the strength of America coming from the power of the people, not the power of the presidency, political officials, or the wealthy. I can only hope we find our way back to what democracy is truly about. Poor people of all ages and from all backgrounds, the Obama Presidential center is well worth a visit. If you're looking for a hotel within walking distance, please see reviews of The Study hotel, as it's a convenient walk. read more

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A great visit to the new Obama Center on the opening weekend! It's a beautiful campus and we loved the staff and the opportunity to tour the grounds and we enjoyed the scavenger hunt and we left with some plants. The plaza was nice and we look forward to going back to the museum and library. read more

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This should be the nth wonder of the world. The museum is "sold out until December " but you can get in any day if you own a EBT card from any state. There's always space from Chicago residents, Veterans and other special groups. So if you're trying to get tickets online and it's sold out. Call ahead and find out if you're in a special guest category. Otherwise tour the non-ticketed areas like the Library, gardens, playground, store and reflecting spaces. It's an easy 3 hours stroll through with such a relaxing vibe. Everyone was simply happy to be there. There are special needs libraries and interactive activities for everyone to enjoy. I don't want to give too much away because you have to come see it in person. read more

Review of the grounds and architecture only. Opened today on the Midway Plaissance next to the University of Chicago. First impression: Wow!!! Building stands out from half a mile away. Get closer and the grounds, water, buildings (including a basketball court) shone even more with walkways and plants with museum notations around the entire building and grounds. . Tickets are 30 dollars and I couldn't get tickets until July 14th, almost a month from now. Going anyway was terrific! The grounds, garden, and buildings: the unique architecture, the words from Obamas speech on the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday make the visit worthwhile whether you have tickets or not. It is hard to put politics aside these days although the building and grounds not far from the Chicago Science Center have transformed the area. It is possible (I hope) to see the politics if you want, the architecture which you can't ignore and marvel at how the library and grounds have enhanced the beauty of the community. read more

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WOW, the Obama Presidential Center was AMAZING, and so much more! I particularly enjoyed checking out the Sky Room, the Oval Office, and the People's House. If you're hungry, they have a restaurant and cafe on site, in addition to catering services! Curated dishes from Chef Rome to grab-and-go coffee and pastries, your stomach will be taken care of! The staff were very welcoming and was readily available! If you're an IL resident, you can get free admission on Tuesdays! There's garage parking, but taking the Red or the Green line will be easier! +helpful staff +gratis on Tuesdays! read more

Tickets may be difficult to get but hands down try if you can! The museum was fantastic and really showed the journey he and his family took becoming one of the best presidents this country has had. The first few floors were informative about the struggles and triumphs and they also included a lighthearted floor with more pop culture and fun memorabilia. This is still a must visit just to explore the grounds that's open to the public. They truly have everything. The thought that went into every aspect is astounding. The park has something for every kid. It's huge and while we didn't get to play on the big kid side it looked so fun! My toddler had the time of his life running around. We cannot wait to return and get to explore the areas we didn't get to! read more

Obama Presidential Center - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very reminiscent the African American museum in Washington. Not very young child friendly as they're not many interactive exhibits. Where it excels at is the feeling we all had years ago. You're taken back to when the world was a better place. I'd say nostalgia even though it's seems it wasn't that long ago. Amazing views at the top floor & be advised you don't need a museum ticket to go up there read more

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What an incredible addition to Chicago! The space blew me away with all of the thoughtful details and community involvement that went into its construction. It's a wonderful space for everyone to enjoy and the playground is spectacular! You can easily spend all day here exploring the museum, library, garden, playground and restaurant. There's a bus stop right outside the center. Otherwise parking at the garage is $22 for the first 4 hours. read more

Obama Presidential Center - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went to the Obama Presidential Center on Friday August 7th 2026. We arrived and parked in the underground parking at 10:30am. The outside grounds are amazing. So much to see, architecture and landscaping. I was bummed the water feature in memory of his mom was not running but it is really cool. We went to the gift shop, bought a nice coffee mug for $25.00. Our entrance time was 12:00pm. Small line for elevator, due to staggered entrance times there wasn't long lines. The actual museum was breathtaking. So much to see and extremely well designed. Many places to sit and reflect, watch videos, and talk with others. Tears fell silently but remembering the hope we had and will have again. I have visited all the Smithsonian's and the OPC is right on par with them. read more

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Enjoyed our visit with lots of history around Obama's presidency. Would recommend for families for sure. read more

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I definitely enjoyed the tour and the overall experience of this really nice place from the luxurious architectural exterior to the amazing interior filled with memorabilia, historical materials, artifacts and so much more including the 8th floor observation deck with a nice view of the south side of Chicago and the lakefront. There is so much at this place and is perfect to bring family and friends. The place even has a full-scale replica of the White House Oval Office. read more

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I've visited twice. The first time was the opening weekend and saw everything but the museum. The grounds were beautiful. The vegetable garden, library, pavilion, gym. Prior to it opening would see the progress as I was going to promontory point or garden of the Phoenix. Last time I went I saw the museum section. Was about 2 weeks after opening and it wasn't as busy as the opening weekend but still many folks. There were lines for the gift shop, lines for the restaurant. Went to the cafe before I started seeing the museum. They say it takes 2 hours to see it all. With the depth of the exhibits and how many other people are in the museum same time as you totally makes sense. It's not an art museum but I appreciate how art is throughout the museum. On Tuesdays if you're an Illinois resident it's free admission. I also really like how easy it is to get to from CTA bus stops. There are some metra stops as well not far. And it's pretty cool they made the #10 bus year round and makes sure it stops at the Obama center. I'm happy Chicago got the Presidential center because it could have gone to Hawaii or Kansas. The museum you need tickets for but the rest of the complex like the public library branch, grounds etc free+ no tickets needed. read more

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My husband and I have been to all of the Presidential libraries so of course we were very excited to visit this one as well. It lived up to all of my hopes and expectations. We arrived in Chicago early Tuesday morning and headed over to the Center's campus about midmorning. We were able to explore all of the outside sections as well as the Chicago public library, the Forum building containing the restaurant and Cafe, the Rosa Parks courtyard, the John Lewis Plaza, statues of Barack and Michelle, and the official portrait of the Obamas. We loved it all. On Wednesday we had tickets to get into the museum at 10 am. The exhibits are contained on floors 2 through 5, with the sky view on floor 8. The second floor gives a history of democracy and civil rights, as well as the early years of both Barack and Michelle. The third floor talks about the work of the Obama administration. The fourth floor talks all about the people's white house, including a replica of the oval office and a chance to go through it and take pictures. The fifth floor is dedicated to the role we play in shaping democracy. The eighth floor is a reflective space with amazing views of the surrounding Chicago landscape. There are videos on floors 2 through 5 of various events during the campaigns and the presidency. They were very moving and made me emotional several times. I think the planners of this Center did a great job of portraying the life and presidency of Barack Obama. I highly recommend a visit. read more

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The gardens and outdoor area is still beautiful to walk around in this summer even if you're unable to secure tickets! read more

Obama Presidential Center - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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One of my favorite presidential library! I've only been to a few. I now have a plan to see all the US ones. This one is a 8 level building. However, they only have exhibits on floors 1-5 and floor 8. We didn't get to see the basketball courts, because they had a special event going on that day. They do have an attached parking garage. You can get your parking validated in the library for a $22 flat rate for the day. We just paid for parking because we didn't want to miss our check-in time. Meter/ free street parking is an option. Space is very limited. A cheaper way to get by without paying for parking would be to just take a city bus from further away. There is a stop bus stop that stops right in front of the museum. They had a restaurant, but we ended up eating at a restaurant somewhere else. Next time I go I would like to try it out. The bathrooms were really nice obviously this is a new building. If you are like me& love to take pictures, I highly recommend going and trying to be one of the earlier start times. That way hopefully there isn't that many people in the building when you arrive. If you want to get a selfie of yourself in the oval office, I recommend right when you get there taking the elevators up to the 4th floor first thing when you arrive. That way hopefully the line isn't too long yet. Inside the museum that was the longest line we had to wait in. After taking the picture, then go back to the 1st floor and see the exhibit from floor 1 all the way up to the top. The very top floor is a scenic floor that over Chicago. If you have little ones the playground is super cool. Plan to either arrive early or stay a little bit after your leave to walk around and see some of the outside stuff. They do have quite a bit to see stuff outside. They have Michelle Obama's gardens, and a nice playground area and a few sculptures on the grounds. Be sure to wear comfy shoes. There is a lot of walking around here. I recommend this place and plan to go back myself again. read more

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It was completely sold out to go to but it was a great feeling to be able to see it in person. I'm very patriotic and love seeing great things done to bring our country together and not apart. I salute this idea. God Bless America.... Great experience to be able to share with my grandkids someday!!! :))))) read more

Though we didn't have tickets to the new Obama Presidential Center, we come here to visit its art decorations, which are mostly in the public areas and do not required tickets. The first impression was so many visitors and most of them were African-Americans. Most of staff on the campus were black too and they were very nice and knowledgeable to answer all my questions. I think they must be well trained. We downloaded the app to listen to the audio guide about the art pieces. We visited all of them except a few in the Sky Room inside the museum. read more

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