A ticket to the Obama Presidential Center is shaping up to be one of the summer’s hottest commodities. On May 6, when ticket sales open, thousands will likely flood the obama.org website to secure admission to the museum on the 19.3-acre site on Chicago’s South Side.
Here’s what you need to know about planning your trip to the campus.
When does the Obama Presidential Center open?
The Obama Presidential Center will host an invitation-only grand opening ceremony on June 18 that can be livestreamed at obama.org and on the Obama Foundation social media accounts. The museum will open to the public on June 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave. in Jackson Park, the Obama Presidential Center campus will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the museum will be open 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
When do OPC tickets go on sale?
Tickets will go on sale May 6 at obama.org. The OPC will announce the exact time that sales will open in the near future. Museum entry is time-ticketed, and guests will be able to select the date and time they’d like to visit, though November 30. Tickets for future dates will be made available at a later time. Buying your tickets in advance is recommended; but, a spokesperson says tickets may be available on the day of at the front desk, if tickets are not already sold out. The online ticket inventory is the same as the in-person ticket inventory. Guests are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes ahead of scheduled entry time. Tickets are $30 for adults and $23 for children 3 to 11. Children under 2 may enter for free. For Illinois residents, tickets are $26 for adults and $15 for children 3 to 11.
Are OPC tickets for opening day already sold out?
Donors were offered early access to tickets in April, so, yes, some opening-day tickets are already gone, and OPC anticipates that the remainder will sell out quickly. The center will assess how many daily visitors can be accommodated during a soft opening period.
Holy smokes, $30 a ticket seems expensive!
General admission for the Obama Presidential Center is comparable to some of the top museums in the city, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. OPC offers a $4 discount for Illinois residents; kids get in for $15, compared to $23 for out-of-staters. On Tuesdays, Illinois residents enter for free.
What’s included in admission?
At the museum, visitors will have access to multiple floors of exhibits and attractions, including an exploration of election night 2008, a replica of President Obama’s Oval Office and a panoramic view of the city from the Sky Room. A 5,000-square-foot rotating exhibition space will be used for special exhibitions in the future, but visitors can enjoy free access to art installations throughout the campus during operating hours. Guests are encouraged to allot at least two hours for their visit. Visitors can grab quick bites at the cafe on the lower level of the museum, or dine at the restaurant led by Chicago chef Cliff Rome.
For an extra $75 per person, you can get a 90-minute tour of the Obama Presidential Center campus, which includes stops at the Home Court athletic center and the Presidential Suite, a 3,000-square-foot space designed with input from the Obamas, which is typically closed to the public. Access to the rest of the museum is included.
While tickets are required for the museum, visitors can access most areas of the Obama Presidential Center’s campus for free beginning June 19. This includes a playground, gardens, walking trails and a branch of the Chicago Public Library.
Details about special programs at the OPC are forthcoming, but registration will be separate from museum tickets. The public can sign up to receive updates on ticket sales, events and other information at obama.org/newsletters.
What’s the deal with the basketball court? How can I play on it?
Visitors can explore Home Court for free daily, from noon to 8 p.m. However, community members will only be permitted to play on the court through sports and well-being programs. Details about those opportunities will be released in the future.
Can OPC tickets be resold or transferred?
No. Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center Museum may not be returned, transferred or sold. The tickets are not name-specific and I.D. is not required at the door (except for Illinois-resident tickets), but the OPC has technical safeguards to ensure compliance. However, visits may be rescheduled no later than 24 hours in advance.