Museum Ticket Discounts

Join us at the Obama Presidential Center Museum for Illinois Free Days! Every Tuesday, Illinois residents receive free admission to the Museum, subject to availability. 

• Please note that capacity limits remain the same on Free Days and that we encourage you to reserve your tickets online and in advance of your trip.

• You may reserve a ticket online (Opens in a new tab) or in-person at the ticketing desk located in the Museum lobby, if tickets are still available. Be prepared to show proof of residency at the Museum. If you arrive and do not have a valid Illinois ID, you will have to pay full price for your ticket.

All Illinois K-12 students and their teaching instructors are eligible for free tickets to the Museum through our School Group program. Eligibility is determined based on ticket availability. Schools based outside of Illinois and other student-based groups are welcome to look at Group Visits for more information about planning your trip.

All Pre-K through 12th grade Illinois state educators will receive free admission to the Obama Presidential Center Museum in appreciation of their service. 

• Tickets for Illinois educators are not available for online purchase and must be reserved via email or in-person. To reserve your complimentary ticket, contact us at tickets@obama.org.

• Illinois educators may also obtain a free ticket in-person at the ticketing desk located in the Museum lobby, subject to availability. To retrieve your complimentary tickets, you must present valid proof of your educator status through school ID upon arrival to the Museum.

• We strongly encourage you to reserve your tickets online and in advance of your trip.

Through the Museums for All program, the Obama Presidential Center provides free Museum tickets to individuals and families, regardless of state of residency.

• To retrieve free Museum tickets, you must present an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) card along with a photo ID. 

• Museums for All tickets cannot be reserved online. To reserve your ticket in advance, please email us at tickets@obama.org. Tickets may also be secured at the ticketing desk located in the Museum Lobby, subject to availability. 

• Please note that complimentary tickets through Museums for All are subject to the same capacity limits as other tickets. We strongly recommend reaching out to reserve your ticket in advance.

We offer our deepest gratitude to the public servants who tirelessly protect our communities every day. Active-duty military, veterans, and city of Chicago first responders are granted free admission to the Museum as a small token of our appreciation. 

• If you would like to reserve a ticket, please email us at tickets@obama.org. 

• You may also secure your ticket in-person at the ticketing desk located in the Museum Lobby, subject to availability. To secure your complimentary tickets in-person, you must present ID upon arrival to the Museum. 

• Please note that complimentary tickets for Active-duty military, veterans and Chicago first responders are subject to the same capacity limits as other tickets. We strongly recommend reaching out to reserve your ticket in advance.

The Obama Presidential Center is pleased to participate in Blue Star Museums, a nationwide program that offers free summer museum admissions to military personnel and their immediate families. 

• Complimentary Blue Star tickets span from Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday of May) to Labor Day (the first Monday in September).

• Blue Star tickets are not available online and must be reserved via email or in person. Active military members and their immediate family can reserve tickets by emailing tickets@obama.org. 

• You can also secure your Blue Star ticket in-person at the ticketing desk located in the Museum lobby, subject to availability. Be prepared to show proof of military status upon arrival to the Museum. 

• Please note that complimentary tickets through Blue Star Museums Alliance are subject to the same capacity limits as other tickets. We strongly recommend reaching out to reserve your ticket in advance.

Map out your route to our campus before you visit.

Nourish your soul (and stomach) with our dining options brought to you through a new collaboration between Bon Appétit Management and Chicago’s own Chef Cliff Rome. 

Explore the remarkable story of President Obama and Michelle Obama and those who inspired their journey.

Head to the top of the Museum and take in stunning views of the West and South Sides of Chicago. 

Stop by our new arena for athletics and programming, featuring an NBA-regulation basketball court. 

Take home exclusive merchandise inspired by the city of Chicago, the Obamas’ legacy, and the Presidential Center campus.