Visiting With Students

Self-Guided Field Trips to the Obama Presidential Center The Obama Presidential Center is designed to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. The Center hosts self-guided field trips, open to K-12 educators and students, that invite them to engage with real-world case studies and explore how to bring change home. We cannot guarantee availability for drop-in visits.
Reserve your self-guided field trip
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What to Explore On a Self-Guided Field Trip

All educators who register their self-guided field trip in advance will receive supporting resources that share more about the Museum and campus.

People walk by the “Yes We Can” exhibit inside the Museum Building. The exhibit is a large circular structure with words that say “Yes We Can” in wooden letters. An exhibit screen is in the background.
The Obama Presidential Museum

The Obama Presidential Center Museum includes four floors of exhibits that highlight the events, policies, challenges, and accomplishments of the Obama Presidency, and the movements that shaped President and Mrs. Obama before their time in the White House. Exhibitions will highlight the historical predecessors who made President and Mrs. Obama’s stories possible and inspire educators and students to be changemakers in their communities. Highlights include a Democracy 101 exhibit and a life-size replica of President Obama’s Oval Office. 

Museum exhibits generally range in reading level from 8th grade - 11th grade, but include exhibits and artifacts for all ages. We recommend reserving 1.5 hours to explore the Museum and Sky Room with students. For supporting resources with suggested age-appropriate highlights, register your self-guided field trip below. 

The Obama Presidential Center Museum is a paid, ticketed experience. All schools in Illinois are eligible for free Museum tickets. Free Museum tickets are based on availability.

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Home Court

Home Court features a regulation-size NBA basketball court and multipurpose spaces. On the days Home Court is open, self-guided field trips are welcome to see the lobby to familiarize students with the space between noon - 8 p.m.

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The Campus

The Center’s campus is located in historic Jackson Park and includes the welcoming John Lewis Plaza, the Wetland Walk, Women’s Garden, Great Lawn, and Playground, which are open daily from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily. The Campus is free and open to the public. 

As you explore The Campus, you may come across one of our 28 commissioned art installations that encourage visitors to open their imaginations and reflect on their ability to bring change home. Nearly all of the pieces are in areas that are free to the public during operating hours. 

It is also home to the Forum, which includes collaborative and creative spaces, including the Hadiya Pendleton Atrium, the Elie Wiesel Auditorium, and a Media Suite. The Forum is open Mondays from 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Tuesday-Sundays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Reserving Your Self-Guided Field Trips

All self-guided field trips follow a 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. itinerary, and are invited to the Museum Tuesday - Fridays. Visits must be facilitated by an educator employed by the school or home school educator. All self-guided field trips must include at least one chaperone per 10 students for students in grades 7-12, and one chaperone per 5 students for students in grades Kindergarten-6. There are no bus reimbursements at this time for self-guided field trips. 

We want to accommodate students’ needs and make this experience accessible to all. You can visit our accessibility FAQ page here . There will be opportunities to share accommodations in the registration form and to provide feedback after your visit. 


Inquire to register your self-guided field trip group or for answers to our most frequently asked questions, click here (Opens in a new tab) .

Registration Inquiry for Self-Guided Field Trip

K-12 Schools, including home schools and special assigned schools, can register for a self-guided field trip to the Obama Presidential Museum by completing this form at least 4 weeks before the preferred visit date. We will review your preferred date and ticket availability and send you an email response within 14 business days of your submission. Please note that an inquiry into date availability does not constitute a reservation. You will receive a separate confirmation letter via email when your reservation is completed. All schools in Illinois are eligible for free tickets to the Museum. Free tickets are based on ticket availability. Tickets are not guaranteed and are subject to availability. For more information, read our Field Trip FAQs (Opens in a new tab). By completing this form you have read and will abide by the Obama Foundation’s visit policies.
School information
If Home School, please write “Home School”
Coordinator information

Is this the onsite point of contact for this visit?

Please designate an onsite point of contact if different than the coordinator and include full names and email addresses for each contact
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Visit details
Self-Guided Field Trips are welcome to visit the Museum Tuesdays-Fridays. All field trips are scheduled from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. To see the hours of The Forum, Chicago Public Library, Home Court, and the rest of Campus, please visit here.
If you don't have a backup date, type "N/A".
Type "N/A" if you only have one alternative date (or none).
All self-guided field trips are scheduled to arrive on campus at 10 a.m. and depart at 1 p.m.
All self-guided field trips are scheduled to arrive on campus at 10 a.m. and depart at 1 p.m.

What age are your students? Check all that apply

The Obama Foundation requires 1 chaperone per 5 K-6th grade students, and 1 chaperone per 10 7th-12th grade students. Special assigned schools, or classes supporting students with exceptionalities, are responsible for bringing the appropriate number of chaperones to support their students.

Do you plan to eat lunch at the Obama Presidential Center in a reserved space at your assigned time?

Are you interested in purchasing box lunches from the Obama Presidential Center?

Accessibility

Are you a special education group?

Are you a self-contained group?

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Additional questions can be directed to education@obama.org (Opens in a new tab) . Please allow 1 business week for reply. 

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Civics and Democracy Education

The Obama Foundation’s Civics and Democracy Education programs support students and educators, cultivating engaged, knowledgeable, and values-based citizens.

Learn more
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