Chicago is about to welcome one of the most anticipated presidential destinations in modern history: the Obama Presidential Center. Opening to the public in June 2026 on Chicago’s South Side, we are offering a day trip tour of the Obama Presidential Center, including its museum and first-of-its-kind digital presidential library.
Why Tour the Obama Presidential Center & Museum with Travel Deliciously?
Our specially designed experience offers you the opportunity to explore the newly opened Obama Presidential Center while discovering the neighborhoods, stories and cultural influences that helped shape President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of architecture or curious about the largest presidential center project of the 21st century, this tour provides you with a unique way to experience Chicago through a new lens.
On our intimate, guided tour, we will explore the history, architecture, and civic design of this massive new landmark. We will handle every logistical detail of your day, including your museum admission, comfortable motorcoach transportation, professional guide insights, and a curated lunch at one of the Obamas’ favorite Chicago restaurants. Your only job is to show up and objectively experience the design and history of the Obama Presidential Center.
Learn more about what to expect when you visit the Obama Presidential Center with Travel Deliciously.
Where Is the Obama Presidential Center?
The Obama Presidential Center is located in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, near the neighborhoods where Barack Obama began his political career and where Michelle Obama was raised.
How to get there: 6001 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Unlike traditional presidential libraries, the Obama Presidential Center was designed as a vibrant campus that connects visitors with community, culture, education and public service. The location also reflects President Obama’s commitment to Chicago and the South Side communities that played an important role in his presidential journey.
The nearly 20-acre campus includes:
- A museum
- A Chicago Public Library branch
- Community gathering spaces
- Outdoor gardens and green spaces
- Athletic and recreation facilities
- 20 public art installations
- And more!
A Note on the Library vs. the Center: The official Obama Presidential Library is the nation’s first fully digital archive managed online by the National Archives. The physical Center in Chicago is a vibrant, active campus built to house the official Museum, public gathering spaces, and a local Chicago Public Library branch.
What Will be in the Obama Presidential Center?
While we won’t reveal everything that you’ll experience with us on our tour, you can expect:
- Immersive storytelling exhibits: Exploring the lives of Barack and Michelle Obama from their childhoods and early careers to their years in the White House
- A Replica Oval Office: A full-scale recreation of one of the most iconic rooms in American government
- Inspiring art and architecture: Dozens of commissioned works by renowned artists, including large-scale installations, stained glass work and sculptures
- Panoramic Chicago views: Ascend into the tower’s upper levels for views of Jackson Park, Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline
Who Designed and Built the Obama Presidential Center?
The Obama Presidential Center was designed by the acclaimed architectural firm Tod Williams Bille Tsien Architects, working with landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.
Rather than creating a traditional presidential library, the design team worked closely with President Obama and the Obama Foundation to develop a campus focused on community engagement, civic participation and public gathering spaces.
Construction of the 20 acre project began in 2021 and involved hundreds of local architects, engineers, artists, and construction crews to complete the project.
Who is Paying for the Obama Presidential Center?
Unlike many traditional presidential libraries that receive federal funding for construction, the Obama Presidential Center was financed primarily through private donations raised by the Obama Foundation. The approximately $850 million project was funded by individual donors, foundations, corporations, and philanthropic supporters who contributed to the Center’s vision and mission.
Ready to tour the Obama Presidential Center?
Reserve your spot today and be among the first to experience the Obama Presidential Center with Travel Deliciously.