People watch the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Barack Obama served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017 and was the first African American to hold the office. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
Visitors can explore Barack Obama’s political journey, major moments from his presidency, and the social movements that helped shape the nation, while also enjoying public gardens, playgrounds, cultural installations, and community resources.
As Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett explained, the goal is for people to leave feeling connected to the country’s progress and believing they can help shape its future. Above all, she said, visitors should remember one thing: “they’re going to have fun.”
