The Obama Presidential Center hosts free events year-round including, movie screenings, discussions, gardening classes, running groups, and more. Be sure to reserve your spot before heading to campus. 

Begin your visit with a walk through the revitalized Women’s Garden, originally designed by May McAdams in 1937. This South Side landmark features Alison Saar’s Torch Song , a bronze sculpture that honors the garden's legacy by celebrating the transformative power of Black female voices throughout history.

Snap a photo with the statue that recaptures the moment President and Mrs. Obama greeted crowds during the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade. Wait times can reach up to 30 minutes.

Visit the John Lewis Plaza to enjoy performances, film screenings, and community events. While you are there, take time to view Martin Puryear’s Bending the Arc , a sculpture honoring the legacy of American Civil Rights leaders.

Step inside the Forum to explore artwork spanning two floors. On the lower level, discover Spencer Finch’s Memory Landscape , Tyanna J. Buie’s Be the Change! , and Nekisha Durrett’s Hem of Heaven . The main level features photographic installations by Theaster Gates, including American Vista and To See What They Could See , which honor the lives of Black women throughout the 20th century.

Explore some of President and Mrs. Obama’s favorite books at the Center’s branch of the Chicago Public Library. Step inside the President’s Reading Room to explore a curated collection of novels, biographies, and stories of trailblazers who shaped our culture, all handpicked by the Obamas. 

Located just off the Library, the Rachel Carson Reading Garden features Book Bird , one of the final sculptures created by famed Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt. The piece reflects his enduring belief in the power of education as a catalyst for opportunity and change.

Named in honor of President Obama’s mother, the Ann Dunham Water Terrace features Seeing Through the Universe , an installation by renowned sculptor Maya Lin. The artwork incorporates two 10,000-pound stones alongside a water element, inspired by President and Mrs. Obama.

Stroll around this rooftop sanctuary featuring dozens of seasonal fruits and vegetables, including watermelons, eggplants, and kale. 

Designed to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages, this playful space features stepping stones, and educational plaques along the path to make discovering our ecosystem fun, inspiring, and hands-on for the whole family.

Designed for kids of all abilities, this inclusive playground features dual slides, sensory nooks, a mud kitchen garden, and ADA-accessible swings.

Snap a photo of Home Court, our new home for sports and athletics, featuring an exterior design inspired by a basketball net! If you have time, step inside to view Pass it Forward , a vibrant mural by Sam Kirk and Dorian Sylvain spanning two floors.