Ventra Cards are the ticket to riding Chicago’s transit system — and now you can grab a limited-edition Obama Presidential Center card to commemorate the center’s opening this Friday, June 19.
The special-edition card is available exclusively online at ventrachicago.com, priced at $5 above the standard card fee. You’ll need to purchase it along with at least $5 in transit value or a pass to activate your account.
How to order online
Creating a Ventra account and ordering your card takes just a few steps. Visit ventrachicago.com/purchase and select the Obama Presidential Center card from the available Signature Card options. You’ll set up your online account, which lets you manage fare balances and buy passes or add transit value through the website or Ventra app.
Standard blue Ventra Cards are free with the purchase of a pass or $5 in transit value. The Obama Presidential Center card and other Signature Card designs cost an additional $5.
Your card will arrive within seven to 10 business days. The site ships to U.S. addresses only.
What you can do with a Ventra Card
Once your card arrives, you’re ready to ride. Ventra Cards work on all CTA buses and trains and Pace buses throughout the region. Simply tap your card at the reader when you board — no swiping required.
Your online account is the hub for managing your transit life. Add money for single rides, load monthly passes, check your balance, and review your trip history all from ventrachicago.com or the Ventra app.
Common questions for new users
Do I have to use a Ventra Card? Yes. CTA and Pace no longer accept cash fares. Ventra Cards are the standard payment method.
Can I use my card on both CTA and Pace? Yes. A single Ventra Card works on all CTA and Pace services.
What if I lose my card? Log into your online account and freeze or replace your card. Your transit value transfers to the new card.
Can I share my card? No. Ventra Cards are for individual use only.
How do I add money to my card? Use your online account or the Ventra app to add transit value or purchase passes. You can also add value at CTA stations and retail locations.
If you want the commemorative card in hand before the center opens, order soon — the seven to 10 business day window is tight.
Obama Presidential Center hours, tickets and more
The Obama Presidential Center opens Friday, June 19, at 1436 S. Greenwood Ave. in Hyde Park. The museum is open Mondays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. All tickets are timed entry; visitors must reserve a time slot when purchasing.
Admission to the museum costs $30 for adults aged 12 and over and $23 for children aged 3 to 11. Children 2 and under visit free. Illinois residents receive a discount with proof of residency: $26 for adults and $15 for children aged 3 to 11.
The Chicago Public Library Obama Presidential Center Branch
The newest Chicago Public Library branch operates like a standard public library with a curated collection including the Obamas’ favorite books, housed in the Presidential Reading Room.
Library hours are:
• Monday and Wednesday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Free outdoor spaces!
The center’s outdoor spaces are free and open to the public seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. They include John Lewis Plaza, the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden, the Great Lawn, and a playground.
The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden features dozens of garden beds with local plants and native vegetables. The garden will host special program days for people who want to participate in gardening activities.
The playground features two levels of equipment, an ADA accessible swing set, and more.
Other good stuff!
The Sky Room: get the newest and best views of Chicago!
Home Court: Visit this NBA regulation-sized court for athletics and programming.
Forum: Features an auditorium featuring shows, record a podcast in the Media Suite; even take a study break in one of the Forum’s program rooms.
ADA accessibility:
The Obama Foundation designed the center to be fully ADA accessible and welcoming for all people. Wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis at coat check counters in the museum and Forum.
Accessible parking is available in the campus garage, and accessible stalls and changing tables are in all restrooms. Adult changing tables are also available in family restrooms on the lower level of the museum and Home Court.
Assistive-listening devices and hearing loops are available for deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors. Closed captioning and on-screen American Sign Language interpretations are included for digital media exhibits and films.
Visitors who are blind or low vision can use tactile wayfinding maps on each museum level, recorded audio descriptions for films, audio-based navigation for digital media displays, braille signs, and tactile stations and replicas of key artifacts.
Personal care attendants or aides can accompany visitors free of charge with a free timed-entry ticket, available in advance or on the day of visit by contacting tickets@obama.org.
The center’s restaurants and café offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items marked on menus, and special dietary needs are accommodated. Wellness rooms for nursing, prayer, or private quiet time are available on the lower level of the museum and Home Court.
How to get there:
The campus address 6001 S. Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.
Public transit via the CTA using your Ventra card:
Chicago’s public transportation agency (CTA) operates the subway and bus systems across the city.
The No. 6 , No. 10, No. 15, and No. 28 buses have stops directly in front of the campus.
There are no direct CTA train lines to the Obama Presidential Center, but there are options for people who choose to travel by train:
From the south:
Visitors coming from the South can take the 63rd Street Station stop (Red Line) or the Cottage Grove Station stop (Green Line) to connect to one of the bus routes indicated above.
From the north:
Visitors coming from the North, can take the Garfield Blvd Station stop (located on both Red and Green Lines) to connect to one of the bus routes indicated above.
RideShare and Vehicle drop off:
Taxi and ride-sharing services can pick-up and drop off passengers at the drop off curb in front of the campus on Stony Island Avenue.
From the west:
Those in vehicles traveling from the West take the Garfield Blvd exit to the campus.
From the north:
Those in vehicles traveling from the North take the Hayes exit to the campus.
From the south:
Those in vehicles traveling from the South take the Stony Island exit to the campus.
Getting there using Metra commuter trains:
The closest Metra stops are on the Metra Electric Line which also stops at Millennium Park and McCormick Place.
The closest stops to the Center are the University of Chicago & 59th station (a 3 minute walk to the Museum) and the 63rd Street station (an 8 minute walk to Home Court).
Although these stops are the closest to the Center, neither have elevator access. The closest Metra stop with elevator access is 55th – 56th – 57th Street Station . The walk from this station to the Presidential Center is 12 minutes.
Driving; park your vehicle:
Entrance to the Garage is located off Stony Island between the Forum and Home Court. The garage has limited capacity.
Daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Garage is ticketless. Cash is not accepted and a smartphone is required. Please look for signage inside for instructions to pay by phone. All parkers must pay to exit.
Please visit the Apple or Google app stores and search for the Metropolis: Remarkable Parking app to assist with your parking experience.
For parking assistance, please call (856) 485-9703.
Parking rates range from $22 to $35 with special $15 evening rates after 5 p.m. and $50+ for special events. Claim a $22 parking validation until museum close at Museum and Forum coat checks.
There are only 9 EV charging stations; first come, first served and the garage height is 8’2″; no RVs or oversize vehicle
For bikes:
Divvy, Chicago’s bike-sharing system, offers a convenient transportation option for both residents and visitors. Divvy rideshare stations and bike racks are available on Stony Island Avenue at 56th and 64th Streets.
For those looking to cycle, the Lakefront Trail runs near Jackson Park. Cross DuSable Lake Shore Drive by using the underpasses at 57th St., 59th St. or Hayes Dr. just north of the 63rd St. Beachhouse. Visit the Chicago Park District website for more details.
For more information visit: https://www.obama.org/visit/