WASHINGTON—Former President Barack Obama paid a surprise visit to Chicago on Wednesday, meeting with several civic leaders to discuss his Presidential Center planned for Jackson Park, according to the Obama Foundation.

The statement from the foundation did not say whether former first lady Michelle Obama joined him in Chicago.

It said, though, that both are "excited to bring the center to their hometown. They look forward to many more conversations with Chicagoans and South Side residents about the center and the unique opportunity to invest in Chicago's South Side."

After he left office, the Obamas headed to Palm Springs, Calif., and then to a private Caribbean island owned by British billionaire Richard Branson, according to news accounts.

On Valentine's Day, Michelle Obama posted a tweet showing her feet and her husband's feet relaxing on a beach. She tweeted: "Happy Valentine's Day to the love of my life and favorite island mate, @BarackObama. #valentines"

kskiba@chicagotribune.com

Twitter@KatherineSkiba

Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.