Famous Film & Television Locations in Illinois

Illinois has served as the setting for various famous TV Show and Movie filming locations over the years like The Bear, Dark Knight, Chicago Fire and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Step into these iconic scenes during your visit to Illinois.

CHICAGOLAND

This one’s an obvious one primarily filmed in and around Chicago from the big city to its surrounding suburbs like Winnetka, Highland Park and Northbrook. A handful of iconic scenes take place downtown at places like the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower and Chicago Board of Trade.

CHICAGO

Take a trip to Gotham City right in Chicago. Want to feel like you are in the opening scene where Joker robs Gotham National Bank? The Old Chicago Post Office (404 W. Harrison) will transport you into the movie. Check out the Skydeck at Willis Tower and play Batman as he surveys Gotham City. Visit Wayne Enterprises Headquarters a.k.a Richard J. Daley Center. Don’t try any car chases of your own, but LaSalle Street was featured in the armored car chase scene when Joker flips a truck.

WOODSTOCK

Trapped in a time loop? You’re probably in Woodstock, the very place where Groundhog Day was primarily filmed. One of the more remarkable images from the movie is the bed and breakfast where Phil Connors stayed, known as The Cherry Tree Inn. You can still get a room there today!

AURORA

While Wayne’s World was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, it was set in Aurora, and we’ll still take credit for its setting. A few exterior shots and scenes were captured in IL like in Cicero and Berwyn. Berwyn’s Cermak Plaza Center once housed a piece of public art made famous in the movie. If you’re familiar with the movie, it was the famous "Spindle” - the towering sculpture of eight impaled cars.

CHICAGO AND JOLIET

The Blues Brothers features many known Illinois sites. When John Belushi is released from prison, he’s being released for the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, IL. That building is currently open for tours as Old Joliet Prison Historic Site. A handful of downtown Chicago cameos also take place, including W. Van Buren Street, Jackson Park, W. Addison Street and the 95^th Street Bridge.

CHICAGO (WRIGLEYVILLE)

Although the location of where team tryouts took place may be recalled as “Harvey Field” in the movie, it was actually at Wrigley Field. Take a tour to see the field up close for yourself.

CHICAGO

Engine 18 in Chicago is where all the action of this series takes place, and it’s actually a fully operating real-life firehouse located at 1360 S. Blue Island Avenue. Since it’s a working fire station, it’s not an actual tourist attraction, but some visitors have reported that friendly crews will offer informal tours when not on duty.

CHICAGO

This show was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, but some exterior location shooting took place in Chicago. Iconic exterior shots, like the Gallagher house (2119 S. Homan Ave) and some other neighborhood homes were filmed in Chicago’s South Side. Production crews would travel out to Chicago on occasion to capture some of the outdoor scenes.