1893 World’s Fair & Filming Locations: Chicago Midway Walking Tour

Step onto the historic Midway Plaisance for a guided Chicago Midway walking tour connecting the legacy of the World’s Columbian Exposition to the evolution of cinema—from early motion pictures to modern filming locations. Led by a film scholar, this tour blends Chicago history, film studies, and on-location storytelling into a one-of-a-kind experience.

This tour explores one of Chicago’s most historically significant landscapes for both the 1893 World’s Fair and the evolution of film. It is one of the only Chicago walking tours that connects the Fair with real film locations in the city.

What You’ll See on This Chicago Movie Tour

On this 90-minute walking tour, you’ll explore:

• 5 key locations across the Midway and surrounding University of Chicago campus

• the original grounds of attractions from the 1893 World’s Fair

• real Chicago filming locations used in movies and television

You’ll walk approximately half a mile while discovering how this landscape has transformed from fairground to film set.

Tour Highlights

• Real Filming Locations: Visit actual Chicago sites used in major productions like Flatliners and The Package.

• 1893 World’s Fair History: Retrace the original grounds of iconic 1893 attractions—including the original Ferris Wheel site—and see where the "White City" met the birth of cinema.

• Expert Commentary: Led by a Ph.D., ensuring a scholarly depth you won't find on standard sightseeing tours.

• Immersive Media: Experience the past through film clips, vintage photos, and a firsthand demonstration of a 19th-century moving picture device.

• Fascinating Stories: Hear about the first cinema screenings, early female action stars, and a "murderous cinematographer."

A Different Kind of Chicago Walking Tour

Most tours focus on downtown. This one takes you somewhere unexpected. Perfect for:

• film lovers and cinephiles

• history enthusiasts

• University of Chicago visitors

• locals seeking unique things to do in Chicago

Is this a "Devil in the White City" tour? While we don't focus on the H.H. Holmes "Murder Castle" in Englewood, we explore the exact landscape made famous by The Devil in the White City: the 1893 Midway Plaisance. We look at the site of the original Ferris Wheel and the international villages—and reveal the cinematic history that Erik Larson’s book leaves out.

Tour at-a-Glance

• Meeting Point: Midway Studios, 6016 S. Ingleside Ave

• End Point: Fountain of Time, 6000 S. Cottage Grove Ave

• Distance: 0.5 miles (leisurely pace)

• Duration: 90 minutes

• Group Size: Limited to 8 guests 

• Price: $40 per person

Getting There

• CTA: Green Line accessible (Cottage Grove station).

• Street parking is available nearby on the Midway and near the University of Chicago's Logan Center for the Arts.

FAQs

What should I bring?

Weather-appropriate clothing; this tour runs in mild rain or shine. 

Is the tour accessible?

The route utilizes sidewalks and ramps; however, please note that the road crossing to visit the Fountain of Time does not have a designated pedestrian crosswalk.

How long is the tour?

Approximately 90 minutes.

Where exactly do we meet?

Midway Studios on the University of Chicago campus, 6016 S. Ingleside Ave.

Is the tour physically demanding?

No, this is an easy, half-mile walk on flat terrain.

What is the refund policy?

Reservations can be cancelled or amended up to 48 hours before departure. Please note that a minimum of 4 guests is typically required to run a public tour.

Book Your Chicago Midway Movie Tour

Experience a side of Chicago where history, film, and innovation intersect. Join this Chicago Midway walking tour, and see how the legacy of the 1893 World’s Fair continues to shape the city—and its role onscreen.

Limited to 8 guests per tour—book your spot in Hyde Park today!