On a two-hour guided walking tour, explore a former suburban Chicago prison that has been featured in movies and TV series for a century Chicago and Movies in Old Joliet Prison On a two-hour guided walking tour, explore a former suburban Chicago prison that has been featured in movies and TV series for a century Read Reviews Book Public Tour Book Private Tour About 2 hrs 1.25 mi. 25+ guests $49.99 On a two-hour guided walking tour, explore a former suburban Chicago prison that has been featured in movies and TV series for a century Tour resumes Spring 2026 Step into an cinematic expedition like no other. Chicago and Movies in Old Joliet Prison is a riveting 2-hour guided walking tour led by a PhD in film and the knowledgable staff of the Joliet Area Historical Museum . Venture just 30 miles outside Chicago to the historic Old Joliet Prison, where the echoes of Illinois' penitentiary past and Hollywood intertwine. You'll start your 1.25-mile (mostly outdoor) exploration by passing through the barbed-wire gates of this former correctional center. Inside the prison's walls, you'll encounter the raw reality of its sally ports, imposing cellblocks, solemn chapel, once-bustling cafeteria, expansive yard, and haunting solitary confinement cells. Exclusive to Chicago and Movies in Old Joliet Prison , you'll also gain access to areas typically off-limits to the public, offering a rare glimpse into the hidden corners of this historic landmark. As the tour reaches its climax, you'll settle into our makeshift movie theater inside the dimly lit gymnasium, where the story of Hollywood's century-long fascination with Old Joliet Prison unfolds. Delve into tales of cinematic history, from iconic sets to the profound impact of film on Illinois prison reform. This guided tour from Chicago Movie Tours promises to be a memorable exploration of suburban Chicago's rich movie history. So get ready for an unforgettable and educational adventure with Chicago and Movies in Old Joliet Prison ! NOTE: This speciality tour—offered only a few times per year, usually in later summer and early fall—needs at least 20 guests to run. In the event we must cancel because of low ticket sales, we will notify you via email and then refund you in full. Movies/TV Highlighted Ghost Adventures (2019) Empire (2015-20) Public Enemies (2009) Let's Go to Prison (2006) Prison Break (2005-09) The Blues Brothers (1980) White Heat (1949) Public Tour Dates: Coming Spring 2026 Show More Dates Private Tours Book this tour as a private or group tour, provided the property and guides are available! Private tour groups must have at least 20 guests. Please contact us for more . Contact Us Tour Specifics Start/End Points 1125 Collins St, Joliet, IL 60432. Tours meet in the Welcome Center. View aerial map . Low Attendance Policy This special tour needs 20 guests to run. In the event we must cancel because of low ticket sales, we will notify you via email 24 hours in advance and then either transfer your tickets to another tour date or refund you in full, whichever you prefer. Head over to Tour Terms and Conditions for more on this policy. Waivers Guests must initial a digital general waiver of liability with Chicago Movie Tours when they book. Guests must also sign a waiver with Joliet Area Historical Museum when they arrive at the Welcome Center. Guardians must sign waivers for children under the age of 18. Parking/Transportation Plenty of free parking is available. Accessibility This tour is not ADA-approved, but 70% of it is accessible for all guests. What to Bring Please wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Tours run rain or shine. You might also wish to bring sunscreen and a bottle of water. Note: the property has little shade, which can make summer tours rather warm. Restrooms Flushable toilets are available in the Welcome Center. Portable toilets are available throughout the tour. Children Guests ages 10 and up can attend. Photography/Video No video or audio recording of the tour, but take as many pictures as you'd like! Cancellations and Refunds You may cancel or amend your reservation 48 hours or more before the tour departs. Read more Tour Terms and Conditions . What's Included Expert tour guide commentary led by a PhD in film and knowledgeable staff from the Joliet Area Historical Museum Special access to buildings and areas used by Hollywood crews and casts 30-minute interactive movie/program to bring the prison's history and stories to life Plenty of Instagram opportunities Free parking Mini (Blues Brothers-themed) goodie bag! 💙 Reviews Michael Sullivan Chicago and Movies in Old Joliet Prison average rating is 5 out of 5 Excellent tour of the Joliet prison. Tour guides were excellent and knowledgeable. Loved the movie and TV presentation! September 29, 2024 Bon B. Chicago and Movies in Old Joliet Prison average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli is a great tour guide! I enjoyed the Old Joliet Prison tour very much (note: this was NOT the "haunted" prison tour--that is completely different), especially learning about all the movies and TV shows that were filmed here ("Blues Brothers," etc.). September 28, 2024 David Chicago and Movies in Old Joliet Prison average rating is 5 out of 5 On this tour we gain access to areas of the prison not open to the public including the cafeteria, chapel, death row and the west building prison cells. We were accompanied by an experienced prison tour guide who provided historical details and anecdotal information in addition to Kelli’s movie related details. Kelli’s presentation at the end was extremely well researched and added a richness to the tour that made the entire experience educational as well as entertaining! Would recommend highly!! September 2, 2023 Load More Reviews

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. The Fury Today's #OneShotWed comes from Brian De Palma's 1978 horror movie The Fury , filmed partly in Chicago. Chicago critic Gene Siskel found little to enjoy about The Fury . He describes this action sequence inside Old Chicago, an indoor suburban amusement park, as "superfluous." (The park no longer operates.) Maybe the scene is unnecessary, but it sure is action-packed. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Flags of Our Fathers Flags of Our Fathers is a 2006 war drama directed by Clint Eastwood. It depicts the Battle of Iwo Jima (1945), the flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi, and the event's impact on six American soldiers’ lives. Notably, Flags of Our Fathers is a companion piece to Eastwood's film Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), the latter of which represents the battle from the Japanese perspective and is almost entirely in Japanese. Eastwood filmed the two war movies back to back. Flags of Our Fathers unfolds via flashbacks, this scene included. In this long shot, the war heroes are being honored on location in Chicago’s Union Station . For the scene, the Illinois Railway Museum brought in two vintage trains, and set designers redecorated the station’s Great Hall with WWII banners. In the background of this screenshot, note the massive banner representing the now-iconic photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima . Aside from Union Station, Flags of Our Fathers filmed at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, the Drake Hotel (seen at the end of this scene), and the Kenilworth and Glencoe train stations. Eastwood shot the movie over 58 days, a little longer than his usual speedy shooting schedule . Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Harry and Tonto Harry and Tonto (1974) follows widowed retiree Harry Coombes (Art Carney) and his faithful cat, Tonto, on a cross-country journey. As the pair travel from NYC to LA—stopping in Chicago—they encounter interesting characters and experiences that challenge Harry’s perspectives on life, love, and aging. In this medium shot, Tonto cleans himself on the back dashboard of Harry’s car. The 1970s Chicago skyline is visible in the background. Harry and Tonto filmed for 2.5 weeks in Chicago before cast and crew headed west to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and finally Los Angeles (Greeley Daily Tribune , 24 Oct 1973). During production, Art Carney grew quite fond of the cat who played Tonto, a 4-year-old stray off the streets of LA. “The cat’s in love with Art,” said his trainer, Betty Schumacher in a 1974 interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch . In fact, after Harry and Tonto wrapped, Carney tried to buy the cat actor. But alas, he was not for sale. ⚠️ Warning for sensitive viewers: the cat dies in the film. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Home Alone From Home Alone (1990), this is a medium shot of a cashier, Sally, holding a bag of army men labeled Attack Force. Notice the slightly low camera angle and Sally’s downcast eyes, suggesting she is interacting with someone shorter than she. Also, Christmas lights, garland, and wreaths hang behind her in the store. Hopefully, those directorial decisions hinted to you that we’re likely looking at a Chicago-based Christmas movie that may involve a child. And indeed we are. Mistakenly left alone at Christmastime, eight-year-old Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) must defend his home against a pair of burglars. During the process, Kevin ventures out to the grocery store, where he adds this bag of army men to his list. Amusingly, he tells Sally, “It’s for the kids.” Did you know actor-comedian Robin Williams played with little toy soldiers too while he lived here in Chicago? As a child in Chicago’s north suburbs, Williams staged battles with thousands of toy soldiers, his mother recalls. In fact, the young Williams even wrote the soldiers' dialogue, foreshadowing his performance style of carrying on conversations with himself through multiple voices. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. While You Were Sleeping (1995) This close-up shot of an engagement ring falls at the end of While You Were Sleeping , a 1995 romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, and Peter Gallagher. The movie follows a lonely Chicago transit worker named Lucy (Bullock) who pretends to be the fiancée of a comatose man (Gallagher), only to find herself entangled in a web of misunderstandings with his family and brother, Jack (Pullman). (It's a cute movie, and it helped catapult Bullock into movie stardom.) In lieu of a subway token, Jack has just dropped an engagement ring into Lucy’s token booth. The point-of-view (POV) shot is from Lucy’s perspective, which is why it’s filmed at a high angle (she’s looking down at the ring). As you can see from the sign in the background , the scene was filmed at Chicago's Randolph/Wabash ‘L’ station. Unfortunately, for While You Were Sleeping fans, the station is no longer there. Shortly after Randolph/Wabash closed in 2017, its replacement, Washington/Wabash, opened. You'll recognize the new station when you come across its canopies echoing the waves of nearby Lake Michigan . Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Explore settings, props, actors, costumes, makeup, and lighting How Are Movie Worlds Created? Explore settings, props, actors, costumes, makeup, and lighting All Talks About To tell you a story, a movie relies on settings, props, actors, blocking, costumes, makeup, and lighting—all of which exist independently of cinematography, editing, and sound design. If you've ever wanted to learn how these items, collectively called mise-en-scene (pronounced meez-on-sen), contribute to a film's world and your perception of characters or particular moods, then join us! This hour-long program will also briefly trace mise-en-scene in film from 1900 to the present. Request Talk

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a 1987 comedy about a Chicago marketing executive (Steve Martin) who's forced to travel with a talkative shower curtain ring salesman (John Candy) on his meandering way home for Thanksgiving. In today's #OneShotWed, Steve Martin's character is trying to rent a car. In the process, he spews 19 "f-bombs" at the car rental employee (Edie McClurg). Despite what some Planes, Trains, and Automobiles fans think, Martin did not improvise anything in this scene . In fact, he credits John Hughes' writing for the now-classic scene: "There's a certain rhythm to John's writing. And if you start just saying the f-word anytime you want, it's just going to fall out of whack and not be poetic." Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. The Breakfast Club This close-up, low-angle shot of a piece of bologna stuck to a statue comes from The Breakfast Club , a 1985 teen movie directed by John Hughes and shot entirely in the northern suburbs of Chicago. During the film's lunch scene, Allison (Ally Sheedy), in disgust, throws a piece of bologna overhead, where it lands on a sculpture behind her. The character then makes a new sandwich—complete with white bread, wheat bread, butter, Pixy Stix, and Cap'n Crunch cereal. According to Sheedy , she settled on using that cereal "because the crunch was a very angry sound, and [Allison] was doing some things to get attention." Sheedy also remembers having to eat three of those concoctions, all of which "tasted really bad!" Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. The Untouchables In The Untouchables (1987), actor Billy Drago plays Al Capone’s henchman Frank Nitti. From this bird’s-eye-view angle , Nitti has just met his fate, falling 5 stories onto the first parked car below. Today’s screenshot is also a point-of-view (POV) shot from the perspective of Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner). Looking down after killing Nitti, Ness stands triumphant on the roof of the Chicago Cultural Center (the U.S. District Courthouse in the movie). Based on several interviews, Billy Drago quite enjoyed his time playing Frank Nitti . He talked with members of the Nitti family, studied the mob outfit’s history, and interviewed remaining members of “the real Untouchables” (Omaha World-Herald , 26 Jul 1987). But what really surprised Drago during filming was how down-to-earth the Nittis were. During production, Drago received this message at his Chicago hotel: “the Nitti family will be by to pick you up at 7 o’clock.” Understandably, the actor was concerned. But, as Drago tells it, “they couldn’t have been nicer—and they had all of these legitimate businesses!” Furthermore, the family loved the way he portrayed Nitti in the movie (The Boston Globe , 24 Aug 1990). The Untouchables was nominated for 4 Oscars: best actor in a supporting role, best art/set direction, best costume design, and best music original score. Sean Connery won the award for best supporting actor. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

On this leisurely walking tour led by a PhD in film, explore the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the Midway's 130-year history with movies 1893 World’s Fair & Filming Locations: Chicago Midway Walking Tour On this leisurely walking tour led by a PhD in film, explore the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the Midway's 130-year history with movies Read Reviews Book Public Tour Book Private Tour About 90 min 0.5 mi. 8 guests $39.99 On this leisurely walking tour led by a PhD in film, explore the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the Midway's 130-year history with movies Journey back in time From Fairground to Film Set as you discover Chicago's movie history in an entirely new way! Step into the heart of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as you explore the Midway Plaisance and its fascinating history. As you walk the Midway, you'll retrace the footsteps of millions who experienced a groundbreaking fusion of entertainment, culture, and technological advancement over a century ago! Your itinerary on this 90-minute guided walking tour includes 5 must-see stops on the Midway and the University of Chicago's campus, each brimming with historic—and cinematic—significance. Along the tree-lined route (0.5 mi.), your tour guide , a knowledgeable PhD, will relay little-known stories about the first cinema screenings, the first female action star, and a murderous cinematographer—yes, you read that right! As with all of our guided movie tours, your experience on From Fairground to Film Set: Chicago's Midway, Movies, and the 1893 World's Fair will be enhanced with a variety of media: film clips, photos, screenshots, and vintage movie fan magazines. Also, exclusive to this tour, you'll experience firsthand how a 19th-century moving picture device enthralled early audiences. So, whether you're a seasoned cinephile or simply seeking an unforgettable stroll through Chicago's cinematic past, don't miss your chance to join us for From Fairground to Film Set: Chicago's Midway, Movies, and the 1893 World's Fair ! Note : This limited Chicago movie tour is available on Sunday mornings to give you the most accurate and unobstructed view of the Midway's monumental sculpture Fountain of Time . Movies/TV Highlighted Loki (2021– ) Nope (2022) South Side (2019-2022) Flatliners (1990) The Package (1989) Sunset Boulevard (1950) Chicago the Beautiful (1948) Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Sue (1915) The Hazards of Helen (1914-1917) The Horse in Motion (1880) Public Tour Dates Show More Dates Private Tours Book this tour as a private or group tour! The private tour price listed below is a flat fee for up to 8 guests. If you have more than 8 in your party, please contact us so we can accommodate you. NOTE: This movie tour works best on weekend mornings to give you the most accurate and unobstructed view of the Midway's monumental sculpture Fountain of Time . Book Private $399 Tour Specifics Start/End Points The tour starts at 6016 S. Ingleside Ave, Chicago, IL. Please arrive about 10 min. before the tour begins. The tour ends at 6000 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Waivers Guests must initial a digital general waiver of liability with Chicago Movie Tours when they book. Guardians must sign waivers for children under the age of 18. Low Attendance To ensure we can provide a fun, engaging, and economically feasible public tour, we typically need a minimum of 4 guests. Head over to Tour Terms and Conditions for more on this policy, including reasons behind it and your refund options if, in the rare instance, a tour is cancelled due to low attendance. Parking/Transportation If available, free parking spots run along the Midway, Best Drive, and Payne Drive. For public transit: the Green Line runs from Chicago's Loop to S. Cottage Grove. Our starting point is about a 10-minute walk from the Cottage Grove 'L' station. Accessibility All 5 locations we visit have sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps. The road we cross to visit Fountain of Time does not have a crosswalk designated for pedestrians. What to Bring Please wear weather-appropriate clothing. This tour runs in mild rain or shine. NOTE: Sheltering options are limited on this all-outdoor tour, so if the weather is too bad, we will reschedule. Restrooms A Jewel-Osco grocery store with a public restroom is near the end of our tour route. A restroom may also be available in Logan Center for the Arts, next to Midway Studios. Children Guests ages 10 and up can attend. Photography/Video No video or audio recording of the tour, but take as many pictures as you'd like! Cancellations and Refunds You may cancel or amend your reservation 48 hours or more before the tour departs. Read more Tour Terms and Conditions . What's Included 5 must-see stops on the Midway and the University of Chicago campus Expert commentary from a PhD in film Small groups to enhance engagement and foster a more personalized experience Clips and vintage photos that enhance the Midway's film history Demonstration of 19th-century moving picture device Plenty of Instagram opportunities Free parking Mini (movie-themed) goodie bag! 💙 Reviews Don From Fairground to Film Set average rating is 5 out of 5 A very interesting tour of the Midway area and early Chicago film history—especially the unforgettable Lorado Taft. September 21, 2025 Lara Parker From Fairground to Film Set average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli was so knowledgeable of the area and so friendly to be with and to ask her questions. This is a good tour of an area that's not well known. Will definitely take more in the future! June 3, 2025 Irene From Fairground to Film Set average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli managed to tie 3 unique Chicago themes together in a very well researched and presented 75-minute tour. You may have never been on this select part of the U of C campus, but now you'll find yourself drawn to the outsized and outstanding Lorado Taft offerings. Kelli managed to include as many visual aids as one could handle while walking. I also appreciated the size and energy of our group. September 30, 2024 Load More Reviews

Travel back to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and experience the first Ferris wheel through film and virtual reality Chicago's First Ferris Wheel in Film Travel back to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and experience the first Ferris wheel through film and virtual reality All Talks About The first Ferris wheel was a groundbreaking engineering marvel designed for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (aka. World's Columbian Exposition). Standing as the Fair's tallest attraction, this iconic structure provided breathtaking panoramic views of the fairgrounds and the city. It also set a precedent for future amusement park attractions. Have you ever thought about what it might have been like to ride the original Ferris wheel? The views? The duration? The passengers? Let's try to answer these questions through the magic of movies and virtual reality. Ready to ride? Join Kelli on this unique virtual walking tour as we explore the world's first Ferris wheel in film. Request Talk