Top Illinois Pop Culture - page 2

Go beyond Capone. An expert guides uncovers the Beer Wars, the ambushes, and the brutal rivalries on these exact streets.

Join Chicago Movie Tours on the Midway, and discover the city's film history in an entirely new way! On this leisurely 75-minute walking tour led by a Ph.D. in film, you'll visit 5 spots on the historic Midway Plaisance, once the heart of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. As you walk the now-grassy strip (0.5 mi.), you'll discover its many connections to early and modern cinema. Guests must digitally sign a general waiver of liability either before or when they arrive. Guardians must sign waivers for children under the age of 18. 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.

Enjoy a flexible way to explore Chicago—and combine your sightseeing with a fun-filled scavenger hunt game—with this two-in-one smartphone excursion. Upon booking, receive access to the game on your smartphone, and set off at a time that works best for you. In between admiring highlights like the Chicago History Museum, Standing Lincoln Monument, and Lincoln Park Zoo, you’ll solve clues and participate in challenges.

Discover one of the Windy City’s most spooky, gruesome destinations when you book advance tickets to the Medieval Torture Museum. Perfect for Halloween—or any other creepy-crawly occasion—this museum includes a wealth of information about medieval torture practices and devices, plus realistic models to add a macabre edge. Book tickets before you travel for a seamless visiting experience, and make use of an audio guide and included ghost-hunting app.

In the beloved 1980s teen comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” the Art Institute of Chicago plays a starring role—and on this immersive, small-group tour, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Ferris and his friends all while visiting the museum’s best-known masterpieces. Meet your guide inside of the museum in the Modern Wing (tickets own expense). You can look forward to seeing masterworks by Chagall, Seurat, Cassatt, and more, all while hearing behind-the-scenes stories.

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the hit TV show *Chicago P.D.* on this small-group tour of the set and beyond. Visit real filming locations including the Firehouse 51 exterior, Molly’s Bar, District 21 Station (UIC Police HQ), Millennium Park’s Bean, and the stunning Chicago Cultural Center and hear insider stories that you'd miss on your own.

Experience the ultimate Private Shameless TV Location Tour with the convenience of hotel pick and drop-off, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride while exploring Chicago's iconic filming locations. Tour Highlights: - Visit the exterior of Gallagher House (Private Residence) - Visit the exterior of Sheila's House (Private Residence) - Visit the exterior of Kelvin & Veronica's House (Private Residence) - Explore Millennium Park and take a photo in front of the famous "Bean" Sculpture, a popular Chicago Landmark. - Explore the Chicago Cultural Center renowned for its stunning architecture, including the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome. This tour offers a unique blend of Shameless fandom and Chicago exploration, while prioritizing respect for private residences and local communities.

Discover iconic Chicago movie locations with a private tour, including transportation and hotel pickup and drop-off. Visit the Home Alone house exterior, Wrigley Field exterior (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), the Chicago Board of Trade exterior (The Dark Knight), Union Station's staircase (The Untouchables), and Millennium Park's Cloud Gate (Source Code). Enjoy a seamless and comfortable experience exploring these famous sites.

Explore the Chicago River in a unique way with this 120-minute Guided Ghost Tour. Learn about the city's haunted history, including the Great Chicago Fire and the Eastland Disaster. You are welcome to bring your own beverages and food/snacks to fully enjoy your time on the water. Departing from the Chicago Riverwalk, this is a fun and engaging way to experience the spooky side of the city. This tour is typically smaller allowing for you to interact with the tour guide! Ask all the questions, we are ready! - 120-minute ghost tour on the Chicago River for up to 18 passengers - Fun bring-your-own beverage/snacks experience with a u-shaped bar and coolers - Learn about Chicago's haunted history and significant events - Departures from the Chicago Riverwalk—15-minute early arrival required to allow time for check in and depart on time.

Hook up with a paranormal investigator to tour Chicago's Lincoln Park and look for paranormal activity. Stroll through the neighborhood and learn about the Great Fire of 1871, Suicide Bridge, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and visit Lincoln Park, and the old City Cemetery. You'll get the chance to try out some of the ghost-detecting equipment.

Discover some of the Windy City’s spookiest ghost stories—and step back in time to the era of gangsters, bootleggers, jazz performers, and more—on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, and set off after dark. You’ll visit supposedly haunted former burial grounds, pubs, theaters, and more—and will hear about macabre legends and unexplained happenings as you go.

Step into the eerie past of Chicago on this thrilling 2-hour private ghost tour led by a local through the haunted corners of the Lincoln Park area.

Dive into this captivating journey through the hallowed grounds of Chicago’s Graceland Cemetery. As we stroll amidst the stunning and serene beauty of historic resting places, you'll encounter the final resting spots of architectural visionaries like William LeBaron Jenney, John Root, Louis Sullivan, Mies Van der Rohe, and Daniel Burnham. This unique walking tour not only unveils the grandeur of tombs and mausoleums but also shares the stories of Chicago's celebrated architects, whose creativity shaped the city's skyline. But our journey extends beyond the architects' realm, as we also discover the final resting places of other notable figures with deep pockets—pioneers of industry such as Marshall Field, Palmer Potter, George Pullman, Walter Newberry, and more. Their legacies, intertwined with the fabric of Chicago's history, add an extra layer of richness to this immersive tour.

Calling all fans of the paranormal, this evening ghost bus tour of Chicago takes you into the city’s darkest recesses—and reveals a side of the city few others get to experience. Travel with ease between locations where hauntings are reported to have taken place and listen to chilling tales delivered by your guide. The City Cemetery, the site of the notorious St. Valentine’s Day massacre, and more are all included.

Get to know Chicago’s Latino Pilsen neighborhood better on this fun-filled private two-hour tour. The itinerary can be customized to suit your interests and needs, but expect to enjoy a range of artistic and culinary attractions. Pilsen has a lot of colorful street art, which your guide will show you. Stop at a local artist’s studio too, if you like.

For sightseers looking to put a spooky spin on their night and avoid the overpacked city tours that tell history most of us already know, this Chicago Family-Friendly Ghost Tour is just the thing. Stop at popular Chicago attractions, including the Flying Dragon sculpture, the Chicago Stock Exchange Arch, the Abraham Lincoln statue, and Buckingham Fountain, while a guide tells you ghost stories along the way.

Explore Grafton's chilling past on this one-hour walking tour, where history meets the supernatural. - One-hour walking tour focused on Grafton's history and ghost stories - Expert guide shares haunting tales and historical insights - Ideal for history enthusiasts and paranormal fans - Stroll along the scenic riverfront while uncovering chilling legends

Embark on a captivating walking tour that delves into the intriguing legacy of the Midwest's most notorious mobsters and gangs. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Windy City as you stroll through its vibrant streets, where the echoes of a century of Mob activity intertwine with the modern cityscape. Traverse the iconic Michigan Avenue, once a hub of illicit operations masterminded by the infamous Al Capone, and uncover the hidden secrets of the past that now lie beneath the surface of changing demographics and contemporary establishments. Brace yourself for chilling tales of mob hits and ongoing underworld dealings, as you unravel a dark and compelling narrative that still resonates through the streets today.

Channel your inner detective on this immersive, self-guided scavenger hunt through Chicago’s Loop! Step back to 1923 as you gather clues, solve a murder mystery, and unlock secrets of Prohibition-era Chicago. Your group receives a mystery kit, then follows a story-driven trail at your own pace—no app required. Observe real landmarks and hidden clues as you work together, making this ideal for friends, families, and groups seeking a hands-on, flexible adventure. The perfect blend of history, teamwork, and local intrigue in the heart of Chicago.

From the Gotham chaos in The Dark Knight to the explosive battles of Transformers, Chicago’s skyline has played a starring role in countless blockbusters. On today’s Chicago Film and Television Tour, you'll explore the city through the lens of movie magic. Begin at one of Chicago’s most iconic theaters, seen in The Blues Brothers and Transformers. Stroll through downtown streets flanked by skyscrapers featured in the Joker’s money truck chase scene in The Dark Knight. At Union Station, relive the dramatic staircase sequence from The Untouchables, where Kevin Costner’s character battles criminals as a baby carriage tumbles down. Visit the University of Chicago, whose Gothic architecture and academic prestige have made it a popular filming location. Along the way, admire Chicago’s rare mechanical lift bridges and architectural wonders that make the city a perfect backdrop for filmmakers. In Chicago, every corner holds a scene, and every street tells a story—waiting for you to explore.

Considered Chicago’s original “Millionaire’s Row,” Prairie Avenue in the Near South Side is renowned for its Gilded Age mansions—and this tour makes exploring easy (and delightfully spooky). In the evening, meet your guide in front of the Glessner House, and set off with ghost-hunting gear to accompany you. In between spotting highlights including the Marshall Field Jr. Mansion and the Henry B. Clarke House, you’ll hunt for specters and hear ghost stories.

Explore haunted Chicago at your own pace and schedule. Go anytime. Why take this tour? -It's like an in person tour guide, only it's on your phone. -Tour at your own pace and schedule -Professionally produced, narrated and musically edited immersive experience -Guided by technology. Put your phone in your pocket as the smart phone tour guided you with voice turn by turn. -Great deal -See and learn about Chicago's haunted spots, tragic events, fires, and the spirits that stayed behind. -Listen again after taking the tour. -The tour never expires, go or listen (after the on location tour) anytime. This haunted adventure is a smart phone guided on location tour. You go to the first stop, open the tour, enter your experience code and press play. From there you are guided turn by turn through Huntsville. The app knows your location and seamlessly guides you each step of the way.

Explore downtown Chicago through the lens of movies and TV on this walking tour that takes you to the filming locations for *Ferris Bueller’s Day Off*, *The Untouchables*, *The Dark Knight*, *The Bear*, *the Blues Brothers*, and more. Along the way, your local actor-guide shares behind-the-scenes stories, trivia, and fun facts you won’t get from walking the city on your own.

Glide through Chicago by moonlight on a haunted Segway tour. Follow your costumed guide and small group as they show you the sites of some of the most gruesome murders and disasters in Chicago's history. See iconic landmarks lit up at night and hear about the mysterious, haunted history of this storied city.