Chicago: Crime and Movies Walking Tour

Discover Chicago’s Gangster Secrets and Film Fame in Just 2 Hours

The Chicago: Crime and Movies Walking Tour offers a dynamic blend of true crime stories, movie history, and city landmarks in a compact 2-hour experience. Starting at $45 per person, this guided walk takes visitors through downtown Chicago’s most famous streets, revealing the neighborhood’s connection to Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Hollywood blockbusters like The Dark Knight and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The tour is wheelchair accessible, making it suitable for a range of visitors, with live guides who are true crime historians and film buffs.

This tour is ideal for those wanting a rich mix of history, film locations, and city scenery. While packed with fascinating stories and iconic sights, it’s important to note that the entire walk covers a fairly brisk pace and involves some walking along city streets and alleys. For anyone interested in Chicago’s criminal past and its cinematic footprint, this tour provides a well-organized, engaging glimpse into the city’s layered identity.

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Key Points

• Two-hour tour exploring Chicago’s gangster history and famous movie locations
• Guided by expert storytellers with background in true crime and film
• Starts at Chicago Riverwalk, ending at downtown landmarks on E Washington St
• Visits key sites linked to mobsters like Al Capone and Dillinger, plus notable Hollywood scenes
• Includes inside visits to exclusive interiors such as the Chicago Cultural Center and former Public Library
• Wheelchair accessible, with flexible booking options and cancel up to 24 hours in advance

The Tour Starts at the Chicago Riverwalk in Downtown Chicago

The tour begins at 238 N State St, a convenient spot near the Chicago Riverwalk. From here, the guides introduce the tour’s dual focus on Chicago’s gangster history and film locations. The short meet-up at the designated point is easy to find, with a Chase Bank as a landmark.

The first stop at the Chicago Riverwalk provides a perfect introduction with a photo stop lasting about 15 minutes. This area offers a scenic view of downtown, setting the stage for stories about mobster hideouts and famous film scenes that are woven into the city’s fabric.

Exploring Chicago’s Crime Hotspots Along the River North

Moving into River North, the tour visits sites where real gangsters and Hollywood filmmakers have left their mark. This 15-minute stop offers insights into the organized crime scene and the locations used in films like The Fugitive. Visitors learn how certain streets and tunnels once linked illicit activities and are now part of movie magic, blending history with entertainment.

The guides highlight underground tunnels used by the Chicago Outfit, giving a sense of the secretive world of mobsters. This segment underlines Chicago’s reputation as a mobster hub, with stories of Dillinger’s last visit to his girlfriend, adding a personal touch to the crime narrative.

Inside the Chicago Loop: Mobsters and Movie Scenes

The next phase of the tour takes place in the Chicago Loop, where guided exploration lasts around 45 minutes. Here, visitors see some of Chicago’s most iconic architecture and interior scenes that appeared in mobster movies and blockbuster crime scenes. The tour includes visits inside buildings where real gangsters plotted, providing a behind-the-scenes look at Chicago’s criminal past.

This part of the walk is also notable for highlighting famous scenes from movies like The Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Fugitive. The architecture, including interior details like the Tiffany glass dome at the former Chicago Public Library, is featured as cinematic backdrops, making the city’s urban landscape come alive on screen.

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Discovering the Cultural and Crime Connect at the Chicago Cultural Center

The tour’s 15-minute visit to the Chicago Cultural Center offers a chance to appreciate the city’s artistic side alongside its gritty history. The interior design and art exhibits here are linked to famous movie scenes, allowing visitors to see how art and crime stories intertwine in Chicago’s cultural mile.

The guides share stories about mob characters and popular films associated with this historic building, providing a deeper understanding of Chicago’s creative and criminal legacies. This stop also allows for brief inside visits, adding a relaxing break amid the lively city exploration.

Visiting the Final Scene of ‘The Untouchables’ at the Filming Location

The tour concludes at the location of the climactic scene from The Untouchables, a perfect blend of mobster history and Hollywood. Here, visitors see the architectural landmark where the famous film sequence was shot, wrapping up the experience with a visual and narrative highlight.

The ending point at 78 E Washington St is nearby the former Public Library interiors, making it easy to extend the day with a visit to the Art Institute or other central attractions. The tour’s pacing ensures a comprehensive yet manageable experience, with enough storytelling and sightseeing to satisfy fans of Chicago’s crime and film scenes.

Inside the Chicago Cultural Center and Art Institute

The interior visits to these landmarks reveal stunning architectural features and art collections often seen in movies. The largest Tiffany glass dome is a highlight inside the former Chicago Public Library, which the tour visits as part of the film locations covered. The Art Institute’s role in movies is also discussed, giving visitors tips on the best art pieces used in films and how to maximize their museum visit.

These interior stops add a cultural depth to the tour, showing that Chicago’s mobster history, cinematic fame, and artistic beauty are deeply interconnected.

Practical Details: Meeting Point, Accessibility, and Booking

The tour meets at the Chase Bank at the corner of State and Wacker. With wheelchair accessibility, the walk is suitable for most visitors, though no transportation or mobility devices are provided. The 2-hour itinerary is designed to be efficient, combining walking, inside visits, and storytelling.

Booking options include free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the possibility to reserve now and pay later, providing flexible planning. The live guide speaks English, and availability varies by time, so checking in advance is recommended.

Why This Tour Offers a Unique Chicago Experience

What sets this tour apart is its combination of true crime stories and famous film locations—a dual thread that appeals to history buffs, movie fans, and curious explorers alike. The expert guides’ knowledge shines through as they share inside stories and behind-the-scenes trivia, making the experience more engaging than typical sightseeing walks.

The inclusion of interior visits to places like the Chicago Cultural Center and Public Library interiors adds value and depth, elevating this tour above just walking past landmarks. It’s a compact, entertaining, and informative way to see downtown Chicago’s layered history.

Chicago: Crime and Movies Tour – An Honest Look

This tour offers excellent value for those eager to explore Chicago’s criminal and cinematic past in a short, well-organized format. The expert guides and fascinating stories make it stand out, with positive reviews highlighting entertaining narration and insider trivia.

Potential visitors should be prepared for urban walking and brisk pacing, but the interior visits provide welcome relief and additional insights. The tour is particularly suited for history and movie enthusiasts who want to see downtown Chicago in a different light.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, though no mobility devices are provided.

How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, covering several key sites in downtown Chicago.

Can I cancel my reservation?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, offering flexibility in planning.

What are the main highlights of this tour?
Highlights include mobster sites linked to Al Capone and Dillinger, film locations from major movies, and interior visits to landmarks like the Chicago Cultural Center and former Public Library interiors.

Who is the ideal participant for this tour?
This tour is perfect for history buffs, movie fans, and anyone curious about Chicago’s criminal past and cinematic portrayals. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and provides a fun, educational experience of the city’s iconic scenes.

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