Sports & Recreation, Tours & Attractions
1893 World’s Fair & Filming Locations: Chicago’s Midway Plaisance Walking Tour September 13, 2026
Experience the history of Chicago’s Midway Plaisance on a Ph.D.-led walking tour that connects the 1893 World’s Fair to both early and modern-day filming locations.
Led by Dr. Kelli Marshall of Chicago Movie Tours & Talks, this unique experience explores the landscape where the 1893 World’s Fair once stood, including the site of the original Ferris Wheel and the Midway’s famed international attractions. Along the way, you’ll discover how this setting later became a backdrop for film and television, with connections to productions like Flatliners, Nope, and Loki.
Blending history, storytelling, and on-location insights, this tour offers a fresh perspective on Chicago—moving beyond the familiar narrative to reveal how the Midway evolved from fairground spectacle to cinematic setting.
Highlights include:
Expert Narrative: Scholarly insight into Chicago’s movie history from a Ph.D. film historian.
Immersive Media: Clips, vintage photos, and a demonstration of 19th-century moving picture devices.
Chicago Landmarks: A scenic half-mile walk through the University of Chicago, ending at the monumental Fountain of Time sculpture.
This leisurely, 90-minute walking tour appeals to film lovers, history buffs, fans of Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City, and anyone seeking a deeper, more unexpected way to experience Chicago’s past and present.
