Private tour in Chicago Kelli M

Movies and the 1893 World's Fair on Chicago's Historic Midway

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Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Kelli M.

5.0

Guide rating

5

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Hi—I'm Kelli, a Ph.D., tour guide, and public speaker who helps visitors and residents discover Chicago through film. Before starting my small business, Chicago Movie Tours, I spent more than a decade as a professor of film and media studies. Now, I take my expertise and love of teaching beyond the traditional classroom and into real-world settings. I hold a Ph. D. in Humanities, an M. A. in English, and a B. A. in English, with minors in history and French. More about me: ・20 years of teaching and research experience related to film ・6+ years of creating tours and immersive experiences in Chicago ・Certified Member of Chicago Tour-Guide Professionals Association ・I currently offer only walking tours of Chicago and its neighborhoods. ・I do not offer transportation to/from airports, hotels, or points of interest.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Kelli M.

Overview of your Chicago tour

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 countless connections to early and modern cinema. 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)

Your Chicago tour itinerary

Get ready to visit 5 these spots on the Midway Plaisance (and part of University of Chicago's campus) as you hear about their history and connections to early cinema and modern movies: ・Midway Studios ・Taft House ・"Recording Angel" ・the Midway's green space ・"Fountain of Time" This tour, which runs from May-Oct, is available with early morning weekend start times—to give you the most accurate and unobstructed view of the Midway's monumental sculpture "Fountain of Time. " Finally, before they arrive, guests must digitally sign a general waiver of liability, emailed to their ToursByLocals account. Guardians must sign waivers for children under the age of 18.

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Transport details
Type: Walking

This is a walking tour. 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.

What's included
Other: 5 must-see stops on the Midway and the University of Chicago campus. Expert commentary from a Ph.D. in film. Small group 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.
Private Guide
What's not included
Public Transportation
Meeting location

6016 South Ingleside Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States

The tour starts at 6016 S. Ingleside Ave, Chicago, IL. The tour ends at 6000 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 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.

Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
History
Art And Culture
TV And Movie
Tour reference number
945438
Languages
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Chicago best suited for?

This private tour in Chicago is perfect for film enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone interested in the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It's also ideal for those who enjoy leisurely walking tours and want to explore the historic Midway Plaisance with insights from a Ph.D. in film. Families with children, seniors, and travellers with mobility concerns will find it accessible and engaging.

What should I bring or wear?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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