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About

1.5 hrs

1.25 mi.

10 guests

$34.99

Uncover Hollywood's sinister past in Chicago through The Wizard of Oz, cocaine movies, and gangsters

Meet up in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood for The Wizard of Oz in Chicago, a 90-minute guided outdoor walking tour on the darker side of the silver screen!


A park inspired by The Wizard of Oz, homes designed by Chicago's leading architect, and a theater built for moving pictures seem friendly enough. But a closer look at these three Chicago locations leads you down a destructive path closely tied to Hollywood.


You'll start the tour in a neighborhood park devoted to The Wizard of Oz. Here, you'll learn about Chicago's connections to the beloved children's story. But also, brace yourself for untold, darker tales behind the iconic 1939 movie that may leave you shocked.


Your adventure with The Wizard of Oz in Chicago continues as you stroll down a tree-lined street, surrounded by houses with a rich history that whisper secrets of Hollywood's scandalous silent era. As you explore these architectural gems, your expert Ph.D. tour guide, will disclose mind-boggling connections to "cocaine comedies." 


From there, you'll follow a narrow brick road. It's not yellow, alas. But look carefully as you walk, and you'll find written remnants of Chicago's past. 


On the final stretch, your tour takes a thrilling turn into the heart of Chicago's notorious gangster history, seamlessly interwoven with the glamour of Hollywood's golden era.


Along your The Wizard of Oz in Chicago journey, film clips, screenshots, newspaper clippings, and vintage movie magazines will transport you back in time, offering glimpses into the scandalous happenings of yesteryear. 


Don't miss your chance to be part of this adventure in Chicago. Book your spot!

Movies/TV Highlighted

  • Public Enemies (2009)

  • High Fidelity (2000)

  • The Wizard of Oz (1939)

  • Get Out and Get Under (1920)

  • The Mystery of the Leaping Fish (1916)

  • For His Son (1912)

  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)

Public Tour 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 to see if we can accommodate you.

Tour Specifics

Start/End Points

The tour starts at Oz Park, 2021 N Burling St. next to the Tin Man sculpture (W. Webster/N. Larrabee). The tour ends at 2433 N Lincoln 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 residential streets near Oz Park. Public transit: take the Brown Line or Purple Line to Armitage, or take the Brown, Purple, or Red Line to Fullerton. Our starting point is a 0.4 mile-walk from the Armitage 'L' station and a 0.5-mile walk from the Fullerton 'L' station.


Accessibility

All of our stops on the walking tour have sidewalks and crosswalks. We will travel down an original brick-paved road.


What to Bring

Please wear weather-appropriate clothing. Tours run rain or shine.


Restrooms

A Target store with a public restroom is near the start of our tour route.


Children

While this tour explores the children's story The Wizard of Oz, some content may not be appropriate for guests under age 13.


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

  • Guided 90-min. outdoor walking tour in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, including buildings with National Historic and Chicago Landmark status

  • Expert tour guide commentary from a Ph.D. in film

  • Obscure stories about Chicago's ties to The Wizard of Oz and Hollywood's scandalous past

  • Small group to generate engagement and foster a personalized tour

  • Visual and audio media to enhance your experience

  • Plenty of Instagram opportunities 

  • Mini (Oz-themed) goodie bags! 💙

Reviews

Michelle

Wizard of Oz in Chicago

average rating is 5 out of 5
What a gem of a find our tour was! A friend of mine and I did the Dark Hollywood tour today, as it sounded intriguing and something different to do. I had so much fun! Learned a ton about Chicago, Hollywood, The Wizard of Oz and other films, and even some broader history that I never knew, and I found it all fascinating. Also loved the incredible photos that the tour guide brought pertaining to all the relevant history. Tour guide was lovely and welcoming of all my questions. I look forward to taking another Movie Tour at the old Joliet prison in September!

July 7, 2024

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Todd Miller

Wizard of Oz in Chicago

average rating is 5 out of 5
Best Chicago tour I’ve been on. Don’t miss it!!

November 11, 2023

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Sarah

Wizard of Oz in Chicago

average rating is 5 out of 5
So glad I made the decision to attend my first tour with Chicago Movie Tours (Dark Hollywood and The Wizard of Oz in Chicago at Oz Park). The tour was fun and interactive. Kelli did a fantastic job of presenting and leading! She was a joy! Different mediums were used (book, photo, video, examining statues on the tour, & stories) to share history and movie knowledge. I learned a lot of information that I’ve been excited to share with others! Kelli did a wonderful job bringing Chicago and (multiple) movies together on this tour. Looking forward to attending more tours!

November 1, 2023

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