Save Ferris: Self-guided John Hughes North Shore tour

Chicago's North Shore is known for its picturesque landscapes and historic architecture. But it also doubles as the quintessential backdrop for many of John Hughes' iconic 1980s and 1990s films. This self-guided tour created by Chicago Star takes you through the North Shore’s neighborhoods, discovering how the scenic beauty became the heart of some of the most memorable scenes in movie history.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Samantha Baker’s House

The famous house of Samantha Baker, the teen protagonist of Sixteen Candles, lies right in the heart of Evanston. It was at this location that she woke up and realized everyone had forgotten her 16th birthday, and where a lot of family hijinks take place.

3022 Payne Street, Evanston

Glencoe Union Church

This local neighborhood church is the famous location where Samantha’s sister Ginny gets married. At the end of the film, Jake Ryan is found waiting across the street for Samantha and although Jake Ryan can’t be seen today, the church still stands in all of its glory.

263 Park Street, Glencoe

The Breakfast Club (1985)  

Maine North High School

The five students of the Breakfast Club spent their 8 hours and 54 minutes in detention in Shermer High School, making it an iconic spot to visit along this movie tour. The school pictured above was used to film the library and entryway scenes and was once known as Maine North High School before it was turned into a police station. The building looks the same since filming with signed memorabilia from the cast members on display inside.

9511 Harrison Street, Des Plaines

Glenbrook North High School

This location is one of two appearances made in a John Hughes film. The high school’s football field was used to shoot the ending scene of the movie where John Bender is freeze-framed with his fist in the air.

2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook

Weird Science (1985)

Northbrook Court Mall

The 1985 movie starring Anthony Michael Hall includes mall scenes filmed right in Northbrook. The Northbrook Court Mall went under interior and exterior remodeling, meaning everything looks significantly different since the filming of this classic.

1515 Lake Cook Rd, Northbrook

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Save Ferris Water Tower

Unfortunately painted over, the original Save Ferris water tower is still standing and is located in Northbrook. Right behind the Northbrook Public Library, you’ll find a commemorative plaque overlooking the famous tower, giving insight into John Hughes’ connection to Northbrook.

1201 Cedar Ln, Northbrook

Glenbrook North High School

“Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?”. The steps where Sloane Peterson and Ed Rooney stood waiting for her “father”— or disguised Ferris—to pick her up, were featured in the film right outside of Glenbrook North High School. Some say you can still hear Ferris’ name being called behind the brick walls of the building used in the movie.

2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook

Glencoe Beach

Go to Glencoe Beach to find the beach scene toward the end of the film. There, you will find the exact spot where Cameron had his meltdown after a noticeable amount of miles were added to his dad’s vintage Ferrari. Today, many people enjoy picnics there and play volleyball or kayak out on the water.

160 Hazel Avenue, Glencoe

Uncle Buck (1989)

The Russell Residence

The home at 2602 Lincoln Street in Evanston is where Uncle Buck spent the week watching his nieces and nephews, Miles, Maizy and Tia. Here, Uncle Buck charms his family with his creative cooking and unique way of doing laundry. 

2602 Lincoln Street, Evanston

Home Alone (1990) 

Home Alone House

The iconic house that the McCallisters lived in throughout the movie series stands in Winnetka. Production used sets built in the old New Trier West High School to create some of the interior scenes but the rest were filmed inside the house for about four months. Chicago Star dove into the history of the home and more about its filming here.

671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka

The Murphy’s House

Neighbor Mitch Murphy, the boy who gets mistaken for Kevin before the family takes off for vacation, “lived” in this Winnetka home. This house is the one in the movie where Kevin notices the Wet Bandits ransacking the home while the Murphys are away for Christmas.

656 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL

Trinity United Methodist Church

When Kevin is chased by the Wet Bandits, he ends up 3 miles away and finds shelter in a nativity scene outside of the Trinity United Methodist Church. The church is still visited by many fans of the movie and continues to operate today.

1024 Lake Ave, Wilmette, IL