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Ferris Bueller's Day Off  movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Ferris Bueller's Day Off filmed?

1986

City Locations

Chicago, Los Angeles(USA)

Location Types

School, Gallery, House

Location Styles

Beachfront, Modern Building, Colonial, Parking Lot

About Ferris Bueller's Day Off

John Hughes, who also directed comedy gems like National Lampoon’s Vacation and Home Alone, helmed Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Released in 1986, the cast included Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara, and Alan Ruck. It is rumored that Edward McNally might have served as the muse for Ferris Bueller’s character.

McNally and Hughes grew up on the same street, and McNally's best friend had a similar name, "Buehler." Like Bueller, McNally lived through the experience of having the school dean chase him down for skipping school. However, while Bueller only missed nine school days, McNally skipped out on 27.

The film offers a lighthearted take on teenage life as Ferris (Matthew Broderick) and his friends get into one misadventure after another while exploring Chicago. At its core, it is a subtle critique of conformity and peer pressure in American society and an exploration of friendship. Throughout this hilarious journey, Ferris remains true to himself despite the many obstacles he encounters.

Upon its release, Ferris Bueller's Day Off was a huge box office hit and has since then received widespread critical acclaim for its cleverness, humor, and appeal. The film earned two awards, one from the Online Film & Television Association (2021) and another from the National Film Preservation Board in 2014.

The movie also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for Matthew Broderick's role. It also received positive reviews from critics, with Roger Ebert rating it three out of four stars and calling it a "sweet, warm-hearted comedy" that is one of the most innocent movies ever.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Locations

The Ferris Bueller's Day Off production team made use of various locations throughout the city of Chicago and its immediate suburbs. Most scenes were filmed in Northbrook, Highland Park, and the downtown Chicago Loop area.

Ferris attended Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, a northern suburb accessible from Union Station on the Metra rail North Line. It's an impressive modern building with a classic brick facade and a picturesque backdrop.

Cameron's house and garage, where his father kept his treasured Ferrari, was located at 370 Beech Street between Linden Avenue and Wade Street in Highland Park. This beautiful residential area features homes with inviting garden lawns and splendid views of the downtown skyline.

In downtown Chicago visitors can recreate the scene where Ferris proposes to Sloane while overlooking the trading floor of the Chicago Board of Trade at 141 West Jackson Boulevard. Further downtown along Dearborn Street is where they filmed the scene of the annual German-American parade with Ferris singing "Twist and Shout.”

A trip to the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off filming locations is a worthwhile journey for the movie’s fans or anyone who wants to explore the iconic landmarks and quiet residential neighborhoods surrounding them.

Cameron's Ferrari scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

370 Beech St, Highland Park, IL 60035, USA

The garage scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off represents teenage rebellion. Ferris (Matthew Broderick) drives Cameron's dad's vintage Ferrari 250 GT, with Cameron (Alan Ruck) and Sloane (Mia Sara) in town, to Chicago. However, in the final scene, when they return home, Ferris attempts to reverse the car to decrease the mileage on the odometer.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work, and Cameron's frustration over his controlling father leads him to demolish the vehicle. Ferris offers to take responsibility for the damage, but Cameron refuses and decides to confront his father instead. The entire sequence has become memorable for its audacity and for capturing Ferris' spirit of adventure, not to mention establishing some of the film’s central themes: privilege, materialism, and the idea that adults are out of touch with their kids.

The North Shore home is located at 370 Beech St, Highland Park, designed by architect A. James Speyer is an important setting in the movie. Please note that the location is currently under private ownership, therefore, try not to disturb any of the residents when visiting.

To get to the Ferris Bueller's Day Off film set at 370 Beech St., take Interstate 94 W and exit onto the Clavey Rd exit from US-41 N/US Hwy 41 N. Next, head west on Old Green Bay Road until you reach Beech Street. Finally, turn left onto Beech Street and continue until you reach 370 Beech Street.

Ferris picks up Sloane scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Glenbrook North High School, 2300 Shermer Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062, USA

Ferris and Cameron speed away in a collectible Ferrari to a high school in a suburb of Chicago. The exterior of Glenbrook North High School, where the scene occurs, is instantly recognizable. Its Hallways featured in another beloved John Hughes Movie, The Breakfast Club.

When they arrive, Ferris poses as his girlfriend’s father (George Peterson) to get her (Mia Sara) out of school. After achieving their goal, viewers see the “‘Save Ferris” water tower in the background as they drive away with Sloane Peterson.

The entire movie was filmed on location around the city of Chicago and its suburbs. The exterior shots of Glenbrook North High School were filmed at 2300 Shermer Road in Northbrook, Illinois, located on Metra rail North Line from Chicago’s Union Station. Interestingly, John Hughes was a former student at the school, and hence why he often included it in his films.

To visit this location today, take a Metra train from Union Station to Northbrook Station or I-294 northbound until you reach exit 33A (Half Day Road/Illinois 22). Then turn left onto Half Day Road and take a right onto Sanders Road. Next, turn right onto Shermer Road and continue along the road until you reach Glenbrook North High School.

Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane stand in front of the painting scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

The scene at the art gallery is one of the most memorable moments in Ferris Bueller’s Day Out. We see the trio standing with their arms folded across their chests, gazing up at a painting in The Art Institute of Chicago. The painting in question is Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, a pointillist masterpiece and one of the world's most famous works of art.

The trio looks mesmerized by the painting and takes a moment to appreciate its beauty. Meanwhile, viewers are also treated to shots of Marc Chagall's America Windows and other artifacts from the museum.

The Art Institute of Chicago is located in downtown Chicago, Illinois, and was founded in 1879. There are more than 300 galleries showcasing art from around the world including Ancient Greek artifacts, European masterpieces, and contemporary works. It has become one of the most visited museums in America, attracting millions of visitors every year who come to marvel at its vast collection.

To get to The Art Institute of Chicago, take public transportation to downtown Chicago or drive there. There is ample parking near the museum as well as spaces available along city streets.

The parade scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

230 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604, USA

The German-American Parade scene sees Ferris jump on a float and join in with a rendition of Twist And Shout. Right after this scene, Cameron and Sloane take a stroll through Mies van der Rohe-designed Federal Building and Post Office Plaza where they discuss their post-high school plans. This plaza showcases Calder’s Flamingo sculpture, yet another landmark of the Federal Center.

The parade takes place along Dearborn Street, which is intercut with a restaging for the movie on the following Saturday. The 10,000 attendees were attracted after radio and newspaper ads requested the presence of locals. Viewers get to see Flamingo, an orange mantis statue ready to pounce on passersby, located at the intersection of West Adams Street.

To get there, you can drive or take public transportation, such as CTA buses or trains (Metra). You can also take Divvy bikes or choose to walk if you’re near enough; it’s just 1 mile away from State/Lake station. You can reach the destination from Lincolnwood by taking either Interstate 90 or 94 in a private car, which will take approximately 20 minutes.

Mr. Rooney visits Buller's house scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

As Mr. Rooney arrives at the house looking for Ferris, who hasn’t been to school for a couple of days, he falls into the mud. While trying to get himself out of the sticky situation, a large black dog chases him and he eventually loses his shoe and wallet.

This memorable moment was filmed at 4160 Country Club Dr, Long Beach, CA 90807, USA, in the Los Cerritos neighborhood of Long Beach. The residence used as Ferris' home in the movie is a stately Colonial-style abode located on a tree-lined street with an average household income much higher than in other areas within California. Visitors should be mindful that it is a privately owned residence.

Drive via Pacific Ave towards Long Beach to get to this location and merge onto Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), leading them to Country Club Drive. Once on Country Club Drive, look for number 4160, where you’ll find the beautiful home.

Cameron gets catatonic after he notices the mileage on the Ferrari scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off

160 Hazel Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA

After a wild day out in Chicago, Ferris and Cameron take refuge on the rocky shoreline of Glencoe Beach, overlooking the lake. Here, Ferris comes up with a plan to reverse the odometer reading on Cameron's dad's car and he briefly contemplates the potential damage to the microchips that the escapades could have caused.

This beach is located at the end of Park Avenue in Glencoe, Illinois. It is known for its rocky terrain that overlooks Lake Michigan and its majestic sunsets. The area is also a prime location for activities such as swimming, kayaking, fishing, and scenic walks along the lakeshore. It operates only during certain seasons and provides boat/chair rentals, concessions, and picnic areas.

To get to Glencoe Beach, take Interstate 94 W towards Glenview Road and turn right onto Lake Cook Road West. Drive for about 3 miles until you get to Park Avenue, then make another right turn onto Park Avenue. Glencoe Beach will be on your left-hand side at the end of Park Avenue.

Conclusion

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a classic comedy gem that has stood the test of time. Matthew Broderick plays Ferris, who embarks on a fun-filled adventure in Chicago with his two best friends while skipping school. The film's clever writing and nostalgia make it a beloved classic from the ‘80s, with several quotes that have become famous in cinema.

Broderick delivers a masterful performance as the charmingly mischievous Ferris, who knows how to make the most out of every moment. He explains that life passes by quickly, and if one doesn't stop to appreciate it, one may miss it. He also understands the pain his friend Cameron feels. Cameron's father has lovingly restored and given a place of importance to the red Ferrari, but he doesn’t allow his son to lay a finger on it.

The production design is also impressive, giving viewers a wonderful nostalgia for ‘80s Chicago. From the scene at Wrigley Field to the karaoke singing atop the Sears Tower, it's clear that this movie is about living life enthusiastically and making memories with friends. It's also notable for its commentary on consumer culture, privilege, and family dynamics.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off was revolutionary upon its release in 1986 and continues to be just as relevant today. It’s a fun romp through Chicago that tackles some important themes while still providing plenty of laughs along the way. The movie’s influence is noted in many other film releases since then, further cementing its place in pop culture history.