Old Man's Alley - "Groundhog Day" Filming Location - Woodstock, IL

The alley in which Bill Murray's character find the ill homeless man is located in Woodstock, Illinois. It can be found where Benton Street and East Judd Street converge. Above is a still from the film, showing Murray approach the homeless man. Below is the same spot in August of 2015. The man would have been leaning against where the window is now located.

There is a plaque on the wall to commemorate the exact location of this scene.

El Rancho Motel - "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" Filming Location - Gurnee, IL

The El Rancho Motel was used as the hotel where John Candy was made to sleep outside in the film "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." Above is a still from the film showing Candy and Steve Martin pulling in to the motel parking lot. Below is the same location in August of 2015.

In the still above, Candy prepares to sleep in his car. Below is the same location in 2015. The bull skull on the building was still there! You can find this location at 36355 North Skokie Highway in Gurnee, Illinois.

The Puddle - "Groundhog Day" Filming Location - Woodstock, IL

My favorite re-occurrence in the movie "Groundhog Day" is when Phil (Bill Murray) steps in the puddle next to the sidewalk over and over again. You can see Phil step in the puddle in the still above from the film. Below is the same location in August of 2015. You can find it at 108 Cass Street in Woodstock, Illinois.

Woodstock is so incredibly proud of the film that they have placed plaques throughout the town commemorating various scenes filmed there. On the sidewalk, right where Bill Murray stepped before he stepped into the puddle, the city placed a very special plaque. See below.

Bryce's House - "Sixteen Candles" Filming Location - Northbrook, IL

In the still above from the film "Sixteen Candles," Bryce (John Cusack) and company congregate outside of his house. Below is the same location in August of 2015. You can find it at 1411 Sycamore Lane in Northbrook, Illinois.

The Bowling Alley - "Groundhog Day" Filming Location - Woodstock, IL

The one and only bowling alley in Woodstock, Illinois was used for some interior and exterior shots in the film "Groundhog Day." Above is a still from the film and below is the same location in August of 2015. As you can see, not much has changed! You can find this location at 109 Church Street in Woodstock, Illinois.

Powell's Book Store - "A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)" Filming Location - Chicago, IL

Another filming location in the 2010 remake of "A Nightmare On Elm Street" was Powell's Book Store. Above is a still from the film and below is the same location in August of 2015. As of this time, the bookstore is completely gone. However, the street signs and parking meter stand still remain. You can find this location at 2850 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

Gobbler's Knob - "Groundhog Day" Filming Location - Woodstock, IL

Woodstock Square Park in Woodstock, Illinois was used as Gobbler's Knob in the film "Groundhog Day." In the above still from the film, they are preparing to see if the groundhog spots his shadow. Below is the same location in August of 2015. We are looking southwest in the southwest corner of the park.

If you stay in that spot and turn around 180 degrees, you will see the gazebo, as shown in the still above from the film. Below is the same location in 2015. We are looking northeast.

The city of Woodstock even commemorated this filming location by adding a placard to the exact spot in the park.

Kris' House - "A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)" Filming Location - Barrington, IL

Kris's house was just down the street from Nancy's house in the 2010 remake of "A Nightmare On Elm Street." Above is a still from the film; below is the same location in August of 2015. You can find it at 233 Linden Road in Barrington, Illinois.

The Crash - "Groundhog Day" Filming Location - Woodstock, IL

The crash scene in the film "Groundhog Day" is one of my favorites in the whole film, especially when Bill Murray's character places a food order with the police officer after the crash happens. The crash transpired on the northwest corner of Calhoun and Jefferson Streets in Woodstock, Illinois. Above is a still from the film when it was an empty lot and below is the same spot in August of 2015 with the newly constructed building in place.

The city of Woodstock did commemorate the scene by putting a plaque on the wall of the building where the scene itself took place.

Amityville House - "The Amityville Horror (2005)" Filming Location - Salem, WI

The house for the 2005 re-make of "The Amityville Horror" was remodeled just a bit for the film. Above is a still from the movie and below are two shots of the house in August of 2015. You are looking at the same side of the house in all of the photos (notice the main floor windows). However, the production company built a fake front to the house so the location would appear to have the infamous Amityville House windows. After production was completed, the house was restored to its original state. You can find this location at 27618 Silver Lake Road in Salem, Wisconsin.

Tip Top Cafe - "Groundhog Day" Filming Location - Woodstock, IL

As with most of the locations in the film "Groundhog Day," the cafe was used quite frequently during the movie. Both the interior and exterior were used in the film. Above is a still from the movie; below is the same location in August of 2015. As of this date, the restaurant is La Placita Mexican Restaurant. We did eat there and the food is excellent!

Above is a still from the film showing Phil and Rita dining in the cafe. Below is the interior in 2015. You can find this location at 108 Cass Street in Woodstock, Illinois.

Kevin Stares - "Home Alone" Filming Location - Highland Park, IL

The is a scene in the film "Home Alone" where Kevin is walking around and begins to long for his missing family. In the still above, Kevin stands on the sidewalk and watches a family get together for Christmas. Below is the same house in August of 2015. The address to this house is 308 Laurel Avenue in Highland Park, Illinois.

The camera turns to see Kevin looking back at the house in the still above. Below is the same view in 2015. The house across the street is in view. The address across the street is 214 Laurel Avenue.

Cabrini-Green - "Candyman" Filming Location - Chicago, IL

Out of all the filming locations and infamous crime scene I have been to, this one gave me the most anxiety as I searched for it. Cabrini-Green, a former Chicago housing project, was used as the central filming location for the 1992 horror flick "Candyman." Above is a still from the film showing character Helen and the little boy approach the murder bathroom. Below is the same spot in August of 2015. The approximate location is 364 West Oak Street in Chicago, Illinois.

Cabrini-Green was a housing project and a high-crime part of Chicago. The living conditions here were considered deplorable. Many murders happened here, often daily, due to gang violence. The population of Cabrini-Green was near 15,000 living in 3,607 units at its peak. This housing project was torn down completely in 2011 and, as of August 2015, is now an empty lot.

Royal Victorian Manor - "Groundhog Day" Filming Location - Woodstock, IL

One of the central locations for the film "Groundhog Day" was the bed & breakfast Bill Murray's character stayed in. As I type this, it is still an operable B&B. Above is a still from the film and below is how the building appeared in August of 2015.

In the still above, this is Bill Murray's point-of-view as he looks out his window at the B&B, staring down the road and noticing the storm hasn't hit yet. Below is the same street (where Fremont and South Madison Streets meet) in 2015. You can find the B&B at 344 Fremont Street in Woodstock, Illinois.

Party House - "Sixteen Candles" Filming Location - Highland Park, IL

The house used for the party scene in the classic movie "Sixteen Candles" was filmed in the Chicago area. Above is a still from the film and below is the same house in August of 2015. You can find it at 1407 Waverly Road in Highland Park, Illinois.

Smoque - Chicago, IL

One of the culinary hidden gems of Chicago has to be the BBQ restaurant called Smoque. This place has been featured on the TV show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," among others. I wanted to try as much of their food as I could. The photo below shows sausage, pulled pork, brisket, french fries and mac 'n cheese. You can find Smoque at 3800 North Pulaski Road in Chicago, Illinois as of August 2015.

St. Peter's Catholic Church - "The Amityville Horror (2005)" Filming Location - Antioch, IL

The character Kathy from the 2005  remake of "The Amityville Horror" seeks spiritual guidance from Father Callaway. Above is a still from the film showing a wide shot of the church. Below is the same location in August of 2015.

Kathy and Father Callaway sit down on a bench to discuss what kinds of evil things are happening in her home in the still above. Below is the same spot in 2015. You can find this church at 557 Lake Street in Antioch, Illinois.