Travel

Chicago Gangster Tours

Explore the world of Chicago gangsters

From Prescott Carlson, former About.com Guide

The fascination with Chicago gangsters continues today despite the height of the gangster culture having taken place even before World War II. Here are some ways you can take a Chicago gangster tour and immerse yourself into the world of the likes of Al Capone and John Dilinger.

(prices as of time of this writing, subject to change)

Biograph Theatre

The Biograph Theater in 1934

The Biograph Theater on Lincoln Avenue on Chicago's North Side is the infamous site where, in 1934, FBI agents lay in wait for gangster John Dillinger and gunned him down as he was exiting from a movie and drew a gun on the agents. Now home to the Victory Gardens Theater group, the exterior of the Biograph was temporarily restored to its former glory for the filming of the Johnny Depp biopic Public Enemies.

Address: 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery

Al Capone mug shot

Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery has the honor of being the final resting place of the most notorious of Chicago gangsters, Al Capone. The cemetery is just outside Chicago in west suburban Hillside off the I-290 expressway. Besides Capone there are other gangsters from the era buried there like "Deany" O'Banion and the "Terrible" Genna brothers.

Address: 1400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Union Station

Union Station, a hub for the Metra and Amtrak rail lines, is known for the famous shootout scene in the movie The Untouchables. And while the incident was entirely made up by Hollywood -- especially the "baby carriage" nod to The Battleship Potemkin -- Chicago gangster fact and fiction are so blurred at this point it's made it a stopping point on a tour of "gangster history."

Address: Canal Street between Adams and Jackson

Valentine's Day Massacre Site

On February 14, 1929, seven gangsters were shot and killed at a garage in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood in what became known as the "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre." While it was never proven, it's commonly believed that the men were murdered by members of Al Capone's gang, or hit men hired by Capone. The killers tricked the gangsters into letting them in by dressing as police officers. The main intended target, "Bugs" Moran, escaped injury when the "go ahead" signal was mistakenly given early and Moran had not arrived at the garage yet. Unfortunately a visit to the site is just to have an "I was there" moment, as the original building is long gone.

Address: 2122 N. Clark Street, Chicago

Tommy Gun's Garage

Tommy Gun's Garage is a unique interactive dinner theater, set in the era of Chicago gangsters. The entire space is decorated as a 1920s "speakeasy" and features a sit-down dinner as well as a musical show with "gangsters" and "flappers" performing tunes from composers of the era like George Gershwin and Cole Porter. The cheese factor is high here, but if you can let your inhibitions down a bit it makes for a fun time.

Address: 2114 S. Wabash, Chicago
Phone: 312-225-0273
Tickets: $60 - $70 per person

Untouchable Tours

If a guided tour is more your thing, then consider Untouchable Tours which bills itself as "Chicago's Original Gangster Tour." You'll go on a 2 hour driving tour in a jet black school bus and be shown many of the gangster landmarks and hangouts. The tour guides wear period costumes and get into the gangster role -- expect to hear a lot of "dees, dems, and does," as in "dees guys, dem dolls, and does times."