We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This helps support what we do and in no way costs you a thing.
Updated 7/28/2026
Have you ever wanted to be Bill Murray’s bestie in the cult classic Groundhog Day? I love the entire Groundhog Day cast, as well as the Groundhog Day full movie even though I live in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin: home of Jimmy the Groundhog.
While I think Bill Murray is beyond adorable in it, I am loyal to my roots and more reliable weather-predicting rodent. Still, the Woodstock Groundhog Day Walking Tour is a very fun thing to do!
KEY TAKEAWAYS / TL;DR (INCLUDE AFTER INTRO)
- Woodstock, Illinois served as the filming location for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, and the town preserves 15 recognizable locations from the film that visitors can explore year-round.
- The Groundhog Day Walking Tour in Woodstock is a two-hour guided experience that includes metal plaques marking specific filming locations and stories from residents who participated in the movie production.
- Woodstock hosts annual Groundhog Day weekend festivities that feature trivia, film viewings, pub crawls, chili cook-offs, and guided tours of filming locations.
- The Pennsylvania Hotel and Cherry Street Inn remain unchanged from their appearance in the film and serve as key stops on the walking tour, with Cherry Street Inn being the bed and breakfast where Bill Murray’s character stayed.
One of my favorite scenes of the movie? Bill Murray saying he is a God…
About the Groundhog Day Full Movie Walking Tour
Woodstock, Illinois, is about 47 miles from Chicago but has a small-town personality for being so close to the city. There is no wonder Woodstock was named “one of the most beautiful, charming small towns in Illinois”. Woodstock is brimming with creativity, which can be seen through the Victorian architecture and the renowned Opera House.
The guided walking tour is generally offered during Woodstock’s annual Groundhog Days celebration. If you visit at another time of year, you can still download the official map and take a self-guided tour. Most of the locations are outdoors or can be viewed from the sidewalk, making this an easy addition to a day in Woodstock.
Plan on wearing comfortable shoes because the complete tour covers roughly two miles. Some of the locations are private homes, including the house used for Phil’s piano lessons, so admire those from the sidewalk and be respectful of the people who live there.
| Walking Tour Details | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Official filming locations | 15 |
| Additional hidden stop | The unmarked tunnel |
| Distance | Roughly 2 miles |
| Best time to visit | Year-round or during Groundhog Days |
| Guided tour starting point | Check the current schedule; festival tours generally gather at the Woodstock Opera House |
| Self-guided option | Download the official walking-tour brochure |
The city gathers together year after year to celebrate Woodstock’s wonderful community that has always been, and to remember the fun of that day. You can follow the map while walking to see these memorable locations year-round. Many of the sites are marked with engraved metal plaques telling about the scene from the movie.
Groundhog day events Woodstock Il
You’ll hear stories from the ones who took part in the process of making the movie. There is a guided tour that lasts about two hours that leads to the 15 locations of the movie, so you’ll get to see and hear about the iconic details that make each location famous.
Woodstock’s annual celebration has grown into much more than a single walking tour. The schedule changes from year to year, but festivities may include screenings of Groundhog Day, movie trivia, guided filming-location tours, a pub crawl, breakfast at the Moose Lodge, a dinner dance, children’s activities, memorabilia displays, and the official prognostication by Woodstock Willie.
Always check the official Woodstock Groundhog Days schedule before making plans. The AI recommendations included a fixed event schedule, but those times and locations change each year and should not be presented as permanent.
The Woodstock Moose Lodge Dance Scene
The Woodstock Moose Lodge is where the bachelor auction, banquet, bar, and dance scenes were filmed. This is where Phil and Rita finally begin connecting as he dances, performs the Heimlich maneuver, fixes an elderly woman’s flat tire, and seems to know practically everyone in the room.
The Moose Lodge remains one of the most recognizable indoor locations from the movie. During Woodstock Groundhog Days, it even hosts a dinner dance and the official Groundhog Day breakfast. If you have ever wondered what it would feel like to step into the movie instead of simply watching it, this is about as close as you can get.
The large gazebo located in Woodstock Square Park is second on the walk. The gazebo is where Bill Murray’s character “Phil” hears “Pennsylvania Polka” upon his arrival in Gobblers Knob. You’ll hear this song and others from the soundtrack coming through the speakers throughout the park.
Listen for the Music
Woodstock doesn’t rely entirely on plaques to bring the movie back to life. Music from Groundhog Day is often played around the Square during the annual celebration, including the incredibly catchy “Pennsylvania Polka.”
You may think you can resist it, but after hearing it while standing near the gazebo, you will probably be humming it for the rest of the day. Hopefully, you won’t wake up to it at 6:00 the following morning.
The Groundhog Day Location That Is Easy to Miss
One of my favorite filming locations isn’t marked with an official plaque and may not appear as a numbered stop on the walking-tour map. Between the Cherry Tree Inn and the piano teacher’s house, you can see the tunnel Phil drives through after kidnapping Punxsutawney Phil and taking off in the red truck.
This is one of those fun little details you might walk right past if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Your guide can point it out during an official tour, but self-guided visitors should keep an eye open while walking between the two locations.
Please don’t try to recreate the chase scene with your own car. Bill Murray already did that for us.
You’ll see the house where Phil learned how to play the piano in just a day and the tree where he caught the boy falling from the tree. This is stop number 14, so close to the end of the tour.
The Cherry Tree Inn
The tour concludes at the Cherry Tree Inn, which appeared in the movie as the Cherry Street Inn. This is where Phil Connors stayed while covering the Groundhog Day festivities and where he repeatedly woke up to Sonny and Cher singing “I Got You Babe.”
The exterior of the inn is instantly recognizable, although the bedroom scenes were filmed on a set. The Cherry Tree Inn is a real bed-and-breakfast, so devoted fans can take their Groundhog Day experience one step further and stay overnight. During some guided tours held as part of Woodstock Groundhog Days, visitors may also be invited inside. Check the current tour description before assuming the interior will be open.
The owners are incredibly friendly and have plenty of movie trivia to share. Just remember that booking a room does not guarantee you will wake up on February 2 again. At least, I don’t think it does.
If you’re a Groundhog Day enthusiast take a tour of the scenes from the cult classic film “Groundhog the Movie” starring Bill Murray! The tour and festivities throughout the week are an experience all in its own.
Groundhog Day Filming Locations in Woodstock
| Woodstock Location | Scene From the Movie |
|---|---|
| Woodstock Moose Lodge | Bachelor auction, banquet, bar, and dance scenes |
| Woodstock Square gazebo | Groundhog Day festivities and “Pennsylvania Polka” |
| Woodstock Opera House | Pennsylvanian Hotel exterior |
| Cherry Tree Inn | Exterior of Phil’s bed-and-breakfast |
| Piano teacher’s house | Phil’s piano lessons |
| Tree location | Phil catches the boy falling from a tree |
| Pedestrian tunnel | Phil escapes with the groundhog in the red truck |
What to Know Before Taking the Groundhog Day Walking Tour
Woodstock has preserved many of the places that made Punxsutawney come alive on screen. The plaques make the self-guided route easy to follow, but the guided tour adds stories from people who remember when Hollywood came to town.
The Woodstock Moose Lodge remains a highlight because fans can enter the building where several important scenes were filmed. The Cherry Tree Inn offers an even more immersive experience because it still operates as a bed-and-breakfast. Add the unmarked tunnel, Woodstock Square, the gazebo, and the piano teacher’s house, and it becomes easy to understand why Groundhog Day fans keep returning to Woodstock.
Of course, the most entertaining time to visit is during Woodstock Groundhog Days, when the movie screenings, trivia, tours, food, and community festivities take over the town. Just don’t be surprised if you enjoy yourself so much that you want to do the entire day again.
Connect with the Groundhog Day Walking Tour here:
- Facebook @WoodstockGroundhogDays
- Twitter @WoodstockGHD
How Far Is Woodstock From Chicago?
Woodstock is close enough to Chicago for an easy day trip, but it feels worlds away once you reach its historic Square. It is also a convenient road-trip stop from several Midwest cities.
| Starting City | Approximate Distance | Typical Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, Illinois | 47 miles | About 1 hour |
| Rockford, Illinois | 35 miles | About 45 minutes |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 85 miles | About 1½ hours |
| Madison, Wisconsin | 95 miles | About 1 hour, 45 minutes |
Traffic—especially around Chicago—can change those driving times dramatically. Woodstock also has a Metra station near the historic downtown, making it possible to visit from Chicago without driving.
Looking for fun Groundhog treats to make and enjoy while watchin the Groundhog Day full movie? Try these gems from our sister site: Operation $40K —
15 Cute Treats For Groundhog Day
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Visit the Groundhog Day Filming Locations Year-Round?
Yes. You can take a self-guided tour of the Woodstock filming locations throughout the year. Download the official walking-tour brochure before you go so you can find the marked locations and identify the scenes filmed at each one. Guided tours are most commonly offered during Woodstock Groundhog Days.
Can You Stay at the Bed-and-Breakfast From Groundhog Day?
Yes. The Cherry Tree Inn is a working bed-and-breakfast and served as the exterior of the inn where Phil stayed in the movie. The bedroom and interior scenes were created on a set, but staying here is still a pretty fabulous experience for serious fans.
Where Can You See Groundhog Day Memorabilia in Woodstock?
The Woodstock Public Library has hosted memorabilia displays featuring photographs and artifacts connected to the production. Local businesses may also display photographs, newspaper clippings, and movie memorabilia. Availability can change, so check the current Groundhog Days schedule before visiting.
Is Woodstock’s Celebration the Same as Punxsutawney’s?
Not quite. Punxsutawney is home to the traditional weather prediction featuring Punxsutawney Phil. Woodstock celebrates both its own prognosticating groundhog, Woodstock Willie, and the town’s role in the movie. Its festivities lean heavily into the film with screenings, trivia, walking tours, and visits to recognizable filming locations.
When Is the Best Time to Photograph the Filming Locations?
Early morning is your best bet if you want fewer people in your photographs, particularly around the Woodstock Square gazebo. Groundhog Days weekend provides the most atmosphere, but it also brings the largest crowds. For a quieter experience, take the self-guided tour on a weekday outside the festival.
One more SEO note: I would change every use of “Groundhog Day full movie walking tour.” It sounds unnatural and may suggest that the article contains the full copyrighted movie. A stronger primary phrase would be “Groundhog Day filming locations in Woodstock” or “Woodstock Groundhog Day walking tour.”
Places To Stay Nearby
Other fun things to do in Illinois:
- Tips for Your First Trip to Chicago
- Best House Museums in Chicago
- Easy Chicago Day Trip Mini Vacations
- Chicago Neighborhoods Let You Visit 5 Countries in 5 Days
- The Best Public Gardens In Chicago to Enjoy
