Where was Groundhog Day filmed? Guide to all the Locations: The Town & the House
Posted by Ra Moon
Set in Punxsutawney, a real town in Pennsylvania with a famous groundhog named Phil, Groundhog Day was entirely filmed in Woodstock, Illinois.
This beloved comedy classic has stood the test of time since its release in 1993. One of the key elements that make the film so memorable is its setting, which plays a crucial role in the plot.
This beloved comedy classic has stood the test of time since its release in 1993. One of the key elements that make the film so memorable is its setting, which plays a crucial role in the plot.
Directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, the film tells the story of Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman who finds himself stuck in a time loop, living the same day over and over again.
Murray's cult classic was filmed during the winter months, and the cast and crew had to deal with snow and freezing temperatures. In fact, some scenes had to be reshot because the snow had melted, and they wanted to maintain continuity in the film.
Welcome to Punxsutawney and our guide to all the filming locations of Groundhog Day along with the most interesting facts about the film. We have sorted the locations into chronological order.
Groundhog Day Locations
But let's start from the beginning. The movie opens with establishing shots of Pittsburgh, home of the WPBH9 Action News channel.
The TV van with the trio aboard takes Interstate 279 near Fort Pitt.
The road sign for Marchand and Punxsutawney was filmed near Blairsville.
(You can open all the locations on Google Maps by clicking on the links below in the captions ↴)
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
Itsfilmedthere.com revealed that the Welcome to Punxsutawney sign was filmed on North Main Street in Algonquin, near Arrowhead Drive.
This location is almost unrecognizable, as the sign was made specifically for the movie (and later removed), and has changed a lot as a new traffic circle has been built.
Image courtesy of Columbia Pictures - Map
The Groundhog Day town
The majority of the filming for Groundhog Day took place in Woodstock, Illinois, a small town located about 50 miles northwest of Chicago that doubled as Punxsutawney.
Ramis and Murray visited 60 locations all across the country before deciding on Woodstock, which was chosen because it is close to their hometown, Chicago.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures and Google Maps
The Pennsylvanian Hotel where producer Rita Hanson, and cameraman Larry (played by Chris Elliott) stay, is actually the beautiful Woodstock Opera House.
On one of its multiple desperate days, Phil falls from the top of the bell tower of this historical venue built in 1889.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures and Google Maps
The Groundhog Day house
Instead of the Pensilvania Hotel, Phil prefers to stay at the lovely Cherry Street Inn bed and breakfast, where everything starts all over again every morning to the rhythm of the 1965' hit I Got You Babe by Sonny & Cher.
Renamed after the inn in the movie, can book a room at this gorgeous Victorian Manor for about US$200 per night.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
From some of the B&B rooms, you can have the same street view that Phil enjoys from his cozy turret room, decorated with floral wallpaper and a four-poster bed.
However, according to Beyond the Backlot the interior was a set inspired by this house built in a warehouse not far from here.
But let's go back to Punxsutawney's town square, where most of the scenes were filmed, including the infamous Ned's Corner.
Stephen Tobolowsky (Spaceballs, Memento), played the annoying insurance salesman Ned Ryerson.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
The Groundhog Day Ceremony was recorded on Woodstock Town Square, near the gazebo.
The Northen Federal Savings Bank is the Chase Bank at 118 Cass Street.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is a real-life town, hosting the annual Groundhog Day since the 1800s. The event is attended every year by thousands of visitors from around the world.
After the blizzard strikes the town, the trio is stranded on the Amstutz Expressway in Waukegan, north of Chicago.
In Danny Rubin's original script, Connors was already stuck in the time loop at the beginning of the story. The audience was left to wonder how he had knowledge of everything that was going to happen.
Although director Harold Ramis initially promised to keep this aspect of the script, he ultimately decided to change it.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
The gas station was located at 131 Washington Street in Woodstock, but it doesn't exist anymore.
Today, if you are visiting the area, you'll find the offices of an insurance company.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
To world peace! Back in Punxsutawney, Phil bumps into Rita and Larry at the bar of the Pennsylvanian Hotel.
The movie's watering hole was filmed at the Public House of Woodstock, also located on the town's square.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
The Tip Top Cafe is today La Placita Taqueria restaurant, also located in the town square.
Watch out for the puddle, there is a plaque marking the spot here on Cass Street.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
The bowling alley is Wayne's Lanes at 109 East Church Street in Woodstock, and it still looks the same, both on the exterior and inside.
Another interesting fact about Groundhog Day is that it was not initially a huge box-office success. It opened to modest earnings and mixed reviews, but over time the film gained a strong following and critical acclaim.
Today, it is considered one of the best comedy movies ever made and has been included on numerous "best of" lists.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
Phil drives in reverse until the railroad tracks on Benton Street.
However, the sequence where the Three Amigos are on the tracks was filmed on Olson Road near the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Maps: Benton Street / Union
The Alpine movie theater was the Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre at 209 Main Street in Woodstock.
The film's director, Harold Ramis, was known for his collaborations with Bill Murray, having previously worked together on movies like Caddyshack and Ghostbusters.
However, their relationship became strained during the filming of Groundhog Day, and they did not work together again for over 20 years.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
When Phil takes groundhog Phil to the quarry, they go under the railroad tunnel on Est South & Est Lake Street, also in Woodstock.
The movie also features a lot of improvisation from Bill Murray, who is known for his ad-libbing skills.
In fact, some of the movie's most iconic moments were not scripted.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
The chase ends at the Nimtz Quarry in Loves Park.
In addition to its impact on popular culture and its philosophical implications, the movie also had a significant impact on the town of Woodstock.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
The piano teacher's house is located at 348 South Madison Street.
Today, Woodstock hosts an annual Groundhog Day celebration and festival, which includes screenings of the movie, tours of filming locations, and appearances by cast and crew members.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
The Inner Circle Festival Banquet where Phil plays piano is the Woodstock Moose Lodge 1329.
Do you know that the movie was originally supposed to have a different ending? In the original script, Phil was supposed to wake up on February 3rd and find out that he was stuck in a time loop for 10,000 years.
However, the filmmakers decided to change the ending to be more hopeful and uplifting.
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures - Map
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Ra Moon
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