The movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" takes place primarily in Chicago, Illinois, and its northern suburbs. Key locations include Chicago landmarks like the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the downtown Chicago Loop area. Ferris and his friends attend Glenbrook North High School in the suburb of Northbrook. The story also features a notable home and garage in Highland Park for Cameron's Ferrari scenes. The movie is set in the fictitious town of "Shermer," based on a real Chicago suburb, but the actual filming was done in real Chicago and nearby suburbs. In summary, the main setting is Chicago and surrounding suburbs on the North Shore area of Illinois.