A Christmas Story House, Cleveland, OH
A Christmas Story became an annual tradition in my family from the moment we discovered it on VHS in 1985. We watched our HBO bootlegged tape year-round, quoting it and remarking on the similarities between the movie location and our own small town in northwestern Pennsylvania. I think the reason I love it so much is because of that relatability. Who wasn't Ralphie as a child, dreaming and scheming of the perfect Christmas presents? Who didn't hear all those parental cliches or experience events in the playground with bullies and dates? These characters and themes are timeless! My family swears the creator based "The Old Man" on my great grandfather, Gramp. There wasn't a winter day that went by that he didn't fight with that coal furnace in the basement and fill the house with smoke, soot and obscenities. Yup. Hands down, it's been my favorite movie for 30+ years so you can you imagine my delight when I learned that this movie was filmed in Cleveland, OH, a mere 7 hour drive from my house! I had to go!
A quick google search provided me with its location and history: Superfan Brian Jones, originator of the leg lamp, purchased it sight unseen from an EBay auction and, over two years, restored it to like it looked in the movie and started hosting tours and an occasional convention. Over the years they added a museum and gift shop.
My first visit was with my sister and cousin in 2010 which coincided with The Christmas Story Convention. We agree, it was one of the best weekends of our lives! Naturally we returned in 2013 when they hosted their next convention to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie release. Wait, did I just hear you ask, "what does one do during a convention? ". Pull up your carpet squares, settle down and I'll tell you: "Ralphies" (fans) meet some of the actors (Ian Petrella, aka "Randy" is the best), get autographs, pose for pictures, dress up for the costume contest, pose in photobooths, pose with other fans, check out the Higbee windows, meet Santa...I could go on and on. In 2013, I was interviewed at the house for the local news! Later that weekend, my sister who is never one to shy away from an opportunity to one up me, won the costume contest and was syndicated across America that holiday season, even appearing in a clip on The Today Show on Christmas morning as they aired a piece on 30 years this cinematic marvel. That was pretty cool.
The house is located in the neighborhood of Tremont, which is an area that is in the process of being gentrified. The exterior it looks just like it did in the movie. Take time to Ooooooo and aaaaahhhhh at the facade, open the original mailbox and pose for pics while pretending to grab your secret decoder, take pics of the leg lamp posed "right in the middle of the front room window" and then head can stick your tongue on a flagpole. Drop your weekly pittance at the gift shop on anything Christmas Story related. They also sell items from other Christmas classics! Moose mug anyone? The gift shop is also where you purchase your house tour ticket. I understand during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas they sometimes use timed tours to keep the crowds in check and it seemed to work when I was there last year. While you're waiting, wander over to the museum where you can see costumes, behind the scenes photos, props and even an original (say it with me) "Red Ryder Carbine Action 200 shot range model air rifle" which was used in the movie.
The interior of the house is recreated to look like it did in the movie and is full of amazing places for photo-ops! Once inside, you can pose for pics in bunny suits, in front of the leg lamp or even by the Christmas tree holding a blue bowling ball. In the kitchen, crawl under the sink and sip your glass of milk while you wait for Daddy to kill Ralphie or sit at the table and eat like the little piggies! Go upstairs, pick up the phone and listen...I triple dog dare you! No detail is overlooked, they even have a bar of Life Buoy in the bathroom for you. Once when I was there, they allowed us to go outback and have target practice. And I didn't shoot my eye out!
The house is located in the neighborhood of Tremont, which is an area that is in the process of being gentrified. The exterior it looks just like it did in the movie. Take time to Ooooooo and aaaaahhhhh at the facade, open the original mailbox and pose for pics while pretending to grab your secret decoder, take pics of the leg lamp posed "right in the middle of the front room window" and then head can stick your tongue on a flagpole. Drop your weekly pittance at the gift shop on anything Christmas Story related. They also sell items from other Christmas classics! Moose mug anyone? The gift shop is also where you purchase your house tour ticket. I understand during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas they sometimes use timed tours to keep the crowds in check and it seemed to work when I was there last year. While you're waiting, wander over to the museum where you can see costumes, behind the scenes photos, props and even an original (say it with me) "Red Ryder Carbine Action 200 shot range model air rifle" which was used in the movie.
The interior of the house is recreated to look like it did in the movie and is full of amazing places for photo-ops! Once inside, you can pose for pics in bunny suits, in front of the leg lamp or even by the Christmas tree holding a blue bowling ball. In the kitchen, crawl under the sink and sip your glass of milk while you wait for Daddy to kill Ralphie or sit at the table and eat like the little piggies! Go upstairs, pick up the phone and listen...I triple dog dare you! No detail is overlooked, they even have a bar of Life Buoy in the bathroom for you. Once when I was there, they allowed us to go outback and have target practice. And I didn't shoot my eye out!
A tip: parking, especially during the holiday season, can be tough because it's street parking. Sometimes the next door neighbor, aka: The Bumpus House, will offer parking in their front yard for a nominal fee (take it if it's available!). Lolley trolley also stops there is a great way option.
Brian Jones did a great job preserving this place and it is, without a doubt, my favorite place to visit at Christmastime and receives a "5 candy cane" rating, the highest I give!
Where is it located:
Brian Jones did a great job preserving this place and it is, without a doubt, my favorite place to visit at Christmastime and receives a "5 candy cane" rating, the highest I give!
Where is it located:
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