Last fall, my wife (Dawn) and I took a Covid-delayed trip to the greater Cleveland area to visit a variety of sites, museums, two hall of fames, a national park, presidential library, and much more. A short flight from our home base in Boston, it was a trip that exceeded our expectations and provided some long-lasting travel memories.
One of our favorite sites to visit was the original house used in A Christmas Story, my very favorite holiday movie that celebrates the magic of the holidays in 1940s middle America and which was based on the writings of Jean Shepherd. The house itself was purchased by current owner Brian Jones in 2004, who spent two years renovating it to return it to the form so familiar to those of us who fell in love with director Bob Clark’s holiday movie classic. In addition to offering one-hour tours of the house, there is a large gift shop and museum across the street worth visiting. You can even take a peek at the Bumpkis’ house next door, which Jones later purchased to add to his Christmas Story fan experience.
The Tour
The hour long tour is led by knowledgable guides who share background information about the filming with lots of “did you knows” thrown in, including what that snow was really made of that blankets the streets of Cleveland throughout the movie. You get a chance to visit each room of the house, including the kitchen, where Randy hid in the cabinet while talking with his mother (played by Melinda Dillon). The Old Man’s major award sits by the window, of course, and the entire house is decorated as if the next day is Christmas morning. Most of the interiors from the movie were actually filmed on a soundstage in Ontario, Canada. But the tour guide will tell you all about that.
After visiting the upstairs, not seen in the movie, the tour takes you outside, where you can see the fence that was overtaken by Ralphie’s marauders, led, of course, by the evil Black Bart himself. The exteriors for these scenes were actually filmed behind the house. You’ll also find a 1938 Oldsmobile Touring Sedan and a 1939 Ford Fire Truck on display nearby, which were both used in the original movie. The tours get really busy beginning in November with 50,000 tourists visiting annually but tours are open all year round so you have options. For those seeking a more immersive experience, Jones offers overnight stays in the house, which book well in advance.
Tickets for the tour (general admission was $18 as of the writing of this post) can be purchased in person at the gift shop or online.
The museum
The museum features lots of original movie props, including the Red Ryder BB gun used in the movie, Randy’s snowsuit, and a pink bathrobe used by Ralphie’s mom. While somewhat small, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Parking is available onsite so no worries there.
And what was that snow you see in the movie made of? The answer is potato flakes!
To learn more about visiting the Christmas Story House and museum/gift shop, click here.
Raphie and the boys are back!
Brother Randy, and friends Flick, Schwartz, and Scut Farkus, have returned with all the original child actors reprising their roles, as adults. They’re ready to celebrate an Indiana Christmas together again in the old neighborhood.
Missing from the film is the old man, played by the late Darren McGavin, and Ralphie’s and Randy’s mom, played by Melinda Dillon, who had retired from acting at the time of the filming and passed away after the film’s release. Julie Hagerty, of Airplane movie fame, plays Ralphie’s and Randy’s mom in the new movie.
