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A Familiar Christmas Story
Relive "A Christmas Story" in the Movie’s Museum

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Cleveland. Though nothing rings in the season like the holiday favorite “A Christmas Story” movie, Cleveland, Ohio is offering you just a little more. It’s here that the house where the 1983 holiday hit was filmed.

Renovated to its original movie appearance, the home that proudly displayed an infamous high-heeled leg lamp more than two decades ago is now a museum devoted to the tale of Ralphie Parker. The one-and-only lamp — displayed prominently in the home's front window — serves as a beacon drawing in “A Christmas Story” fans from all over. The pop culture destination and tourist attraction, which opened its doors in late 2006, is now a must-see as the holidays draw near.

Visitors of A Christmas Story House will feel like they have stepped into the 1940s, taking a nostalgic trip through the Parker Family home. Though most of the movie's interior shots were done in a Canadian film studio, the house has been renovated to look like it did in the movie. Several pieces of furniture were even donated by fans of the film who wanted to help with the restoration of A Christmas Story House.

In addition to the home, guests can tour the accompanying museum dedicated to the holiday film. Located across the street from A Christmas Story House, the museum serves as a ticket sale location and starting point for the home tours. The museum features more than 100 behind-the-scenes photos and items donated by actors from the movie. For instance, Ian Petrella, who portrayed Randy Parker, has donated his famous snowsuit, toy zeppelin and rat from Miss Shields’ drawer. The museum also includes a gift shop where items such as leg lamps, T-shirts, paintings, pictures, action figures, Ovaltine, Lifebuoy Soap, secret decoder pins and pink bunny suits are available for purchase.

Brian Jones, owner of the home and museum, purchased the house— sight unseen — in an eBay auction without ever having been to Ohio. A former Navy intelligence officer, Jones is an obvious fan of “A Christmas Story” and sells leg lamps, like the one in the movie, online.

Jones purchased the 111-year-old house with the money he earned through his leg lamp business. He also purchased the house across the street to serve as the museum.

A Christmas Story House is located just five minutes from downtown Cleveland at 3159 W. 11th St. in the Tremont neighborhood. The home is open year-round, and tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for children.

If You Go…

A Christmas Story House
3159 W. 11th Street
Cleveland, OH 44109
p: 216-255-6651