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‘A Christmas Story’ Miracle: Ralphie’s House is Real & Open to Visitors

Ralphie’s house from the holiday classic ‘A Christmas Story’ is real, and you’ll find it five minutes away from downtown Cleveland, OH.

Ralphie's house in A Christmas Story movie
The real-life house from 'A Christmas Story' released in 1983. Photo credit: A Christmas Story House & Museum

If you love to watch A Christmas Story over the holidays, you might also love to visit Ralphie’s house in real life.

I triple dog dare you!

Originally released in 1983, the iconic holiday film is set in 1940 and tells the tale of Ralphie Parker’s dream Christmas gift: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. 

But all the adults in Ralphie’s life don’t agree with the greatness of this toy gun.

Sure Ralphie could shoot his eye out, but he wants that pistol pretty bad.

Much like other holiday classics like Home Alone (which also features a real life house), the 1983 film is a holiday favorite, with the annual TBS marathon starting every Christmas Eve and attracting more than 40 million viewers.

But you don’t have to wait for the holidays. Fans of the film can keep the spirit alive year round with A Christmas Story House & Museum

Continue reading all about Ralphie’s real life house and how fans can enjoy (and even stay overnight) at the iconic movie home.

Where is the ‘A Christmas Story’ House & Museum?

Located five minutes from downtown Cleveland, OH, A Christmas Story House is in the Tremont neighborhood.

What can you do at Ralphie’s House?

Opened in 2006, A Christmas Story House welcomes visitors through the home of the Parker family, now restored to the original movie appearance. 

Photo taken inside the 'A Christmas Story' House, where movie props abound, recreating the look from the 1983 classic.
Photo taken inside the ‘A Christmas Story’ House, where movie props abound, recreating the look from the 1983 classic. A Christmas Story House & Museum

The interactive experience invites guests to recreate their favorite movie scenes, such as taking photos by the leg lamp with a BB gun, climbing under the kitchen sink just like little brother Randy, or decoding a secret message in the bathroom while washing their mouths out with Lifebuoy soap.

What is in the museum?

The house across the street has been converted into A Christmas Story House Museum, which contains many of the props from the movie.

Items such as the family car, toys from the Higbee’s window, the chalkboard from Miss Shields’ classroom and an official Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle (one of only six produced for the film) are all displayed inside and outside of Ralphie’s house.

The Oldsmobile family car parked next to the 'A Christmas Story' house.
The Oldsmobile family car parked next to the ‘A Christmas Story’ house. Photo credit: A Christmas Story House & Museum

Who owns ‘A Christmas Story’ House & Museum?

In 2004, Brian Jones purchased the Cleveland home for $150,000. Jones invested an additional $240,000 into the property to restore it to its original movie splendor.

During the opening weekend in 2006, the site drew 4,500 visitors, and now annually attracts 50,000 guests from all over the world visit, making it one of Cleveland’s top tourist attractions. 

Museum owner Brian Jones holds the Red Rider BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland
Museum owner Brian Jones holds the Red Rider BB Gun used in the movie at A Christmas Story House and Museum on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 in Cleveland. The Museum has recently acquired the movie prop and added it to their collection. (Jason Miller/AP Images for A Christmas Story House and Museum)

And for hard core fans…

If the interactive house and museum isn’t quite enough, hard core fans can stay overnight for the full experience.

Fans can relieve the holiday magic by spending the night in A Christmas Story House or The Bumpus House. There is no minimum stay requirement except for holidays (which requires a two-night minimum). 

Overnight guests can enjoy access to the entire house all day.

The house can accommodate up to six guests per night.

Sleeping arrangements include a queen bed, queen sleeper sofa and Ralphie and Randy’s twin beds. Starting at $395 per night, the rate for bookings varies with the season.

More classic holiday movies and their iconic homes

Are the Houses From ‘The Holiday’ Real? We Found Iris & Amanda’s Picture Perfect Homes
Tracking Down the Caldwell House and Other Cool ‘Happiest Season’ Locations
Where’s the House from ‘Home Alone 3’?
50+ Nerdy Christmas Decorations and Fun Gifts from Your Favorite Movies

Written by Jenny Schafer

Jenny Schafer is the former senior editor of a high-profile celebrity blog she ran for 10+ years. A proud mom-of-three and resident of Vancouver, B.C., Jenny writes with a keen social consciousness and passion to keep things positive. She has been interviewed by various news sources such as CNN, Zimbio, Mom Spark and was a regular contributor for HerSay.

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