One could not imagine the sheer joy in my heart when I realized that the Christmas Story House was in Cleveland. You guys seriously?! That movie has been a part of my childhood, a tradition that I have now passed on to my children. I can’t believe that I got to go to the actual Christmas Story House! Total nerd status!!!!!

It is nestled in a very working class part of Cleveland and the neighborhood looks like it hasn’t changed in fifty years. There is a neighborhood bar and restaurant that has been there since the early 1900s, and opens at 5am for the workers that still live and work in this neighborhood. The desire of the owner of the Christmas Story house moves beyond his own home. He is actually a Veteran, which I absolutely loved hearing that. He also started a foundation, which works to restore the neighborhood that the house is in. You can read about The Christmas Story House Foundation and see the projects that they have helped sponsor here.

I highly recommend making this a stop on any trip to, or through, the area! It was the highlight of the trip.