Visiting the Home Alone House in the Chicago Burbs

“This is my house and I have to defend it.” Keep the change ya filthy animal.” “There are 15 people in this house and you are the only one to make trouble.” “Guys I’m eating junk and watching rubbish – better come out and stop me.” If the Christmas classic, Home Alone immediately springs to mind when hearing these quotes, then you have probably made the McCallister family part of your holiday movie tradition since the early 90’s.

To me, this classic will always be on my lineup. It made Macaulay Culkin a household name. The iconic scene where Kevin screams with his hands on his face will forever be memorialized in the media. The beautiful Chicago suburb of Winnetka, where the McCallister family resided in their gorgeous Georgian Colonial house draws fans from all over the world. The house itself is even more iconic than the movie. When I pulled up to the street with this house I got super excited. Basically everyone connects this house with the movie.

Being a Chicago native, I have always wanted to see this house in person but somehow never made it. Whenever I come home for the holidays, I am always running off to the zoo lights or the Millennium Park ice rink and attending family parties, so it just doesn’t happen. I finally took the opportunity to see the house on a late spring day so this is one iconic movie moment I can now check off my bucket list (I am a big 80’s and 90’s movie buff so I try to visit famous sites throughout the US).

Where is the house located & how big is it?!

The house is located at 671 Lincoln Avenue in the gorgeous upscale suburb of Winnetka. It is a Georgian Colonial style built in 1921. The property is 9100+ square feet! and features 5 bedrooms, 6 baths, a gym, movie theater, and indoor sports court.

I always dreamed of living in this house. Who else wondered why they would want to spend the holidays in Paris when they owned such a gorgeous home? Can you imagine the snow falling down on Christmas Eve as you sit by that cozy fireplace? I love the final scene when Kevin reunites with his mother. Not only is it super touching, but the decor is so cozy and traditional. Sadly, the house looks much different today (I hate the remodel to be honest). Here are some pictures comparing the old design with the new.

I am not a fan of the new uber modern, minimalistic design. While this appeals to many, I really loved the warm and cozy design featured in the movie and feel the classic decor fit in more with the old style character and charm of this beautiful historic suburb. If I bought this house, I would leave it the same right down to that gorgeous green tile kitchen.

Was the movie really filmed here?

Note that most interior scenes were actually filmed on a 2 story soundstage at the abandoned New Trier Township High School as the interior was too small for the crew. You can read more about the filming if you are interested. Also, I recommend watching the Netflix series, “The Movies that Made Us,” for more details on John Hughes and unique filming tidbits.

The exterior still looks exactly the same today as it did in the early 90’s although ownership has changed. Sadly, interior tours are not offered. But you can strike your most famous Kevin pose in front of the lovely house. We were lucky enough to be the only ones on our visit, although I am sure the line is much longer around the holidays.

The gorgeous North Shore

Winnetka is part of the gorgeous high end North Shore region, which includes many affluent suburbs. As it is bordered by Lake Michigan, easy access to wonderful recreation and parks is a major perk. Most neighborhoods are known for their beautiful tree-lined streets, renowned schools, beautiful parks, and lavish homes. I imagine it would be incredible living in this gorgeous neighborhood and still having easy access to the lake.

Being a big Hughes fans, I have visited all his famous movie houses in the northern burbs. If you are a fan like me, then you already know that they all take place in The Windy City. In relatively close proximity, you can also see: The Sixteen Candles home, the school from The Breakfast Club, Cameron’s house from Ferris Bueller, and Steve Martin’s house in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. You can read my post for more details.

Other movie filming locations

Murphy’s house is located just across the street at 656 Lincoln Avenue.

Old Man Marley’s house is located next door at 681 Lincoln Avenue.. As of 2024, this house can be yours for just 3.8 million! What I would give to live in this amazing neighborhood. Seriously, it’s so beautiful and being so close to the lake and city is a big bonus.

The store where Kevin stole a toothbrush (the now closed Hubbard Woods Pharmacy is located at 940 Green Bay Road). Hubbard Woods Park (across the street) is where Kevin slid across the ice rink. They really did have a rink here back in the day.

• Interior church scenes filmed at Grace Episcopal Church – 924 Lake St, Oak Park, IL.
• Airport scenes (both Chicago and Paris) filmed at O’Hare.
• Grand Food Center (606 Green Bay Rd.). This upscale grocery is where Kevin shops.

You can check the IMDB page for the movie for more details on each filming location.

How much is the house worth?

So the big questions on everyone’s mind – how much is this beauty worth? The house sold for 5.5 million in January of 2025! It last sold in 2012 for 1.585 million. The home has only been on the market twice since the film’s 1990 release: 2012 and 2024.

Best time to visit

Tourist traffic will be highest around the holiday season. Although seeing the property surrounded with snow would be extra festive, visiting during the less busy spring/summer season will allow you to avoid any long waits for photos! If you are visiting earthis time of y, I recommend checking out my guide to winter fun.

No trespassing please

Also note that while there is a big fence around the property, it does not at all detract from the photos. Please respect the neighborhood – take your pic quietly and do not make a big scene. Avoid trespassing and be respectful.

Be creative and enjoy all sorts of unique photo opps. Looking online, you will see visitors dressed as all sorts of characters – one guy even dressed as the Little Nero delivery driver! Be respectful and avoid trespassing on the property.

Where to eat nearby?

As Kevin would say, “a lovely cheese pizza just for me.” As The Windy City is known both for delicious deep dish and thin crust pizza, you really cannot go wrong at any local establishment. Local options include: Grateful Bits, Marco Roma, and the popular Chicago born chain Lou Malnati’s.

Personally, I think Lou Malnati’s is pretty good – their veggie lasagna is great. There are locations throughout the suburbs including one in Wilmette, just 10 minutes from Winnetka. If you are up for a farther drive, my absolute favorite place in the city is a gem on the southside called Vito & Nick’s. I have tried a lot of pizza places all over the country in my years traveling and nothing compares.

More Christmas fun

Chicago is one of the best cities to spend Christmas in. If you will be in town touring the house, I recommend checking out other city attractions and events. Along with being home to one of the country’s most dazzling Christmas trees and one of the only free city ice rinks, there is Christkindlmarkt, shopping on iconic State Street & the Magnificent Mile, Dning alongside The Great Tree at The Walnut Room, and special holiday exhibits at the world class museums. 

I recommend:

• Ice skating at Millennium Park
• Seeing It’s a Wonderful Life at Hollywood Blvd. This is a beautiful dinner & movie theater featuring celeb meet and greets with locals in suburban Naperville and Woodridge.
• Dinner at the beautiful Walnut Room, the first restaurant to open in a department store (Macy’s). They decorate gorgeously for the holidays. Treat yourself to the Franco Mint cheesecake!
• Seeing the iconic holiday windows at Macy’s on State Street. The theme changes every year.