How cool is this place! I was standing in the room that the Old Man received his "Major Award" in the FRAGILE box. The same room that the neighbor's dogs ate the Christmas turkey which meant no turkey sandwiches! No turkey salad! No turkey gravy! Turkey Hash! Turkey a la King! Or gallons of turkey soup!
It is not, however, the same place that Ralphie tasted the Life Buoy soap instead of Palmolive, which had a nice, piquant after-dinner flavor - heady, but with just a touch of mellow smoothness. And not the place where Ralphie had to dress as a deranged Easter Bunny.
Many scenes were filmed in this house which was restored to as close to movie condition as possible. But most of the scenes were filmed on a sound stage. But to be in the place where Christmas history was made is an amazing thing. Don't expect the surrounding neighborhood to have the Christmas Story feel though. But there is a nice gift shop across the street, and a local bar on the opposite corner. The stories told by the tour guide were great, informative, and entertaining.
Overall, it was a great experience. This should definitely be at the top of any Cleveland tourist's itinerary. But then again, does Cleveland have tourists?