Home Alone Scene
Over the past 30 years, the Home Alone franchise has earned its place in holiday movie canon. The movies follow the misadventures of Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is mistakenly left alone in his suburban Chicago home while his family is on vacation. It’s an iconic scene that’s been repeated countless times in popular culture since the first Home Alone movie came out in 1990.
But the original Home Alone house has become a pop culture icon all its own — and not just during the holidays. The two-story, three-bedroom house in Winnetka, Illinois, has been a popular visitor destination for decades. Let’s take a closer look at the famous house from Home Alone, dive into its history, and answer any other burning questions you may have.
The Home Alone House and its History
The house from Home Alone is actually located at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois. It was built in the early 1920s and has remained largely unchanged throughout the years. In 1988, director Chris Columbus bought the property for the Home Alone movie.
The house is a classic red-brick Colonial Revival structure with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a two-car garage. Home Alone marked the first time it appeared on the big screen, but since then it has become a landmark and a regular appearance on tours of the Chicago area.
Who Owns the Home Alone House
The current owners of the Home Alone house are John and Cynthia Abendshien. They purchased the property in 2011 and completely renovated it, bringing it up to 21st-century standards while still preserving the historic aspects of the house. They turned the third-floor attic into a bedroom and even installed an elevator!
The Abendshiens also recently opened their house to the public. Visitors can now tour the interior of the house, which contains original pieces from the movie like the iconic staircase and fireplaces. It also features furnishings similar to the pieces used in the movie.
But every once in a while, you can also find set props from the movie scattered throughout the house as well.
What Does the Home Alone House Look Like from the Outside
The exterior of the Home Alone house looks almost exactly like it did in the movie. It has a large oak tree on the front lawn, which provides a perfect place for Kevin to secure his booby trap. The house is set far back from the street and is surrounded by other beautiful homes in the neighborhood.
The front of the house is clapboard siding, and the porch is framed in white with a red door. There is a balcony on the second floor, and a two-car garage in the back. While filming the movie, the filmmakers covered the exterior of the house with fake snow but the Abendshiens don’t decorate it quite the same way.
Famous Moments and Quotes From Home Alone
The Home Alone house is filled with memorable moments and lines from the movie that are quoted in pop culture to this day. One of the most famous is when Kevin wakes to find his family gone and screams “Mom!” You can also hear him sing “Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal” and pull a live tarantula out of his father’s suitcase.
Burglars Harry and Marv also provide comic relief throughout the movie, with lines like “I WANNA GO HOME!” and “C’mon, boys! We’re Wasting valuable time here!” These moments have become pop culture touchstones — and endlessly quotable.
Fun Facts About the Home Alone House
There’s more to know and love about the Home Alone house than just the scenes in the movie. Here are a few fun facts you may not know:
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The Abendshiens are huge fans of the movie — and they often throw viewing parties in the house to celebrate.
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Home Alone was not the first movie filmed in the house — before it was featured in the movie, it was an extra in another Chris Columbus film from 1988, Heartbreak Hotel.
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The Home Alone house is regularly visited by fans. The Abendshiens have stopped counting how many people have come to take pictures, but they welcome all visitors!
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The house is also featured in the popular Home Alone video game series released in 2006 and 2010.
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The Abendshiens have preserved much of the movie set architecture — including the infamous front door and stairway.
The Home Alone house in Winnetka, Illinois has become a pop culture icon since it was first featured on the big screen in 1990. It’s a classic Colonial Revival structure that has remained largely unchanged over the years, boasting four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a two-car garage. This iconic house has been visited by countless fans, who come to take pictures and relive the classic moments from the movie. The Abendshiens have also made the house available for visitors to tour, allowing them to walk in the footsteps of Kevin and relive the famous scenes from Home Alone. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just a fan of architecture, the Home Alone house is worth a visit — this holiday season or any time of year.
