Is the Christmas Vacation House Still Standing?

By Alice Nichols

Are you a fan of the classic holiday movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? Maybe you’ve even wondered if the iconic Griswold family home still stands today. Well, the answer is yes – and no.

The exterior shots of the Griswold family home were filmed on location in a real residential neighborhood located in Burbank, California. The house was actually built specifically for the movie and was never intended to be a permanent structure. After filming wrapped up, the entire set was dismantled and demolished.

However, the interior shots of the Griswold family home were filmed on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios located in Burbank, California. The interior of the house was meticulously recreated to match the exterior set.

But fear not – if you’re a die-hard fan of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and want to visit a replica of the iconic house, there is an option for you. In 2019, a Chicago-based company called A Christmas Story House & Museum purchased one of the remaining residential homes that were used for exterior shots in Christmas Vacation and turned it into a tourist attraction.

Located in Rosemont, Illinois – just outside of Chicago – visitors can now tour this replica of the classic Griswold family home during select times throughout the year. Inside you’ll find various props from both National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story movies.

If you’re unable to make it to Chicago but still want to experience some holiday cheer in true Griswold fashion, there are other ways to pay homage to this beloved movie. You could decorate your own home with thousands of twinkling lights like Clark Griswold does or host your own “Griswold-style” family gathering (minus Cousin Eddie).

In conclusion, while the original exterior set may no longer exist – except for in our hearts – fans can still visit an exact replica of it in Rosemont, Illinois. So, grab your eggnog and start planning your next holiday adventure to the Griswold family home.