How to have the perfect Home Alone–themed long weekend in Chicago
From filming locations to a particularly nostalgic hotel stay, get lost in your favorite movie.


If you’re one of the many people who grew up celebrating Christmas with the McCallisters, there may be no better bucket list holiday destination than Chicago. With a German-style Christmas market, several outdoor ice rinks, and ample holiday cheer, this is a city that goes all out to celebrate the season. It also happens to be where the blockbuster Home Alone franchise got its start.
For the uninitiated: The movie takes place in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, IL, where a young Kevin McCallister—played by Macaulay Culkin—finds himself left behind after his parents and extended family rush off to catch a flight to Paris. In the chaos of it all, Kevin is left sound asleep in the attic, completely unbothered by the travel prep happening below him. His parents realize their mistake mid-air, but by then it’s too late to turn around.
The movie premiered in Chicago in 1990 and many locations from the movie are still intact, making it easier than you might expect to plan a Home Alone–inspired holiday escape. Ahead, we dug into some of the places featured in the film that you can visit, along with a particularly perfect hotel experience.
Where to start (if you’re flying into O’Hare)

If you’re flying into the city’s largest airport, your Home Alone vacation begins when you land. This is the very airport the McCallister family rushed through before noticing their missing family member. Specifically, they make a heroic sprint through the Terminal 2 Departures building to their gate. Something to keep in mind: Unless you’re flying into the terminal, you won’t be able to retrace their steps because of major changes to airport security in the decades since the movie’s release.
Where to stay

Barring you win an Airbnb contest or happen to know the owner, you can’t stay at the McCallister family home. But if you plan ahead, you can stay in the next best thing: a shockingly accurate hotel recreation of Kevin’s parent’s bedroom. At the Graduate Hotel in Evanston, the Home Alone Experience begins the second you check in. The key to the hotel’s Home Alone suite is printed with a picture of a young Kevin McCallister.
Open the door, and you’ll find yourself entering a vortex into 1990. You’ll recognize Kevin’s parents' bedroom from its wooden poster bed, tube TV, and gift-wrapping supplies. There’s also a life-size cutout of Michael Jordan—a nod to one of the movie’s most iconic scenes—and a polaroid camera for capturing memorable moments from your stay. There are matching holiday pajamas for the entire family in the armoire, and inside the bathroom, there’s a tiny green bath mat and a mirror where you can take a cue from Kevin and practice your best aftershave scream. One heads up: If you do decide to check into the Graduate Hotel’s Home Alone suite, you’ll want to bring your laptop to stream music or movies. Instead of Smart TV, this room comes equipped with a DVD player (and, naturally, a Home Alone DVD).
It doesn’t stop at the ambience. This experience will also get you one large cheese pizza, just like Kevin would order. After dinner, head to the hotel bar to sample a Home Alone–themed cocktail. And if you crave a late-night snack, you’ll find a selection of Kevin’s favorites—from Pepsi and popcorn to peanut M&Ms—back in your mini bar.
The best part? The Graduate Hotel’s Home Alone suite is available to book year-round, so if Christmas in July is your thing, you’re in luck.
Filming locations (and more) to see

McCallister family home: Winnetka
This may be the most recognizable red-brick house in the Chicago area. It’s privately owned and isn’t open to visitors, but a simple peek from the curb will have you hearing the original Home Alone theme song in your head.
Solo grocery shop scene: Grand Food Center
While you’re in Winnetka, head to the Grand Food Center at 606 Green Bay Road. This is the grocery store Kevin shopped at while his parents were away. If there’s something you forgot, there may be no more memorable place to pick up a replacement—especially if what you’ve forgotten is a toothbrush.
Nativity scene: Trinity United Methodist Church
To get into the holiday spirit and gather some inspiration for your own nativity scene, head to Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette, another northern Chicago suburb near Winnetka. This church is where Kevin hides in the nativity scene while being chased by burglars Marv and Harry.
Interior church scenes: Grace Episcopal Church
To see where Kevin helped his elderly neighbor reconcile with his family, head to Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park, another Chicago suburb. The neighborhood sits about 10 miles west of downtown Chicago and 30 miles from Winnetka.
Other seasonal sights to round out your tour

The filming locations from Home Alone are niche—luckily, there are plenty of holidays events to take in. After you’ve finished your film-centric tour of the surrounding Chicago area, head downtown to take in the holiday lights and stroll along buzzing State Street. Check out the Macy’s holiday windows and head to Christkindlmarket at the Daley Center to treat yourself to a mulled wine in a collectible mug.