Home Alone Sight-Seeing Adventure

By: Lindsay Noelle - Make it Fun Mom

Where to stop, where to eat, and where to get a treat in true Kevin McCallister fashion!

Home Alone is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. My kids have adopted my same obsession for the McCallister family, so Home Alone still holds up with a whole new generation.

Iconic scenes and quotes make this film a must watch and a staple during the Christmas season. And if you are in the Chicago area, why not bring the movie to life with a little sightseeing along the way?

What to Bring:

Before you take off, be sure to go easy on the Pepsi-and also grab some of these items:

This custom Home Alone Map I made for you!
Movie themed gear to enhance the experience!
Challenge items for your pictures:
- Two plastic bags per person
- A blanket per person
- One new toothbrush per person

ON TO OUR FIRST STOP!

THE SUPERMARKET

Grand Food Center - 606 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093

Kevin Grocery Shopping

We decided to first stop at the famous supermarket where Kevin shops for bread, milk, and of course frozen Mac n’ Cheese! The movie just shows the inside of The Grand Food Center however, not the outside.

We set off to find the aisle where Kevin is seen shopping for some time. It is located on the far right of the store by the bread.

Next we had to find frozen macaroni and cheese- Kevin’s big meal choice in the movie that he would “give a whirl.”

The Grand Food Center - 606 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093

I dared my kids to ask the cashier “if the frozen meal was any good.”

Although after taking one look at the cashier (not pictured) I could tell he wasn’t really in the mood to be very playful with us… so I couldn’t blame the kids for passing on this challenge. :)

Materials Needed: 2 plastic bags

We honored the famous scene where Kevin’s grocery bags break on the way home. I brought these props with us ahead of time.

As you drive between the different iconic locations, you will love the view! The city of Winnetka has decorated all the downtown areas for Christmas. It is so magical everywhere you go.

THE CHURCH

Trinity United Methodist Church - 1024 Lake Ave. Wilmette, IL 60091

Time Code: 1:49 minutes into clip

This is ONE of the church scenes shown in the movie. The other church is farther away in Oak Park so we skipped that stop.

Filmed at Trinity United Methodist Church, this is from the scene where Kevin narrowly escapes the Wet Bandits by hiding under a curtain from the nativity scene.

We were so excited to see a Nativity Scene actually set up there! My kids grabbed their blanket and channeled their inner “Kevins” pretending to hide from the ominous burglars.

Materials Needed: One blanket per person

Trinity United Methodist Church - 1024 Lake Ave. Wilmette, IL 60091

DINNER BREAK

This might be a good point to grab a bite to eat before our next destination. Although Pit & Tap was not featured in the film, you are going to be in awe of their Christmas decorations and great BBQ menu.

PIT & TAP

1168 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091

Pit & Tap is known for their true Texas style barbeque made in their giant, wood burning smoker. They also are known for going ALL OUT for Christmas! Check out their insane decorations!!

Pit & Tap - 1168 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091

Try their Texas Style Brisket Chili and their Blueberry Cobbler for dessert! They also have a small children’s menu. My kids loved the sliders served with mac n’ cheese.

You can see the Full Menu here.

If Barbeque isn’t your thing, another local favorite (that’s also decked out for Christmas), is Fred’s Garage.

FRED’S GARAGE

574 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL 60093

Situated in a charming, renovated service station from which they take their name, Fred’s Garage features reimagined and elevated classics, prepared with fresh ingredients. They also feature a full-service bar offering signature craft cocktails, a local craft beer program and a well-balanced wine list. Fred’s Garage is not featured in the movie, but definitely a local favorite.

Fred’s Garage has a kid’s menu with more of the kid classics such as grilled cheese, chicken tenders and buttered noodles. As for the adults, there is a large assortment of sandwiches, burgers and salads as well as a plethora of unique dishes.

Fan Favorites include the Cheese Curds with guajillo ranch dressing, Fred’s Cheesesteak with a side of giardiniera fries. For dessert I recommend a Root Beer float or their famous Sugar Cookie Bowl.

You can check out the Adult Menu here and the Kid’s Menu here.

THE PHARMACY

(Now Graeter’s Ice Cream) - 1168 Wilmette Ave, Winnetka, IL 60091

Kevin steals a toothbrush from the pharmacy.

Next stop is the location where Kevin steals a toothbrush from Hubbard and Woods Pharmacy. However this location is now an ice cream shoppe called Graeter’s.

Graeter’s Ice Cream - 1168 Wilmette Ave, Winnetka, IL 60091 (Formerly a pharmacy, now an ice cream store)

Supplies Needed: New toothbrush

Dessert

While you’re here, why not enjoy some delicious ice cream from Graeter’s!? We sat and enjoyed our ice cream and made guesses where things must have been situated for the movie. It’s hard to picture this small shoppe as a Pharmacy!

HOME ALONE HOUSE

671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL 60093

I think it’s fun to leave the McCallister home for the last stop as it’s the most iconic landmark.

📸 Photo Tip:

The Home Alone house photographs easiest during the day, but to get a decent picture at night it takes some patience. If you step too close to the driveway gate there is a flood light that glares facing you - which purposely makes it nearly impossible to get a good picture from that angle.

This leaves you with an okayish shot from the middle of the fence but there’s some coverage from the trees, so its not ideal.

If you’re patient enough you can stand in the driveway and get a good angle of the house without triggering the flood light (it turns off after a few minutes once triggered). Make sure to not stand too close to the gate and a little further down the driveway.

This takes some trial and error, and since it’s a somewhat popular stop this time of year, other people may stumble along and trigger the flood light as they haven’t read this cool blog like you :)

Free Light Show

1200 Cleveland St, Wilmette, IL 60091

Before you skip town like Harry and Marv, check out the free light show put on every year by this private residence. They have their own radio station all set up and a dazzling light display to enjoy!

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