CHICAGO TRAVEL VLOG | eating & exploring the city!

Join us as we stuff our faces, stroll through museums, attend the largest anime convention in the Midwest, and explore the beautiful city of Chicago!
Instagram: azinsteve
TikTok: tiktok.com/@azinsteve
All music is from Epidemic Sound:
Fifteen on Me - Bonkers Beat Club
Manhattanite - Frook
Maybe We'll Meet Again - baegel
New Location - FLYIN
The Sinner - Sum Wave
Cayman (Clean Version) - HDBeenDope
Carats - A P O L L O
Being Nostalgic - FLYIN
Midnight Radio - Cacti
Golden Crates - Dusty Decks
Salamanca - Sarah, the Illstrumentalist
Rice and Wine - Sight of Wonders
Spinning the Wheels - Dusty Decks
Brooklyn Burgers - Golden Age Radio
Lindy Hop Gals - Golden Age Radio

[@rzblue]

as a chicagoan i loved this. rlly cool seeing people experience things you take for granted. i bet if i come back in a month youll be at 10k! rlly high quality stuff keep it goin!

[@SofieAndStephen]

It was our first time in Chicago and we really enjoyed the city. We were only there for 4-5 days but I feel like there's so much more to explore. Thanks for your kinds words and thanks for watching!

[@golfgunsandcocktailschannel]

Chicago, is the most beautiful city in the USA. 😎👍

[@SofieAndStephen]

Beautiful indeed!

[@whispermason8052]

People just don't know.

[@4Love4Life]

Subscribed!! Amazing clarity, audio, music, the cuts, the information. Great vlog! We are on our way to Chicago for the first time in September! Super excited!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thanks for the amazing feedback! Hope you guys have a great time in Chicago! It's a fun city!

[@ThisSouthernGirlCooks]

Great video! Huby and I are going in April and this is soooo helpful! Can't wait! We LOVE Chicago.

[@SofieAndStephen]

We also really enjoyed our time in Chicago and can't wait to go back again soon. Thanks for watching!

[@NKsEntertainment]

Chicago is beautiful city. We have been here recently 👍

[@SofieAndStephen]

It really is! One of the best cities I've been to!

[@tyford4879]

REALLY ENJOYED THIS VIDEO

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thanks for watching!

[@kareemmohammed7808]

As a chicago local I can say you’ve hit all the right spots. Well done!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thanks for the awesome feedback! Hope to come back to Chicago soon!

[@belindayang304]

Thanks so much for the vlog! Very thorough with great visuals, eats, and explanation!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thank you so much! That means a lot!

[@vucub_caquix]

Hahaha, a bunch of my friends were in town for Acen that weekend and I took them to Chinatown and drove them around the city! I'm a full-time uber/lyft driver that lives near O'Hare so there's a good chance that I saw you around town that weekend ☺️

[@SofieAndStephen]

Haha you probably did see us! Acen was a good time and we overall had a fun time in the city!

[@silverpalmz6024]

I'm born and raised in nw chi and man ya really hit the town, hope u guys had a great time. I like, I comment, and I subscribe

[@SofieAndStephen]

We tried our best to explore most of the main parts of the city within the few days we had. Thank you very much!

[@BryanDeLaTorre-bn2ps]

Nothing like Chicago 💯 🇺🇲🍕

[@SofieAndStephen]

Yes! Can't wait to come back soon!

[@geedavia1785]

Your Girlfriend/Wife(?) Is so funny. She reminds me of a friend I had in Grammar school. We laughed so much & hung out a lot. Folks always said we were an Odd-Couple... Her family moved, I never saw her again😟. Anyway, you guys excursion was awesome. The food(?) My goodness! I like how you took advantage of public transportation & the bike ride along the Lake can only be described as serene & invigorating. It can only be eclipsed by a *drive* the length of Lake Shore drive, perhaps ending at 1-of the beaches.... *Great Video. Do Come Back👍🏿*

[@SofieAndStephen]

Haha yes! Sofie, my wife, is a crowd favorite -- she is always very fun to be around. Yes, the bike ride was definitely one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Thanks for watching!

[@DailyPassenger]

Wow glad you enjoyed your time in Chicago👏🏻👏🏻 !! Hope you had a great time and will share more stories of your travels 😊😊

[@SofieAndStephen]

We certainly enjoyed our time! We hope to travel more and share our stories. Cheers!

[@dancedj2k2]

Tips for your next Visit. 1. Navy Pier best around 3pm or 6pm. Walk the best from Navy Pier to North Beach if in the summer. 2. It will always be called the Sears Tower (locals never call it Willis). 3. Visit between May and August and take the water taxi through the town. Love your video and thank you for the visit.

[@SofieAndStephen]

I appreciate all your tips! Especially helpful for others that come to watch this video. Much appreciated. Thanks for watching!

[@ehmmmjay9907]

LOL it's Trump fish at 5:11!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Lol I didn't even think of that! That's a good one!

[@EdgeriPlaysTennis]

Really enjoyed this vlog! Planning a trip with my wife for next weekend got lots of ideas from this! Great job!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Awesome! Glad you could grab some ideas from this vlog. Have fun!

[@Anson3281]

Chicago is a wonderful city in USA and I’m very enjoy your video keep it up❤

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thanks for the comment! And thanks so much for watching!

[@adventureswithcarl123]

Very nice stuff you did in chicago! Been to both the observation decks on previous trips! Giordanos has really good food! If you go back to Chicago...I highly recommend you visit museum of science and industry, Adler Planetarium, Brookfield zoo, second city comedy club ,Carson's Ribs, Gene And Georghetti's, Garrets Popcorn, Medieval Times, And Chicago Magic Lounge! Thanks for sharing

[@SofieAndStephen]

There's so much stuff to do in Chicago! There's no way we were going to have enough time to do everything. Thanks for the recommendations. I'll keep those in mind the next time we venture up to Chicago!

[@adventureswithcarl123]

@@SofieAndStephen Your welcome!

[@cocoaorange1]

Garfield Park Consevatory, Museum of Science and Industry, Lincoln Park Zoo, vets some yummy Gibson the West or South Side. Wrigley Field, Michigan Ave.......

[@cocoaorange1]

Typos, I meant get some yummy ribs on the South or West Side.

[@minimala2253]

Glad you enjoyed Chicago. Pineapple definitely goes on pizza!!!!!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Yes! We loved Chicago. And heck yeah, we love pineapple on pizza! Lol

[@slw0599]

Can't wait for our 4 day trip next April....👍

[@SofieAndStephen]

Hope you have fun! Thanks for watching!

[@wowrules6]

Everything looked so good! Couldn’t pay me to go on the ledge 😱 (maybe I’d do it for some of that ramen) 👀

[@SofieAndStephen]

Lol the ledge wasn't that bad! It was pretty cool standing on it but definitely scary at first!

[@samanthablack9760]

The bao bakery in China town is to die for I think about them every day 😢

[@SofieAndStephen]

Same!! So many good eats in Chinatown. Can't wait to go back!

[@nujerz_]

Ramen San playin all the classics!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Yes! Love it! Definitely vibin' in there!

[@LunaTunaaaa]

jealous of that hotel!! that view is AMAZING. i walked that bridge when i was there last time the sight from above is GORGEOUS. So glad you tried the KBBQ place and liked it!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Yes! The view was the best part of that hotel! And the KBBQ was delicious!

[@CaoNguyenGL]

view from your room in hotel so beautiful and big mall in Chicago, like 345

[@SofieAndStephen]

Yes, our view from the room was honestly one of the best things!

[@zennoodle]

Portillo's strawberry milkshake is the jam! Question, is a hotdog a sandwich? 😁

[@SofieAndStephen]

We'll have to go back and try their milkshakes! I think a hotdog would be considered a sandwich lol it's a piece of meat between bread with some condiments so probably yes!

[@702diamondg]

Ahh this was soo awesome, did you both walk everywhere and take public transit or did you uber some? I'm visiting soon and get anxious on public transit since I've never really had to take it growing up :p

[@SofieAndStephen]

We did a TON of walking and did a mix of public transport and Uber/Lyft. The "L" train in Chicago is easy to navigate. The train is really inexpensive and always felt safe. We're from Florida so we're not so used to public transit either lol. You throw your destination into Google Maps and it will tell you which train station to board at and when to get off. You can watch videos on Chicago's "L" train system before you go if it makes you feel more comfortable. That's what I did at least! There were those times that we Ubered because it made more sense time-wise: 1 hour train ride vs 15 min Uber. Or we Ubered out of convenience because of all the luggage we had. But technically you could use the train to go everywhere if you really wanted to -- even from the airport to the city.

[@702diamondg]

@@SofieAndStephen Yay! thank you, loved the video and cant for yall channel to blow up!!

[@SofieAndStephen]

@@702diamondg That means so much! Thanks for the support!!

[@zdenkovanderjagt]

it all looks tastie!!

[@SofieAndStephen]

Everything was tasty indeed! Thanks for watching!

[@MandiriPlafond]

yummy ❤️☕

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thanks for watching!

[@lifewithchristina5375]

Awesome vlog! I’ll be traveling to Chicago in just a few days🥳

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thanks!! Hope you had some inspiration from my vlog on places to go to while you’re there!

[@theyluvelly]

Same I’m going July 3rd-6th

[@SofieAndStephen]

@@theyluvelly Great time to go! The weather should be nice!

[@witchofverdure]

I was just browsing for Chicago vlogs (grew up in the suburbs, haven't lived there in 10yrs. I look up vlogs to feel at home sometimes lol) and came across your video. I didn't even read the description, so when I saw Anime Central, I literally went, "no way!" Small world - I attended this year as well

[@SofieAndStephen]

Well I hope that this vlog brought back some nostalgia :) Anime Central was fun! We had a good time there.

[@colleenmcevoy2978]

How does he stay looking fit with all the food he eats.

[@SofieAndStephen]

Lol! Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment. It's a combination of a high(er) metabolism and working out :)

[@nohelym89]

The international McDonalds is actually in the West Loop and they rotate their menu once a month I believe

[@SofieAndStephen]

Wait...did we go to the wrong location? I could've sworn the location we went to also provided an international menu lol

[@vucub_caquix]

@@SofieAndStephen yeah, that used to be the Rock n' Roll McDonald's until they remodeled it (ruined it). what you wanted to go to was the one next to Hamburger University (a real mcdonalds business school!) on Randolph st.

[@SofieAndStephen]

@@vucub_caquix Dang...I was misinformed prior to going to Chicago...oh well. I will have to go the real location next time I'm in Chicago. Thanks for the info!

[@vucub_caquix]

@@SofieAndStephen next time you visit, spend more time in the neighborhoods like Wicker Park, Lincoln Square, Pilsen, Logan Square etc. you'll find no end of things to do 😎

[@SofieAndStephen]

@@vucub_caquix I would love to. I feel like there's so much to explore in the Chicago area. Can't wait until next time!

[@hawoltiamlak2058]

Great video visiting Chicago this weekend. Do you recommend renting a car or just using Uber?

[@SofieAndStephen]

We just used a combination of Uber and public transit. We took the L train several times. Took the bus once. We didn't get a rental car because we thought it would be tough and expensive since there's not many places to park your car and I'm sure parking is expensive wherever you go.

[@Elizabeth-Arrington]

My husband and I are moving from Las Vegas NV to Belvidere Illinois and hoping to take a Chicago trip after we settle in. Thank you for this lovely video. I really enjoyed it and got ideas of places to eat and things to do while we're there.

[@SofieAndStephen]

We're so glad you enjoyed our video and could help you out. Good luck with your move. Thanks for watching!

[@aussie-buzz]

👍

[@SofieAndStephen]

Thanks for watching!

[@AsianN1nja]

That fortune cookie was actually so perfect!

[@SofieAndStephen]

I know right? So coincidental!

[@thesimpleminimalist]

We are taking out family there. Is it far to walk to all the places there?

[@SofieAndStephen]

It depends on all the places you want to go. But we took the train all over the city combined with a couple Ubers here and there. Overall it's a very walkable city.

[@Nofairwrld]

Imma just have to get that room.

[@SofieAndStephen]

The amazing view combined with the prime location of the hotel makes it one of the best hotel rooms in Chicago in my opinion.

[@Nofairwrld]

@@SofieAndStephen And it’s my 30th I have to go big

[@SofieAndStephen]

@@Nofairwrld Heck yeah!

[@Adrian-gj9je]

U should go to the outer city next

[@SofieAndStephen]

I would love to! I'll have to get out to the outer city the next time I'm in the Chicago area.

[@Jeschitown]

I agree I'm not sure why but most people that visit Chicago always just stay downtown, which is nice, but the true essence of the city revolves around it's over 77 neighborhoods.

[@bigjoelow]

what camera are you using?

[@SofieAndStephen]

This video was shot on my iPhone 13 Pro Max

[@TheChicago35]

Did you get some Garrets Popcorn?

[@SofieAndStephen]

The very last day we did but funnily enough we didn't get a chance to actually eat it. We got it the night before we traveled back home to FL. Then by that time it was stale. But the flavor was still good lol

[@safilynn1563]

What’s the hotel name please

[@SofieAndStephen]

LondonHouse Chicago

[@maliazaa9846]

We have a lot of places t discovered ex dar bacha garden majorel yve Saint Lauren.....

[@SofieAndStephen]

Not sure what you're referring to. But thanks for watching!

[@wilelowman8028]

No Chicago handshake huh?

[@SofieAndStephen]

The drink?? lol

[@evenito9455]

How much was the hotel room per night? it was lovely

[@SofieAndStephen]

The hotel room ended up being around ~$275/night. Although this is definitely on the pricier side of our budget, I found it to be worth it not only because of the view and luxuries of the hotel/room but also due to the location of the hotel. The hotel is right on the river and is central to wherever you need to go in Chicago.

[@austinstitzel]

I'm going to guess that Stephen is a Scorpio and Sofie is a Leo.

[@SofieAndStephen]

Lol what's the reasoning behind your guesses? Actually Stephen is an Aries and Sofie is a Virgo.

[@HoaNguyen-bq9mg]

You should sub Vietnamese language for people live in Vietnam 🇻🇳 you may have more viewers I like your video good work

[@SofieAndStephen]

That's a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching!

[@maliazaa9846]

In rallity y are not visited morocco y need a more days. In rabat y sayd its modern jamaa al fena its old city

[@SofieAndStephen]

I think you meant to comment on my Morocco vlog.

[@zenzenyokunai]

Was the music in the ramen restaurant as loud as it seems in this video? The food looked so good but I might have to pass because of the music.

[@SofieAndStephen]

I remember it was fairly louder but not unbearably loud that you couldn't talk to the person next to you or anything like that. I guess it's subjective.

[@lhenryritchie]

why are the streets of Chicago so emply. Not at all like NYC

[@SofieAndStephen]

Not sure. We didn't think about that while we were there but you're totally right, it was fairly quiet when we were walking around. Not nearly as crowded compared to NYC. Maybe it was the areas we were walking in.

[@kings7449]

go south ? 💀

[@SofieAndStephen]

Lol Chinatown was as far south as we went

[@ivanmazur9551]

lou malnati's deepdish is way better

[@SofieAndStephen]

We'll have to try Lou Malnati's next time we go back. We've heard good things about them as well.

[@Mikelaccio]

pizza😂 quella è merda fidati

[@SofieAndStephen]

Lol obviously very different than Italian pizza

[@Mikelaccio]

@@SofieAndStephen ci sono alcune pizze che potrebbero salvarsi,sono sposato con una americana e ora vivo in America, trovare una pizza buona è impossibile, ma quella di Chicago che dicono che sia la pizza più buona del mondo, ed è proprio quella che hai provato nel video, omg 😆 specialmente con l’ananas è da ergastolo per chi l’ha inventata 😅

[@SofieAndStephen]

@@Mikelaccio I know pineapple is not very traditional but I actually like pineapple on pizza lol