The Perfect Christmas Weekend in Chicago: The Ledge, Ice Skating, Christkindlmarket & More

[@naomi_travels36]

Aww. I'm a Chicagoan who follows your channel for all of my trips out west. It's great to see you guys visit our city. The Museum of Science & Industry is always amazing, but especially around Christmas time. If you visit in the summer, I'd recommend kayaking on the Chicago river and visiting Museum Campus (Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, and the Planetarium), both of which offer great views of downtown. I'd definitely recommend trying a tavern style thin crust pizza next time, as well as food from our various neighborhoods! Chicago is a major foodie city for sure.

[@Rangerangieontheroad]

❤ As a German, it's always fun to see the different Christmas Markets in the US ❤️ Thanks for sharing, love your channel!

[@toddfr1967]

It will always be the Sears Tower to me.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Make sense

[@margaretr.4427]

I’ve never been to Chicago but your video really makes me want to visit! Also being a Southern Californian I’m not sure if I could handle those temps in winter but I sure would love to see the German Market! Great to see you filming with your wife, of course I love your videos with Pops too. You all have great camera presence and your banter is fun!

[@Lisa-kz7vw]

I've never been to Chicago as a adult I was born near there I wanna visit during spring, fall and Christmas season I bet it's beautiful lots of things to do and see great food😊

[@parttimehippies007]

Loved seeing Amy in your video! It's so great that she could travel with you. I also enjoy seeing your relationship with Pops. You are a "rich" man with a fun lifestyle and wonderful people in your life. The people in your life make you rich in ways that cannot be measured by money. 🙂

[@JohnDoe-xk8iy]

No matter what you cover the videos are awesome. It's your personality that really makes it great, you, your wife and pops are all just awesome. Rare to find such good quality people that are naturally likable. What an amazing life to live seeing and exploring so much with the people you love and care about. I envy the experience's and can only hope to cover 1/10th of everything you do. Tell pops to adopt me lol.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Such a kind comment, really appreciate it! We try are best to make the videos as joyful as possible.

[@IMJAFO2]

Another joke that Amy can tell while at "Second City": What did Willie Nelson say when he tripped and fell to the ground? (Answer): "I'm on the road again"..........Thank you. Thank you very much. You're a great crowd. I'll be here all week. 😃

[@majorbuzz]

I think that most Chicagoans or former ones, like me, prefer thin, square cut, tavern style pizza. We leave the deep dish for tourists. Merry Christmas!

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha I am sure that is true, couldn't eat deep dish very often for sure.

[@majorbuzz]

@@ThroughMyLens The deep dish pizza will certainly find a place in your heart if you eat enough. 😃

[@ItsBalakA]

That Is St Louis style pizza

[@zonagal]

Living there for 50 years you are correct. Square thin

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha!@@majorbuzz

[@shouaxiong-natareno9087]

So awesome that you came to Chicago. I’m a local and it’s a humbling feeling to see you come here.

[@andrewbugel4711]

Need more of these travel videos. Really love the 24 hours or 25 things to do in cities. Best travel channel on Facebook

[@SantosChronicles]

Welcome to our home town. Your transition from place to another is so smooth. Usually it is so much busier. You guys covered so much. It was so cold for a couple weeks so I know the time period you went. Now it is so much warmer and wet. You did so much in 2 days!

[@dollygurrrl]

Thank you for taking me somewhere I will never go - I enjoyed every moment!

[@cherylkoski7184]

Ice Skating at the Ribbon looks like so much fun!

[@got_to_roll]

Fun video! Not sure Pops would enjoy the terror box. 😂 As sweet as Pops is, we find Amy adorable too. We're looking forward to whatever is next! Safe travels~

[@coeurdalenegal]

I bet he would, he's pretty adventurous

[@lamaidaklump]

Great video! Thanks for sharing! Made me homesick though!🙃Such a wonderful city!

[@michellerichardson4200]

We had a great time in Chicago years ago. That museum is super fun, I would love to see it at Christmas though! When did y’all go to get off-season hotel prices + enjoy the Christmas season?

[@eileenmori8560]

I love your videos - you, your pops, and family, make me want to travel to the locations you visit. The highest priorities are Salish hotel and falls AND now chicago.

[@TravelwithTravelarii]

Chicago Christmas Vibes! 🎄 Loved the festive lights, the Riverwalk stroll, and that epic deep-dish pizza!

[@anneg.weaver7749]

My hometown! So glad you're branching out beyond California but don't forget to come back! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@susandelongis885]

Still homesick for beautiful Chicago after 12 yrs in So Cal! You did a fabulous job of touching on so many iconic places to explore. I held it together till the lions at the fantastic Art Institute (one of the best art museums in the world). Thank you for creating an outstanding video at the very best time to visit this great city. Hope you’ve warmed up and are enjoying a Merry Christmas!

[@321_Cynthia]

Amy looks great! Love her outfits.

[@mariogiresi6792]

There are four great North American cities to visit during Christmas; New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I would love to see Toronto and Vancouver at Christmas!

[@reptar5.048]

As an Illinoisan we’re proud to have you visit!!

[@karlstriepe8050]

I lived in Chicago years ago and this takes me back! I remember that Starbucks as a Crate and Barrel store!

[@johanna7254]

So cool! I have always wanted to visit Chicago. Despite the cold, it looks like December is a great time to see the city!

[@nancycamaquin6648]

Excellent video! As a former Chicago resident, you captured all the wonderful Christmas sightings for two days. The city of Chicago has so much history but a great place for the holidays. Thank you for a Christmas Day treat. I do miss some of these areas but now enjoy what AZ offers as we age. Nothing better than lots of sunshine and no gloomy weather. I do miss the deep dish pizza but I make my own for the past 40 years which I found the recipe in Chicago Tribune. Still a favorite. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@IMJAFO2]

Josh: Happy Holidays to you and your family. Looking forward to your new videos next year.

[@colleeng8337]

Merry Christmas from Chicago! What a great video highlighting all the wonderful things Chicago offers!👍🎄✌️

[@cindywestlake6278]

Love your videos😊 All of them! I hope you and Pops take another trip to New England together! You inspired us to go last Fall and we took all of your advise! Thank you!

[@AlecBalzer-mp3vm]

I was excited to find that you did a video on Chicago, and it was interesting to see it at Christmas time. I especially liked the Sears Tower and Museum of Science and Industry. I don’t think you could convince Pops to go into the glass box.

[@terrymanning1]

Another great video guys. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas & thank you so much for another year of superb videos. Keep up the good work & look forward to following you in 2024. Much love from the UK.

[@ThroughMyLens]

No problem, thank you so much for watching the videos, really appreciate it!

[@AshleighInez]

Never skip a Chicago video! Thanks for visiting! This video was great!

[@pennyduer2663]

Our favorite place to go at Christmas time! Thanks for pointing out a few new places that we'll definitely try next time. Merry Christmas!

[@brindahoward4527]

Thanks again for sharing. I am from central Indiana and have been to Chicago a few times. I was in the Sears Tower probably in the late 90s and I don't think the glass ledges were there to walk on. I would not have done it anyway.😳 I really liked the Museum of Science and Industry also. Even though, I am only a few hours away, the weather is very Spring like here. It is almost creepy.

[@wanderlust62]

I would agree Josh, my first visit to Chicago was amazing, nothing what I expected. I was there a full week and ready to return, maybe for Christmas since I went in June. Try Beggar's Pizza, it is so delicious it ruined all others for me! That pizza looked amazing, too. Pops, wouldn't even go up let alone on stepping out! I'd go up, but not step an inch on to the clear landing... or, look down! The hots dogs are good, I love them too!

[@mariedupuis7802]

Beautiful visit of Chicago ! No I don t think pops would walk on the glass, I wouldn’t t too 😅! Merry Christmas to you all from Paris ❤

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha it is very high up, I don't blame you

[@NaturalBohemia]

What an amazing and detailed video, thank you! Going to Chicago for the first time in December, from L.A. and I think you covered it all. What a beautiful city. Hope I can see and do it all in 4 days. Happy Holidays!

[@ninabooker2904]

I like Hancock tower better than Willis tower. Giardano’s is my favorite Chicago deep dish pizza. ❤Merry Christmas 🎄 ❤

[@lietuvospajuris]

Well done! Watched full video and gonna watch some more on your channel👍💬🔔

[@artiel.757]

Hey!! I finally made this trip for the Holidays. I enjoyed the Christmas Market as. The Christmas Around the World Holiday Lights + Griffin Museum was exceptional!!!

[@gmariet1391]

Thanks for the Chicago tour ! Merry Christmas 🎄💝

[@birdman5223]

Love a cold stroll as long as its dry👍👍

[@thedogzoo]

Thank you both for the great tour! Hi Pops! ❤️

[@ThroughMyLens]

Our pleasure!

[@leonardellis3587]

Thanks. Looks like a great time. Merry Christmas

[@cheryltaylor8124]

Merry Christmas ❤thank you for sharing this beautiful city 🏙️

[@rvcruising]

Awesome video, thanks! Merry Christmas!🎄

[@SmallWonda]

Smashing guys, thank you! The old town is looking radiant - I can't believe it was so quiet! Was excited to see the zoo lights, as I never went at night - I'm not keen on crowds and the city could get so busy at Christmastime - and never underestimate that wind coming off the Lake!! I think some of the neighbourhoods would be great to explore next Christmas - ask some current Locals for the best to visit - they have their own individual magic. Merry Christmas & thanks for all the great Adventures - and No! Pops wouldn't even go up the Sears Tower!

[@tonyawalters6751]

That hot dog and pizza looked soooo yummy!!!

[@zmarko]

I visited Chicago in 2004 and went up the Hancock Tower to the observatory floor (94th floor I think?), and I have a fear of heights, and I couldn't even walk up to the floor to ceiling glass window...I had to crawl up to it. 🤣 I could never go out on that window ledge of the Sears Tower. No way. Lol

[@helenford372]

Thanks for the very entertaining visit to Chicago. Have to say, you guys must have cast iron stomachs! Glad to at least look at the food you eat!

[@deba175]

Yes pops would do the ledge because he’s don’t much more scary things!

[@deba175]

Done much more scary things I meant to say yes pops would do it

[@mikewolfe3845]

The next time you come through Chicago or you stayed in Chicago you need to go to the top of the Hancock building there's a tavern up there and you can sit right at the window looking out over the city would a cocktail of your choice

[@TAPPChannel]

wow now you're here? :D You should've call me man!! :D I would drive you around :D Happy New Year 2024!!!

[@BrendaHaltom]

Wonderful Josh and Amy!❤😂

[@annieis300]

Merry Christmas!!! ❤💚❤

[@niaha62]

Merry Christmas 🎄 HO.. HO.. HO from Connecticut🎅🏻Another great vlog . Thanks for providing us with wonderful spiritual and visual experiences👏🏻

[@ThroughMyLens]

No problem, thanks so much for watching the video and the comment!

[@okiecubsfan1961]

I love chicago, but in the summer. I hate the cold. Plus im a huge cubs fan so i go when they are playing. You showed me some places i had never heard of. Great video.

[@Saffron.Aerowyn_07]

Hey there...love the vid !!! Chicago is amazing...one place that I would love to visit is the Wiener Circle, which is famous for serving up sass with their hot dogs. It gets raunchy at night & there's no telling what you will hear from the employees...all in good fun ! 😇😈

[@reneejones7807]

Bucket list - brunch at Cindy's! Awesome video.

[@bttrflysrfree123]

For pizza, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, great salad, Mediterranean bread and infamous pizza baked in a bowl!

[@marychristie6194]

You two are so cute -Good video 🥰🎄🎅⭐️

[@kellyjohnson3617]

Santa Barbara zoo does zoo lights every year and this year they out did themselves. Your posts always make me hungry. lol. Nice to see Amy with you. Chicago style deep dish is amazing. Glad you got to try racklette. It stinks but it’s yum.

[@mosesc7051]

Delightful trip!

[@coeurdalenegal]

Really enjoyed watching you and Amy exploring Chicago at Christmas. Now I want one of those hot chocolates 😋 I was there in the summer of 2006... Went to the top of the sears tower.. those glass overhangs weren't there then... Must have added them after it turned to the Willis.

[@haileyan9491]

Great video. I look forward to watching your videos all times. Merry christmas from Korea🎉🎉🎉

[@cheriebuss193]

Lovely thank you !! I think Pops would have walked out at the Sears Tower.

[@HashreenAbdisa]

nice place hope to visit there someday

[@andrewogwang8446]

Great Video and things to do. When is the best time to visit to experience what you just had? Before or after Christmas?

[@markyotter8964]

It's going to be a little different every year, because the weather can be so radically different. Some years they have two feet deep of blowing snow and single digit temps. This year was unusually warm and rainy with little snow so far. Weather will have a big effect on the crowds and the comfort, especially the walkability. Iv'e been to the Science and Industry Museum a dozen times and I've still only seen 2/3 of it. There's also a Natural History Museum, and world class aquarium and planetarium (although they are expensive), as well as the Art Museum and a dozen+ others, like Jewish and Black History Museums. I wouldn't want to live there, but I sure like visiting. Navy Pier is a big shopping and Ammusement Park. In the summer their are food fests, air shows, outdoor concerts and river boat tours that go out onto Lake Michigan, plus Cubs baseball! I live 3 hours away, but go into Chicago two or three times each year, usually taking guests.

[@meliaoliver7296]

Wonderful video!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Lol you got donuts. Great video, you covered a lot in a short time. I'm there twice a year but have never been during the holidays, for obvious reasons haha

[@andreajohnson1796]

Wow awesomely beautiful don't mind walking the river

[@ThroughMyLens]

It was so nice to walk along the river even though it was cold!

[@emmawebb6955]

👋👋🥴😵‍💫😳🫣 BRAVO TO U BOTH‼️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I'm afraid of heights, and I'm not sure if ur pops would stand out there⁉️⁉️🤔 However, amazing footage and just watching you both eating those Chicago Dog's, made me hungry‼️😁 Great video 👍👍

[@hovelbunker713]

No on pops going to glass ledge!

[@michaelcoy8698]

Beautiful Chicago greeting for the both of you✌️

[@ThroughMyLens]

It was a really fun city to explore

[@violetbf3773]

Awesome!! 🙌🏽 Merry Christmas and a very prosperous new year 🎉

[@ThroughMyLens]

Same to you!

[@imeredithc]

Fun fact, the building that the U-505 is housed in was actually built around the submarine!

[@hollymccormack4081]

When I saw that my first thought was "Wasn't the sub outside in the past?" Makes sense that they would build around to upgrade the exhibit and protect the sub.

[@rhondaz356]

This was very interesting. It is quite the city. Thank you for pointing out so many attractions, and highlights. I really, really enjoyed this. You ALWAYS nail it. Hoping you and your family enjoy this holiday season, Josh. 🏙 👏🏻👏🏻

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks so much for watching! It was really fun to get to know a new city like this during the holidays

[@francescoceferraris]

bel viaggio! Ma quella pizza... No dai, è quasi un insulto. Cheers from Italy

[@donnaengland1931]

Loved the tour, what are the brand of your wife’s boots? Love the look!

[@ThroughMyLens]

They are these ones - nisolo.com/products/womens-go-to-lug-chelsea-boot-black

[@rupman27isback]

Great video as always.. few things I recommend u guys to do.. watch the movie Krampus (2015) haha.. which is a really good movie and next time try Pequod's Pizza. Best pizza in Chicago in my opinion.

[@user-hg1es4dm4y]

My home town, ❤️Chicago

[@ThroughMyLens]

So awesome! We loved it

[@markakira8988]

Merry Christmas 🎅

[@ThroughMyLens]

Merry Christmas!

[@Jaki-jie]

圣诞快乐。

[@stefanfrank8629]

I highly recommend Pequod’s for deep dish. Way better than the standard Giordano’s. I do not care for Lou Malnati’s. For downtown, Exchequer is pretty decent as well.

[@1964mother]

Nice vlog, as always..should’ve visited Detroit. Our downtown is amazing 🎄

[@chrisignacio1791]

No Way Pops Going Near That Ledge 😂

[@coolbuffdad]

No way Pops would do Willis Tower 😂 even though he is half its height already

[@hailtothetheif83]

What hotel did you guys stay at?

[@mindiwilhelm4322]

❤❤❤❤

[@helenmattes7259]

It’s got to be Vienna hot dogs and steamed buns. That’s the secret to great Chicago hot dogs.

[@stargazer5073]

Yikes, too cold 🥶

[@johndeere3486]

LPT - If you are visiting Chicago, DO NOT DRIVE. You will pay insane rates for parking and it will just suck in general.

[@markakira8988]

The Science and Industry HO scale model train exhibit, 2 decades ago I wrote a complaint that the trains were going over 125mph too fast their scale lol. That Main Macy's used to have 1/3rd more product but it got worse after the riots and looting.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I was wondering about the Macy's, it seemed like there were a lot of empty floors

[@NikkaMunda-c2i]

Love it

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@samsungtablet9155]

What hotel did u stay at?

[@MartianAmbassador69]

Glad to see you guys made it out alive 👍

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha we had a great time!

[@JodysJourney]

No. Pops would not do the Ledge. Haha. Neither could I. Yikes. 🤣

[@ThroughMyLens]

It is very high up there!

[@gasauto1675]

almost nothing of this Christkindlesmarkt exists in Germany or Europe, only the booths and Glühwein

[@maryfettig3378]

Cant belive you wouldnt try ice skating after doing a lot of other crazy things😅😅😅

[@ThroughMyLens]

haha that is probably true, I should have given it a try!

[@rupman27isback]

@@ThroughMyLens def should of.. Ice skating is fun!