Saunas in the United States
Sauna in the United States is two scenes stacked on top of each other. The older is bathhouse heritage: Russian banya, Korean jjimjilbang and urban steam rooms, concentrated in New York, Chicago and the Bay Area. The newer is the wood-fired outdoor wave, Finnish-American around Lake Superior and now spreading to the Carolinas and the Pacific Northwest.
Short on time? Read our pick of the 10 best saunas in the USA →
Top saunas in the United States
#1 · Bathhouse Williamsburg
Editors’ pickThe original 2019 Bathhouse, and the biggest of the three NYC locations.
Brooklyn · Finnish · Steam · $$ · Cold plunge · Drop-in
#2 · Alchemy Springs
A preview "Sauna Garden" in lower Nob Hill, running ahead of the full Alchemy Springs bathhouse opening in 2026.
San Francisco · Finnish · $$ · Cold plunge · Session-booked
#3 · Archimedes Banya
A three-storey Russian-led banya on the Bayview waterfront, fusing Russian parilka, Turkish hammam, German sauna and Roman bathing into one circuit.
San Francisco · Finnish · Steam · $$$ · Cold plunge · Drop-in
#4 · Banya 5
A compact urban banya in South Lake Union, running since 2004, blending Russian, Turkish, Finnish and Japanese bathing in one facility.
Seattle · Finnish · Steam · $$ · Cold plunge · Session-booked
#5 · Bathhouse Atlantic Ave
The third Bathhouse location, on Atlantic Ave in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn · Finnish · Steam · $$ · Cold plunge · Drop-in
#6 · Bathhouse Flatiron
The Manhattan sibling of Bathhouse Williamsburg, a smaller-format outpost on West 22nd Street in the Flatiron district.
New York · Finnish · Steam · $$ · Cold plunge · Drop-in
#7 · Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna
Editors’ pickA floating barge sauna at Pier B on Lake Superior, a wood-fired Finnish cabin with windows over the water.
Duluth · Finnish · Floating · $$$ · Cold plunge · Session-booked
#8 · Chicago Bath House
Editors’ pickA 1906 Russian banya in Wicker Park, anchored by the Red Square hot room.
Chicago · Finnish · Steam · $$ · Cold plunge · Drop-in
#9 · Drip Nordic Sauna
Outdoor wood-fired Nordic sauna site in Woodfin, about ten minutes north of downtown Asheville, overlooking the French Broad River.
Asheville · Finnish · $$ · Cold plunge · Session-booked
#10 · Duluth Family Sauna
A 1920s Finnish steam-bath running continuously in downtown Duluth, the last of its kind in the city.
Duluth · Finnish · Steam · $ · Drop-in
Frequently asked about saunas in the United States
How much does a sauna in the United States cost?
Across the 40 curated United States saunas, most sessions sit in the $$ (mid-range) band: 3 budget-friendly ($), 29 mid-range ($$), 8 premium ($$$). Walk-in pricing varies per operator; check the linked website for current rates.
Which saunas in the United States have a cold plunge?
35 of the 40 curated saunas in the United States (88%) list a dedicated cold plunge on site. Each city page breaks down which venues run contrast therapy in that destination.
What types of saunas are in the United States?
The United States has 6 distinct sauna types across the atlas: Finnish (40), Floating (3), Steam (26), Infrared (8), ice (7), other (6).
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