Saunas in United States
The United States has no single sauna tradition — instead it hosts a patchwork of immigrant bathhouse cultures alongside a fast-growing modern sauna scene. New York City's East Village preserves the Russian and Turkish bathhouse tradition imported in the late 19th century, with the Russian & Turkish Baths on East 10th Street operating continuously since 1892. Brooklyn and the wider city now host a wave of design-driven new venues (Bathhouse, Othership) built around contrast therapy. The Pacific Northwest has built a distinct banya scene in Seattle and Portland, while Korean-style jjimjilbang spas anchor Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Dallas–Fort Worth metro. The Mountain West centres on hot-springs and ski-resort hotel-spa culture (Aspen, Park City, Telluride, Jackson Hole), and a national pop-up sauna circuit has emerged at lakes and coastlines from Maine to California.
211 saunas across 165 cities
Top sauna cities in United States
Sauna culture in United States
Etiquette varies more than in any single European country. Russian-Turkish bathhouses in NYC and West Coast banyas typically require swimwear in mixed sessions and use a venik (oak or birch branch) whisking ritual. Korean jjimjilbang follow strict single-gender, textile-free rules in the wet areas with shorts-and-T-shirt mixed common rooms. Hotel and resort spas (Aspen, Park City) follow standard wellness norms — swimwear throughout, quiet sessions, 60–90 minutes. Always check the specific venue's house rules before your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a banya?
A banya is a Russian-tradition wet sauna with very high humidity and a venik (oak or birch branch) whisking ritual. New York's Russian & Turkish Baths and Mermaid Spa in Brooklyn are among the longest-running banyas in the US, with newer venues operating in Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles.
Are Korean jjimjilbang welcoming to first-time visitors?
Yes — major jjimjilbang in Los Angeles (Wi Spa), the SF Bay Area, Dallas, and New Jersey are well-prepared for non-Korean visitors. Expect strict single-gender, textile-free rules in the wet areas (pools, hot saunas, cold plunges) and shorts-and-T-shirt mixed common rooms.
Where can I experience a traditional Russian-Turkish bath in the US?
New York City has the deepest selection — the Russian & Turkish Baths on East 10th Street (open since 1892), Wall Street Bath, and Mermaid Spa in Brooklyn are the historical anchors. Chicago, Boston, and the Pacific Northwest each have a smaller scene of dedicated banyas and design-led modern bathhouses.