Siirry sisältöön

Saunat – Yhdysvallat

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.

329 saunas across 182 cities

Top sauna cities in United States

Kaikki saunakaupungit: Yhdysvallat

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.