The 7 best wellness experiences in the US

10.08.2024 - 11:08 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 9, 2024 • 7 min read

The art of traveling has long been tied to rejuvenation, whether it's indulging in the discoveries of a new city or simply winding down and relaxing in a stunning destination. But in recent years, there's been a rising focus on using our valuable time off to truly reset and calibrate by focusing on both mental and physical well-being on a wellness retreat.

As travelers have grown more mindful about choosing these getaways, the global wellness tourism industry has been on the rise. Now a $651 billion industry, it's set to still grow 16.6 percent each year through 2027, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Whereas traditionally, these types of retreats tended to focus on yoga and meditation, these days, wellness retreats encompass everything from digital detoxes and sleep therapies to health evaluations and even art and cultural immersions.

In fact, wellness offerings of all kinds are springing up. Boston's Release Well-Being, a 9000-sq-ft advanced wellness center that opened in May, offers personalized coaching and advanced therapies through its Lifestyle Medicine program. Palm Springs' The Spa at Séc-he, which was opened last year by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, follows its healing traditions with treatments using water from local hot springs. New York City's Park Terrace Hotel even has a restorative sleep suite with AI-powered beds from Bryte to encourage deep sleep for the ultimate rest and relaxation.

While those programs can be strung together into a la carte options, the US is also filled with resorts with various programs to allow visitors to choose their own wellness adventures. After all, there's nothing more personal than your own well-being. Here, we highlight some of the best in the nation.

Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Best for a first-timer

Located in the Berkshire Mountains, about 2.5 hours north of New York City or west of Boston, Kripalu Center For Yoga and Health attracts a steady stream of those looking for a hard reset on daily life, ever since it opened in 1983. When I visited a few years ago, a fellow traveler from Australia teared up during the introductions since he had dreamed of visiting for decades. At its heart, the more than 100-acre campus is all about mindfulness-based education to inspire personal transformation. While yoga is at the heart of the experience, it's not a requirement.

Themed programming centers around everything from writing and dancing to exploring spirituality, overcoming grief or experiencing silence, many led by famous names like Eat Pray Love authorElizabeth Gilbert, The Artist's Way author Julia Cameron, and well-known yoga instructor Seane Corn. For those who'd like to find their own way, the Retreat & Renewal