If you're looking for a day of utter relaxation, you must head straight to this Nordic Spa in Alaska. The Alyeska Nordic Spa at Alyeska Resort is the newest attraction to Alaska's wellness scene. With hot and cold plunge pools, cedar barrel saunas, and a rainforest steam room, this spa is everything it promises and more.
If you're looking to shake up your wellness routine, look no further than the newest offering at Alyeska Resort.
Alyeska Nordic Spa is open and the place to be! With outdoor hot and cold plunge pools, saunas, and steam rooms, this 50,000-square-foot facility has it all.
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Hot and cold pools form an important part of the rejuvenating therapy cycle.
Hydrotherapy access is included in any massages booked, so double down and get a massage before finishing your relaxation in the rest of this amazing facility.
Walk the wooden boardwalk in between options on a cold winter's day, and it acts as a type of cold plunge.
You can visit from 9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Saturday. But the weekends book out quickly, so make your reservation in advance if you're trying to enjoy it on your day off.
Grab your friends or your loved one and spoil yourself with a day at the spa.
There's nothing quite like it in Alaska. It is truly a unique and relaxing experience!
Have you been to this nordic spa in Alaska yet? What did you think? Was it as unique as it looked? Let us know in the comments below!
Are you looking for something else to do while you're in Girdwood? Make sure you hit up some of the restaurants in Girdwood because this town is a foodie's paradise!
A few weeks ago, the kids and I set out on a trip to Washington D.C. to attend an event. We flew down a few days early in hopes of visiting the National Zoo and the various monuments and buildings on the National Mall. However, when we were greeted with 95+ heat and unbearable humidity, our agenda took a turn. It was time to move our plans inside. After a quick lunch at Union Station, I took out my phone and searched for "museums near me." The Museum of Illusions Washington DC popped up and it looked very interesting. I quickly made online reservations and we hopped in an Uber and headed off to have some mind-blowing fun!
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The Washington D.C. Museum of Illusions is located in a pretty plaza within the City Center portion of Washington. We arrived a bit before our admission time and had some time to wait. We sought a reprieve from the heat by visiting some of the high-end shops and taking a stroll through the cool spray fountain. There was also a neat projection screen and some beautiful outside art installations to look at.
Soon, it was time to check-in. We entered through the bottom floor of the building and headed up to the exhibit space. Although the museum was not huge, there were plenty of interactive exhibits to keep us busy. The museum website estimates that it takes approximately 45 minutes to see everything, but we ended up staying about twice as long.
Several of the exhibits were so fun that we ended up returning to them.
The museum included many pictures, images, and stationary objects that played tricks on our minds when we stared at them. Some images looked as though they were moving or popping out at us, while others appeared to change shape before our eyes.
Many of the other exhibits required you to stand in a specifically marked spot and have someone take your photo. When you look at your pictures later on, I promise you will be surprised at the end result.
This picture of the kids is one example of an illusion that shows up in a photo. My daughter was actually standing on a platform in between the posts of the chair.
Several exhibits included puzzles, mind games, and other hands-on fun. Others challenged our sense of gravity or used mirrors and other props to project multiple images of a single person or object.
Our visit to the Museum of Illusions turned out to be one of our favorite stops on our trip. The kids and I had so much fun, and we left with some hilarious photos!
Have you visited this amazing museum? If so, how was your experience? The Museum of Illusions has many other locations worldwide. To find out more about the Washington D.C. site, please visit the Museum of Illusions website and the Museum of Illusions DC Facebook page. For more fun in D.C., be sure to check out these 15 must-visit museums. And if you are looking for a nice place to stay, here is a list of some wonderful hotels.
Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska is a great place to escape in the winter and soak your cares away in the mineral water. In a gorgeous part of the interior of our state, these natural hot springs in Alaska are developed with a hotel, restaurant, and plenty of activities. The crowning jewel of the resort is the outdoor Rock Lake. This huge, steamy outdoor pool of rejuvenating mineral water is the perfect place for relaxation and reflection anytime, but is especially magical in the cold winter months. Pack your bags and a book a room at this magical hot springs resort in Alaska.
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Chena Hot Springs is a place Alaskans have come to soak in the naturally hot water for hundreds of years, if not longer. The resort began in the Gold Rush era when weary miners soaked their tired limbs.
Since then, locals and visitors alike flock to the resort for a soak in the healing waters. The water comes from deep underground and is steeped with high concentrations of minerals. Some believe that the combination of the mineral waters and the steam help skin and respiratory ailments. Everyone agrees a soak feels amazing, and leaves your skin silky soft.
The resort lies about an hour from Fairbanks and is nestled in the pristine Alaskan wilderness. The hot springs facilities consist of an indoor heated pool (about 90 degrees), indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and the outdoor Rock Lake, a quiet place for those 18 and older.
There is a long, covered walkway from the dressing rooms to the outdoor pool. You can hang your towel and leave your slippers near the entrance. Walking through these doors are like walking into a magical winter wonderland.
The Rock Pool is about 4 feet deep with a soft, sandy bottom. Most can easily walk throughout with no swimming required. It is also handicapped accessible and a wheelchair is available for those who ask.
The water is not chlorinated, but it is there is a constant flow of water in and the excess drains off. Once a week they drain and refill the pool so it is always fresh. The above ground hot tubs are chlorinated and the indoor pool is salt water.
The center of the pool features a fountain of cool water that provides a delicious shower when you are overheated. There is also a large hose that shoots water with incredible force and people line up for a strong self massage. The massage and the hot springs combine to give you an ultra relaxing experience.
The large rocks around the pool can be used to lay on when the they aren't too covered in snow! The colder the air temperature, the more fun the hot springs experience. This is the best hot springs to visit in winter in Alaska.
Snow piles up around the hot springs, yet the water stays a piping 106 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Steam rises from the surface which adds a mysterious vibe to the pool. Head to the edges of the pool, where there’s less fog, if you want to hunt for aurora borealis in the night sky.
Couples enjoy the Rock Lake and this is a common romantic excursion and honeymoon stop. Soaking in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere is an excellent date. Add dinner at the restaurant or a night in the hotel to complete the experience. This is one of the most unique things to do in Alaska, and a wonderful way to spend a winter weekend.
When the temperatures are really cold, ice crystals in your hair freeze instantly and you can make gravity defying hair sculptures! When you want to change it, just dunk under the warm water and start again. But be careful not to break your hair once it freezes!
The hotel is elegant and makes the experience just a little more luxurious. It is certainly heaven to go back to your room to change and rest before hitting the springs again, as pool hours are 7 AM to midnight. You can spend hours soaking up everything this hot springs has to offer!
The best part is when the magical aurora borealis appear in the dark night sky over your head as you soak in the healing mineral waters. This experience is completely unique and amazing, and only in the northern beauty of Alaska. Mark your calendars and book a weekend at one of the most amazing places in Alaska!
