You’ll Never Want To Leave These 5 Incredibly Relaxing Salt Caves In Iowa
Salt therapy, or halotherapy, is gaining popularity for its potential respiratory health benefits, with several salt caves in Iowa offering this experience.
Have you noticed how popular Himalayan Salt Lamps have become? People are beginning to realize that exposure to salt can even some therapeutic properties. Salt Therapy, or Halotherapy, has been practiced since the mid-1800s, when a Polish physician noted the healthy lungs of Salt Mine workers. This noninvasive therapy, has become popular as a way to combat general respiratory ailments alongside traditional medicine. Many people who have been visiting these salt caves have reported to have an easier time breathing, and the whole experience just relaxes you entirely.
While any sort of Salt Therapy should be discussed with your doctor, Dr. Norman Edelman, Senior Scientific Advisor to the American Lung Association, suggests that it could be more than just a placebo effect. "When fine salt particles are inhaled, they will fall on the airway linings and draw water into the airway, thinning the mucous and making it easier to raise, thus making people feel better," said Dr. Edelman. "Also, these environments are allergen-free and thus good for people with allergies affecting their lungs." (Source)
Plan a spa day at any of the following salt caves in Iowa to try it for yourself.
Total Rejuvenation is an all-in-one therapy spot that offers flotation, cryotherapy, and salt therapy. Visit them and you'll be feeling way better in no time!Address: 1501 51st St NE ste b, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
SALT Holistic Health is a division of Friemel Chiropractic, so you can get your back and joints treated while you also improve your skin and breathing! Make an appointment and you'll be wishing you did it sooner.Address: 24609 Valley Dr, Pleasant Valley, IA 52767
Afterglow Salon and Spa is a place where you'll feel truly refreshed. Enjoy their infrared sauna alongside their salt booth, which condenses typical hour-long salt sessions into just twenty minutes!Address: 3372 Center Grove Dr, Dubuque, IA 52003
Coachlight is one of the largest and most reputable clinical spas in Iowa. They offer services for skin and health, and their Salt Sauna is perfect to pair with their Eucalyptus Steam Room. Treat yourself to a visit as soon as you can.Address: 6420 Coachlight Dr #200, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Sandy's Salt Cave is a private spa located in Fort Dodge. This neighborhood spot was one of the first halotherapy locations in Iowa! Call( 515) 576-4701 for an appointment. Address: 4 N 14th St, Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
What do you like to do to truly relax? Everyday life is full of little stresses, and sometimes, it's key to get away from it all and feel the stress melt away. It's not always easy to find that place that will make the stresses of the workday disappear, but there's one spa that will do exactly that in Coralville. The best spa in Iowa is Spa Bilancia, an old-school spa offering massages, facials, and other treatments that are great at removing tension from the body. But it's not just old-school treatments - this spa is state-of-the-art and involves some of the latest techniques to help you truly unwind. A day pass to Spa Bilancia is the perfect reward at the end of a stressful week, and it makes a great romantic getaway for couples. Read on to discover all this amazing spa has to offer!
advertisement
Hidden in a non-descript building in Coralville, Spa Bilancia is your ticket to relaxation.
Have you experienced Spa Bilancia in Coralville? Do you agree that it's the best spa in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! You can get a look at all the treatments offered on the Spa Bilancia website, and make sure to follow the Spa Bilancia Facebook page for the latest updates. If you're looking for a perfect meal to go with a romantic spa date, check into Chez Grace, one of Iowa's best French restaurants. And a night at The Highlander is the perfect end to a one-of-a-kind getaway.
Wintertime in Missouri promises so many magical moments - from the peaceful silence after the first snowfall to strolling down snow-dusted Main Streets as we go Christmas shopping. While we might not all love the return of the cold and the snow, we can all likely agree that winter in Missouri offers a ton of fun and plenty of memorable moments, even if we're just curled up under our favorite blanket, watching the snow fall outside. When you're ready for adventure, here are some of the best things to do in Missouri in winter.
Certainly one of the highlights of winter, the holiday season is usually jam-packed with things to do. While Christmas shopping, cooking, baking, and decorating can fill up much of our time, we sometimes need to slow down and soak up the season with family and friends. Get in the holiday spirit with one of the best walk-thru or drive-thru Christmas light displays in Missouri, and bring the whole family to one of the best Christmas festivals in Missouri. Here are some holiday events in Missouri to help get you started.
1. Winter Wonderland
Location: St. Louis
Popularity: Extremely popular, expect crowds, especially 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Price: Family vehicle $20
Make the car toasty; turn up the Christmas carols, and slowly drive through the Winter Wonderland of Tilles Park in St. Louis. The beloved drive-thru Christmas lights display in Missouri has been a staple since 1987. Marvel at the more than one million lights and 100 Christmas light displays as you drive through light tunnels and past beloved holiday characters. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Winter Wonderland runs daily, except on Christmas Eve, from late November through December 30. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
2. Christmas Lights In The Park
Location: Moberly
Popularity: Popular. Expect a wait, especially on weekends.
Price: Free
Start a new tradition with a drive through Christmas Lights in the Park at Rothwell Park in Moberly. The free event offers an idyllic way to get into the Christmas spirit as you wind your way past more than 100 Christmas displays and thousands of dazzling lights. Christmas Lights in the Park kicks off the season with a tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 26, 2023. The drive-thru light display in Missouri will run on select nights through Dec. 23. Donations to Altrusa, the event's sponsor, are welcome.
3. Santa’s Magical Kingdom
Location: Eureka
Popularity: Can get really busy, especially on the weekends
Price: $35 (family vehicle); $45 (passenger van, transport van, small bus)
Pile the whole family in the car for a magical Christmastime adventure at Santa's Magical Kingdom. The drive-thru Christmas lights display in Missouri boasts millions of twinkling lights, a tunnel of lights, and a lights waterfall. Keep the magic going after your drive by heading into Jellystone Park for more holiday fun. Santa's on hand to listen to Christmas wishes; visit Kringle's Store, and indulge in a seasonal treat. Climb aboard a wagon ride, too. Santa's Magical Kingdom runs from mid-November through early January. Hours vary depending on the day and the time of the season.
advertisement
4. Powell Gardens
Location: Kingsville
Popularity: Can get extremely busy during the weekend
Price: $8-$16. Children four and younger are free.
Bundle up for a stroll through the Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, an epic annual event that runs from mid-November through the end of December. Whether you're starting or continuing a beloved Christmastime tradition, take your time as you meander through light tunnels and past glittering Christmas trees. Powell Gardens lights up from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
5. Silver Dollar City
Location: Branson
Popularity: Extremely popular, especially on the weekends
Price: Tickets start at $89. Additional activities and events may cost extra.
Step into a winter wonderland of millions of twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and seasonal entertainment at An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City. Boasting more than 6.5 million lights, Silver Dollar City promises a ton of fun - visits with Santa, a Christmas parade, family-friendly entertainment, and delicious food. An Old Time Christmas runs from early November through the end of December. Hours vary depending on the day.
6. Grant’s Farm
Location: St. Louis
Popularity: Can get quite busy
Price: Ranges from $12-$29+
Make the most of the merry season with a visit to Grant's Farm in St. Louis. Whether you decide to drive through or walk through the farm that's aglow with more than one million lights, you're sure to get into the Christmas spirit. You can book a carriage ride that will take you on a magical journey to see the lights or warm up next to your very own VIP fire pit. Or how about surprising the kiddos with breakfast with Santa? Grant's Farm's Christmas celebration runs from late November through late December. (The drive-thru Christmas lights display in St. Louis, Missouri, however, only runs through mid-December.)
Christmas Towns In Missouri
Because the Christmas season is usually quite short compared to all there is to do, we have to carefully plan our calendars, so we don't miss out on any of the many Christmas events and activities in Missouri. If you have a free day or even a weekend, plan a getaway to one of these enchanting Christmas towns in Missouri, where you'll feel as though you've stepped back through the pages of time. (You'll even find some of the best free things to do in Missouri in winter in these picturesque towns.)
advertisement
7. Hannibal
Location: Hannibal
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: $2 admission to the Festival of Trees
Journey back through time with a Christmastime visit to <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/missouri/old-fashioned-christmas-town-mo/" target="_blank">Hannibal. The charming small town in Missouri hosts the Victorian Festival of Christmas in Historic Downtown Hannibal, an epic holiday celebration that runs the first three weekends of December. (Events are also held on Small Business Saturday at the end of November.) Festivities include living windows, carriage rides, and a Festival of Trees. Earmark some time, too, to explore the historic downtown, where you can do a bit of Christmas shopping and indulge in a delicious meal.
8. Branson
Branson, Missouri USA December 4, 1993: Christmas decorations adorn the shoreline by the Old Highway 65 Bridge in Branson, Missouri.
Location: Branson
Popularity: Can get very busy, depending on the attraction
Price: Varies
With its jam-packed schedule of activities and events, Branson just might deserve the title of the Christmas Capital of Missouri. Visit Silver Dollar City for its epic Old Time Christmas celebration (and more than 6.5 million lights). Follow one of the town's drive-thru light displays, like Shepherd of the Hills' Trail of Lights. Go Christmas shopping in the historic downtown, or ride the Polar Express with Santa (and the Branson Scenic Railway).
9. Independence
Location: Independence
Popularity: Can get busy during the holidays
Price: Varies, depending on activity. Admission to Vaile Mansion ranges from $5-$10.
Celebrate the Christmas season with a visit to the bustling town of Independence. Get into the holiday spirit with a tour of Vaile Mansion, which gets all decked out for the Christmas season. Tours are offered from late November through the end of December. Put on your hiking shoes for the Annual Winter Solstice Torch Lit Hike in early December, and walk around town to admire the Christmas decorations.
Outdoor Activities
Some of the best Missouri winter activities offer us the chance to enjoy the fresh air and the freshly fallen snow (if we're lucky). Missouri boasts some of the best sledding hills - can you say Art Hill at Forest Park in St. Louis - and epic snow tubing parks that will transform those cold and snowy days in Missouri into action-packed adventures. Here are just a few of the best family things to do in Missouri in winter.
advertisement
10. Steinberg Ice Skating Rink
Leg of woman wearing ice skates standing on an ice rink
Billed as the largest ice skating rink in the Midwest with 27,600 square feet, <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/missouri/largest-ice-skating-rink-mo/" target="_blank">Steinberg Ice Skating Rink is the place to go for a day of fun gliding around the ice. The rink offers all-day skating. Take a break to warm up near the firepit, and recharge with a hot drink and a snack. Skating lessons are also available. The rink is generally open seasonally from mid-November through early March. (From May through October, the rink offers roller skating.)
11. Summit Rink
Location: Lee’s Summit
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: $11/$8 for Lee's Summit residents; skate rental $3
Glide around the rink at Summit Ice. The 8,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink also features fire pits and a patio with plenty of seating. When you need a breather, grab a bite to eat from the concession stand and relax on the patio. It's certainly one of the best cheap things to do in Missouri in winter. Summit Ice generally opens in mid-November.
12. Hidden Valley Ski Resort
Location: Eureka
Popularity: Two-hour sessions are offered to prevent overcrowding.
Price: Tickets are not yet on sale for the season.
Bundle up for one of the best family things to do in Missouri in winter when you go snow tubing at<a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/stays/missouri/longest-snow-tubing-run-mo/" target="_blank">Polar Plunge Tubing Park at Hidden Valley Ski Resort. Tickets are sold in two-hour sessions, so you can zip down the hill as many times as you want. Catch your breath as the conveyor belt takes you back to the top to do it all over again. If you need more of a break, warm up by one of the roaring fire pits.
13. Snow Creek Ski Area
Location: Weston
Popularity: Extremely popular. Buy tickets in advance as they often sell out on the weekends and holidays.
Price: Tickets are not yet on sale for the season.
advertisement
Get ready for a day of fast-paced fun at Snow Creek, where you can go snow tubing or skiing. Timed tickets can be purchased in advance for your rides down the 700-foot hill. Go up the conveyor belt, and go back down again...and again. Skiing is also popular at this winter park. The season typically begins in mid-December.
Winter Getaways
While most people count down the days until their summer vacations, there's something so enchanting and tranquil about a winter getaway. Escaping to a cozy cabin or a lively resort the whole family will love adds an extra bit of magic to the season. Here are some of the best winter getaways in Missouri.
14. River of Life Farm
Location: Dora
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: Starting at $259
For one of the most romantic things to do in Missouri in winter, plan a getaway to River of Life Farm, where you can stay cozy in one of its treehouses or cabins. The Missouri resort offers a variety of accommodations for two to six guests. When you're not staying warm in your home-away-from-home, explore the farm on one of the snow-dusted hiking trails, or go stargazing. (River of Life Farm boasts some of the best stargazing in Missouri.)
15. Fair Winds Cabin Resort
Location: Cherryville
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: Starting at $159
Check into a charming cabin for a winter getaway at Fair Winds Cabin Resort. All cabins promise luxury with some featuring a fireplace or a Jacuzzi. If it's not too cold, sit on the rocking chair on the front porch and watch the snowfall.
16. Grand Country Resort
Location: Branson
Popularity: Popular
Price: Rates start at around $200 per night
Treat the whole family to a blast of summer in the middle of winter with a visit to Grand Country Resort in Branson. While the snow's falling outside, stand under a tipping bucket or float in the crystal-clear pool. The resort offers a full menu of family-friendly amenities, including bowling, a movie theater, laser tag, and indoor go-karts. Dig into some of the best food in Branson, too, at this resort that has a buffet, a pizza joint, and a restaurant that grills all of the favorites, including burgers.
advertisement
What are your favorite things to do in Missouri in winter? Let us know in the comments! On the hunt for more free things to do in Missouri in winter? How about going on a refreshing winter hike? Check out the best winter hikes in Missouri then, for more hikes, stop by AllTrails.
