So far, 2017 has been off to a stressful start for most of America. What better time is there than now to start looking into extraordinary ways to relax yourself and unwind, right? If you aren't already familiar with the wonders that salt can work, let us fill you in. Salt therapy is a unique treatment that's been used for ages to help with things like allergies, acne, colds, eczema, psoriasis, infections and much more. Something you might have also not known? That spending 45-minutes inside of one of these salt caves is equivalent to spending an entire week at the ocean. If you aren't already feeling relaxed, you certainly will be once you check out these 6 amazing caves that you'll never want to leave!
1. Salt of the Earth Center For Healing - Chestnut Ridge
Nestled right up against the New Jersey border down in the village of Chestnut Ridge, a center for healing that's more relaxing than you could ever imagine is waiting for you. Salt of the Earth features a 300-square foot Himalayan salt cave that will take your breath away and put your right at ease. Offering 45-minute sessions inside of the cave, you can book an appointment here Tuesday through Saturday.
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To find out more information and to make your appointment, click here.
How to get here: 811 Chestnut Ridge Road (Store E) Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
With four locations in the Downstate area (two specifically being in the Big Apple), Breathe Salt Rooms are a popular place to visit for therapeutic salt treatments. The salt rooms at Breathe Salt have more of a modern look, providing equally relaxing experiences. One of the reasons this place is one of our favorite salt locations to visit is because the spa offers salt beds.
Yes! That magical thing that looks like a tanning bed of sorts in the picture right above is actually a salt bed. The 25-minute sessions are perfect for visitors who are looking to treat issues like acne, eczema or psoriasis. The spas also offer salt rooms, kids salt rooms and a variety of yoga and meditation classes inside of their rooms.
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To find out more information and to book your appointment, click here.
Head out towards the city of Binghamton and you'll find the unique cave of Salt Sanctuary. Right in Johnson City, Salt Sanctuary offers amazing deals on their salt therapy. Those who decide to experience this Himalayan salt cave or salt rooms will get to enjoy 50-minute sessions, all the time you'll need to unwind and reap the benefits of the salt!
To book your appointment and to find out more information, click here.
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How to get here: 4101 Watson Boulevard Johnson City, New York
4. Ellicottville Salt Cave & Halotherapy Spa - Ellicottville
Make your way out to Western New York to experience what the area's first European-built Himalyan salt cave! At Ellicottville's Halotherapy spa guests can enjoy a beautiful salt cave that even features a waterfall, as well as a massage room and a salt room that are enchanting. From the twinkling lights on the ceiling to the no gravity chairs, this is one trip you need to take!
To find out more information about this spa, click here.
How to get here: 32 West Washington Street Ellicottville, NY 14731
And now, we gush about the breathtaking salt caves that can be found out on Long Island! Head towards the end of the world and you'll find Montauk's magnificent salt cave. Montauk Salt Cave has two locations, both offering salt therapy and a variety of events in the caves. From Reiki circles to transformational breathing workshops, there's plenty to experience inside of these caves.
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To find out more information about all you can experience in these salt caves, click here.
How to get here: 552 West Lake Drive Montauk, NY 11954
Also out on Long Island, the peaceful getaway that is the Port Jeff Salt Cave! Run by Reiki Masters that know exactly how to ease your mind and body, the salt cave is 266-square feet and can be experienced in a variety of ways. The spa features yoga classes, mommy and me classes and Reiki circles inside of the cave. If you're looking for a more intimate experience, guests can also schedule private and group parties for inside of the cave.
To find out more information about this relaxing treasure of Long Island, click here.
How to get here: 320 Main Street Port Jefferson, New York
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
Most people know that Saratoga Springs, New York is called Saratoga "Springs" because there are mineral springs in that area. However, many people today do not know the incredible popularity of these springs long ago. Saratoga Springs was a popular destination for the rich and famous during the 19th-century and people came from not only all over the nation, but from all over the world to drink from and bathe in the water produced by these springs. The Saratoga Springs healing mineral waters drew countless people to this area over the years.
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Although the springs themselves are still popular and interesting for both locals and visitors today, they are not nearly as big a deal as they once were. Back then, people believed that these springs could heal various ailments and they are the primary reason that the city of Saratoga Springs is as happening and bustling as it is today. Read on to learn more.
The springs in Saratoga Springs have been drawing visitors to the area for hundreds of years. Even before the settlers arrived, Mohawk and Iroquois people drank and bathed in these waters and celebrated the healing powers of the mineral springs.
Today, many of the springs in this area still produce water. Some are located inside Saratoga Spa State Park; others can be found around town in the city of Saratoga.
The springs at Saratoga are the result of a geological fault that allows water trapped in layers of shale underground to surface. Every one of the springs in Saratoga has a slightly different mineral content. Some are even a little carbonated. There are around 20 springs still flowing in Saratoga Springs today.
Once the settlers arrived to this part of New York, the popularity of the springs grew quickly. People flocked to the area as early as the late 1700s. President George Washington was a believer. He tried to buy High Rock Spring in 1783 but failed; someone else beat him to it.
By the early 1800s, word of the healing properties of these waters spread quickly. Doctors claimed that drinking and bathing in the spring water could cure all sorts of ailments including diabetes, rheumatism, cancer, malaria, and more.
During this time period, Saratoga was the place to be. Famous people of all kinds came to Saratoga Springs to experience the water and to see and be seen. Author Nathaniel Hawthorne was a visitor. Actress Lillian Russell, shown here, was a regular in Saratoga, too.
Many famous, rich, Gilded Age families visited Saratoga Springs often as well, such as the Vanderbilts, the Whitneys, and JP Morgan. James Fenimore Cooper also visited the area. Edgar Allan Poe visited Saratoga, also.
The Hall of Springs was built to house three of the springs but also to be a gathering place for well-to-do visitors to the area who celebrated parties and events there. Today, it is still in use for weddings, dinners, and other events.
Several structures were built for bathing in the springs. The Lincoln Baths building, shown here, is still impressive. You can still bathe in the spring water today at the Roosevelt Baths.
Saratoga Springs is still a popular place to visit, but it's fun to think about what it was like long ago. It was surely a very exciting place to be! And to think, it all started because of a few natural mineral springs!
Saratoga Springs is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year and for any reason. Next time you are there, take some time to think about its history and about the many people who came from all over to visit it well over 100 years ago. And, if you get a chance, try some of the spring water while you're in town. It doesn't taste very good, but it's certainly an experience that you'll never forget.
