The best Minneapolis saunas are redefining relaxation and wellness by creating unique experiences. As sauna culture flourishes across the Twin Cities, these steamy retreats have become an essential part of life in a state known for its long, snowy winters.
Whether you’re seeking the serenity of an outdoor wood-fired sauna, the thrill of cold plunging into an icy lake, or the luxury of a rooftop spa, Minneapolis has a variety of sauna experiences to get you sweating, relaxing and even cold plunging!
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Benefits of Saunas
Saunas are the perfect complement to outdoor activities, offering several benefits for both body and mind. Whether recovering from hiking, skiing, cycling, or something else, saunas promote relaxation and faster recovery. Here’s how they help:
- Improved Circulation: Boosts blood flow and supports cardiovascular health.
- Stress Relief: Provides a calming environment to ease tension.
- Muscle Recovery: Relaxes muscles and reduces soreness after exertion, making it easier to bounce back.
- Detoxification: Flushes out toxins through sweating, reduces cortisol levels and overall stress.
- Enhanced Endurance: Builds heat tolerance, improving stamina for outdoor adventures.
- Relaxation: Lowers surface body temperature which contributes to deeper and more restful sleep. Complements the rejuvenating effects of time in nature.
Pairing outdoor adventures with sauna sessions creates a well-rounded approach to wellness and recovery.
What are the best saunas in Minneapolis?
From year-round sauna experiences to pop-up events and lakeside seasonal saunas with cold plunge, Minneapolis is all in on saunas. Want to get in on the sauna action? Here are the best saunas in Minneapolis to try this winter!
Year-Round Saunas
The Hewing Hotel Rooftop Sauna
Located in the North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis, this sauna is located on the top floor of the Hewing Hotel with beautiful skyline views and access to the rooftop pool year-round.
The Thermaculture events are a guided sauna experience with breathwork and meditation.
Watershed Spa and Baths
Located in Northeast Minneapolis, just across the Stone Arch Bridge from downtown, this spa facility has a communal bath house that includes a sauna, cold plunge, steam room, and more.
Watershed is a self-guided experience and public space. Guests are expected to minimize talking and keep noise to a minimum.
Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna
Find this gem on the rooftop of the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, operated by Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna. This luxury sauna experience is available to hotel guests and visitors.
Access to an outdoor lounge, a bucket shower cold plunge, and both private or public guided sauna sessions.
Perspire Sauna Studio
With locations in Edina (my go-to), Maple Grove, and Plymouth, Perspire has private sauna studios complete with infrared saunas, red light therapy and chromatherapy.
Some sauna studios have showers to rinse off after your sessions. The cold eucalyptus towel they provide feels so good afterward!
Perspire offers monthly memberships, multi-session packages, and individual sessions.
Pro Tip: Many HSA’s and FSA’s will cover red light therapy! Check your benefits plan to find out if yours is covered.
Embrace North
This sauna and cold plunge experience is located in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood of Minneapolis. Embrace North offers a monthly unlimited subscription to use their facility.
Honorable Mention: The Nordic Nook
Unfortunately, the Nordic Nook has had to close to the public due to changes in city code, but if you are looking for inspiration to create your own sauna retreat, I recommend following them on Instagram.
Seasonal Outdoor & Lakeside Saunas
Sauna Camp
Located on Lake Minnewashta in Excelsior, which is just 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Sauna Camp is a lakeside retreat. Enjoy eight wood-fired saunas, all maintained at different temperatures so there’s something for everyone. Between sauna sessions, take a cold plunge in the icy water of the lake!
It is recommended to wear wool socks during your cold plunge to protect your feet. Slide sandals make it easy to get in and out of the water with socks on. (Here are my favorite wool socks!)
Sauna Camp offers individual sessions, memberships and private saunas for groups.
Pro Tip: The restrooms are a bit far from the saunas, so I recommend using the restroom before you arrive or on your walk from the parking lot to the saunas. There is a heated all gender changing tent.
612 Sauna Cooperative
The 612 Sauna Cooperative is currently operating at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park, but moves locations throughout the winter season. Sign up for a spot in one of their community sessions or special sessions geared towards identity-based groups. There is a maximum of eight people per session so you know it won’t be too crowded!
At the current location, there is easy access to a restaurant and restrooms in The Trailhead. For those looking for a cold plunge experience, they offer a splash bucket (or of course you can just make snow angels instead!).
612 Sauna Cooperative has a one time membership fee option in addition to individual sessions.
Foxfire Breathworks Sauna
Located at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis during the winter months, Foxfire Breathworks is a mobile sauna unit with access to cold plunge in the lake. There is a maximum of eight people per session here as well!
Purchase individual sessions or multiple session passes.
Superior Saunas Seasonal Events
Superior Sauna & Steam operates saunas in partnership with local businesses to create unique seasonal sauna events.
First, is a unique sauna experience at Pryes Brewing available each winter. The patio space has been transformed into an oasis with rentable private sauna cabanas and community saunas.
What I love about this experience is that you can order food or drinks to be delivered to your sauna cabana! Also, cool off around the bonfire lounges while you make s’mores between sauna sessions. Individual community sauna sessions and private sauna cabana rentals are available at this location.
Second, is the Sauna Village at the Great Northern Festival, located at Malcolm Yards in winter. There are 22 different saunas to try! What I love about this is that it’s part of a bigger festival with a full lineup of activities. Make a day of it!
Individual “open steam” sessions, guided sessions and sauna programs are available at this location.
Tips for Planning Your Sauna Experience
Each of the best saunas in Minneapolis offers a unique experience, so for details be sure to check their websites. But, in general, use these tips to plan your sauna experience:
- Assume a bathing suit is required
- Hydrate beforehand and bring a water bottle
- Leave valuables in the car or at home (most have unlocked bins to store your items in)
- Bring flip flops or slide sandals to wear in and out of the sauna
- Bring a towel (most do not provide them)
Minneapolis Saunas to Experience this Winter
Whether you are looking for a private sauna studio or more social community sauna experience, there are so many Minneapolis saunas to choose from. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, we’ve got frozen lakes waiting for you to take your first cold plunge. You just may love it as much as we do!
Whether you’re looking to relax, recover, or just try something new, there’s a sauna here waiting for you. So why not embrace the heat, explore a few different styles, and see what all the buzz is about? You might just find your new favorite way to unwind—and stay warm—right here in Minneapolis.
Related content to read next:
Best Wellness Retreats in Minnesota (or Nearby!)
Beginner Tips to Enjoy a Traditional Finnish Sauna
Visit my Minnesota travel page for even more inspiration and tips!
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