Travel Edition

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Wellness destinations across the US

A map of the US featuring pinpoints on destinations in Texas, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and California.

We found five stand-out wellness destinations located across the US. | Graphic by 6AM City

Outdoor escapes, meditation programs, yoga retreats, spa getaways, foraging forays — wellness travel is in for 2024.

A new era of travel, one that cultivates health and longevity + prioritizes rest and relaxation, is taking the industry by storm as demand spikes for more wellness-forward destinations.

Fortunately, the US is already home to several award-winning options — you just have to know where to look. Or, you trust us to do the digging for you and present five that stand out amongst the crowd.

Two people paddleboarding with a sunset in the background. — Paddleboarding is one of the water sport activities that guests can enjoy at Hilton Head Health.
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Photo by Hilton Head Health

Hilton Head, SC

This quaint coastal town boasts plenty of vitamin sea, as well as opportunities for biking, birding, and America’s new favorite — pickleball.

Stay

Whether it’s for a wellness retreat or a resort stay that’s customized to your goals, Hilton Head Health has a little something for everyone. The resort’s wellness-forward amenities include sports courts with private lessons available, personal training programs, bike rentals, kayaking, private yoga and meditation services, nutrition counseling, and cooking classes.

Eat

At Hilton Head Health’s True Dining restaurant, your meals can be tailored to your preferred diet. Plus, everything is cooked with locally sourced ingredients and hand-crafted to ensure a beautiful presentation. For unforgettable seafood dining outside of the resort, head to Skull Creek Boathouse — trying the fresh ceviche is a must — and Poseidon for an order of Spicy Tuna Deviled Eggs and oysters on the half shell during happy hour.

Do

Enjoy popular activities like birding, biking, and pickleball. Hilton Head boasts 60 miles of leisure pathways, making it the perfect place to explore on bike. Also, plan a spa day at The Indigo Spa — services include massages, facials, and nail care.

Krause Springs in Texas — Krause Springs is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites.
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Photo by Brian P. Barnes via Wikimedia Commons

Texas Hill Country

Historic small towns, picturesque swimming spots, and blissful spas make this region of the Lone Star State a must-visit for those looking to prioritize both mental and physical well-being.

Stay

Enjoy the Texas Hill Country’s idyllic surroundings and experience top-notch wellness programming at Horseshoe Bay Resort. The resort’s world-class facilities include award-winning golf courses, four different accommodation offerings, six on-site restaurants, a private jet center, spa, fitness center, and multiple tennis and pickleball courts.

Eat

Savor chef-inspired cuisine at Horseshoe Bay’s six restaurants — we love having dinner at J’s Restaurant and Bar for the Skirt Steak Salad and Charcoal Smoked Chicken — or opt for an excursion to a nearby town. Fredericksburg is home to several memorable eats, particularly German cuisine.

Do

It wouldn’t be a wellness trip without a little heart-pumping action at Station Mountain Bike Park — complete with 23 trails + 75 jumps — or Krause Springs. Finally, no trip to Texas Hill Country is complete without a wine tour.

Presented by Seaav.

3 more destinations

Asked

Which state has the most national parks?

A. Alaska
B. California
C. Utah
D. Arizona

Test your knowledge

The Buy

So, what to pack?

🧢 The key for any wellness retreat: comfortable, airy clothing. We like these loose, wide-leg yoga pants and this UV-protected lightweight hoodie. For comfort that’s still put-together, rock a lounge set.

👟 Be ready to hike, bike, and pickleball in HOKA running shoes or these best-selling Columbia hiking boots.

👗 On-site restaurants may have a dress code for dinner. Pack some vacation-approved men’s collared shirts and shop Nordstrom Rack’s dress edit.

🔥 Stay cozy around nightly fire pits with your favorite pattern of this women’s shawl.

👙 Heading to Texas Hill Country? Grab a great swimsuit for swimming holes.

🧴 For travel-sized bottles, use Cadence’s Daily Routine Capsule Set to keep toiletries organized and spill-proof — not to mention chic.

💤 Take control of jet lag with Thorne’s Melaton-3 melatonin. Worried about travel jitters? PharmaGABA-100 promotes restful sleep by calming your mind.

☀️ If you’re traveling to sunny spots like Hilton Head or Big Sur, grab a best-selling mineral sunscreen.

📈 Enhance your wellness journey by tracking sleep, recovery, and heart rate with an Oura Ring.

Travel Picks

Pets

Bark Air — brought to you by the same company behind BarkBox — is innovating the way your pet travels. The airline is dedicated to offering flight services exclusively for dogs + will roll out its first flights in New York, California, and London this May. To further pamper those pooches, the brand will offer lavender-scented towels, complimentary champagne, and beds for relaxing. (Fast Company)

Cruise

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity may be some of the biggest operators in the cruise industry, but they’re not the only ones. Several “land-based hospitality brands'' are expanding their reach to the seas by tapping into the interests of their existing customers. Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and Margaritaville are already dropping anchor. (USA Today)

Tech

Airports across the US have adopted new technology that means travelers will no longer need to present both their boarding pass and government ID at security. At select airports, only an ID is required, thanks to Credential Authentication Technology. See if your airport has the tech. (AFAR)

Fly

Frontier Airlines unveiled 12 new nonstop flights to popular destinations across the country. Service to cities including Denver, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Savannah, GA will begin this summer.

Family

Although family vacations often look like beach getaways or cruises, who says you can’t try something different? Boston was recently listed as a great destination for those with young kids. The city was featured for its kid-friendly activities, like visiting the Boston Children’s Museum and seeing a sea lion show at the New England Aquarium. (TODAY)

Stay

After opening 395 hotels in 2023, Hilton isn’t slowing down. Hilton Kathmandu and The Printing House Nashville Downtown are anticipated to open next month + Embassy Suites by Hilton Madison, WI Downtown will open in June. See more upcoming Hilton openings and renovation projects.

Save

Don’t forget our favorite flight hack of all time: sign up for Going. You’ll receive emails when flights are 40-90% off, saving an average of $500 on international flights and $200 on domestic. Editors’ pick: the two week free trial of its Premium plan.*

Transit

🚂 Enjoy the ride

A map of the US shows existing Amtrak routes in dark blue, with new routes — to cities like Nashville, Columbus, and Las Vegas — in light blue.

Amtrak proposed several new routes — marked in this map in light blue — that would bring train service to 160 new communities. | Map via Amtrak

All aboard — train travel is back in vogue in the US.

It’s not so surprising, as train travel requires no TSA lines, produces fewer emissions, and offers more comfortable seating + stunning cross-country views.

Companies — and search engines — are taking note.

Crews broke ground on the first high-speed rail line in the nation this month, which will connect Las Vegas with Los Angeles by 2028. And there’s even more in the pipeline: Amtrak has robust plans for major expansions over the next ~15 years.

The company’s broad vision connects existing routes and brings Amtrak service to 160 new communities, including the US’s 50 largest metro areas. That would bring train connections to cities like:

Nashville, TN
Madison, WI
Louisville, KY
Columbus, OH

The vision plan is big — $75 billion big — but there’s never been more investment in passenger rail.

The Federal Railroad Authority is in the process of studying proposed Amtrak routes, and recently released a recommendation for doubling the number of long-distance routes, with preferred connections including Seattle-Chicago and San Antonio-Minneapolis.

With all these changes in store, your next weekend trip could be just a train ride away.

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