With the end of winter near, many Chicagoans are already beginning to contemplate the bloom of spring as the hibernal months draw to a close and the warmer climes of the season ahead beckon. As they do so, they not only set their sights on a return to traditional active pursuits, the opportunity to enjoy which exists in plentiful abundance around and across the city, but also on a rapidly expanding urban wellness landscape that invites a holistic approach to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

With respect to the former, Chicago residents have long embraced the trend of taking their workouts to the great outdoors.  

And with good reason.  

Through the We Move Chicago initiative, the scenic Chicago Park District – which covers more than 8,000 acres of open space and is comprised of nearly 600 parks including the popular Grant Park, Millennium Park, and Lincoln Park – promotes, educates, and motivates Chicagoans of all ages and abilities to adopt a healthier lifestyle by moving more and eating better. Offering fitness and nutrition classes taught by certified fitness instructors and former military personnel within the parks themselves, as well as over 70 fitness centers fitted out with state-of-the-art equipment, the Chicago Park District delivers a high-quality, low-cost alternative to commercial gyms for anyone in search of a convenient path to increased physical activity. 

Likewise, Chicago offers a plethora of options for biking, jogging, running and active walks against the backdrop of the city’s iconic landmarks and well-preserved natural treasures. Take for example, the Chicago Lakefront Trail, the grand dame of the local running scene, which not only affords runners an 18-mile paved path, but also phenomenal views of the lake and Chicago skyline alongside notable sights such as the Navy Pier, the museum district, and Soldier Field. Similarly, a run through the city’s venerable Hyde Park neighborhood offers a picturesque 5 to 7-mile  tour that encompasses the University of Chicago and some of Chicago’s most historic townhomes, while the Bloomingdale trail, popularly referred to as the  606, serves up a scenic path for local walkers, runners, bikers, and families with multiple access points across four of Chicago’s most well-trafficked neighborhoods — Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Humboldt. 

Beyond traditional fitness activities, however, Chicagoans, like Americans across the country, have adopted the notion that wellness must necessarily include a concerted focus on overall mental and spiritual well-being in addition to building muscle and burning fat through physical exertion. In recognition of this fact, mindfulness and meditation studios have popped up all across the city, providing urban dwellers with a sanctuary to escape the chaos and cultivate inner peace through guided meditation sessions, mindfulness workshops, and stress-relief programs that assist patrons in finding balance in a fast-paced and relentless world. 

While wellness spas like Lume, located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, offer services ranging from cryotherapy, NAD+, vitamin IV drips and lymphatic compression to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, massage and red light therapy, Insight Timer Chicago offers a meditation community with scores of instructors who work to help patrons develop a mindfulness practice that can help to minimize the effects of stress and sleep disorders, restore spiritual harmony and balance, and improve mental health and personal productivity. 

Meanwhile, Aire Ancient Baths, located in a restored factory from 1902 in River West, takes guests on a candlelit journey through the traditional Roman, Greek and Ottoman ancient experience of baths via a series of thermal pools, warm marble beds and a wide variety of treatments ranging from an Ultimate Blossom Ritual complete with floral scrub and a floral mask with Hindu sacred flower clay to a Himalayan Salt Ritual which includes a Himalayan salt body scrub and massage, for the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. Elsewhere, Galos Caves in Chicago’s Irving Park delivers a version of salt therapy that has been popular in Eastern Europe for centuries as it is believed to provide relief from respiratory and digestive ailments while also acting as a balm for arthritis, skin diseases and more. 

Even Chicago’s culinary scene is embracing the philosophy of wellness as many restaurants and cafes now offer nutritious and balanced meal options that cater to various dietary preferences. Additionally, cooking classes and workshops focused on healthy eating habits have become popular, providing residents with the knowledge and skills to make mindful food choices. 

With its abundance of unique offerings, Chicago’s urban wellness scene caters to every taste and need. Whether you’re seeking affordable fitness options, enticing jogging trails and bike paths, a relaxing spa experience, or a mindful practice, the city has something for you. As Chicago continues to evolve, it continues to be a destination where residents and visitors thrive not merely materially, but also spiritually thanks to a bevy of wellness havens that reflect a universal desire to lead healthier, more balanced lives.