23.05.2009

Editor's pick traveler story from TripAdvisor.com:
www.tripadvisor.com
People are always complaining that there is nothing to do here. Yes, there is the obvious, like museums and Six Flags, but what about a truly authentic experience? People have finally found one right here in Dallas. If you call the Russian Banya, they'll say that they're a restaurant, spa, and event center. That's about right, for Russians.

In Russia and various parts of the former USSR people go to the 'bathhouse'. Not only for health, but to be social. The owner of the Banya put it some thing like this, "When people all in the saunas, stripped down and bare, it forces you to realize that people are all made of the same thing, no matter what your class." So, Eastern Eurpoeans have been coming together in the Banya for cenutries. With good reason. The effects of 200 plus degrees can be felt immediately, but the bizarre addiction to the heat that goes along with going there is unexplainable.

Main Cool Down Area
Banyas are the hottest thing in New York, Chicago, Miami, and Seattle and Dallas is finally ready to join it's ranks. Here's how it goes down: you bring your bathing suit, for $25 you get a robe, slippers, and towels and entrance all day long into the 17,000 square foot facility. There are two cool down areas, food you can order, a game room, dancing and music on the weekends, and it's BYOB. The also have (by appointment only) traditional massage (by a former olympic team massuese) and a skin care specialist (all natural custom facials, spray tans, reflexology, body wraps) on staff. It's also one of the few places found in Dallas that serves authentic Russian cuisine.
Wednesdays Ladies get in for $18.50 and Thursdays men get in for $18.50. The staff tries to coordinate so that the saunas are not co-ed on these days.
Never in one place can one meet so many different kinds of people in one place. It's an experience that really can't be explained in words. But, people have been conducting business (what a cool place to take your clients!), healing, falling in love, and finding themselves in the heat of the saunas for centuries. There is nothing else in Dallas like the Banya so don't miss it!

It's also very family friendly!