After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a well-deserved rest is in order, wouldn’t you say? You’ve earned it!  Get ready to kick off the new year with these ideas to help you relax, reset, and recharge yourself in Erie, PA.

Be Spa Spoiled

A trip to the spa should always top your list of the best ways to relax. One popular go-to spa spot is A Compassionate Hart Massage Therapy  where the deep tissue therapeutic massage option is a luxurious escape from everyday worries. The talented therapists use their expert hands (and feet!) to remove your stress and tension, letting it melt away. A Compassionate Hart recently expanded their space to make room for new massage and healing services including Ashiatsu (the use of feet instead of hands to massage), two sensory deprivation float rooms, a Himalayan salt cave, and a BioMat amethyst crystal bed. 

There are several spa and wellness centers throughout the Erie region such as Monacella Massage and Kinesiology, and Bella Salon and Day Spa, that offer a range of pampering services. Click here for a complete list.

Surround Your Senses 

Transform your space into a tranquil, Zen-like oasis with a visit to Grasshopper. There, you can stock up on all the necessities needed to create a peaceful escape. With two convenient Erie locations, Grasshopper has ample supplies of aromatherapy and essential oils, incense sticks and cones, meditation candles, tapestries, whimsical jewelry, and other accessories.  Before you head home to set up your new sanctuary, treat yourself to a creamy, frothy latte and a loaded chocolate chip muffin from Dunkin Donuts.

Stretch Your Legs

The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) is the perfect place for a healthy dose of crisp, refreshing wintry air in a serene, retreat-like environment. The park features more than 1,000 trees, multiple trails, a labyrinth, Cascade Creek, and a winter garden. If you’re looking for some quiet reflection time, the winter garden is a peaceful, healing space that showcases plants that are at their peak when most plants are dormant. It is a small, terraced area on the northwest corner of the park overlooking the labyrinth. Photo by Rob Hornaman.

Dive into Steamy Goodness

When all else fails, nothing will soothe your soul more than a steaming, aromatic bowl of ramen from Samurai Kitchen and Sushi. From October to May, the best day of the week hands down, is Ramen Tuesdays where the noodle love is overflowing, and the flavor combinations are endless. The restaurant’s traditional beef bone broth ramen with a soft boiled egg is a crowd-pleaser, however, any ramen bowl, Vietnamese Pho soup or Indonesian Bakso (meatball) soup is a winner.

There are several restaurants throughout the Erie region that have cozy, inviting spaces and delicious menu items guaranteed to fill your body and lift your spirits. Read more here.