These US Cities Are Winning Summer With Wellness, Fitness & Feel-Good Vibes

credit: Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash

Whether you want to hike, bike, chill or dance, these three cities are bringing summer energy and serious wellness perks

What makes a city truly “feel good” in the summer of 2025? For some, it’s about sunshine and scenery. For others, it’s live music, green space and the ability to grab a post-workout smoothie after morning yoga. A new report from BetMGM has crunched the data across 15 “feel-good” lifestyle metrics to find out where Americans can thrive this summer to enjoy wellness studios, swimming pools and connect with the great outdoors and others.

Here’s a closer look at the top three ranking cities and what makes each one stand out for summer wellness, fitness and fun.

1. Los Angeles: Where Wellness Meets Sunshine

LA takes the top spot for good reason. The city hits the sweet spot with an average summer temperature of 73.4°F and nearly 1,000 hours of sunshine between June and August. But it’s not just the weather that makes it feel good, it’s what Angelenos do with it.

With more than 240 wellness facilities within walking distance of the city center, locals and visitors have their pick of yoga, dance, Reiki and more. Add in natural beaches, ample swimming pools, and a packed lineup of live music events, and LA earns its title as America’s ultimate summer mood booster.

It’s worth noting that LA takes its fitness seriously. The Fit Guide, considered the Zagat of fitness ratings, gave the sunny city the highest overall scores across all clubs evaluated, surpassing the global average of 80.5%.

“We expected LA to score well, but we were genuinely surprised by just how high the results came in,” The Fit Guide co-founder Jack Thomas said in March. “The city has a reputation for great hospitality, strong personality and standout design—and our first year of evaluations really reflected that.”

2. New York City: Urban Energy With a Wellness Core

While NYC may be known for its hustle, it’s also carving out serious space for health, happiness and Pilates. The city ranks highest for walkability and bikeability, making it one of the most movement-friendly metros in the country. It also leads in outdoor parks and wellness facilities, offering a rare mix of urban intensity and restorative green space.

credit: Photo by Sebastian Enrique on Unsplash

With more than 150 dog parks, 29 live music events on tap, and over 100 ice cream shops near its bustling center, New York balances self-care with tasty treats. Whether it’s a weekend walk through Central Park, a sunrise fitness class, or an impromptu dance session at a summer concert, the city proves you don’t have to leave town to feel good. It’s also home to Fyra Yoga, a hot yoga concept launched by Arcade Fire’s Sarah Neufeld.

Additionally, Nordic Strong, a Scandinavian fitness concept, is opening a seasonal studio in Sag Harbor this summer as it prepares to take a bite out of the Big Apple with a permanent location in New York City’s Flatiron District later this year. Not to be outdone (and channeling New York’s ambitious spirit) The Athletic Clubs, a squad-based training brand with seven locations across New York City, recently announced a $3.5 million funding round led by Solidcore founder and serial entrepreneur Anne Mahlum.

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3. Chicago: The Midwest Capital of Outdoor Balance

Chicago lands third but brings first-rate credentials when it comes to outdoor wellness. The city is a standout for green space access and earns high marks for its outdoor dining scene (perfect for socializing after a long lakefront bike ride.)

With over 120 wellness studios offering everything from barre to meditation and a near-perfect summer temperature average of 71.6°F, Chicago mixes movement, nature and leisure in one scenic package. It’s a reminder that big-city life can still leave room for grounding, connection and play.

Notably, Hyrox has selected Chicago as the host city for its 2024/25 World Championships, taking place at the Chicago Navy Pier. The city has also attracted JetSet Pilates and D1 Training.

Other Feel-Good Standouts

Phoenix leads the pack in outdoor fitness zones, helping locals stay active year-round, even in the heat.
Pittsburgh punches above its weight with top marks in nature trails, offering miles of accessible escapes within city limits.
Las Vegas delivers strong in the social category with the most outdoor dining per capita, proving wellness can have a little sparkle.