Gray Weather Survival Guide

The sky may be gray, but that’s no reason to feel blue. We’ve come up with plenty of ways to survive

By: Written By Francine Ruley and Lorna Yee with Amelia Apfel, Thea Chard, Brangien Davis, Rachel Hart, Manny Lewis and Kate Calamusa |   January 2010   |  FROM THE PRINT EDITION

Get in touch with your inner dolphin in The Hyatt at Olive 8’s saline pool.

14. Visit the jungle
A trip to the Woodland Park Zoo can unleash your inner chimp—and doesn’t that always put a smile on your face? When it’s raining cats and dogs, head to the zoo’s tropical rain forest exhibit and pretend you’re in Ecuador.

15. Get steamed
The blissed-out, smiling folks gliding out the door of South Lake Union’s Banya 5 are experiencing “Banya-head,” says Larry Holman, marketing and client services director—and you can, too. The road to euphoria begins in the “Parilka,” a sauna where the temp varies between 210 and 240 degrees (coed—wear your bathing suit). Yes, it’s hot, but it’ll be worth it because your next move is a bracing dip into a cold plunge pool. The airy, light-filled space also offers a saltwater pool, steam room and hot water whirlpool to loosen up your achy muscles and get your circulation going.