Entry No. 26 — the Philadelphia file — filed under: soak
Halcyon Floats
Three float tanks — two extra-large private cabins and one traditional pod — each hold 800 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt in body-temperature, pitch-black water, and the same room also has a halotherapy salt booth and an oxygen bar. The place opened in March 2014 as Philly's first dedicated float center, and every staffer started out as an obsessed regular before they went to work there.
The story
Ducking into 1314 North Front Street means leaving the metallic roar of the Market-Frankford El behind for a sanctuary built on stripping away input. Halcyon Floats opened in March 2014 as Philadelphia’s first dedicated float center, establishing a quiet foothold right on the Northern Liberties and Fishtown border by offering complete sensory deprivation.
Inside, three tanks sit in separate private rooms—two custom, extra-large float cabins built for those who want head-room, and one traditional capsule pod. Each holds 10 inches of water loaded with 800 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt, kept at exact body temperature so the physical boundary between skin and water disappears in the pitch dark. The staff culture here is equally specific: every single team member started out as an obsessed customer floating in the dark before taking a job behind the desk. Alongside the tanks, the room includes a halotherapy salt booth, an infrared setup, and an oxygen bar for dry sensory recalibration.
What it's like
The city noise cuts off the moment you close your private suite door. You shower first, insert silicone earplugs, and lower yourself into ten inches of warm, buoyant saltwater. Once you close the tank lid and turn off the interior light, visuals and gravity vanish—within twenty minutes, your brain starts inventing its own landscape. Crucial tip: do not shave, wax, or scratch your skin anywhere on your body the day of your session, unless you want 800 pounds of salt to pinpoint every micro-cut. Use the post-float lounge afterward to let your eyes adjust before stepping back out under the train.
The move: Book side-by-side 90-minute floats in separate private tank rooms, then regroup for a shared oxygen-bar session and a halotherapy salt booth sit-down to compare what your brain did in the sensory-deprivation dark.
- 📍 Northern Liberties / Fishtown border, Philadelphia
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoor or outdoor
Where: 1314 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- ICEBOX Project Space at Crane Arts — Contrast the pitch-black sensory vacuum of the float tank with a three-block walk to massive visual art installations in a 5,000-square-foot industrial hall.
- Formation Sauna + Wellness — Extend your soak and recovery circuit down the street with a high-heat session inside a Nordic sauna built into Northern Liberties.
- NextFab — Metal Forging I — Trade deep sensory stillness for the raw noise, heat, and physical feedback of hammering hot iron at a live anvil.
Good to know
Do I need to wear a swimsuit?
No. Floating is done completely unclothed in your private, locked suite. Towels, earplugs, body wash, shampoo, and post-float showers are all provided.
What is the difference between the float cabins and the pod?
The custom cabins feature tall ceilings and a roomier feel for floaters prone to claustrophobia, while the classic pod is a lower, traditional capsule tank. Both hold 800 pounds of Epsom salt in pitch-black water.
Is total darkness mandatory inside the tank?
No. You are in complete control of the interior light switch and tank door at all times, so you can leave a soft light on or keep the door cracked if total darkness feels too intense.
What else is available on site besides float tanks?
The facility also houses a halotherapy salt booth, an oxygen bar, and an infrared sauna setup.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · phillymag.com · phillyvoice.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-19