A Weekend of Wellness in New Smyrna Beach

My college friends and I plan an annual getaway to pamper ourselves, body and mind, and catch up on what’s going on in our lives. This year, we spent a weekend of wellness in the New Smyrna Beach Area, where we found plenty of spots to relax and recharge, savor ultra-fresh meals, and soak in the area’s extraordinary natural beauty.

A Restful Place to Lay Our Heads

We started our trip by checking into the Night Swan Intracoastal Bed and Breakfast. This gracious inn felt like home from the minute we walked through the door. With its cozy sitting room, well-appointed bedrooms, and spacious porch with a view of the bridge spanning the north branch of the Indian River, the house welcomed us with open arms and calming vibes. 

The owners served up nourishing breakfasts, with yogurt, fresh fruit, and a delicious hot dish, giving us a healthy start to each day’s adventures. The inn’s location was convenient for morning strolls in Riverside Park and was steps away from the Historic District, with its array of boutiques and art galleries.

The Pampering We All Deserved

To start off our weekend right, we booked massages and facials at the Spa at Riverview. With a variety of massage types to choose from, including Swedish, hot stone, deep tissue, and Thai, we all found the method of relaxation that worked for each of us. The spa likewise offers a wide assortment of facials, and their knowledgeable aestheticians explained the benefits of each, so we could choose which path we’d take to a younger appearance… at least for this weekend! 

The experience was so relaxing yet invigorating that we agreed to spring for the half-day package next time so we could enjoy a refreshing lunch at the spa after the treatment. 

Moments of Mindfulness by the Beach

In keeping with the relaxation from the spa visit, we joined a Vinyasa class at Kula Yoga Studio. Moving through the poses worked to keep our minds focused on our bodies, and each downward dog lifted my spirits as I felt my back, legs, and arms stretching and any stress melting away.

We opted to keep our bodies in motion after yoga and headed to Smyrna Dunes Park for a walk along the beach. From the 2-mile-long boardwalk, we took in the views of the river and the Ponce de Leon Inlet, which was filled with several species of wading birds. Watching nature is always a great way to unwind for us.

Eating Well, Feeling Great

The New Smyrna Beach Area is known for its wealth of dining options, and we were dismayed to have only a weekend to try out the food scene. In keeping with the wellness theme for our trip, we opted to keep our meals as healthy as possible, though maybe some ice cream snuck in here and there!

The Garlic, a restaurant devoted to creating Tuscan dishes featuring the pungent bulb in a harmonious fusion of flavors, was our first evening’s choice. We enjoyed the Old World feel of the restaurant, with its enormous wood-fired oven and fairy-lighted outdoor space. We savored the cioppino, with its hearty mix of fresh seafood, as well as the mouthwatering pasta dishes and perfectly grilled steak, all served with warm bread and roasted garlic to spread on it. They say garlic is good for the heart, so ours must have been pumping smoothly that night!

We went a bit lighter the next evening, with a great menu at Corkscrew Bar and Grille. With several seafood dishes, a quinoa/veggie bowl, and a wide choice of salads, we kept ourselves on track for healthful eating, but these plates certainly didn’t taste like they were filled with diet food! 

As we packed up on our final morning in New Smyrna Beach, we all felt rested, both physically and mentally. From the cozy accommodations to the wonderful food we had eaten, from the soothing spa treatments and yoga class to the invigoration of being outdoors with friends, we couldn’t have imagined a better wellness getaway. The only thing that would have made this trip better was more time to spend… so we’re planning to return for next year’s getaway to immerse ourselves in the area’s spa-like setting again.