After the indulgences of the holiday season, the new year is high time for a healthy restart. But a focus on wellness doesn’t have to mean forgoing pleasure. From nature trails to salt caves, farmer’s markets to facials, a weekend trip to Charleston offers no shortage of ways to treat yourself kindly. Here’s our itinerary to relax, refresh, and enjoy a weekend of wellness in Charleston.
Day 1
If you’re coming in from the Charleston International Airport and you’re up for a little Lowland adventure, head straight to the coastal town of James Island and stroll through the open meadows and miles of paved trails at James Island County Park. Alternatively, if you’re tired from the trip, check in at the Pinch and take a peaceful walk through the quaint, palm-lined streets of the historic South of Broad district, where pastel-colored row-homes are a portal into Charleston’s storied past. Circle around to the Harbor and enjoy a calm stroll along the water, or head back to The Pinch to take out one of the hotel bikes for a quick ride around the neighborhood.
Bike through historic Charleston
Day 2
Morning:
Get an early workout in at ETHOS, an independent gym with a warehouse feel. Finish it off with a cold plunge or a session in their outdoor dry sauna, plus a smoothie at their cafe for morning fuel. (They sell one- or three-day passes— perfect for out-of-towners.)
Then make the drive to Caw Caw Interpretive Center, a range of trails on the former site of an 18th-century rice plantation with exhibits on the region’s past. It was here where the Stono Rebellion took place in 1739, the largest slave rebellion of the era. Their “Forest Bathing Fridays” invite visitors to partake in the Japanese practice of “shinrin-yoku,” a form of ecotherapy designed to engage the senses. A warning, per the website: “Potential side effects may include improved mood, improved circulation, interest in something new, and spontaneous euphoria.”
Back in the city, stop at Basic Kitchen, a local favorite for healthy, nourishing bites. Their lunch menu, made up mostly of nutrient-dense bowls, is served in a sunlit space on Wentworth Street. If you have time, go back for brunch on Saturday or Sunday and try their gluten-free banana bread, zucchini fritters, or “Conscious Cowboy” bowl: chicken sausage, corn and zucchini hash browns, harissa beans, and scrambled eggs.
Fresh Juice from Basic Kitchen
Whoever said retail therapy isn’t effective hasn’t been to Hampden Clothing, the beloved designer shopping destination with chic picks from Proenza Schouler, Isabel Marant, Ulla Johnson, and the like. Stroll further down King Street and hit LAKE Pajamas for ultra-soft pajama sets to ensure a good night’s sleep, as well as the new Ladybird Books, a 1760-square-foot thoughtfully-curated independent bookstore– the perfect spot to stock up on your 2026 reading list.
Evening:
Halotherapy, or salt therapy, involves breathing in air with tiny salt particles and is said to help improve immunity, inflammation, and the lymphatic system, among other benefits. Try it for yourself at Salt Spa & Yoga, where you can book a 50-minute session in a cave made of Himalayan salt for up to 12 people. With its strict no phone and no talking rule, the salt room is a meditative way to wind down after a day about town.
Dinner:
Charleston has earned a global reputation for its food, and while you might not associate Southern cuisine with healthy eating, it’s more than possible to eat well here. At Lowland, The Pinch’s Southern-inspired restaurant from chef Matthew Dion, the Michelin-approved menu is full of Lowcountry favorites prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients, all sourced locally. Health-conscious diners might opt for the protein-dense Carolina Shrimp Cocktail or the Chicory Caesar. Per Food and Beverage Director Michael Jreidini, “It’s all local chicories, and a lot of them, in all different colors— gem lettuce, red and yellow endive, castelfranco!— and toasted sourdough breadcrumbs. If not for the parmesan cheese, it’s a 5-mile salad!” For those with a sweet tooth, try the Butterscotch-Caramel Pot de Creme. Everything in moderation, including dessert.
Salt Spa & Yoga
Day 3
Morning:
Start the day at the weekly Charleston Farmer’s Market, which opens at 8AM on Saturdays. Stock up on fresh, in-season farmstand veggies and fill up on brunch at The Big Egg Charleston, a Farmer’s Market staple serving up fresh omelettes made with local eggs and produce.
Afternoon:
With sandy beaches and wildlife aplenty, Kiawah Island, just 20 miles south of Charleston, is one of the most popular escapes from the city. The small barrier island is best explored by bike; with 35 miles of flat trails and 10 miles of hard-packed sand on the beach, it’s easy to ride for hours. Pedal through the saltwater marshes of Marsh Island Park and climb the viewing tower to take in the views and look for dolphins out at sea. If you’re keen to hit the green, Kiawah is known for its golf courses, too. The Ocean Course, a seaside championship course, is a bucket-list experience for golf enthusiasts; Osprey and Oak Point are also fine choices.
Evening/Dinner:
If you still have energy to spare, you can hit the Coastal Climbing Gym on King Street, a favorite of Charleston local Madeline Lewis, the Senior Food & Beverage Event Manager at Lowland and Rosemary Rose: “It’s right next to Graft and Tutti Pizza, in case you are trying to be healthy but still need your vino and pizza fix. No judgment!”
Night:
If you’re opting for a dry January, you don’t have to resign to a quiet Saturday night. The Gin Joint, an old-timey Charleston favorite for gin-based cocktails, actually has a full mocktail menu featuring syrups, teas, and herbs. Head there after dinner and try the “European Outlaw,” which includes tea, raspberry, ginger, thyme, and no hangover.
Kiawah Island Ocean Course
Day 4
Morning:
Cypress Gardens is a fairytale swamp whose stunning trees and cameo in the film The Notebook have made it a popular and easy day trip from Charleston. Stroll through miles of garden trails, visit the butterfly sanctuary, or rent a kayak and paddle through the enchanting blackwaters of the cypress swamp.
Lunch:
Head for lunch at Huriyali Gardens, a downtown go-to for health-conscious Charlestonians. Behind its charming teal facade, this spot serves cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, smoothies, and sandwiches. Enjoy them on the patio for some additional Vitamin D.
Afternoon:
There’s no better place to start your healing journey than The Healing Gallery, an acupuncture and Chinese medicine practitioner-slash-art gallery tucked away on an alley in the historic French Quarter. Try traditional acupuncture or Acussage— a combo of acupuncture and massage therapy; they also offer facial rejuvenation, cupping, and private yoga sessions.
Evening:
Wind down with a massage or facial at The Pinch Spa. Massages, which all use luxury products made in Italy, range from relaxing Swedish Massage to Deep Tissue, with the most popular Therapeutic Massage combining the two. Custom combination massages incorporate a variety of techniques like Reflexology, which targets pressure points on the bottom of the feet, heated basalt lava stones, warm bamboo, Himalayan salt, and ice rolling. For the face, find treatments specially designed for your skin type or treat yourself to an Anti-Aging Sublime Intensive Facial— the crème de la crème that firms, plumps, rehydrates, and diminishes fine lines. After such an active weekend, a little pampering is well-deserved.