I recently took a solo day trip to Savannah, Georgia. My day began with an early morning flight, around 5 am. I got lucky and scored a first-class seat, where I enjoyed a mimosa for the start of my trip. Luckily, I fell asleep on both flights since my day had started so early. I arrived in Savannah around 9 am and started exploring.

River Street

It was quickly apparent that Savannah is an ideal place to travel solo. The city felt safe as I wandered the streets, and I observed many other young women doing the same. I had a loose plan for what I wanted to see throughout the day but adjusted the order in which I wandered. I took an Uber into the city from the airport, which dropped me off at River Street. There, I strolled beside the river, enjoying the beautiful weather. I took in the sights, observing boats and an impressive bridge. 

Brunch

After I had soaked in my fill of the riverfront, I proceeded to the JW Marriott nearby. I got a little confused because I entered the hotel’s main lobby, which had no signs of the mineral show I had heard about. Temporarily giving up on this particular attraction, I sought out brunch. I had researched a place in advance that looked amazing. I entered The Collins Corner, a charming brunch spot adorned with floral arrangements, brick walls, and leather booths. It was a promising start. Eyeing up the menu, I hotly debated between the delicious-sounding Cannoli French Toast and the classic Eggs Benedict.

The savory side won out, and I chose the Eggs Benedict. I awaited one of my favorite breakfast dishes while admiring the establishment. It was a quaint place. I saw dishes zooming by me, each looking better than the last. Finally, my meal arrived. It looked delicious! A fresh arugula salad and fingerling potatoes sat beside the piles of Benedict topped with perfectly poached eggs and a scrumptious-looking hollandaise sauce. I tucked in with my knife, confirming the perfect cook on the eggs. It tasted just as good as it looked! The tart dressing on the arugula perfectly complemented the creamy richness of the hollandaise. Satisfied, I continued my explorations. 

Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist

I journeyed through the twisted, tree-lined streets and parks dripping in Spanish moss. I passed through a beautiful green cemetery with swaying trees and historic gravestones. As the cemetery pathway neared an end, I could see the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in the distance. The basilica stood before me with all of its grandeur as I approached. Its cream facade with golden accents contrasted the almost perfectly-clear blue skies starkly.

As I entered, the interior reminded me of churches I had seen in Europe. With marbled, green, painted pillars rising to the painted ceiling with crosses that looked almost like stars juxtaposed with the navy-blue vault. Behind the altar, an impressive display of stained glass glimmered before me. As I turned, a grandiose organ awaited my gaze. Behind it, a colorful circular stained glass window framed the impressive instrument. In awe again at the marvels humankind will go to to create majestic worship spaces, I continued on my walk. 

Forsynth Park

My next stop was the famous Forsyth Park. When I came upon the feature fountain, I grabbed a spot in the shade on a park bench and enjoyed the sounds of the water rolling over the fountain and the people bustling in the park. It was graduation weekend, and graduates were excitedly posing for pictures in and around the fountain. Eventually, a trumpeter arrived and began to play Amazing Grace. I could vaguely hear another trumpeter far in the distance. Having taken it all in and rested my feet, I debated between grabbing another Uber to the Bonaventure Cemetery or trying my luck again with the mineral show.

I decided to head back to the River Street area to see if any shops had opened and give the JW Marriott another try. If I am ever back in Savannah, I will visit the cemetery. This choice was a lesson in travel flexibility. I would have loved either option, but it was beginning to get hot, and I was growing tired of walking. My feelings at the moment lead me to head back to the Marriott. I think this made my overall trip more enjoyable for the amount of time I had. 

Mineral Show

On my journey back, I found a souvenir quickly. A shop had Savannah stickers, so I grabbed a couple and a fidget spinner to reach the minimum card limit. I perused a few other stores but came out empty-handed. The AC was appreciated, however, as it was beginning to get even hotter outside. When I arrived at the Marriott, I discovered an entirely different entrance for the mineral show. Upon entering, I gazed at the backlit panels of cut gemstones adorning the walls. They were each probably about 10′ tall and 4′ wide. Display cases were full of giant crystals from all over the world.

As I continued into the atrium, a stunning dinosaur sculpture filled the entirety of the ceiling space overhead. There were giant crystals all around, many even taller than me! Quartz, amethyst, citrine, and more glimmered in the cleverly lit room. Some crystals had spotlights to reveal their luster, others were backlit to illuminate their patterns, and colored lights in the ceiling reflected on the dinosaur installation above. As I wandered through the forest of rocks, I came upon giant mammoth tusks, an ice-age bear skeleton, and a stegosaurus skeleton.

Everywhere I looked, there was a sight to behold. As I have always been a rock lover, I was happy with my decision. I was so glad to have stumbled upon this lesser-known activity while watching a youtube video about traveling to Savannah. When I had been perusing some shops on my way, a local recommended a lunch spot. I decided to give it a go.

Trip Home

The restaurant, Kayak Kafé, featured a menu of healthy foods. I ordered a turkey melt, which came with a side salad. It was a decent lunch but did not compare to the marvelous brunch I had previously consumed. After lunch, I booked an Uber and ventured to the airport around 2:30 pm. Prepared with an overnight bag, I almost assumed I would get stuck. (See post on bookings for why I had not booked a hotel!) The flight numbers were not looking promising. Regardless, I gave it a go. Not only did I get on, but a first-class passenger traded seats with me so they could sit next to their wife.

Expecting to get stuck on my layover, I yet again got comfortable. Like the first flight, I waited until everyone had boarded. (Always stay at the gate until the doors close before giving up!) Miraculously, six people missed their flight, and I was assigned a seat. It was an exit row! I was truly fortunate. I hopped off the plane to meet my husband, who was finishing work, and completed my journey before sundown, around 7 pm.

Things to visit that I missed:

• Bonaventure Cemetery
• Tybee Island
• Savannah Ghost Tour
• Hop on Hop Off Tour
• Riverboat Cruise

(a tour would have been great to find out more of the history of Savannah)

Restaurants:

• The Grey (splurge Southern restaurant)
• Husk (splurge Southern restaurant)
• The Original Crab Shack (Seafood, so also pricey)
• Rancho Alegre Cuban (Cuban food, reasonable prices)
• Zunzibar (drinks and sandwiches, reasonable prices)

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