The exciting and vibrant capital of Georgia, Atlanta was host to the 1996 Olympic Games and offers an array of attractions, entertainment and national travel deals. This cosmopolitan city is one of the most exciting and fascinating places to visit in the United States and is within reach of other worthy destinations by rental car in Atlanta.
Getting there
One of the world’s busiest and largest airports is Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, serviced by Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways and all major American carriers, as well as numerous small ones also. By rail, Amtrak’s Crescent line runs between New Orleans and New York daily, stopping in Atlanta, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and other intermediate points.
Near to the center of downtown Atlanta by car rental, three major interstate highways (I-20, I-75 and I-85) converge, with Birmingham (Alabama) located 240kms from Atlanta, New Orleans 750kms away, and Orlando and Walt Disney World, 725kms.
Key attractions
The center of the city is in the shape of star, aptly named the Five Points intersection. Great shopping and the main business district are to be found here. To the east of the intersection is Sweet Auburn, which features the Martin Luther King, Jr National Historic Site, built to honor America’s greatest civil rights leader. Exhibits and a movie about the neighborhoodеs history are on show at the African American Panoramic Experience. The trendy nightlife area of Midtown is to the north, and the oldest neighborhood in the city is West End, just west of downtown. Search online for national deals on travel to Atlanta.
Out and about
If it’s that old Southern hospitality you’re looking for, head to the pretty little town of Marietta, only half an hour by rental car from Atlanta and a quaint little town featuring hometown cafes, quiet streets and nice little parks. It’s also here that you’ll find the Kennesaw Civil War Museum. An extraordinary collection of 19th century buildings can be viewed in one of the South’s most comely cities а Savannah. The city was spared by General Sherman during the Civil War while so many other cities in the South were burned to the ground.
Leisure options
You’ll find great soul-food restaurants and interesting sites in Sweet Auburn, whose history dates back to when it was the African-American downtown during the days of segregation. Georgia’s Stone Mountain Park has several lakes and a sky lift to the top of the peak. Get there by car rental from Atlanta. Additionally, it is a great place for Civil War history buffs, as it features a massive likeness of such Confederate (Rebel) leaders as President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E Lee, carved into the side of a granite cliff.
Safety
Due to Atlanta’s increase in tourism, and when arriving in any major city, visitors are reminded to be vigilant when in busy places, such as bars, and at night. Pickpockets and neighbourhoods away from the main drag can sometimes pose a risk, especially to tourists. We advise you to take out travel insurance for yourself and anyone travelling with you.