Car Rental Atlanta links. Atlanta Information to give you a feel of what it's like if you haven't been before. An introduction to Atlanta, information on the climate & Atlanta's transportation.

Atlanta Introduction

First-time visitors may envision Atlanta as having a serene antebellum ambience, with dogwood-framed mansions inhabited by ladies in lace dresses who serve mint juleps to slow-talking southern gentlemen.

On the contrary, Georgia's capital, fondly known as "HOTlanta" to locals, is now a bustling, world-class city, with a skyline full of impressive architectural designs that complement rolling hills and abundant foliage.

Atlanta is consistently ranked as one of the best places to do business in the U.S., and more than 750 of Fortune's Top 1,000 businesses have offices there.

A fast-paced, ready-for-the-future attitude is evident in its booming convention business, pulsing nightlife, showplace museums, sophisticated fine-arts facilities and painstakingly restored historical landmarks.

Atlanta Climate

Atlanta lies in the foothills of the Appalachians. Although it is cooler than other parts of central Georgia, its summers are still hot and humid.

Those unaccustomed to this kind of climate will be more comfortable in the spring or fall.

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Atlanta -- the abundance of dogwood trees and azaleas turns the city into a fragrant pastel garden.

Temperatures are mild, 50-79 F/10-25 C, but travelers should be aware that severe thunderstorms and even tornadoes may occur in the Atlanta area then.

Fall weather is more predictable -- most days are sunny and warm. Winters are mild, though the city usually sees at least one ice or snowstorm each year.

Atlanta's climate yields many varieties of plants and flowers, which may be a nuisance to hay-fever or asthma sufferers.

Currently, Atlanta is also experiencing record-high levels of air pollution, which causes many residents respiratory distress, especially in the summer.

If you suffer in these conditions, avoid going outdoors during late afternoon and early evening. Local news broadcasts track the air-pollution levels.

Atlanta Transportation

Traffic is probably Atlanta's No. 1 problem. Atlantans spend more time commuting than Los Angelenos, and during rush hour, the traffic jams on I-75, I-85 and I-285 are a bear.

That said, you still need a car even though some of the sights downtown can be reached on foot. Rush hour on the freeways lasts 6-10 am and starts up again 2-7 pm.

There are high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes for cars that carry more than one passenger. They make the ride into the city faster and promote fewer vehicles on the road.

The city's public transportation system, which includes buses and high-speed trains, is excellent, but stops are not located near all attractions. Allow plenty of time to get between destinations.