Are you ready to explore the dense history and rich culture of Atlanta? With a past rooted in the Civil Rights movement, elegant Victorian architecture and a slow-as-molasses lifestyle, this Georgia capital is the ideal place for a romantic getaway for two or a full-on family vacation. A trip to this city is easy on the wallet as well, especially when you take advantage of  Atlanta deals on one of an array of Atlanta rental cars available through Thrifty. 

Learn about the Civil Rights era

Atlanta played a huge role in the African-American Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, and evidence of this is scattered all throughout the city. Take a National Park Service tour of the birth home of local native Martin Luther King Jr. as well as the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he pastored. Over on Freedom Parkway, you'll find a museum and library dedicated to President Jimmy Carter, who also served as a Georgia governor. Hop in your Atlanta car rental and head over to the Herndon Home, previously the residence of Alonzo Herdon. This former slave was a major figure in the fight against segregation and Jim Crow laws, and, in the 1920s, became the city's richest African-American through the success of his own life insurance company.

Get great deals at local restaurants

There are many restaurants in the area that offer specials specifically for tourists. Get a taste of traditional Southern cooking at Mary Mac's Tea Room, where you'll find huge portions and a menu of house favorites like meatloaf, pork chops and fried chicken. First-time guests get a complimentary cup of Pot Likker - a rich broth with turnip greens and a side of golden cornbread. Locals will recommend Flip Burger, which features a new burger special every month. If you're looking to kick back and savor an icy drink, take your Atlanta car rental down to Tin Lizzy's Cantina, where you can get a $4 margarita and enjoy some of the area's best tacos.

Visit the World of Coca Cola

The World of Cola in Atlanta is a unique experience that exposes you to the history of this American staple. The museum is filled with more than 1,200 artifacts, such as delivery trucks from the 1930s and vintage soda bottles. There's also a fully functioning manufacturing line that will spit out an eight-ounce glass bottle of Coca Cola just for you. In the Taste It! exhibit, you can sample the flavors of more than 60 Coke varieties from around the globe, and you can even create your own flavor in the Vault of the Secret Formula.