Sarasota to West Palm Beach train

A culturally-rich alternative to the nearby theme parks of Orlando, Sarasota's Gulf Coast location is hard to resist. It became the winter base for many well-to-do families in the early twentieth century, during which time much of the town developed a subtle Italian feel.

Not only is the climate similar to what you might experience in southern Italy, but many of Sarasota's buildings were constructed to resemble the country's renaissance masterworks too. A good example is the Ringling family's Ca' d'Zan Venetian-style mansion.

The Ringlings made their money from circuses before giving their name to the much-celebrated John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It contains 21 galleries of European paintings, archaeological artifacts, and American art totaling 10,000 objects.

With weather so fine, you'll probably be looking with more than half an eye at Sarasota's numerous excellent resorts and beaches, many of which lie on a group of keys within the city limits. Bonus: our research ranked Sarasota as the #3 cheapest Spring Break destination, so you can soak up the sun on the cheap.

Arriving in Sarasota is equally easy thanks to its Cattleman Transfer Centre and Fruitville Road bus stations. Between them, travelers can connect by bus everywhere from Tampa to Tucson. Amtrak also operates a Thruway bus service from the defunct Sarasota rail station to Tampa for onward connections by train on the Silver Service. This service runs between Miami and New York City via Washington, D.C.

Unlike its sister Palm Beach, which has long been associated with the ultra-lux lifestyle, West Palm Beach offers a treasure trove of away-from-the-shore entertainments and cultural activities. West Palm Beach houses some of the most vibrant art communities in the state, so art lovers should not miss the chance to visit the local Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, or the Norton Museum of Art. The city’s vicinity to nature allows travelers to get up close and personal with wildlife at venues such as McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, the Lion Country Safari, or Okeeheelee Park.

For food aficionados, West Palm Beach is an affordable destination that can stand toe-to-toe against Palm Beach’s restaurant scene. The principal dishes in the area revolve mostly around seafood, especially groupers and shrimps. Restaurants worth trying out include Tin Fish or Bimini Twist.

West Palm Beach station, a historic destination in the city, is served by Amtrak as well as various bus carriers. There are daily long-distance trains and buses running through this station, offering access to cities as far as New York. The main airport in the city is the Palm Beach International Airport, which is located just west of the city.