Cheap train tickets from Sarasota to Winter Park

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.

Winter Park is a city in Florida outside Orlando, known for its many outdoor spaces and art and museum centers. The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens showcases sculptures in a lush setting, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is renowned for its Tiffany windows, and the Rollins Museum of Art exhibits artworks from ancient to contemporary periods.

Museums aside, Winter Park is a fabulous urban outdoor destination. Paddle through Winter Park Canals, smell the wisteria at Central Park, and relax in Kraft Azalea Garden on Lake Maitland. Winter Park's premier urban village has cypresses sweeping over red-brick streets lined with cafés, gastro pubs, and brewing companies. Walk along Park Avenue or in the Hannibal Square district for the best shopping and dining in historic settings.

Winter Park is one of the stops on Amtrak's Silver Service between New York City and Miami. FlixBus runs a few intercity bus routes directly to Winter Park, but additional bus lines go through nearby Orlando.