Hartford to Sarasota train

Hartford is the capital of Connecticut, and a New England destination with literary attractions, charming parks, and engaging activities for families.

The homes of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe, both in Hartford, have been turned into museums to learn more about these authors and their lives. If you prefer Edward Cullen to Tom Sawyer, you may appreciate that a more contemporary literary giant, Stephenie Meyer, was born in Hartford too.

The Elizabeth Park Conservancy is a spread of formal gardens and grounds where you can walk, picnic, and catch outdoor concerts or tours. Kids will love the antique carousel in Bushnell Park, as well as the hands-on exhibits at the Connecticut Science Center. For those who prefer to wander through cute downtowns, West Hartford offers some of the best shopping in the area.

With a large nearby airport, and many intercity bus and train services providing access to hubs like Boston and New York, getting to Hartford is about as easy as a walk in Bushnell 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.