Sarasota to Kannapolis 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.

Kannapolis is a city in the suburb of Charlotte, known for its unique, Greek-inspired name. The city is popular for its attractions and parks, especially as it has a rich history of music and motorsports. At Kannapolis, the love for music shows in the different theaters like the Gem Theatre and North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. It is an outdoor-friendly city with different parks, outdoor shows, train rides, animal preserves, and recreation areas, including Frank Liske Park, Village Park, and Fisher Farm for biking and hiking. Kannapolis also has Tiger World, an exotic preserve for endangered animals (with no Tiger Kings).

Kannapolis has a scenic vibe during the day, but at night, it has an exciting nightlife with different lounges, nightclubs, bars, taverns, lounges, and parties. The city also has a fast-growing craft beer scene, but wine lovers can also visit the Douglas Vineyards, the top winery in the city. Downtown Kannapolis has evolved into an entertainment district, as it features houses, businesses, restaurants, boutiques, and local stores.

While the closest major airport is CLT over in Charlotte, you can easily get to Kannapolis by train from over 20 other cities. Amtrak has the Amtrak Carolinian and Amtrak Piedmont with routes through the city. The city's public transportation is easy to access through Rider Transit services.