Sarasota to Yonkers 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.

Yonkers is the third-largest city in New York, although it’s technically considered a suburb of New York City. Located just north of the Bronx on the Hudson River, Yonkers has its own unique appeal and its own central plaza, Getty Square, with plenty of shopping without the crowds. The Hudson River Museum is a unique mix of art, history, and science. Permanent displays include American art galleries, tours of the historic Glenview home, and the only public planetarium in the county.

For more science (and more Hudson River), visit the Science Barge, a floating urban farm and environmental education center. The Barge grows a delicious variety of crops through hydroponics and green energy, and offers tours, field trips, and samples. After an eco-friendly appetizer, stick to the river for Xaviars on the Hudson or the Dolphin Restaurant for delicious seafood. Zuppa, Francey Brady’s, and La Pinata Bakery are only a few blocks off the riverfront, and the fresh food is definitely worth the walk.

Yonkers has multiple Metro North Railroad stations for easy public transportation, and JFK International Airport in NYC is easily accessible. Amtrak offers multiple alternatives to flying, with the Amtrak Empire Service, Amtrak Maple Leaf, and Amtrak Ethan Allen Express. These lines cover routes from Yonkers to Boston, Utica, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, and more.