Photo courtesy of The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, Wikimedia commons.

The number three activity on the list of vacation to-dos is entertainment. There are many ways to spend many dollars to see some high-end entertainment. However, the best entertainment can sometimes be just sitting around, enjoying a beverage, and watching the comings and goings of the crowds. Here are the five best (in my humble opinion) places to watch people while on vacation.

5.  San Diego

I have two words for you here: Comic Con. The Con that started it all features some of the best (and worst) dressed sci-fi, fantasy, comic book, and anime characters you have ever seen. There are also the beaches in the area which are never hard on the eyes. The Zoo and the Gaslamp District are great for tourist watching as there is a pretty good melting pot of people that converge in San Diego.

Best time to watch: 5 p.m. at In N Out to watch as Dr. Who, Aquaman and Walter White try to order their Double-Double Animal-style.

4.  Orlando

Photo courtesy of isitpacked.com

Orlando is one of the greatest places to experience European culture without making the trip all the way overseas.  Here you get that beautiful mix of watching clothing styles years before we get them here in the States (if we do at all) coupled with the fun of a foriegn youngster trying American cuisine for the first time.  There is always the bonus of going to some of the smaller, cheaper amusement parks or the outlet malls and seeing the heart of America shining bright.

Best time to watch: Any time in any of the parks at an open air restaurant. Grab a seat, grab a beer and enjoy the show.

3.  New York City

Photo courtesy of JoeJoeJoe93, via Wikimedia Commons.

New York City, by sheer size alone, brings out the full cross section of society. Central Park, Columbus Square, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park and of course, Times Square are just great places to watch people roam by. Grab yourself a hot dog in Times Square and watch the tourists take pictures, commuters stride by, and naked cowboys beg for money.

Best time to watch: Happy hour at Cipriani Dolce in Grand Central Station. You will never see so many people going home so fast after work. The occasional performer, flash mob or on-foot police chase normally livens things up.

2.  New Orleans

Mardi Gras, as you can probably well imagine, is a wonderful place to go to people watch, but be sure to watch out for yourself. If you haven't got one of those places on the balcony to see the crowds safely, you may get picked up with the pack and moved right on down the street. Any time outside of the two weeks around Fat Tuesday is still a great scene to people peep. The French quarter will hold the majority of great sights to see with street performers, artisans, and tourists, both inebriated and sober. Jackson Square, the waterfront, and the Garden District are also good spots to see folks at their New Orleans finest.

Best time to watch: 11 p.m. Bourbon Street to see the everything from college kids doing karaoke to the jazz players both inside and outside of the clubs. If you stay sober you the show is still a good time.  If not, partake in the revelry, and finish the night with a Lucky Dog hotdog.

1.  Las Vegas

There are few places in the world that have the glitz and the glamour, the lewdness and luster that visitors coming to Las Vegas possess. There is probably no more diverse group of people in any one place at any one given time.  Whether you are a millionaire arriving by personal jet and limousine or a frat boy drinking a 36-inch frozen drink, here you will truly see it all. 

A Gene Simmons lookalike getting on the bus, bachlorette parties screaming, and celebrities wagering big at the craps tables can all be seen within minutes and feet of each other if you just take some time to look around. At night, watch as th guys and gals get gussied up for the clubs.  In the morning get a good walk in down the strip and watch the workers make the place look both shiny and new. 

Best time to watch: Friday 8 p.m. or later anywhere on Freemont Street or the Strip. Grab a drink, take a walk and keep your eyes wide open. If you want characters for a book, this is the place to build them.

Every city in the states has its own great watching spots.  Tell me where you go in your city.  Let’s put together a people watching list in the comments below.

Follow @TravelWriterTom