Heading to Arizona or Florida for spring training?

Well, in addition to enjoying your favorite team and working on your really lame tan, here are the top five ballparks in Arizona and Florida to check out during your vacation days — and why.

CACTUS LEAGUE (ARIZONA) TOP 5

1. HoHoKam Park in Mesa (Cubs)

The closest thing to any level of intensity in Arizona spring training is a Cubs home game in Mesa, in Phoenix’s East Valley, where 100 years of futility (and counting) apparently keeps the masses coming.

You’ll find the biggest crowds in the Cactus League here, and probably the best atmosphere, any day of the week. Still, don’t expect anything matching the uniqueness of the “7th inning stretch” at Wrigley Field, but do make sure you arrive plenty early to park your fancy rental car as it’s congestion central in front of the ballpark from an hour before game-time.

2. Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale (Giants)

If you have Saturday or Sunday afternoon free, and are single, then head straight for the outfield bleachers where there’s plenty of talent to be seen, both on the field and in the bleachers.

Located in downtown Scottsdale, within minutes of multiple restaurants and shops, the ballpark usually boasts a great atmosphere. Also like the Cubs, the Giants have among the strongest ties to the Cactus League, having trained in this area almost without interruption since the late 1940s.

3. Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix (Athletics)

While it doesn’t have the same great atmosphere of the Cubs or Giants, “Phoenix Muni” is the most historic ballpark in the Valley of the Sun, having opened in 1964 (Willie Mays hit the first home run here).

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But its biggest selling point is its great setting, with the picturesque and unique rock formations of Papago Park in the distance beyond left field. Plus, the A’s traditionally don’t sell out most games for spring training so you should be able to score some cheap tickets.

4. Maryvale Park in Phoenix (Brewers)

With the field set below street level, fans can sneak a free peak into the ballpark through some iron bars near the home plate entrance. The main concourse, which looks down on the field, also offers up plenty of shade from the hot Arizona sun and there isn’t a bad seat in the house, from box seats to the spacious outfield lawn.

The Brewers are one talented bunch, too, and lastly, those Racing Sausages are also in spring training practicing, so don’t leave early and miss these mascots barreling down the base lines!

5. Surprise Stadium in Surprise (Rangers and Royals)

Way out in Phoenix’s West Valley, if you’re looking for great fan atmosphere, you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you’re looking for a pleasant, well-designed ballpark and a place to put your feet up with great deals on tickets and concessions, especially early in spring training, you’ve come to the right place.

Enter the ballpark through the center-field gate to see the beautiful green grass below you, and catch your home run ball on the spacious lawn, then roam around the ballpark between innings and get some much needed shade along the main concourse, yet at the same time miss none of the action in front of you.

Honorable mentions: Single guys should head to Tempe Diablo Stadium, home of the Angels, because the Halos have the highest concentration of female fans and, oh, those California girls are so beautiful … Tucson Electric Park, home of the Diamondbacks, is a beautiful setting too, with the imposing Catalina Mountains as the outfield backdrop (across town, see where “Willie Mays Hayes” once got a good night’s sleep at Hi Corbett Field during the spring training scenes of the movie, Major League, at the Rockies complex) … For all things Ichiro, be sure to visit the Peoria Sports Complex to see the Japanese sensation working his early season magic for the Mariners.