And if there's more than one of you, the one who isn't driving can take notes. Or shoot a photo of something interesting - that you might like to go back to check out in more detail. Whether it's some new shops you just noticed - maybe they were there for a long time but in the previous hustle-bustle, maybe they were completely overlooked.
Or maybe it's a park you didn't know was there that you actually could take your dog to, but just hadn't known about it yet. The dog would probably love all the new smells!
Or maybe it's a new view of the coastline/beach/mountains/river/fields/orchards/city lights - whatever. Or a good place to watch birds.
Or maybe it's a little local airfield - you could pull over and watch the Piper Cubs or maybe the occasional Cessna Citation take off and land. Heck, maybe go park near the big metropolitan airport and watch the jets take off and land. Kids love that, btw. We'd kill entire evenings with the kids in the back seat, watching the airplanes at LAX. If it's a big enough airport, there are bound to be many good viewing spots! Hint: pack a lunch/dinner/snacks! Or plan your route to include a favorite drive-thru (OR true a NEW one!)! Make a fun little event out of it. Also, in any city where there's an outdoor performance place - Hollywood Bowl in L.A. Starlight Theater in Kansas City. And so forth. There might be places to park where you can listen to the show!
For those not married or not with kids, if it's just the two of you, maybe you can park and indulge in some good old-fashioned necking at that view spot! Why not?
And if it's after dark, scout out a good place to go star-gazing! Bring an astronomy magazine or something, for guidance.
We've found lots of vineyards up here where we live now. It just means we've gotta go back and visit when it's possible.
Got a favorite album? Pop it in your car stereo and turn it up, drive around and be foolish and sing your foolish lungs out! Nobody'll notice. They're too busy watching the road. Start learning a new language or something. There are audio lessons to be had. Or you can tune in to MSNBC or CNN and stay up on the news while you're driving.
If you recently moved into a new neighborhood or city or state - might be smart to know where the closest hospitals/med centers are. And spring will be here soon. Time to find where the trees are budding out. They'll be mighty pretty in not too long a time!
There's all kinds of stuff to do. Find your way to the zoo for the kids, for later, especially if you've never been. You'll know where it is by the time you feel safe enough to take 'em there. Same thing for other interesting destinations. Check out PARKING POTENTIAL. It's always helpful to know where the parking lots/spaces/possibilities are, and you have more time to wander now. Or go looking for little bakeries! OMG does THAT pay dividends next time your sweet tooth acts up! Or book stores - or big newspaper/magazine stands. If I were still in L.A. and felt like getting out for a drive, THIS would be the time to get a hold of one of those movie-star maps and drive around the ritzy neighborhoods where the celebrities live. The maps will show you where!
Time for a little frivolity! And again, if you're doing this with a friend or loved one, somebody among them might want to bring a notebook because if you really get going, you may forget some of the interesting spots you drove past, five minutes (or 30 blocks/5miles) ago.
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