Take a tourist bus tour. Or hop on local mass transit and watch the scenery pass by. Take a bus or train. In Chicago, you can take the El (the elevated train), an open-top tourist bus tour, or a boat tour along the Chicago River, or a boat tour along the Lake Michigan shorelilne.

Climb a tall building and look down at the panorama. Stroll through a pedestrian underpass and be amazed when you emerge to a wholly different view of the city.

I’ve found walking to be the one certain way to find new things in any city, especially one that you’re already familiar with. Leave your normal routine, if only for a few minutes, and take a different sidewalk. Explore new territory. Travel, even if it is only in your own backyard.

I usually get strange looks when I suggest that a ragtop Jeep is the perfect vehicle for a long road trip. But think about it. Take down the soft top and you get awesome 360 degree views of the scenery. It’s up a bit higher than a sedan, so you can see well in traffic. Leave off the doors, and it’s easy to get in and out at those frequent stops for sightseeing. Rough roads are no problem because Jeeps have nice high ground clearance, not to mention four wheel drive for when the scenery is really off the beaten path.

Sure, a CJ or TJ rides a bit rough compared to a luxury car. But my old CJ5 didn’t ride much rougher than my latest subcompact. Large diameter tires help smooth out small bumps.

And, yeah, there’s the wind noise, which can be deafening. So slow down and enjoy the sunshine.