When was the last time you took a business trip and returned home with stories about how much fun you had?  Many business travelers get to visit exciting places, yet wind up seeing just their hotel and a convention center.  To make your next work trip more memorable, try to block out a few hours - early in the morning or during a lunch or dinner break - to get a taste of where you are. Gray Line and Starline offer quick bus tours in many cities.  "I recommend exploring cities like San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C., on a walking tour which focuses on unique aspects of each city," said Rod Cuthbert, founder of viator.com, which specializes in tours and activities worldwide.  "Conventions in Las Vegas, for example, can be spiced up by experiencing a short helicopter flight to the Grand Canyon. In Orlando, an early-morning hot air balloon ride is a memorable way to start a day," he added.  At night, instead of staying in your hotel and settling for room service and a pricey pay-per-view movie, consider heading out. Broadway may be America's best-known theater destination, but virtually all big cities offer worthwhile plays and music acts.  "By spending a few minutes online, business travelers can find expertly operated tours and activities available at their destination to fit their schedule, and then purchase tickets in advance to help maximize their leisure time, experience more of their destination, plus avoid long lines and sell-outs," Cuthbert said.  If all your energy has to be devoted to work - after all, your company is paying for the trip - consider a quick spa visit. Some hotels offer express treatments, like a 30-minute massage or facial.
Business travelers get to visit exciting places.  They should make it more memorable by having fun between work.Related: Mobile Internet while traveling | <a href="/money/2007/07/23/2007-07-23_keeping_costs_to_a_minimum_when_you_need.html ">Keep rental costs low