Striving for greatness? Take a lesson from these success stories

Business travel comes with plenty of perks: a break from the daily office grind, an excuse to dine out for every meal (plus a per diem that pays the bill), and the chance to get to know a new city. But we know that work is still work even if you’re doing business in a different time zone. And sometimes, you need a little inspiration to get the job done.

Here, we’ve rounded up five attractions in the country’s top cities for business that are perfect for multitasking professionals. Each inspirational site is a vacation-worthy experience you can easily sneak into your itinerary, and each offers a business success story or lesson that will encourage greatness in your own work.

Phoenix, Arizona

Where to go: Civic Space Park

The city’s sustainably designed Civic Space Park boasts an impressive list of engineering accomplishments but the piece de resistance is the spiraling public art sculpture, “Her Secret Is Patience,” by the award-winning artist Janet Echelman. A nod to Arizona’s cumulus clouds and the vibrant shades of the desert region, the massive elevated sculpture floats 38 feet above the ground and is made of illuminated mesh and steel rigorously constructed to withstand gravity and wind. Echelman partnered with multiple engineering firms to complete the sculpture, which has become a defining element of the downtown Phoenix skyline.

Why you’ll be inspired:

You can spot the sculpture from a distance, but a closer look reveals the intricacy of its construction, a marriage of artistic and scientific visions. The precision of its geometry and fabrication prove that unexpected collaborations can yield groundbreaking results.

New York, New York

Where to go: The Comedy Cellar

Since 1982, The Comedy Cellar has helped launch some major stars. Jon Stewart and Sarah Silverman developed their early material here. Robin Williams graced the stage, too, and on one legendary night, Dave Attell, Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle performed back-to-back sets. The Greenwich Village venue hosts multiple shows every night of the week, with cover charges ranging from $8 to $24 per person.

Why you’ll be inspired:

A quick wit and ability to improvise, not to mention a sense of humor, can be as invaluable in the workplace as they are on the stage. Though their material may be NSFW, the comedic talents that play The Comedy Cellar are serious professionals. If you’re traveling for a big meeting or just an informal presentation, take a (subtle) cue from these performers: Prepare, be flexible and have fun.

Let your mind race through great ideas with some time on the track at Total Driving Experience in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth, Texas

Where to go: Total Driving Experience

A free afternoon is well spent at the Texas Motor Speedway, roughly 45 minutes by car from Dallas. The track hosts major NASCAR and IndyCar racing events, but it’s also home to the Total Driving Experience, an automotive company that will put you behind the wheel of a Corvette or stock car for a high-speed spin around the track.

Why you’ll be inspired:

Once you’re in the driver’s seat, you’ll practice the kind of responsiveness, keen judgment and quick thinking that elevates leaders to greatness. You can also draw inspiration from the leader of the Total Driving Experience, Dawn Stokes, who is a model of professional guts and drive. After a successful corporate career, she cashed in her 401(k) to launch the venture and has turned it into a million-dollar enterprise.

Find inspiration where old meets new at Salvage One in Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois

Where to go: Salvage One

Step inside this local antique store and studio for a glimpse of imagination at work. Housed in a 60,000-square-foot historic Windy City warehouse so gorgeous it doubles as an event space and wedding venue, Salvage One rescues antique furniture and fixtures from buildings scheduled for demolition. Browse the retail area filled with an ever-evolving assortment of rare furnishings and oddities.

Why you’ll be inspired:

The company’s mission is part innovation and part preservation. If you need to harness your creativity for an upcoming project or just hit reset on a task you haven’t been able to crack, stop in for a striking reminder to search tried and tested strategies for fresh ideas.

Nashville, Tennessee

Where to go: The Loveless Cafe

A Nashville institution since 1951, The Loveless Cafe has grown a lot over the years. The restaurant began in the home kitchen of Lon and Annie Loveless, who served passers-by fried chicken and biscuits so delicious that people came from miles away to try them. They attended to their hungry travelers by opening a motel onsite, which remained until the mid-1980s. Today the cafe has expanded to include catering services, event planning and an online shop.

Why you’ll be inspired:

Come for a meal and savor the standout fried chicken and biscuits (which still follows the cafe’s original recipe) as well as the bustling atmosphere of this well-scaled business built on local culture. The Loveless Cafe is a testament to the success that comes from listening to your customers (and your gut) while staying true to your own vision. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, recalibrating a sales approach, or simply broadening your personal skill set, this institution is a reminder to look for opportunities that fulfill a need and showcase your natural talents.