How can I get the most out of sight-seeing experience?

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All too often I find myself arriving at the world renowned spot, for example the Taj Mahal, and wondering, "Is this that it? some marble rocks put together?" and finding myself bored. I think that I want to go to places just to be able to say that I've been there. But I don't want to be like that. I want to get something out of my travels, an inner joy, awe, or something like that. What do you guys suggest?