What to do for a more meaningful trip?

What things should we do so we're not left with just a bunch of memories and postcards?

Talk to the locals and learn about the places you are going. If you just go somewhere and take pictures and do all of the "tourist things", you are distanced from the actual people and culture. Sometimes it's nice to go off the beaten path and look for things to do and people to meet.

If you meet people and try to go to cultural events or just ask people questions that are from that area, your experience will be a lot more meaningful and you may even make a few friends!

take pictures...must take a lot...hehe

Depending on how long of a roadtrip this is... plan out your trip and look for unusual or bizarre places to stop and buy a small trinket or souvinier with that place's name on it. and be sure if they have a brochure to grab one, and take plenty of pictures. At resturants -- pick up take out menues or napkins with the name of the place. Make a scrapbook afterwards, filled with certain shared jokes or memories from the trip, with all the the stuff you saved from it. Get goofy and have fun with it.

Get lost! No, I'm not being rude- literally go out and dont be too cautious about where you're going. Walk as much as you can and you'll discover all sorts of hidden wonders. Take a map tho for when you really need to find your way back!!

Try to see a play in whatever country you're in. There will usually be english plays. How a place represents art is very interesting and you may get a new idea of what is important to these people, expressed through art.

Make friends with locals for sure. In the bar if you drink, always good fun!

Hope this helps!!

Volunteer or something - if you go to a not so developed country.
Get involved in their culture, community, festivals, etc
Also make a travel diary as you go - with photos, mementos, tickets, anything that you'll want to remember