WAKE UP AND SMELL THE NITRO

Your happier hour can happen before work ——L.B.

LOS ANGELES Instead of:

Being stuck in traffic on the 101 southbound

Try:

L.A.’s new Metro

Expo line. It runs from Santa Monica to downtown and takes about 50 minutes. $1.75; metro.net

HOUSTON Instead of:

That same-ol’ iced tall skinny vanilla latte

Try:

Nitro coffee. The traditional brew is infused with nitrogen gas, giving it a frothy texture. District Roasters in nearby Tomball ($4; districtroasters.com for Houston vendors) serves it bottled, and Starbucks is adding it to 500 locations this summer.

CHICAGO Instead of:

Another sleepy jog on the treadmill

Try:

Taking your workout to the roof. Shred415 hits the top of the Park Hyatt Hotel for its fat-burning routine (cardio drills, strength training). Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m., 800 N. Michigan Ave. $25 per class; shred415.com

NEW YORK Instead of:

That boring bran muffin

Try:

Slurping up Ivan Orkin’s breakfast

ramen. (Think dashicheddar broth.) It’s served starting at 8 a.m. at his Slurp Shop, 600 11th Ave. $13; ivanramen.com

PHILADELPHIA Instead of:

Listening to your kids complain about their homework

Try:

Attending the Philly chapter of CreativeMornings, a nationwide lecture series that brings creatives and audiences together for talks over breakfast. Free; creativemornings.com

How employed people age 25 to 54 with children spend a typical workday, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics