Walk it out.

Several people in numerous cities have mentioned the fact that they're partaking in local walking tours as a form of cheap entertainment, mild exercise and in order to get better acquainted with their locale. My favorite source for all things bay-area food related, tablehopper, mentioned her love for these tours in this week's e-column so I thought I'd share the idea with you too. Here's a link to San Francisco City Guide, which has tours such as "Haight & Ashbury," "Pacific Heights Mansions" (probably really hilly!), "Ferry Building" and more. Live in New York? Chicago? Los Angeles? As you can see, I know how to Google things. Please feel free to do this for your own city.

Art star.

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=chic.

There is nothing better than a solid trip to a museum solo style to chicly occupy an afternoon. This is by no means meant to be San Francisco centric, but an example of an amazing way to spend your time without the crowds and annoying outfit people you find at formal museum gatherings. If you prefer an evening activity, most institutions have evening gatherings targeted at marketing towards "young professionals." I remember when I worked at a museum in the early millennium and this term was over used to the point of imaginary face punching. Young Professional was the Social Media of yore. Gross. Anyway, if you like gathering with your fancy peers (who probably have jobs) you can go to evening gatherings like this. The de Young in "Frisco" has a Friday night event with bevs, art and outfits. Right now you can see the Yves St. Laurent show and for some more bones (I think) some Warhol. 

Another museum related suggestion, at most institutions, for a few more bucks you can purchase a membership that will provide you access to a network of museums across the country. If you can swing it without eating hella ramen, think about it.