Great walks: Girls

Whether you’re a struggling NYC newbie or a lifer who rolls your eyes at overprivileged, underemployed recent grads half-heartedly pounding the pavement, you can learn a thing or two from how the characters on HBO’s hit show embrace life in New York. First, indulge in some gratis culture on a mini gallery tour: Marnie’s employer, Lehmann Maupin (540 W 26th St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves, 212-255-2923 • 201 Chrystie St at Stanton St, 212-254-0054 • lehmannmaupin.com), houses paintings and installations by emerging international artists, while Steven Kasher Gallery (521 W 23rd St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves; 212-966-3978, stevenkasher.com) specializes in striking photography, including backstage shots of the Rolling Stones taken by Jim Marshall. If you’re not in a hurry, peep the color-saturated multimedia collages at Pavel Zoubok Gallery (533 W 23rd St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves, 212-675-7490, pavelzoubok.com).

Marnie and hot artist Booth Jonathan share a provocative moment on the High Line (Washington St at Gansevoort St to Tenth Ave at 30th St, highline.org), which you can re-create with your S.O. in one of the stairwells. If you’re strolling solo, bring a book (or, like Hannah, your unfinished manuscript) and carve out some space on the 23rd Street Steps.

Descend the elevated park and refuel at Café Grumpy (224 W 20th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves, 212-255-5511, cafegrumpy.com). Hannah works at the Greenpoint location, but the spacious Chelsea offshoot boasts a shaded outdoor garden where you can contemplate your misspent youth over a cup of cold-brewed iced coffee ($3.50) and a slice of dense banana bread ($2.75).

On your way downtown, pay tribute to Jessa’s British roots at Tea & Sympathy (110 Greenwich Ave between 12th and 13th Sts; 212-989-9735, teaandsympathynewyork.com), where you can snag Cadbury candy and other U.K. treats from the Carry On shop. Or, if you have time and money to kill, kick back with afternoon tea ($35) complete with finger sandwiches and scones,at the sit-down restaurant next door. Shoshanna would love to empty her bank account at Juicy Couture (368 Bleecker St at Charles St; 646-336-8151, juicycouture.com), but we wouldn’t blame you for skipping those velour jumpsuits in favor of the well-curated literature at Bookmarc (400 Bleecker St at 11th St; 212-620-4021, marcjacobs.com).

Treat yourself to Jessa’s drink of choice, a White Russian ($9), at Tom and Jerry’s (288 Elizabeth St between Bleecker and E Houston Sts; 212-260-5045). Allow yourself one last bit of navel-gazing as you debate your biggest baggage, and congratulate yourself on an afternoon well spent.

Throughout the first season, Hannah and the gang struggle to excel in their respective crafts. In that vein, pop into the Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery between Bleecker and E Houston Sts; 212-614-0505, bowerypoetry.com) to witness raw talent on display nightly. Brave souls can sign up for one of the frequent open-mike nights, or you can find inspiration watching poetry slams and book readings.