The InsideHook Guide to Summer

Everything worth doing, drinking, eating, watching and otherwise enjoying between now and Labor Day

The InsideHook Guide to Summer 2024

Every year it’s the same old story: we eagerly count down the weeks until Memorial Day when the season of frosty beers, freshly-mown grass and long weekends unofficially kicks off — and then, faster than your uncle on that rental Jet Ski, it’s Labor Day and we’re left wondering, did we really make the most of summer?

This year, we assembled the InsideHook Guide to Summer so you leave nothing to chance. Everything worth doing, drinking, eating, watching and otherwise enjoying between now and September 2 (or September 22, if you’re abiding by the calendar) is here in this trusty manual.

No vacation plans? No problem, you can still book an unforgettable trip at the last minute. Hosting in your backyard, apartment or patio? We’ve got recipes and drink recommendations galore, and all the gear you could need. Even if you’re just looking for a less juvenile way to wile away the hours (apologies to Spikeball), we’ve got lawn (and beach) games from around the world. With all this at your fingertips, the question isn’t what you should do this summer, but where do you start?

What to Drink

The Easiest Cocktail Is the One Waiting in Your Freezer

J.M. Hirsch, author of “Freezer Door Cocktails,” shares the secrets behind his revelatory batched drinks

How Lake Hour Became a Canned Cocktail Favorite

Credit nostalgia, unique flavor combinations and a hint of celebrity for the rise of this fun RTD

What to Drink

The Easiest Cocktail Is the One Waiting in Your Freezer

J.M. Hirsch, author of “Freezer Door Cocktails,” shares the secrets behind his revelatory batched drinks

How Lake Hour Became a Canned Cocktail Favorite

Credit nostalgia, unique flavor combinations and a hint of celebrity for the rise of this fun RTD

We Tasted and Ranked 32 of the Best Beers for Summer

You can’t go wrong with these in your cooler

11 Cocktails That Prove Whiskey Is Ideal for Summer Drinking

Bartenders agree: brown spirits deserve a place in the sun

How to Craft the Perfect Jello Shot

Plus, a recipe for a sparkling limoncello version that’s perfect for summer

What to Watch

Every Summer Blockbuster Since 1975, Ranked

From “Jaws” all the way to “Barbie,” we ranked the highest-grossing movies of the summer

What to Watch

Every Summer Blockbuster Since 1975, Ranked

From “Jaws” all the way to “Barbie,” we ranked the highest-grossing movies of the summer

Where To Go

10 Off-the-Beaten-Path Spots and Hidden Gems in Paris

Skip the queues at the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in favor of these less touristy spots

Lake Como Isn’t Just for the Rich and Famous

It turns out you, too, can live like Clooney at Lario

10 Last-Minute Summer Trips You Can Still Pull Off

From North Fork, Long Island to Lisbon

The Adventure of a Lifetime Is Hiding in Plain Sight

In an era of Everest backlogs and space tourism, the bucket list trip you should consider is paddling down the Mississippi River

Five Days on a Catamaran in the British Virgin Islands

How one trip with The Moorings altered our perception of vacations, maybe forever

The Toys of Summer

From water slides to WaveRunners, here are the 100 products that’ll help you make the most of the season

What to eat

Your Summer Salads Are Begging for Blueberries

The classic panzanella gets a fruit-forward upgrade in this recipe

Sour Cherries Have Married My Favorite Condiment, and It’s Divine

Steve McHugh, the author of “Cured,” shows us how to make mustard with the sweet-tart summer produce

Eggplant Season Is Now. Here’s How to Make the Most of It.

Chef Camille Becerra shares her recipe for a roasted eggplant dip that’s bursting with flavor

The Ultimate Grill Maintenance Checklist

As grilling season kicks off in earnest, here’s how to ensure your most important tool is in top working order

What to eat

Make Sockeye Salmon Crudo Your New Summertime Staple

Chef William Dissen shares a recipe from his new cookbook “Thoughtful Cooking”

A BBQ Sauce Recipe That’s Designed Not to Steal the Show

Pat Martin’s Jack’s Creek Sauce offers a taste of West Tennessee flavor

What to Buy

What to Buy

The Best Swim Trunks for Men This Summer

Make a splash in your new swimmies

Review: Is Breeo’s Smokeless Fire Pit the One to Rule Them All?

The American-made brand’s X Series is rougher, tougher and heavier than the ubiquitous Solo Stove

Kelly Slater’s New Sunscreen Is the Correct Choice This Summer

Introducing Freaks of Nature, a reef-safe serum that does everything right

What to Buy

The Best Swim Trunks for Men This Summer

Make a splash in your new swimmies

The Ultimate Men’s Summer Hair Styling and Grooming Guide

We consulted with an expert stylist for tips on keeping hair healthy, hydrated and well-coiffed all season long

Every Piece of Gear to Bring to the Beach This Summer

Behold: the 18 items no one should leave home without

The Best Backpack Coolers of 2024

Emphasizing comfort and portability, these coolers are ready for any adventure

The Dopp Kit Packing Checklist for Long Summer Weekends

These are the (mostly travel-sized) grooming essentials to pack for a three-day getaway

How To Stay Fit (Or AT LEAST ACTIVE)

This Summer, Skip Spikeball and Try These International Games Instead

Seven pastimes for the park, beach or garden. None involving a mini trampoline.

Lifeguard Shape: Your Blueprint for the Ultimate Summer Body

Workouts tips and insight into how lifeguards train, sans any responsibility to actually patrol a beach

How To Stay Fit
(Or AT LEAST ACTIVE)

This Summer, Skip Spikeball and Try These International Games Instead

Seven pastimes for the park, beach or garden. None involving a mini trampoline.

Lifeguard Shape: Your Blueprint for the Ultimate Summer Body

Workouts tips and insight into how lifeguards train, sans any responsibility to actually patrol a beach

How Many Stomps Do You Average Per Day?

“Stompers,” a competitive walking platform, is the surprise app of the summer

Searching for America’s Next Cycling Paradise

Time to rethink your biking bucket list. A surprising state has entered the fray.

This Has Become One of Our Favorite Solo Workouts

The tennis wall is your friend. Especially if you don’t have a human one handy.