The Ultimate Summer Checklist
From the East End to the Malibu shore, Compass agents disclose the countless hidden gems and local delights of their home turf.
Words: Hannah McWilliams
Images: Christian Sorensen Hansen, Mary Beth Koeth, and Lauren Naefe
1. Order an organic fried-egg and arugula sandwich from the Malibu Farm counter at the end of this breathtaking Pacific Ocean pier.
— Lily Harfouche
2. Select ears of Long Island sweet corn from Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, then feast on banana-and-Nutella Liege waffles from the nearby Waffles & Dinges food truck. — Joe Ryan
“In Europe, communities congregate at town squares; in Brooklyn, our parks are our gathering centers.”
3. Duck into the Los Angeles creamery Salt & Straw to sample custom flavors made with regional ingredients: Massey Honey Co., Central Coast Lavender Farm, strawberries from Oxnard, California, and rhubarb sourced from the Los Angeles Farmers’ Market. (Can’t make it in? Join their Pint Club for ice cream delivered to your door!) — Diana Braun
4. Cycle Aspen’s most scenic mountain roads, starting with 8.4-mile Maroon Bells or the longer Castle Creek. Up for a challenge? When the locals take on both in one day, it’s called The Double Dip. — Steven Shane
“Aspen boasts some of the country’s greatest mountain biking, but the road cycling scene is heralded by enthusiasts worldwide as well.”
5. Journey to St. Michaels, Maryland, a favorite of the Washington, DC set. On August 14 the Chesapeake Bay town’s annual Watermen’s Appreciation Day equals all-you-can-eat crabs, live music, and a raucous boat-docking contest. — Ellie Shorb
6. Ascend to the Met’s rooftop sculpture garden to enjoy views of Cornelia Parker’s seasonal sculpture — and uptown skyline beyond.
— Julia Hoagland
“I love gazing upward in Madison Square Park; it’s uniquely surrounded by skyscrapers, including the Flatiron, rather than a mix of short and tall structures.”
7. Drive along the Hamptons’ most scenic routes: the quaint Mill Hill Lane in East Hampton, the oceanfront Meadow Lane in Southampton, and Sagaponack’s farm-lined Hedges Lane. — Evan Kulman
“The optimal way to experience the diverse Hamptons landscape is peering out your windshield or a couple of rolled-down windows.”
8. Wander through Prospect Park, stopping at the Le Frak Center’s patio bar for a locally-brewed Brooklyn Lager. — JR
9. Escape DC’s beltway for a getaway to Delaware’s Rehoboth Beach. Revel in the town’s boardwalk culture and tax-free shopping during the day, then stop by the original brewery of famed craft purveyor Dogfish Head to sample this year’s seasonal beer, Festina Peche. — ES
10. Swing by Manhattan’s Madison Square Park for a glimpse of American sculptor Martin Puryear’s limited-time “Big Bling” installation. — JH
“I love gazing upward in Madison Square Park; it’s uniquely surrounded by skyscrapers, including the Flatiron, rather than a mix of short and tall structures.”
11. Wander down lower Manhattan’s labyrinthine Cortlandt Alley and pause at the city’s smallest art space, Mmuseumm, a former freight elevator that hosts a rotating exhibit of found objects. — JH
12. Peruse the impeccable housewares at Monc XIII in the Hamptons village of Sag Harbor. — EK
13.Prep for a cookout at Washington DC’s Hill’s Kitchen, where you’ll find functional necessities like kebab skewers and cedar planks, and at Salt & Sundry in Logan Circle, which specializes in especially festive ingredients.” — Jenn Smira
“I never leave without Jack Rudy’s Small-Batch Tonic for fizzy cocktails and Lindera Farms Honey Vinegar for homemade salad dressings.”
14. Pick up crowd-pleasing hors d’oeuvres from Union Market favorite Neopol Savory Smokery or Bowers Fancy Dairy, in Eastern Market. (The Smoked Hummus and local Cherry Glen Chevre, respectively, have our vote.) — JS
15. By summer’s end, you might be ready to invest in a year-round retreat on Maryland’s century-old enclave Gibson Island, just 60 minutes from the DC metro area. Think osprey-dotted ponds, afternoon crabbing, secret beaches, and pristine trails within a private, 1,000-acre community. — ES
16. Pack a picnic blanket and head to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on Wednesday evenings for Concerts in the Courtyard, a weekly series with a diverse range of styles: Irish instrumentals, Ethiopian drums, Appalachian folk. — John Petrowsky
17. Enjoy old-school hip-hop and sip a Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned at the Matador Room, nestled into the Miami Beach Edition hotel, before heading downstairs to the Basement where Miami’s best DJs spin. — Denver Bright
“There’s no better way to beat the heat than Miami’s dynamic nightlife venues.”
18. In September, Berklee College of Music holds the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival; it’s like a Back Bay block party, spanning three stages. — JP
19. Hit Miami’s hottest nightlife venues, starting with Fontainebleau — not just because LIV is among the liveliest spots in town, but because their lobby bar serves up the best drinks. Ask for Will. — DB
20. Host a sunset picnic on the bluff-backed sands of Malibu’s Little Dume with vintage hurricane lamps, oversized James Perse towels, and a hibachi grill.— LH
21.Discover one of the coolest bars in South Beach. The speakeasy Bodega flies under the radar as a standard taqueria. Access it through mock-restroom entrance. If you don’t know it’s there, you’d stroll right past. — DB
Meet all of our resident experts and explore the nation’s coolest neighborhoods at compass.com.
