26 ways to make your [New York] summer cinematic
including a recap of Steven Spielberg telling us, "you're so young, you can do anything" while at The Row
It doesn’t matter where you are in New York these days—someone around you is likely talking about the electric current coursing through the city. Between the Knicks in the finals for the first time since 1999, the Tribeca Film Festival in full swing, World Cup games kicking off on Thursday, and Pride celebrations happening all month long, the energy is palpable.
As I saw someone poignantly put it on Threads, “I’m not trying to be a New York elitist b*tch, but the energy in the city right now is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and cannot be replicated.” That’s correct!
On Friday night, the Knicks extended their winning streak to 13 straight games, putting them just two games away from winning their first NBA title since 1973. Being out at a bar watching them pull off a one-point win in the final seconds of the fourth was the kind of Friday night fun you want to bottle up. On that note, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has proactively canceled my Tuesday and Thursday morning workouts, knowing that Monday and Wednesday’s games will require…later bedtimes than usual.
But Knicks bandwagoning isn’t the only thing fueling my love for what’s going on in NY right now. This past week alone, I’ve had the chance to see Seth Meyers interview Paul Rudd at the Tribeca Film Festival and met Ann Patchett at my neighborhood bookstore with my friend and fellow West Village Book Club member Chelsea Martin. Having a chat and getting signed copies of her latest book, Whistler, was such a treat. This title was one of many reads on the last edition of The Sunday Series—a roundup shaping up to be one of my most popular ever.
But it was a chance encounter with a true legend alongside my friend OTB last Saturday that’s still living rent-free in my head. We were having a beautiful little frolic of a morning on Madison Avenue when we decided to pop into The Row. Just moments inside the store, Xan realized we were in the presence of the one and only Steven Spielberg. What ensued was a conversation I never want to forget; we chatted about how Steven was a huge source of inspiration in Xan’s decision to pursue film school before he looked us in the eyes (he has the warmest eyes!) and said, “You’re so young, you can do anything.”
I've thought about the Spielberg interaction every day since. And honestly? It's made me want to be more intentional about the summer right in front of me. It’s not just about the trips I’ll be packing in. It’s equally about appreciating what’s right here—at home. So, in today’s edition, I’m rounding up the super-specific things I plan to do to sink into sacred summer days in the city. Many of them are tailored to New York, but I hope it inspires you to create your own, no matter where you live! The full list is available for paid subscribers—as is the comment section, where I hope to hear what’s on your summer docket.
Watch the Knicks win the series while out at a bar with my friends. Dance, sing, spill my drink, and savor history being made. Inevitably, this will mean crying over how much I love New York.
Go for drinks on a floating dock off Brooklyn Bridge Park. This one must be reserved ahead of time so you can get the secret code to get through the dock gate to Concrete Shoals. They serve Fini Pizza here in addition to drinks! I just made a res for when my dad and sister will be in town.
Walk from the top to the bottom of Manhattan.Crossing this one out as I actually did it already with my friends Meghan and Carly a few weeks ago! Highly recommend watching my friend Meghan’s video on the stops we made along the way if you want inspo. This was an epic 40,000+ step day.
Make a friend film me doing the Carrie Bradshaw run across the street when I’m wearing something SATC-inspired. I actually have a dress in mind for this!
Go to Coney Island for the day and lean alllllll the way in. Roller coaster! Nathan’s! Boardwalk games!
Try every single hyped up froyo place and make an official rankings system. So far, my faves are Birdies, Madison Fare, and Culture—in that order. I don’t get the hype with Mimi’s? Still need to try Myka and Go Greek.
Catch a Yankees game. For obvious reasons, this will be a BYOB (bring your own book) outing.
Go rainbow cookie tasting in Queens. The stops: Rose and Joe's Italian Bakery in Astoria, Gian Piero Bakery, and Bonelle Pastry Shop. If you want to nerd out on the methodology first, The Rainbow Cookie Project is one woman's extremely serious quest to find the best rainbow cookie in NYC (Queens first), and it's the resource you didn't know you needed.
