The last nine months in New York City haven't exactly been a day at the beach. (Even last summer -- remember Conscience Point? -- wasn't exactly a day at the beach.) But don't surrender to stress. Chilling out and having fun are necessities, so seize your summer. In this issue, you'll find a do-it-yourself guide to making the most of the season, from your head (the best books to take to the beach) to your taste buds (the ultimate guide to ice cream, that ultimate summer pleasure) to the soles of your feet (great shoes, as modeled by a passel of glamorous New Yorkers). Explore the un-hyped gems of the Hamptons, the secrets of Central Park. Play hooky. Kick back. Get out of town. And don't come back until you're good and ready.

Related:

• Archive: “Cover Story”
• Table of Contents: Jun 24, 2002 issue of New York | Subscribe!