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The World Cup is over, the fireworks are put away, and there's nothing left on the cultural calendar until awards season starts. It’s the sweet-spot of summer where you can slow down, enjoy the sun, and indulge in a longer-than-usual binge watch (or read) session. For entertainment to fit that vibe, we got you. Keep reading to discover the best shows, books, and podcasts for lazy summer days.
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Nap-Adjacent TV: The Best Low-Effort Shows for Summer
These are the shows built for the couch, not the plot. Turn one on, enjoy it for a bit, and if you accidentally drift off? That's part of the experience.
Barbecue Showdown
A rotating lineup of the country’s finest pitmasters compete for the title of American Barbecue Champion. Cooking over live fire, they’re judged on tenderness, presentation, and of course, flavor. It's basically the summer counterpart to The Great British Baking Show.
The full list:
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Download 📺: The Perfect Couple | Pack 📚: The Finest Hours
Check In: Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod | Cape Cod, MA
Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod is an island-inspired resort in the heart of Cape Cod. The signature draw is Fins Up!, a 30,000-square-foot indoor water park with a wave pool and lazy river that runs year-round. And when the real Cape Cod calls, the shore is just minutes away, with shuttle service available for guests. See more.
Books That Pair Perfectly With a Lazy Day
If you’re lucky enough to find a day with no obligations, crack open one of these books that require nothing from you except a chair, a drink, and a few free hours before the sun goes down.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Two best friends who've taken a vacation together every year for a decade stop speaking after the last one goes wrong, and now there's one final trip to fix it. Emily Henry's addicting will-they-won't-they romance is the perfect choice for those who want a little longing built into their lazy day read.
The full list:
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Download 📺: Dirty Dancing | Pack 📚: Serena
Check In: Grand Bohemian Charlotte, Autograph Collection | Charlotte, NC
Inspired by the Vienna Secession, Grand Bohemian Charlotte is an expressive boutique hotel in Uptown Charlotte. Blending European elegance and Argentinian artistry, the hotel’s 254 luxurious rooms carry that concept into every corner with teal headboards, magenta curtains, and gold pendant lighting. Downstairs, Mico does South American cuisine while up on the rooftop, Búho Bar serves cocktails and live music with the skyline as backdrop. See more.
Top 10 Podcasts for Long Summer Walks
Whether you’re taking an early-morning walk before work or a sunset stroll with your dog, these podcasts deserve a spot in your rotation.
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
Each week, Conan O'Brien invites a different celebrity friend on to chat about anything from childhood memories to old grudges, and often, stories they've never told on a late-night show. In his most recent episode with Molly Shannon, they get into her rebellious teenage years, the strange tricks she uses to quiet her brain, and the friendship with Will Ferrell that led to their new Netflix series, The Hawk.
The full list:
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Download 📺: Elvis | Pack 📚: If Beale Street Could Talk
Check In: River Inn of Harbor Town | Memphis, TN
The River Inn of Harbor Town sits on Mud Island, a quiet strip of land between the Mississippi River and Wolf River Harbor, with downtown Memphis five minutes away and the city's noise nowhere to be found. The 28 individually decorated rooms have rich Southern and European décor featuring walnut armoires, poster beds, and Frette linens. With champagne at check-in, chef's breakfast at the award-winning Paulette's, and a nightly chocolate truffle and port wine turndown, it’s no surprise that River Inn of Harbor Town was Condé Nast's #1 Hotel in the Southeast. See more.
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