Whether you're lost in the woods, driving through a city, or circumnavigating the globe, the compass is the tool that will help you find your way home.

FORBES: No. 3 The Compass

Instead, pick any point on the compass and strike out uptown, downtown or cross-town to find an altogether more authentic slice of city, along with plenty of evidence that keeping cool in summertime New York is far from thirsty work.

BBC: Summer in the city: New York

According to the compass screwed onto the bow, Max was sailing directly for it, due north-northwest, and yet the city lights were growing fainter.

NEWYORKER: Max at Sea