From the Hudson Valley to the Jersey Shore, these summer retreats are within three and a half hours of NYC. Courtesy Airbnb Sometimes New Yorkers need fresh air , and sitting on a fire escape or stoop simply won’t cut it. Plus, public pools in the Big Apple, like parking, are few and far between. When the city heat becomes unbearable, there’s nothing like taking a little weekend trip to a pastoral stretch of the Hudson Valley or one of the forks of Long Island, where the days move more slowly, and it’s easier to see the stars at night. To help you cool off this summer and take a break from the metropolitan heat, I’ve found some of the best properties within three and a half hours of Midtown Manhattan, from beach shacks in Montauk to luxury cabins upstate. Whether you’re headed to upstate New York, Connecticut , Rhode Island, Delaware, or New Jersey, these spots are refreshing resets, boasting glittering pools or close proximity to beaches and lakes, so you can take a dip whenever you please.…