With children away at summer camp, many of our parents took advantage of a couples getaway. The Family Traveler’s Lauren and Evan did the same and traveled to New York City and the Hudson River Valley on their way to camp visiting week-end in The Catskills. The trip proved to be full of surprises and fond memories. To start, using a car service from JFK airport to Manhattan was so easy and well worthwhile. We stayed at The Pearl, a boutique style hotel in the busy theater district where the rate includes a nice continental breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese, internet, all day snacks, infused water, New York Times as well as a gym. Rooms were well appointed and quiet with minifridge and nice bathroom with a TV, but unfortunately the beds were just too soft. A mixed experience as a result. Our New York adventures took us to the High Line, an elevated rail line that has been completely transformed into a pedestrian walkway with lush landscaping. It runs through the Meat Packing District and down to Chelsea. The end of the path is near Chelsea Market; a great place for lunch after the walk! A visit in the rain to the 9/11 Memorial was very apropos and emotional and getting timed entry tickets in advance helped avoid any lines. Grand Central Station was both an architectural beauty and a good place for lunch as well. A visit to the Guggenheim was appreciated more for the unique building than the limited art collection although special exhibits and some celebrity spotting made the experience memorable. And of course theater. Just can’t get enough of that and a revival of Pippin (Cirque de Soleil style) and Kinky Boots were both a hit and Tony Award winners. A marriage proposal right on Shubert Alley was icing on the cake as well as meeting both friendly New Yorkers and visitors from around the country. Onward to Milton, NY in the Hudson River Valley and a relaxing stay at Buttermilk Farm Inn and Spa. This charming retreat includes a working farm, farm to table restaurant, spa with indoor pool (we indulged in a few treatments) and excellent breakfast and afternoon snacks. From here we visited the home and library of FDR in Hyde Park which was really interesting after seeing the recent Hollywood movie about it. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the library and extensive exhibits.  Lunch at the famed and nearby Culinary Institute of America followed (make reservations in advance). A stroll across the Walkway over the Hudson offered scenic views. This is another former railway line that has been transformed for pedestrians. At 212 feet tall and 1.28 miles long, it is the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Up to The Catskills for camp productions at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center wrapped up a wonderful getaway.