Entertainment

Ferry tales

For beach bums

* Sandy Hook SeaStreak Ferry

Want a Snooki-less taste of the Jersey Shore? There’s a quaint and quiet “situation” going on in Sandy Hook, NJ. Get there via a 30-minute ride, which offers glorious views as it glides alongside lower Manhattan and past the Statue of Liberty. Grab a beer or soda and sit inside for air conditioning or on the open deck above.

* Land ho! Upon arriving at Sandy Hook, park rangers will hand you an area map. Take it. With 61/2 miles of ocean beaches, there’s a lot of ground to cover — especially when it’s 100 degrees out and you’re on foot. The nearest sandy spot is North Beach. But whichever beach you’re heading to, you don’t have to huff it: Free shuttle buses offer transport to the farther beaches (including a nude beach) but the area’s also great for biking. Rent one at the ferry pier from Ray’s Bike Rentals (starting at $12 for 11/2 hours; 732-754-5731; raysbikerentals.com) and ride the paved pathways both along the shoreline and inland among the trees.

* Replenishment: You can get beachy food such as hot dogs and watermelon, but the walk from the concessions to the seashore is long and arduous on baking sand, so pack a cooler.

* Captain’s tip: If your thing is sunbathing with an ocean view, get there early. The beaches face east, so after midday, you’ll have to turn your chair inland to catch rays.

* All aboard: The ferry picks up passengers at 35th Street by the East River, then heads to Pier 11, near the South Street Seaport, where it fills up fast. Roundtrip tickets, $43; seastreakusa.com.

PHOTOS: AREA FERRY RIDES

For ferry big beer fans

* The Liberty Landing Ferry to Jersey City, NJ

The fastest way to Jersey comes with a side of scenery. This 10-minute glide across the Hudson will take you right to downtown Jersey City. “Taking the ferry is much easier than taking the PATH, and you get the great views,” says Alexander Dobrolioubov, a 23-year-old Hell’s Kitchen resident who was crossing the river recently to visit his parents. And he’s right — from the open upper deck, the scene is unrivaled. Take in the Statue of Liberty, downtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building — all by simply turning your head.

* Land ho! Once you dock, it’s a short walk through quiet Jersey City to the Zeppelin Hall Biergarten (88 Liberty View Drive; 201-721-8888). This huge indoor/outdoor space ideal for large groups. “We have beer gardens in New York, but nothing this big,” says West Villager Amy Wine, 25. Don’t miss Zeppelin Hall’s traditional treats, including specialty sausages ($11.95), spaetzle ($6.95) and giant pretzels ($9.95).

* Replenishment: If you’re looking for a lighter meal, hit the Downtown Taqueria (236 Grove St.; 201-333-3220) for fish, carnitas and steak tacos ($2 to $3). This joint is BYOB, so grab a six-pack beforehand.

* Captain’s tip: The ferry will make two stops on the Garden State side of the river. First, it docks at Warren Street, for direct access to downtown Jersey City. Then it goes to Liberty State Park, a wonderful spot for a picnic overlooking the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

* All aboard: Ferries leave from the World Financial Center terminal (Vesey Street and the Hudson River) every 30 minutes. Round-trip tickets are $14 (purchased on the boat); 201-604-5799, libertylandingferry.com.

A jaunt for foodies

*The East River Ferry

Set sail aboard this double-decker ferry for a chance to explore a new neighborhood. In 30 minutes, the East River Ferry travels from East 34th Street to Wall Street, stopping at Long Island City, Greenpoint, Williamsburg and DUMBO. Running year-round, the ferry has two indoor, air-conditioned levels and one outdoor deck, which is perfect for enjoying the water and viewing the city in all its splendor. “It’s usually expensive to get a ride on the East River, so this is a nice way to be aboard,” says passenger Nils Reid, a Greenpoint resident.

* Land ho! For this journey, we picked Brooklyn’s Greenpoint, a bustling yet laid-back neighborhood. If you’re craving a cold beer, try dive bar Lulu’s (113 Franklin St.; 718-383-6000) — where customers receive a free personal pizza with every drink — or beer merchant Brouwerij Lane (78 Greenpoint Ave.; 347-529-6133 ), which stocks dozens of different brews and counter space to enjoy them. In the mood for seafood? At the neighborhood’s new gem, Lobster Joint (1073 Manhattan Ave.; 718-389-8990), customers order seafood delights — such as lobster rolls ($17) and New England clam chowder ($8) — at the counter. Lobster-roll fan Ian Burns, 27, says the buns are “toasted perfectly, and so sweet.” Top off your trip with sweets from Cookie Road (94 Franklin St.; 718-383-8094), which boasts bite-size macaroons ($1.25) and also hand-decorated cookies ($2.50 to $6).

* Captain’s tip: On deck, be on your toes. The ferry quickly docks at each destination, giving you just a few minutes to hop off.

* All aboard: Tickets are $4 one-way or $12 for an all-day pass; 800-533-3779; nywaterway.com.

For baseball boaters

* Delta Baseball Water Taxi

After setting sail for The Bronx for less than the cost of a subway ride, you’ll wonder why you ever took the hot, crowded D train to Yankee Stadium. “You get to see landmarks from a place where you wouldn’t normally be,” says passenger Stacey Engeberthson. “It’s much better than sitting on the subway, and here, you can have a glass of wine,” adds the 24-year-old West Islip, LI, resident. Throughout the hourlong journey, bartenders pour refreshing $9 Flyball cocktails — concocted from Tanqueray, grapefruit and cranberry juices — as well as wine ($5) and well drinks ($8), as the ferry glides under the East River bridges. But most boaters opt for a Bud Light, for $5 price tag — half that at Yankee Stadium.

* Land ho! Head to boisterous stadium-area watering hole Stan’s Sports Bar (836 River Ave., at East 158th Street; 718-993-5548). Grab a spot by one of the round black bar tables near the large, open windows and catch pregame coverage on one of the six flat-screens hanging above the bar. No fancy cocktails here: The crowd tends to stick with Buds and Bud Lights.

Nearby Mill Pond Park, a quiet 10-acre oasis on a former industrial site, is just a 10-minute walk from the stadium, and ideal for some pregame picnicking. Pick a spot on the sprawling green lawn, which juts into the Harlem River, for some serene waterside sunbathing.

* Captain’s tip: Hit the ATM before boarding — drinks and snacks are cash-only.

* All aboard: Ferries, which also go to Citi Field for Mets fans, leave from Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport and make a stop at East 35th Street; tickets to the ballparks are $1 at nywatertaxi.com. There is no return trip after the game.