Governors Island, Nantucket and more: Ferry trips to take from New York City this summer

Looking for a weekend escape or a one-night stay away? Head to these New York City ports and take a ferry to a seaside gem:

NYC Ferry to Governors Island

If you’re looking for an escape not too far from home, Governors Island is only about a 10-minute ferry ride from Wall Street/Pier 11 (Gouveneur Lane at South Street, FDR Drive, ferry.nyc, 800-533-3779; round trip ferry tickets: $9). There’s such a contrast from congested Manhattan with the island’s 120 acres of open space and no beeping horns as cars aren’t allowed. The island gets flavor too from its cool public art like the Bird MMXXIII, a huge bird made of stainless steel.

Here, the fun includes biking, pedal cars, surreys for two to six riders, electric bike with baby seat and duo coaster Go-car at Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals (19 Hay Rd., 917-440-9094, blazingsaddles.com).

Do set your sights on Slide Hill on the southern part of the island. There are several slides, including one built for two people to ride down together, and for the brave, a 57 foot-long, three story-high one.

If you’re ready chill, head to Hammock Grove to swing in the red hammocks. Another good choice is Nolan Park where you can picnic ($30 reservation is required).

Soak up history with Governors Island National Monument tours — the Castle Williams guided tour and Fort Jay guided tour that has a $1 admission fee (govisland.com).

Bring a picnic or try Tokyo Drumstick East Asian fare, with plenty of chicken dishes, vegetarian choices, bubble tea and slushies (Ligget Terrace, King Avenue, Governors Island, kimchigrill.com).

Also, at Ligget Terrace is Fauzia’s Heavenly Delights, with Jamaican cuisine. How fast can you say "jerk chicken, please?" The home style menu changes daily (fauzias.com).

Six Coasts by Smorgasburg offers everything from tamarind wings and duck chicharron to double smash burgers and crab croquettes. This waterfront restaurant features the coastal flavors of the Americas (146 Carder Rd., on Soissons Landing, next to the Manhattan ferry dock, sixcoasts.com).

If you’re on island for a long weekend, consider a stay at Collective Retreats. Wake up with a waterfront morning yoga class, play games like jenga and cornhole on the Great Lawn and for sunset, the outdoor lounge is the place to be with perfect views of the Statute of Liberty and the New York City skyline. Room rates start around $425 a night in summer (825 Gresham Rd., 970-445-2033, collectiveretreats.com)

Seastreak Ferry to Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Begin your journey on the Seastreak Ferry from the East 35th St. Ferry Landing at East 35th St. and FDR Drive in Manhattan (seastreak.com; round trip ferry tickets: $250, $145 ages 3-12).

You’ll be comfortable for your nearly five-hour ride, as Seastreak has satellite TV, plush seating, indoor and outdoor decks, a bar and snacks. Arrive in Oak Bluffs to a storybook setting with the gingerbread cottages and America’s oldest carousel, the Flying Horses Carousel, that’s free to ride (15 Oak Bluffs Ave., Oak Bluffs, vineyardtrust.org).

Take your pick of four beaches. Ever popular is the 2-mile-long Joseph Sylvia State Beach that locals call State Beach. It extends to Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. It was the primary beach in the classic movie "Jaws." Admission is free (267-125 Seaview Ave., Edgartown, 508-627-6145).

An ideal spot for a picnic is Ocean Park, an ocean-side park, with tons of Victorian mansions and gingerbread houses to view. In summer there are plenty of concerts on the bandstand (2 Seaview Ave.; no admission fee).

If you’re looking for a retail fix, Circuit Avenue has shops, galleries and boutiques. Oak Bluffs Harbor has restaurants, bars and it’s where you can find kayaking and fishing charters (10 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-4355, oakbluffsmarina.com).

What’s a trip to Massachusetts without seeing a lighthouse. The MV Museum is home to the East Chop Lighthouse (229 E. Chop Dr., mvmuseum.org; $5 ages 13 and up).

A charming choice for your stay is Summercamp. With just under 100 rooms, it’s the largest ocean-front hotel on Martha’s Vineyard. The vibe will remind you of your days at summer camp with snacks like Cracker Jacks and Dreamsicles and vintage games like Twister. Relax on the roomy porches, balconies and rocking chairs. Rates start at around $750 a night (70 Lake Ave., Oak Bluffs, 508-693-6611, larkhotels.com)

Seastreak Ferry to Nantucket

Set off for Nantucket from East 35th Street Ferry Landing at East 35th Street and FDR Drive in Manhattan on the Seastreak Ferry (seastreak.com; round trip ferry tickets: $270, $165 ages 3-12).

The nearly five-hour trip is a time to get lost in a good book, chat up your besties, sip cocktails and enjoy indoor and outdoor decks with comfy seating.

Nantucket’s main attraction is all the water wonderment. What are you up for — sunset cruises, eFoil rides, wakeboarding, tubing or kiteboarding? Check out providers like Next Level Watersports to get you going (24 Washington St., 508-680-3343, nextlevelwatersports.com).

The kids will get a kick (and you will too) out of sailing on The Tall Ship Lynx, where the whole family can make like early 19th century sailors. A Nantucket Day Say is $97.52 ages 17 and older, $58.30 ages 16 and younger (board at Straight Wharf (Harbor Square), 978-479-2197, tallshiplynx.org).

There are so many beaches you might think you’re in the Caribbean. Each one has its perks, get the skinny on which ones are best for you (nantucket.net). Locals say the north shore beaches are calm and ideal for children. If you’re looking for more challenging surf, they say Cisco, Surfside and Tom Nevers Beach are best. The south shore beaches are known for heavy surf.

There are bike paths all over the island for explorers. You can rent bikes by the hour, the day, the weekend or the week from providers like Young’s Bicycle Shop (6 Broad St., youngsbicycleshop.com; $49 all day rate for adult bike and $100 for e-bike rental)

All that action is likely to boost your appetite. Good options include one of the island’s best — Topper’s Restaurant overlooking Nantucket Bay, where you can sit inside or out. Feast on fare like Colorado spring lamb, American wagyu beef or Dutch white asparagus roasted with hazelnuts, gnocchi Parisian, truffles and 36-month aged parmesan (120 Wauwinet Rd., 508-228-0145, wauwinet.com).

At Chanticleer Restaurant & Gardens, consider the lobster BLT, grilled bigeye tuna nicoise, or the chanti burger, dry-aged chuck, raclette, beef crackling, tobacco onions, smoked peppers on a potato roll (9 New St., Siasconset, 508-257-4499, chanticleernantucket.com).

For a good night sleep, swimming pools, fitness center, NobaBar for signature craft cocktails and shuttle service to downtown, check in the Nantucket Inn. Room rates start at around $750 a night (1 Miller Lane, 508-228-6900, nantucketinn.net),