The Winthrop Ferry, which provides riders with the fastest commute between the North Shore and Boston, has begun service for its third summer.
The Ferry departs from the new Norman Seifert Ferry Terminal in Winthrop, located at the Town Landing at 707 Shirley Street. It deposits riders at Rowes Wharf, by the Boston Harbor Hotel in downtown Boston.
The ride aboard the ANNA, operated by Boston Harbor Cruises, is a relaxing and cool 25 minutes, scenic as it cuts through the Harbor and past Logan Airport. If the convenience isn’t enough to lure daily riders, an added incentive is the free parking at the Winthrop Landing.
The ANNA also offers a small menu of drinks and snacks, including wine and beer. While there are seats and tables inside the ship, the real draw is the upper deck, which provides welcomed breezes and great views of Boston’s skyline and Winthrop’s picturesque shoreline.
The schedule is friendly to commuters and day-trippers alike. Weekday 7 AM and 8 AM departures from Winthrop, and 7:30 AM from Boston, are convenient for office schedules; and the 11:30 AM departure from Winthrop is perfect for anyone who wants to make a lazy day of getting into the city. (From the Boston side, there is an equally comfortable 11:45 AM departure to the small seacoast town).
To view the entire schedule, visit www.bostonharborcruises.com/boston-commuter-boat-services
On the return leg to Winthrop, Boston weekday departures start at 4:45 PM, and leave every hour at the three-quarter time, through 6:45 PM. And, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there is a late 9 PM boat leaving Rowes Wharf. This makes it possible for those coming from the North Shore to stay later in the city for dinner or other entertainment (such as Boston Harbor Hotel’s Blues Barge on Thursdays, and movies on Friday nights, both free events), and still get home at a reasonable time. Sunday night features an 8pm departure from Rowes Wharf.
An additional service that promises to be a great value for weekenders and families is the new Saturday-Sunday schedule between Winthrop and Spectacle Island, one of the gems of the Boston Harbor Islands. Aside from the Winthrop Ferry, the only other boat to Spectacle Island requires a departure from Long Wharf, in Boston.
On June 30th, the Ferry began trips between Winthrop and Spectacle Island on Saturdays and Sundays. Spectacle Island offers some of the best amenity combinations of any of the Harbor Islands: a swimming beach with lifeguards; a snack shack open 7 days a week; a visitors’ center with a lovely large porch and rocking chairs, from which to watch the passing harbor life. A relaxing hike brings you to the
highest hill of any of the islands, boasting great views of Boston and the surrounding seascape.
In addition, Spectacle Island hosts a variety of music events throughout the summer, yoga retreats, and more. Visit www.bostonharborislands.org/spectacle for the full schedule.
Boats leave Winthrop’s Town Landing on Saturdays and Sundays at 10am, 1pm, and 3pm; they return to Winthrop at 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm.
Alison Nolan, General Manager of Boston Harbor Cruises, is delighted that the Ferry is back. “We know that many riders from Winthrop have become fans of the Ferry, and would like to see it become a permanent part of the town; it’s the commuters who are the lifeblood of any Ferry service, so I hope that more Winthrop and North Shore daily travellers to Boston will discover and use this great service.â€
Several businesses within walking distance of the Ferry Terminal will be offering visitors with Ferry ticket stubs special promotions, including ice cream, slush and more at Twist and Shake, and Osaka Lucky Garden, with its menu of sushi and traditional Chinese fare. More discounts are coming.
Fares for the Ferry range from $8.00/per person/one way to $4.00/pp/one way for Seniors (65+) and children 11 and under. A great deal is the 10-trip ticket, which is $60.00 (or $30 for seniors and children).
In addition, anyone presenting a Winthrop Ferry ticket stub to any BHC ticket office will receive 10% off tickets for the Provincetown Ferry and Boston Harbor Cruise whale watches.
The Ferry has been a great hit with Winthrop riders, as well as out-of-town visitors to the town’s B&B and hotels. Find out what everyone’s talking about – you’ll be hooked from your first on-board experience!