Boston's dinner cruise hack: Riding the Lynn ferry
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Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Tulipani
Lisa Tulipani has cracked the code to the perfect family dinner: grilled chicken or steak with her husband, Pete, on the Lynn ferry, riding it to Boston and back.
- Their son, 4-year-old Petey, watches the waves and looks for Moana, one of his favorite Disney characters.
Why it matters: North Shore residents are using the Lynn ferry as an affordable, accessible alternative to pricey dinner cruises and other Boston-area outings.
By the numbers: A dinner cruise on the harbor costs more than $100 a person.
- The Lynn ferry's $7 a person one way.
What they're saying: "We drive in and out of Boston enough for medical appointments and stuff. It's literally a relief and a joy to go on a pleasure cruise that's affordable in only 90 minutes," says Tulipani, a Lynn resident.
- "It's the perfect length for a kid."
The ferry was a game-changer for the Tulipanis, whose son has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Many family-friendly spaces are either not fully accessible or crowded.
- Petey could roll out front and feel the wind against his face. "Sensory wise, he happens to love the wind," said Tulipani.
Flashback: The MBTA had launched a ferry program in Lynn in 2014 and 2015, but reduced service before ending it altogether in 2018.
- The MBTA reinstated the Lynn ferry in 2023.
- The agency this year added weekend service for the first time.
This summer, the Lynn ferry's ridership increased from 390 in May to more than 1,550 riders during the Sumner Tunnel closure, with weekends being the most popular days, according to MBTA data.
- Ridership in the first two weeks of August was still three times as high as the May ridership.
Marysa Angelli, another Lynn resident, loves to get an everything bagel — extra toasted with a smear of cream cheese — from One Mighty Mill and eat it on the ferry.
- If you want that [dinner on the water] experience, this is a nice little DIY," Angelli told Axios.
- She often sees people bring pizza pies or takeout.
What's next: The Lynn ferry will run to and from Boston through Oct. 31.
- The ferry only takes paper tickets and mTickets, but the T plans to introduce contactless payments next year.