I’m biased because I live on the North Shore. But the local fried clams here are amazing and the Salem/Marblehead area is wonderful day trip for way more than just the food!
Here are a few thoughts on picking a fried clam destination….
First off, they are not cheap. Not the local day boat fresh ones. Which is what makes them worth the cross country trip!
I recommend this option because you can get them in actual restaurants. An order of these delicacies is going to set you back around twenty bucks whether you are in a crowded, hot clam shack or a place where they have tables and waitstaff and beverages. Clearly, I recommend the latter!
Two casual places in Marblehead have great waterfront views: The Barnacle and the Landing. Three Cod tavern is excellent as well, but not waterfront. In Salem I can personally vouch for Turner’s and Dube’s, (not waterfront either) but there are others which can be vetted on someplace like TA. They are in the “touristy” area, but I hear good reviews.
If they decide to rent a car, I would honestly tell them to head to Marblehead first and just street park and walk around. Then head over to the Chestnut street area of downtown Salem. The best thing in Salem is the Peabody Essex Museum, which is a lot for a day trip. The second best thing is the historic district. Some of Salem is pretty touristy. That’s what one needs to avoid.
