With some terrific day trip options in the surrounding area, renting a car makes sense. Without one, it wouldn’t be half as easy to soak up all that Swampscott, 17 miles away, has to offer. Abbott Park, Whales Beach and Blaney Beach alone make the drive out worthwhile. The locals will also likely point you in the direction of Nahant, 20 miles away. If you can only see one thing here, make sure it’s Short Beach. (But we’re also huge fans of Long Beach and Nahant Beach - Lynn Shore Reservations.)