Summer Guide 2015: NYC’s Best Swimming Pools

When you need to cool off ASAP (and for free!), dive into one of the NYC Parks’ free outdoor pools, which will open for the summer season on Saturday, June 27, 2015 (and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool will open June 26.)  NYC Parks pools are open from 11am-7pm daily (with a cleaning break at from 3-4pm). You’ll want to bring a combination lock to keep your belongings secure, and a white shirt in case you want to cover up from the sun, as colored shirts are not allowed on the pool decks. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up pool has its own rules, which you can find here.

Manhattan

John Jay Pool
John Jay Park provides free access to an intermediate and diving pool on the Upper East Side. One of the many perks of New York City Parks pools are that they offer free swimming lessons for people of all ages, lanes exclusively for swimming laps, and other special programs for teens, seniors and people with disabilities. 77 Cherokee Place,  nycgovparks.org 

Tony Dapolito Pool
The Tony Dapolito Pool offers downtown kids a summer sanctuary with its diving pool and lap lanes. And where else can you swim while admiring a Keith Haring mural, painted on the pool’s back wall? Like at all public NYC Parks pools, swimming lessons are available for free to all ages. 1 Clarkson Street, nycgovparks.org 

Asser Levy Pool
The recently renovated pool at Asser Levy Playground will serve all your summer needs with its new and improved intermediate and wading pools. The intermediate pool is wheelchair-accessible, and the wading pool is a perfect spot to play for those who are not quite ready for the deep end yet. 392 Asser Levy Place, nycgovparks.org

Lasker Pool
Lasker Pool is one of the few Olympic-size public swimming pools in New York City, which makes it a great place to cool off on those too-hot-to-handle summer days. Doubling as an ice skating rink during the winter, this ovular Central Park pool is massive. There is also a wading pool, and the Olympic pool is wheelchair accessible. 110 Malcolm X Boulevard, nycgovparks.org

Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Pop-Up Pool is one of the coolest public pools in NYC. With its beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline and sand-covered lounge area with chairs and umbrellas, it’s hard to believe that swimming here is absolutely free. Due to high demand and its smaller capacity, admission operates in 45-minute sessions with wristbands distributed at 10 am and then every hour after 10:30am  The Pop-Up Pool also has its own set of rules, so make sure to check them out before you head out for a relaxing swim here. 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, brooklynbridgepark.org

McCarren Park Pool
A 2012 Time Out New York critic’s choice, McCarren Park Pool is a newly renovated, 37,571-square-foot Olympic swimming pool in the heart of North Brooklyn, making it an ideal spot for Williamsburg and Greenpoint residents–but worth the trip for everyone else! Swim some laps or lounge poolside in this spacious summer haven operated by NYC Parks. 776 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, nycgovparks.org

Queens

Astoria Park Pool
Boasting the largest public pool in New York City, Astoria Park is home to the 330-foot long Olympic size swimming pool in the heart of Queens. Built in 1936, this historic pool has quickly become a neighborhood favorite and offers a wading pool for kiddies, too! Easily accessible by public transportation, this NYC Parks pool is a great place to spend a day in the water. 19th Street and 23rd Drive, Queens,  nycgovparks.org

For a complete list of all outdoor pools in NYC parks, visit nycgovparks.org!