Swimming Pools NYC – Where to Swim in New York City?

Nothing feels better than a cool dip on a hot summer day in the city. New York City has plenty of clean, well-maintained swimming pools that are perfect for sweltering dog-day afternoons. Most of Manhattan’s outdoor swimming pools open at the beginning of the summer and close after Labor Day. Find the best New York City swimming pools in your area and dig your bathing suit out of storage.

Downtown Manhattan Swimming Pools

Asser Levy Rec Center

• Address: East 23rd Street and FDR Drive
• Phone: 212-447-2020
• Getting There: 6 train to 23rd St. and walk east or transfer to the M23 crosstown bus to FDR Drive.
• Pool Type: Indoor and outdoor pools available
• Cost: The 2 outdoor pools are free. Membership for the indoor pool (and other recreation center benefits) is $50/year for adults, $10/year for seniors, and free for kids and teens under 18.
• Hours: Recreation center hours are Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: The indoor pool is beautiful, featuring a fountain and skylights. The outdoor pools, open July through Labor Day, is clean and serviceable. Asser Levy also has basketball courts, a playground and an Arts and Crafts room. And it’s fun to say “Asser Levy.”

Chelsea Piers Sports Center

• Address: Sports Center, Pier 60, 23rd St & the Hudson River
• Phone: 212-336-6000
• Getting There: E to 23rd St. and walk west, M23 bus to the Chelsea Piers
• Pool Type: Six-lane indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River
• Cost: $50 day passes available for purchase at the front desk. Call for the latest membership fees.
• Hours: Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Overview: Great pool for serious swimmers and millionaires. Membership is pricey , but the pool and the sports center are deluxe.

Chelsea Recreation Center Pool

• Address: 430 West 25th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues
• Phone: 212-255-3705
• Getting There: E to 23rd St. and walk west, M11 bus to West 25th Street and 9th Avenue
• Pool Type: Indoor public pool
• Cost: Membership for the indoor pool (and other recreation center benefits) is $75/year for adults, $10/year for seniors, and free for kids and teens under 18.
• Hours: Recreation center hours are Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Overview: Check the center schedule for swimming hours.

Dry Dock

• Address: 408 E. 10th St (bet Ave C & D)
• Phone: 212-677-4481
• Getting There: 6 to Astor Place
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: Clean public pool.

Hamilton Fish Recreation Center

• Address: 128 Pitt St. between Stanton and Houston
• Phone: 212-242-5228
• Getting There: F to Delancey St.
• Pool Type: Two outdoor pools (one is for kiddies)
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: The pools are very clean with attentive lifeguards. Free swimming lessons are offered in the summer — call 718-699-4219 for more information.

Stuyvesant High School

• Address: 345 Chambers St. between the West Side Highway and the Hudson River.
• Phone: 646-210-4292
• Getting There: 1,2,3 to Chambers St.
• Pool Type: Indoor lap pool
• Cost: Annual membership is $300 for the pool only and $425 for all facilities
• Hours: Open to the public on evenings and weekends
• Overview: Nice indoor pool with a view. No crowds on most weekdays.

Thompson Street Playground Pool

• Address: Thompson Street between Spring and Prince Streets
• Phone: 212-343-0959
• Getting There: C, E to Spring Street; R,W to Prince Street
• Pool Type: Outdoor mini pool (3 feet deep)
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: Small, shallow pool is great for smaller kids. A lifeguard is on duty, but kids must be at least 3’8″ and 6 years old. The pool is in Tompkins Square Park, which also features playgrounds, basketball and handball courts, and game tables.

Tompkins Square Mini Pool

• Address: 500 E. 9th St.
• Phone: 212-260-1316
• Getting There: F to 2nd Ave. or 6 to Astor Place
• Pool Type: Outdoor mini pool (3 feet deep)
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: Small, shallow pool is great for smaller kids. A lifeguard is on duty, but kids must be at least 3’8″ and 6 years old. The pool is in Tompkins Square Park, which also features playgrounds, basketball and handball courts, and game tables.

Tony Dapolito Recreation Center (formerly known as Carmine Street Rec Center)

• Address: 1 Clarkson St. between 7th Ave. South and Hudson St.
• Phone: 212-242-5228
• Getting There: 1,2,3 to Houston St. or A,C,E,F to W. 4th St.
• Pool Type: Indoor and outdoor pools available
• Cost: The outdoor pool is free. Membership for the indoor pool (and other recreation center benefits) is $75/year for adults, $10/year for seniors, and free for kids and teens under 18.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: The outdoor pool can get very crowded on hot days. The Tony DaPolito Center also has very affordable after-school programs summer camps, and sports leagues.

Uptown Manhattan Swimming Pools

Abe Lincoln Pool

• Address: 135th Street and 5th Avenue
• Phone: 212-491-1714
• Getting There: 2,3 to 135th St.
• Pool Type: Outdoor mini pool (3 feet deep)
• Cost: FREE
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: Small, shallow pool is great for smaller kids.

Asphalt Green

• Address: 555 E. 90th St. at York Ave.
• Phone: 212-369-8890
• Getting There: 4,5,6 to 86th St.
• Pool Type: Manhattan’s only 50-meter Olympic standard swimming pool
• Cost: Drop -in day rates are $35 for adults and $10 for kids (drop-in not available weekdays between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.).
• Hours: Weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m.to 8 p.m.
• Overview: Beautiful pool with great kids’ programs. Explore Asphalt Green.

Frederick Douglass Pool

• Address: Amsterdam Avenue between 100th and 102nd Streets
• Phone: 212-316-3241
• Getting There: 1 to 103rd St.
• Pool Type: Outdoor mini pool (3 feet deep)
• Cost: FREE
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: Small, shallow pool is great for smaller kids.

Gravity Fitness Center at Le Parker Meridien

• Address: 119 W. 56th St. near 6th Ave.
• Phone: 212-708-7340
• Getting There: N,R,W Q,F to 57th St.
• Pool Type: Rooftop pool with spectacular views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline
• Cost: $50 day pass is available for pool only. Call for current membership rates.
• Hours: Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Overview: The glass-roofed pool has an outdoor sun deck and food and beverage service. Visit Gravity Fitness Center to purchase a day pass.

Highbridge Pool

• Address: 2301 Amsterdam Avenue at 173rd St.
• Phone: 212-927-2400
• Getting There: A to 175th St.
• Pool Type: Outdoor olympic size pool and wading pool.
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: Highbridge Park also has spray showers, volleyball courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, fitness equipment, basketball courts, barbecuing areas, and more.

The Hotel Grace

• Address: 125 W. 45th St. between 6th Ave. and Broadway
• Phone: 212-354-2323
• Getting There: B,D,F,V,7 to 42nd Street
• Pool Type: Indoor pool with swim-up bar and DJs spinning poolside in the evenings
• Cost: $10 plus two-drink minimum
• Overview: The Hotel Grace is a perfect spot for a pool party and hosts monthly Brazilian Night events.

Jackie Robinson Recreation Center

• Address: 85 Bradhurst Avenue at 146th St.
• Phone: 212-234-9607
• Getting There: A,B,C,D to 145th St.
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool.
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: Jackie Robinson also has an Arts and Crafts room, a computer resource room, two playgrounds, a baseball field, and a basketball court.

John Jay Pool and Recreation

• Address: 77th Street and Cherokee Place (east of York Ave.)
• Phone: 212-794-6566
• Getting There: 6 to 77th Street or 4,5 to 86th Street
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool with diving
• Cost: Suggested annual donation of $25 for adults and $10 for teens.
• Hours: Outdoor pool hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Overview: John Jay is one of the best public pools in Manhattan. A snack bar and playground are nearby.

Lasker Skating Rink/Pool

• Address: In the middle of Central Park near 110th St. and Lenox Ave.
• Phone: 212.534.7639
• Getting There: 6 to 110th Street, enter park and walk westward. By bus, take the M1,M2,M3,M4 to 110th Street.
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool.
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: From July 1 through Labor day, it’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Overview: This is one of the city’s most popular pools and gets very crowded.

Manhattan Plaza Health Club

• Address: 482 West 43rd Street at 10th Ave.

• Phone: 212-563-7001.

• Getting There: A,C,E to 42nd St.

• Pool Type: Rooftop pool with retractable glass roof.

• Cost:$25 day passes are available (includes use of gym and whirlpool).

• Hours: Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Overview: Four-lane lap pool has a separate alcove for kids. Day pass is half the price of the rooftop pool at the Parker Meridien. The MPHC web site offers a coupon for a $10 day pass (workout and pool).

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