Best New York City Swimming Pools – Solar Pool Cover Protects Your Good Times

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
Pool Type: Indoor and outdoor pools available
Cost: The outdoor pool is free. Membership for the indoor pool is $75/year (not open during the summer).
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Overview: The indoor pool is beautiful, featuring a fountain and skylights. The outdoor pool, 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. 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.

Dry Dock

Address: 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: Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 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: Daily from 11 a.m. to 7 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.

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: Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 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 is $75/year for adults, $10 for seniors, and free for kids under 18 (not open during the summer).
Hours: Mon. through Fri. 7 a.m.to 10 p.m.; Sat. amd Sun. 9 a.m. to 5:30 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

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 weekedays 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.

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.

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.

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: Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 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: Daily from 11 a.m. to 7 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 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 6:45 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).