Where to Find a Swimming Pool in NYC

So you moved to NYC, survived a seemingly never-ending chilly winter and are now looking for respite from the sweltering heat and humidity of a New York summer. Are you wondering where to find a swimming pool in NYC? Read on to find out more about indoor and outdoor swimming pools in NYC.

NYC Parks free outdoor swimming pools – Open from late June, 11am to 7pm daily. Be sure to familarize yourself with the “know before you go” information on this site, as the NYC pools have very strict rules for entry, such as the mandatory requirement to bring a suitable padlock for storing your items in the locker. Gottesman Pool is the newest addition to the city’s aquatic centers. Located at the northern end of Central Park in Harlem, the pool accommodates up to 1,000 swimmers at a time in summer, and converts to a green space in spring and fall, and an ice-skating rink in winter.

NYC Parks indoor swimming pools – Open year-round, however these require membership to a recreation centre with a swimming pool. Annual membership currently costs $150 for Adults and $25 for seniors (ages 62 and older). Membership is free for anyone under the age of 18.

If you’re looking for more of a Hotel and Rooftop vibe to soak in the city views, check out Secret NYC’s 11 pool recommendations.

If you’re a parent, Mommy Poppins also provides a list of family friendly indoor swimming pools, including plenty of free options.

For the adventurous or for those looking for a more exclusive use of a nearby pool, many have used the Swimply.com. This website allows you to rent a private pool by the hour in a host of different locations, and also offers a range of other sport options such as renting a pickleball, tennis or basketball court.  

If the beach is more your scene, you can venture out to one of NYC’s beaches. You can even take a fun quiz to find out “what beach are you?“. Alternatively, check out an Australian’s guide to beaches in New York or Secret Pools In Forest Hills, Queens (NYC).

NYC Parks maintains 14 miles of beaches, all of which are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags.

Be sure to visit the NYC Department of Health beach advisory before you go to check the water quality, often after rain, the city’s sewerage system is overwhelmed and raw sewerage is pumped directly into the ocean. Beaches which are classified as “Closed” or “Advisory” may be contaminated with sewage or storm runoff.

So now you know where to find a pool in NYC, you’re all set for summer. Enjoy!

Written by Nicole Smith. Updated by Aimee Hocking.