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.
