Top 10 FREE (and Cheap) Pools in Manhattanxml
1. Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
3 Clarkson Street
New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 242-5228, (212) 242-5418
Cross Streets: 3 Clarkson Street @ 7th Avenue South
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm; Sat-Sun 9am-5:30pm
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/M103
The popular outdoor pool, open during summer months, is free and very pleasant when it’s not too crowded (avoid it on the hottest days). There are lifeguards on duty and lap lanes in the deep end. Swimmers need to bring a lock for the locker; bathing suits are required in the pool area.
2. Tompkins Square Mini Pool
500 E 9th St
New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-387-6784
Cross Street: Ave A
Neighborhood: East Village
Hours: Daily 11:30am-6:30pm
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/tompkinssquarepark
To swim in this small shallow pool (3 feet deep) in Tompkins Square Park children must be six years old and at least 3’8″ tall. That means it’s perfect for little kids. Add to that the playgrounds and great neighborhood eats surrounding the park and this is a pool worth traveling to for a great day outing.
3. Hamilton Fish Recreation Center
128 Pitt Street
New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 387-7687
Cross Streets: East Houston & Stanton Streets
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9-4pm
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/M033
Frequently cited as the best public pool in NYC, Hamilton Fish has a couple things that make it a stand out. The first one in my book is that it has two pools. One is enormous and four feet deep (perfect for a little swimmer.) The other is a giant kiddie pool. Kiddie pools can be hard to find in NYC, so the fact that this also happens to be possibly the cleanest public pool in NYC with cool water and attentive lifeguards is all bonus.
4. Dry Dock
E. 10th St and Szold Place
New York, NY 10009
Phone: 212-677-4481
Cross Streets: bet Ave C & D
Neighborhood: East Village
Hours: Daily10am-6pm
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/drydockplayground
Same vibe as Hamilton Fish, but this pool is said to have tougher lifeguards which means less roughhousing by teens in the water.
5. Asser Levy Recreation Center
E 23rd Street and FDR Drive
New York, NY
Phone: 212-447-2020
Neighborhood: Gramercy
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-9:30pm, Weekends 8am-4pm
Website: http://bit.ly/cA3Ldo
This Rec Center has a free outdoor pool during the summer, a playground, basketball courts and game room. During the rest of the year there is a small annual membership fee required to use their indoor pool housed in a 1908 Roman Revival Bathhouse with a fountain and skylights. The long opening hours mean if you are an early bird you can have the pool practically to yourself.
6. Jackie Robinson Recreation Center
85 Bradhurst Avenue
New York, NY 10030
Phone: (212) 234-9607
Cross Streets: West 146th Street & Bradhurst Avenue
Neighborhood: Hamilton Heights
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-8:45pm, Sat 9-4:45
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/jackierobinsonpark/
Providing ten blocks of resources, Jackie Robinson Park is a Harlem jewel. One of four spaces designated Historic Harlem Parks, the park is noted for its strong connection with the community.
7. John Jay Pool and Recreation
77th St and Cherokee Pl (east of York Ave.)
New York, NY 10162
Phone: 212-794-6566
Cross Streets: Between York and FDR
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
Hours: Daily 11am-7pm
Website: www.nycgovparks.org/parks/johnjaypark
John Jay is an oasis in the middle of Manhattan. One of the best public pools in Manhattan, it is clean and safe; there’s a snack bar inside and a playground with sprinklers and swings. It is also one of the two pools in the city that allows diving. They ask for a small annual donation of $25 for adults and $10 for teens.
8. Lasker Skating Rink/Pool
Central Park near 110th St. and Lenox Ave.
New York, NY 10026
Phone: 212-534-7639
Neighborhood: Central Park North
Hours: Mon. – Fri. from 7:00 – 8:30 AM & 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Website: www.centralpark.com/pages/attractions/lasker-pool-rink.html
Lasker Pool is an enormous outdoor pool at the top of Central Park. It is one of the city’s most popular pools and gets very crowded, but you can go on the early side and then spend the rest of the day exploring this itinerary for Northern Central Park.
9. Manhattan Plaza Health Club
482 West 43rd Street at 10th Ave
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-563-7001
Neighborhood: Midtown West
Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Weekends 8am-9pm
Website: www.mphc.com
If you are in the mood for a little luxury try this hotel rooftop pool with a retractable glass roof. The lap pool has a separate area for kids. Day passes are $25 and include the use of the gym, saunas and whirlpool. In the off-season check their site for a special $10 entry promotion.
10. Stuyvesant High School Community Center
345 Chambers St. between the West Side Highway and the Hudson River
New York, NY 10282
Phone: 212-312-4800
Neighborhood: Tribeca
Hours: Mon-Thurs. 3pm-6pm, & Fri 3pm-7pm, Weekends 10am-2:30pm
Website: www.communitycenteratstuyvesanthighschool.org/
The Stuyvesant Community Center pool is a nice indoor pool with a great view and family swim times which aren’t usually crowded during the week. A six-month membership is only $200 for adults plus $70 for each kid, but you can also pay just $12 for the day ($10 for kids). Either way you get access to all the facilities including a gym, basketball, handball and volleyball courts.