Summer Fun in NYC: Free Public Outdoor Pools

July 8, 2024 | Stefanie DiMartino

By: Stefanie DiMartino

When the summer sun is blazing, there’s no better way to cool off than by diving into one of New York City’s free public outdoor pools. These pools offer a refreshing escape for thousands every day during summertime. Ready to go for a swim? Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your poolside adventures. And for a full map view of every pool in every borough, check out our map here and below!

For even more summer fun in the sun, check out our guide to NYC’s Beaches.

Pool Hours and Essentials

NYC’s outdoor pools are open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, with a mandatory break for cleaning between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. To enter, you must wear a swimsuit. If you’re wearing men’s shorts, they need to have a lining to be considered pool-appropriate. Want to stay protected from the sun? Plain white shirts or hats are your go-to options, as colored clothing is not allowed on the pool deck.

Sunscreen and Safety First

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen! But if you forget yours, don’t worry, because free sunscreen is available at city pools across all five boroughs. Have little ones? Make sure they wear swim diapers before heading into the water. Floaties might seem like a fun idea if heading to the pools with children, but it’s safer to leave them at home and stick to the shallow end until they become confident swimmers. Free swimming classes are offered for those wanting to plunge into deeper waters, making it a great opportunity to improve your little one’s skills.

Secure Your Belongings

Bring a sturdy lock to keep your valuables safe while you swim. Luggage locks won’t cut it—only standard locks are accepted. Leave food, glass bottles, electronic devices, and newspapers at home to keep the pool area clean and safe. Valuables like jewelry and credit cards are best left at home too.

Manhattan Pools

Abe Lincoln Pool: Located at 5th Avenue & E. 135th Street, this accessible mini pool measures 50′ x 30′.
Asser Levy Pool: Located at Asser Levy Place and E. 23rd Street, this accessible pool features a 120’ x 45’ x 4’ intermediate pool and a 41.67’ x 25’ x 1.5’ wading pool.

*Asser Levy Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Dry Dock Pool: Situated on E. 10th St. between Aves. C and D, it features a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 30′ x 20′ wading pool.

*Dry Dock Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Frederick Douglass Pool: Found on Amsterdam Ave. between 100th & 102nd Streets, this accessible mini pool is 40′ x 20′.
Hamilton Fish Pool: Located at Pitt Street and Houston Street, it includes a 165′ x 98′ Olympic pool and a 67′ x 98′ wading pool.

*Hamilton Fish Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Highbridge Pool: At Amsterdam Ave. and W. 173rd Street, this accessible pool boasts a 220′ x 162′ Olympic pool and a 220′ x 92′ wading pool.

*Highbridge Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Jackie Robinson Pool: Situated at Bradhurst Avenue and W. 146th Street, it features a 235′ x 82′ Olympic pool.

*Jackie Robinson Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

John Jay Pool: Found east of York Avenue on 77th St., it includes a 145′ x 49′ intermediate pool and a 60′ x 40′ diving pool.
Marcus Garvey Pool: You can find Marcus Garvey Pool at 124th Street and Fifth Avenue. This accessible, intermediate pool measures 165′ x 75′ x 4′.

*Marcus Garvey Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Sheltering Arms Pool: Located at W. 129th Street and Amsterdam Ave., it offers a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 30′ x 20′ wading pool.

*Sheltering Arms Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Thomas Jefferson Pool: At E. 112th Street and First Avenue, this accessible pool features a 239′ x 97′ Olympic pool and a 48′ x 97′ wading pool.

*Thomas Jefferson Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Vesuvio Pool: Situated on Thompson St. between Spring & Prince Streets, this accessible mini pool is 43′ x 25.5′.
Wagner Pool: Found on E. 124th Street between First and Second Avenues, it includes a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.

*Wagner Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Bronx Pools

Claremont Pool: Located at 170th Street and Clay Avenue, this accessible pool offers a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.

*Claremont Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Crotona Pool: At 173rd Street and Fulton Avenue, you’ll find an accessible Olympic pool measuring 330′ x 120′.

*Crotona Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Edenwald Houses Pool: Situated at Schieffelin Avenue & E. 229th Street, this accessible mini pool is 40′ x 30′.
Floating Pool: Located at Tiffany Street & Viele Avenue, it features an 82′ x 52′ intermediate pool.

*Floating Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Foster Pool: At E. 164th St. between Jerome & River Aves., this accessible pool includes a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.

*Foster Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Haffen Pool: Found at Ely and Burke Avenues, this accessible pool offers a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.

*Haffen Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Mapes Pool: At E. 180th Street between Mapes & Prospect Avenues, this accessible pool features a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 27′ x 27′ wading pool.

*Mapes Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Thompson Pool: Located at E. 174th Street & Bronx River Avenue, it offers a 40′ x 20′ mini pool.
Van Cortlandt Pool: At W. 242nd St. and Broadway, this accessible pool includes a 164′ x 104′ Olympic pool and a 48′ x 48′ wading pool.

*Van Cortlandt Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Brooklyn Pools

Betsy Head Pool: Located at Boyland, Livonia, and Dumont Avenues, this accessible Olympic pool is 330′ x 165′.

*Betsy Head Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Bushwick Pool: At Humboldt Street, Flushing & Bushwick Avenues, it features a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 30′ x 20′ wading pool.

*Bushwick Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Commodore Barry Pool: Situated at Flushing and Park Avenues, Navy and North Elliot Streets, this accessible pool includes a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.

*Commodore Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

David Fox/PS 251 Pool: Found at E. 54th Street & Avenue H, this mini pool measures 40′ x 20′.
Douglass and DeGraw Pool: At Third Avenue and Nevins Street, this accessible pool offers a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.

*Douglass & DeGraw Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Glenwood Houses Pool: Located at Farragut Road & Ralph Avenue, this mini pool is 40′ x 20′.
Howard Pool: At Glenmore and Mother Gaston Blvd., East New York Avenue, it features a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 30′ x 20′ wading pool.

*Howard Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Jesse Owens Pool: Located at 117 Stuyvesant Avenue, this accessible mini pool measures 55′ x 30′.

*Jesse Owens Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Kosciuszko Pool: Found at Marcy Avenue between DeKalb Avenue & Kosciuszko Street, this accessible Olympic pool is 230′ x 100′.
Lindower Park Pool: At E. 60th St, Mill Rd. & Strickland Avenue, this mini pool measures 40′ x 20′.
McCarren Park Pool: Situated in McCarren Park, this accessible Olympic pool is 329′ x 151′.

*McCarren Park Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

PS 20 Playground Pool: Located between Clermont Avenue & Adelphi Street, this outdoor mini pool measures 40′ x 20′ x 3′.
Red Hook Pool: Located at Bay and Henry Streets, it features a 50′ x 25′ wading pool and a 330′ x 130′ Olympic pool.

*Red Hook Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Sunset Park Pool: At Seventh Avenue between 41st and 44th Streets, this accessible pool boasts a 259′ x 162′ Olympic pool.

*Sunset Park Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Queens Pools

Astoria Pool: Located at 19th Street and 23rd Drive, this accessible Olympic pool measures 330′ x 165′.

*Astoria Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Fisher Pool: At 99th Street and 32nd Avenue, it features a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 20′ x 20′ wading pool.

*Fisher Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Fort Totten Pool: Located at 338 Story Avenue, it offers a 75′ x 40′ intermediate pool, a 20′ (round) wading pool, and a 35′ x 35′ diving pool.

*Fort Totten Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Liberty Pool: Situated at 173rd Street and 106th Avenue, this accessible pool includes a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 20′ x 20′ wading pool.

*Liberty Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

Marie Curie Park Pool: Found at 211th Street & 46th Avenue, this mini pool measures 40′ x 20′.
PS 186 Playground Pool: Located at Little Neck Parkway & 72nd Avenue, it offers a 40′ x 20′ mini pool.
Windmuller Pool: At 54th Street & 39th Road, this mini pool measures 40′ x 20′.

Staten Island Pools

Faber Pool: Located at Faber Street and Richmond Terrace, this accessible pool includes a 140′ x 76′ intermediate pool.

*Faber Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

General Douglas Pool: Situated at Jefferson Street & Seaver Avenue, this mini pool measures 40′ x 20′.
Maggie Howard Pool: Found at Tompkins Ave. between Hill & Broad Sts., this accessible mini pool is 55′ x 30′.

*Maggie Howard Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

PS 46 Playground Pool: At Parkinson Avenue & Kramer Street, this mini pool measures 40′ x 20′.
Tottenville Pool: Located at Hylan Boulevard and Joline Avenue, it features a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.

*Tottenville Pool Photo: https://www.nycgovparks.org*

West Brighton Pool: At Henderson Avenue between Broadway and Chappel Streets, this accessible pool includes a 75′ x 60′ intermediate pool and a 24′ x 24′ wading pool.