Parks and outdoors · Pools and beaches · 2026
The best public pools in New York.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 13 places.
Summers in New York City can be brutal. In fact, 2022 was the fifth-hottest summer in NYC on record. So where do locals go to escape the blistering heat? Public pools!
Indeed, the concrete jungle has its fair share of swimming pools weaved into the city’s fabric. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation does an admirable job running 79 free public swimming pools, and there’s plenty more private pools in NYC.
- Asphalt GreenOther · Battery Park CitySince it’s one of the best private pools in NYC it does a great job upholding a level of care that public pools in NYC just can’t afford to.
- Astoria PoolOther · Queens (Astoria)Unfortunately Astoria Pool is closed during the summer of 2023 for renovations.
- Hamilton Fish PoolOther · Lower East Side
- Indigo HotelHotel · Williamsburg, BrooklynIt’s not necessarily huge or flashy, but just being on that rooftop has a way of making you feel like a VIP.
- John Jay PoolOther · Upper East SideClean and well-kept it’s one of the best public pools in NYC.
- Lasker PoolOther · Central ParkThe central location (no pun intended) will make Lasker Pool one of the best public pools in NYC regardless of what it looks like.
- Marcus Garvey Park PoolOther · HarlemThe park is also home to one of the best public pools in NYC.
- McCarren Park PoolOther · Greenpoint, BrooklynLines are to be expected, it’s one of the best public pools in NYC at the end of the day.
- QCNYOther · Governors IslandAn entry pass will grant you access to the different saunas, steam rooms and of course one of the best public pools in NYC.
- Red Hook PoolOther · Red Hook, BrooklynFor these reasons Red Hook Pool is the best public pool in NYC.
- Riverbank State Park Aquatic ComplexOther · HarlemThis helps it remain one of the best public pools in NYC for families since you don’t have to break the bank.
- Sheltering Arms PoolOther · HarlemIt’s one of the best maintained public pools in NYC that has clean bathrooms and security keeping an eye on the lockers, tables and chairs.
- Sunset PoolOther · Sunset Park, BrooklynYou might be tempted to hang out under the shade of a tree but trust me, you’re not going to want to miss out on the refreshing fun.
Asphalt Green
Other · Battery Park City · 212 North End Ave, New York, NY 10282
Since it’s one of the best private pools in NYC it does a great job upholding a level of care that public pools in NYC just can’t afford to.
Astoria Pool
Other · Queens (Astoria) · 19th Street & 23rd Drive, 19th St, Astoria, NY 11105
Unfortunately Astoria Pool is closed during the summer of 2023 for renovations.
Indigo Hotel
Hotel · Williamsburg, Brooklyn · 500 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
It’s not necessarily huge or flashy, but just being on that rooftop has a way of making you feel like a VIP.
John Jay Pool
Other · Upper East Side · 77 Cherokee Pl, New York, NY 10075
Clean and well-kept it’s one of the best public pools in NYC.
Lasker Pool
Other · Central Park · In the Center of Central Park between 106th and 108th Streets
The central location (no pun intended) will make Lasker Pool one of the best public pools in NYC regardless of what it looks like.
Marcus Garvey Park Pool
Other · Harlem · 6316 Mt Morris Park W, New York, NY 10027
The park is also home to one of the best public pools in NYC.
McCarren Park Pool
Other · Greenpoint, Brooklyn · 776 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Lines are to be expected, it’s one of the best public pools in NYC at the end of the day.
QCNY
Other · Governors Island · 112 Andes Rd, New York, NY 10004
An entry pass will grant you access to the different saunas, steam rooms and of course one of the best public pools in NYC.
Red Hook Pool
Other · Red Hook, Brooklyn · 155 Bay St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
For these reasons Red Hook Pool is the best public pool in NYC.
Riverbank State Park Aquatic Complex
Other · Harlem · 679 Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10031
This helps it remain one of the best public pools in NYC for families since you don’t have to break the bank.
Sheltering Arms Pool
Other · Harlem · 1350 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
It’s one of the best maintained public pools in NYC that has clean bathrooms and security keeping an eye on the lockers, tables and chairs.
Sunset Pool
Other · Sunset Park, Brooklyn · 7th Avenue & 43rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
You might be tempted to hang out under the shade of a tree but trust me, you’re not going to want to miss out on the refreshing fun.
Best public pools in New York, 2026
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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 15 Great Public Pools in New York City (To Beat The Heat).