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Life-affirming news, folks: New York City’s 60-plus outdoor public pools will reopen for the season on Friday, June 27, just in time to rescue sweaty locals from the city’s first real scorcher of the summer. From Astoria’s Olympic-sized marvel to Bronx’s Floating Pool on a barge, these splash zones are not only totally free but also spread across all five boroughs—meaning your hot girl (or guy or they) summer can be just a few subway stops away.
Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with a mandatory cleaning break from 3 to 4 p.m.—a.k.a. snack and shade time. Don’t bother showing up without a real swimsuit (no gym shorts), and leave your picnic dreams at home: No food, glass, newspapers or electronics are allowed. You also must bring a sturdy lock to secure your things—yes, they will turn you away if you try to show up with a TSA luggage lock. You’ve been warned!
Want to protect yourself from the blazing sun while poolside? You can wear a plain white T-shirt or hat, but anything else gets the fashion police treatment (and by police, we mean actual Parks staff).
If you plan to bring the kids, note that floaties are discouraged. Stick to the shallow end unless your little swimmers are confident in deeper waters. Swim diapers are a must for babies and while you might find stroller parking, it’s BYO babysitter if you want someone to watch your gear.
For those seeking more than a splash, the city also offers free swim programs, including learn-to-swim classes, lap swim sessions and youth teams. Just check ahead online to register—especially at pools like Red Hook and McCarren, which tend to fill up fast.
Some pools to put on your radar: Astoria Pool (views for days), Hamilton Fish (downtown favorite), Highbridge (In the Heights fame) and Gottesman Pool at the Davis Center (Central Park’s newest standout). For a crowd-free vibe, try Douglass and Degraw in Gowanus or Lyons Pool in Staten Island.
New York City’s outdoor pools are the ultimate antidote to a too-hot apartment and an overworked window unit. Bring your SPF, your suit and a sense of patience (lines are real), and you’re good to go.