Best Places to Swim With Kids

At a Glance:

• NYC public pools open June 27 and stay open through early September, with free sunscreen, lifeguards, and free summer meals for kids at all locations.
• Top family favorites include Gottesman Pool, Astoria Park Pool, McCarren Park Pool, and the Floating Pool.
• Daily pool hours are 11 am–3 pm and 4 pm–7 pm, with a cleaning break from 3 pm–4 pm

The easiest way to beat the heat in NYC is to visit big pools like Gottesman Pool, Astoria Park Pool, McCarren Park Pool, and the Floating Pool. When the weather feels too warm, these places give kids safe water, lifeguards, and plenty of room to swim without feeling crowded. It’s officially stay-near-sprinklers-or-find-a-pool hot in the city, and there’s no better way for families to cool off than with a refreshing dip in the water.

Good news: Public pools in NYC reopen for the season Saturday, June 27th! Whether you already have a go-to neighborhood spot or you’re ready to explore a new favorite, the city has plenty of family-friendly pools perfect for summer fun.

The outdoor Olympic- and intermediate-sized pools will remain open through Sunday, September 7, and the mini pools will stay open through Labor Day. Daily pool hours are 11 am to 3 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm, with a cleaning break from 3 pm to 4 pm. Sunscreen is provided free of charge at all NYC public pools. Free summer meals are provided to children as part of NYC’s Free Summer Meals Program.

We’ve rounded up some of the top public pools across the five boroughs to help you plan your splash-filled days. So grab the sunscreen, goggles, snacks, and towels—it’s pool time in the city!

Now that you know the top spots to swim and play, it’s time to see what each place is like and what makes it special for families. The list below will help you pick the pool or park that feels just right for your summer day, so you can splash, relax, and enjoy the sunshine together.

Psst…  Check Out Why Kids Need an Unscheduled Summer

NYC Public Pools Open: Guide to the City’s Best Pools and Parks

Manhattan

Gottesman Pool – Central Park North / Harlem

110th St. & Lenox Ave. (Harlem Meer)

New for summer 2025, Gottesman Pool is one of the largest and most modern public pools in NYC, perfect for families who want lots of space to swim and play. Located at the northern edge of Central Park inside the new Davis Center, this sleek, resort-style pool comfortably fits over 1,000 swimmers. It is surrounded by shaded seating and natural landscaping. While there’s no wading pool, the wide layout makes it a great pick for families with confident swimmers.

Abe Lincoln Pool – East Harlem

E. 135th St. and 5th Ave.

Abe Lincoln Pool is one of those NYC parks where kids can splash around, and families can enjoy a fun day together. The outdoor mini pool at Abe Lincoln Pool in East Harlem is a good spot in the neighborhood to cool off on a hot day. When not swimming, kids can play on the playground, in the spray showers, or on the basketball courts.

Asser Levy Pool – Kips Bay

E. 10th St. between Aves. C and D

With an intermediate pool and a wading pool, Asser Levy Pool can accommodate various age spans. The wading pool is perfect for families with young kids who just want to beat the heat, and the intermediate pool, at four feet deep, is a good choice for more intermediate swimmers.

Dry Dock Pool — East Village

E. 10th St. between Aves. C and D

For a more local spot to let off steam during the summer months, head on down to Dry Dock Pool in East Village. Here, children can work up a sweat on the playground and basketball court, then cool off in one of the two clean, kid-friendly pools. Both NYC public pools, one three feet deep and the other one and a half feet deep, offer lifeguard supervision, making Dry Dock Pool ideal for families with beginner swimmers.

Frederick Douglass Pool – Upper West Side

Amsterdam Ave. between 100th and 102nd St.

Frederick Douglass Pool is a peaceful place in NYC where families can spend a slow, relaxing day without worrying about big crowds. Frederick Douglass Playground features a mini pool. It’s also the only NYC public pool on the Upper West Side, so it’s sure to be a popular pick! While it’s not an Olympic-sized swimming pool like you might find at other parks, it’s a good choice for families on the Upper West Side looking to cool off.

Hamilton Fish Park – East Village

Pitt St. and E. Houston St.

This East Village pool is, to many residents, Manhattan’s best public pool! Like many of the NYC parks with pools, this park has two pools of different sizes! There is a wading pool for the younger ones and an Olympic-size pool for older kids and adults. After your swim, you can stop at the nearby park and picnic area to continue enjoying the day.

Highbridge Pool – Washington Heights

Amsterdam Ave and W. 173rd St.

Highbridge Pool is one of the most popular New York public pools, with an Olympic-size pool for serious swimmers and a wading area for little ones to play safely. With an Olympic pool and a wading pool, Highbridge Pool has been a neighborhood favorite long before it was featured in In the Heights. When you’re not swimming, you can play in the spray showers, on the playgrounds, or on a skate park.

Jackie Robinson Park – Harlem

145th St. at Bradhurst Ave.

Located in Harlem, this park has an Olympic-size pool with plenty of shade to better protect swimmers from the sun’s rays. There’s no need for a kiddie pool, as this one only goes as deep as 3.5 feet. But if anyone in your family is not interested in swimming, there is also a sprayground and playground right on the pool deck!

John Jay Pool — Upper East Park

East of York Ave. on 77th St.

John Jay Pool is one of the most scenic NYC parks and pools, with a big swimming area where families can enjoy laps or spend a fun and easy day together.  Nestled in the back of an Upper East Side park, John Jay Pool is a staple for Uptown Manhattanites. This gorgeous 145-foot pool is perfect for swimming laps or for watching boats go by in the East River. As one of the only outdoor pools in NYC with a diving area, John Jay Pool is a hit for children and adults alike. Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before it opens, as long lines form quickly, lounge chairs fill up fast, and there is a limited number of people allowed inside.

Marcus Garvey Park – Harlem

124th St. at Fifth Ave.

The Marcus Garvey pool is right in the middle of the famous park and has a maximum depth of 4 feet. It is also surrounded by a large pool deck where guests can chill out between dips.

Sheltering Arms Pool – West Harlem

W. 129th St. and Amsterdam Ave.

The wading pool and intermediate pools at Sheltering Arms have maximum depths of 1.5 feet and 3.5 feet, respectively, making them good options for families and early swimmers. The pool deck has comfortable chairs and umbrellas.

Thomas Jefferson Pool – East Harlem

E. 112th St and First Ave.

Located within Thomas Jefferson Park, Thomas Jefferson Pool is just one of many things to do on a summer day. It’s also located right by barbecuing areas, so your family can have a full day of fun at this NYC public pool!

Vesuvio Pool – South Village

Thompson St. between Spring & Prince St.

Vesuivo Playground is one of the few green spaces in the South Village, complete with a three-foot mini pool, sandboxes, spray showers, and more.

Wagner Pool – East Harlem

E. 124th St. between First and Second Ave.

Having opened in the summer of 2019, this medium-sized pool in East Harlem is surrounded by cool, colorful walls and beach chairs. There is also a wading pool on-site, so kids of all ages and skill levels can enjoy themselves.

 Queens

Astoria Park – Astoria

19th St. and 23rd Drive

Astoria Park is one of the most popular New York public pools for families, with plenty of space for everyone to swim, play, and enjoy the day together. Astoria Park’s pool is the largest public pool in NYC, at a whopping 330 feet long. The wading area for little kids isn’t a separate pool but a roped-off section, allowing them to be in the same pool as everyone else while staying safe.

Fisher Pool – East Elmhurst

99th St. at 32nd Ave.

Fisher Pool is one of the friendliest NYC public pools and parks, where families can swim, enjoy the colorful mural, and spend a relaxed summer day together. Enjoy the water while you admire the adorable penguin mural at this pool in East Elmhurst!

Fort Totten Pool – Fort Totten

338 Story Ave.

Splash in Fort Totten Park’s three pools while enjoying views of the scenic and historic park that surrounds them.

Liberty Pool – Jamaica

173rd St. at 106th Ave.

Located in Detective Keith L. Williams Park, this NYC public pool is smaller than the others on this list, but it also has a nice, relaxing wading pool. This pool is also one of the city’s “cool pools,” so it gets plenty of shade from the umbrellas surrounding it.

Brooklyn

Sunset Park – Sunset Park

7th Ave. between 41st and 44th St.

Sunset Park is one of the most scenic examples of NYC parks with pools, offering an Olympic-size pool where families can swim while enjoying views of the city skyline. The park is home to an Olympic-size pool from which you can enjoy views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the harbor!

Betsy Head Park – Brownsville

Boyland St. between Livonia and Dumont Ave.

This Brownsville-based pool is located in the park, which has undergone several renovations, including a new playground. The NYC public pool is Olympic-size and has a maximum depth of 4 feet.

Kosciuszko Pool – Bed-Stuy

Marcy Ave. between DeKalb Ave. and Kosciuszko St.

Head over to Bed-Stuy for a dip in this Olympic-size pool, which also features a wading pool and is often praised for its cleanliness!

McCarren Park Pool – Border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint

Lorimer St. & Driggs Ave.

Head to this very popular and beloved Olympic-sized NYC pool at McCarren Park for plenty of room to splash and swim. If the kids are tired of the pool, head to the turtle park next door and cool off at the sprinklers.

Bronx

The Floating Pool — Barretto Point Park

Tiffany St. & Viele Ave.

“The Floating Pool Lady” in Barretto Point Park is a must-have on your summer bucket list. This seven-lane pool sits atop a movable barge in the East River, offering a waterfront view that will delight even the youngest of swimmers. Children can splash in the sprinklers or dry off with a picnic on the lawn area surrounding the pool.

Crotona Pool – Crotona

E. 173rd St. and Fulton Ave.

In Crotona, this park features an Olympic-size pool and an awesome sprayground right on the deck for kids to enjoy if they’re not quite ready for the big pool!

Mullaly Park – Morrisania

E. 164th St. between Jerome and River Ave.

Mullaly Park in Morrisania, South Bronx, has a medium-sized pool and a wading pool. Spend the day enjoying the park, which boasts a playground, sprinklers, greenery, and a skate park!

Haffen Park – Baychester

Burke Ave. at Ely Ave.

The park, based in Baychester, has a medium-sized pool and a wading pool in a separate area.

Staten Island

Lyons Pool – Westerleigh

Pier 6 and Victory Blvd.

This large pool is located in Westerleigh near the Staten Island Railway, buses, and Staten Island Ferry terminal, making it accessible for commuters from other boroughs.

Tottenville Pool – Tottenville

Hylan Blvd. and Joline Ave.

Tottenville has both an intermediate-sized main pool and a wading pool. When you’re done splashing, visit the nearby playground while you dry off. This is another of the few pools with “cool pool treatment,” so it’s perfect for those who aren’t the biggest fans of the blazing sun!

Psst… Check Out New York City Summer Bucket List for Families and Kids 2026