There’s nothing like summer in New York City! The Big Apple comes alive as the temperatures climb, and there’s no shortage of places to cool off when it gets a little too toasty. From free public pools to swanky rooftop beach clubs, we’ve put together the ultimate list of spots to relax by the pool this summer in NYC.

Lasker Pool in Central Park

Free

This pool is currently closed and under renovations, it will open again in 2024. Smack dab in Central Park, pools don’t get more convenient than this one! This area features both an Olympic-sized swimming pool for laps and a wading pool for little ones and people trying to unwind in the water on a hot day. Admission is free; simply bring a lock to protect your valuables and dive in.

Location: 110 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10029

Hours: Public pools open June 28, 2022 — 11am-3pm and 4pm-7pm daily

For more information on Lasker Pool in Central Park.

The Riverbank State Park Pool

Pay a Fee

This huge athletic complex has a lot of fun in the sun to offer! Between their wading pool, lap pool, and water play area with sprinklers, there are plenty of ways to cool off on a hot New York summer day. The fee is only $2 for adults and $1 for children, and with admission comes gorgeous views of the Hudson River, the Palisades and the George Washington Bridge.

Location: 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10031

For more information on the Riverbank State Park pool.

QC NY Spa on Governors Island

Paid Reservation Required

Head out to Governors Island for a blissful day of rest and relaxation at the QC NY Spa. Your entrance fee (starting at $88) gets you a day of saunas, foot baths, incredible city views, as well as multiple outdoor pools once they open later this season. Make a reservation online to snag your spot!

Location: 112 Andes Road, Governors Island, New York, NY 10004

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm

For more information on QC NY Spa on Governors Island.

The McCarren Hotel Pool

Paid Reservation Required

This lovely pool serves as a relaxing retreat right in the middle of Williamsburg on the edge of McCarren park. It’s actually the largest heated pool in New York City, which means you’ll have plenty of room to spread out and relax. You’ll need to make a reservation to get in, but it’s well worth it for the mini-retreat!

Location: 160 N 12th Street Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours: Open June-September 

For more information on The McCarren Hotel Pool.

The Manhattan Park Pool at Roosevelt Island

Buy a Membership or Paid Reservation Required

The pool club at Manhattan Park is one of the hottest (or coolest!) spots in the summer. The colorful locale gets a makeover annually from top artists like Hot Tea, Technodrome1, or Greg Faris, and the 8,000 square foot pool has a full view of the East River across to Manhattan. To use it, you can either purchase a monthly or seasonal membership, or reserve a slot for a day for a small fee. 

Location: 36 River Rd, New York, NY 10044

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:15am-7:45pm, weekends and holidays 10:15am-7:45pm

For more information on the Manhattan Park Pool.

The Astoria Park Pool

Free

The massive Astoria Park pool sits just off the East River in Queens and offers an incredible view of the grand Robert F. Kennedy bridge. Cool off and take in the fun energy of the area with a free day at the pool.

Location: 19 19th St, Astoria, NY 11105

Hours: Public pools open June 28, 2022 — 11am-3pm and 4pm-7pm daily

For more information on The Astoria Park Pool.

The Somewhere Nowhere Pool

Reservation and Purchase Minimum Required

This showstopping pool atop the Renaissance NY Chelsea Hotel is the highest pool in NYC, and also has some of the coolest Wonderland-themed ambiance. In order to hang out at this pool, you need to make a reservation online and agree to a $100 minimum spend per person, excluding service fees, taxes, and gratuity.

Location: 112 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001

Hours: Monday-Thursday 4pm-12am, Friday 2pm-12am, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-12am

For more information on The Somewhere Nowhere Pool.

Floating Pool at Barretto Point Park

Free/Pay a Fee/Buy a Pass

Believe it or not, this is the only floating pool in America! The unique landmark is actually a barge retrofitted to be a floating pool, and it sits on the East River and offers some amazing views and a very unique experience. The best part is that it won’t cost you a thing — since it’s a city pool, it’s free for anyone to use. 

Location: Tiffany St, Bronx, NY 10474

Hours: Public pools open June 28, 2022 — 11am-3pm and 4pm-7pm daily

For more information on The Floating Pool.

The TWA Hotel Pool

Paid Reservation Required

This pool offers an experience like no other! Located right off the tarmac at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport, you can watch the planes come and go from the comfort of the shallow end. Reservations are for an hour and 45 minutes in the summer, and cost $50 for non-hotel guests. 

Location: John F. Kennedy International Airport, One, JFK Access Road, Idlewild Dr, Queens, NY 11430

Hours: 7am-11pm daily

For more information on The TWA Hotel pool.

The Summer Club Pool Parties

Buy Event Ticket 

The Summer Club is a 24,000 square-foot day club and pool oasis overlooking the NYC skyline, just steps away from Manhattan right over the 59th Street bridge. Not only is there a state-of-the-art DJ booth, the venue also has 26 cabanas, 3 full bars, and an outdoor dining pavilion. There are a ton of pool parties coming to Summer Club this season, including one on Sunday, July 3, featuring German DJ Claptone. There are different dates available throughout July and August with more musical guests announced soon. Snag your ticket with general admission tickets starting at $31 only at Bucket Listers. 

Location: 808 Queens Plaza S, Astoria, NY 11101

For more information on pool parties at Summer Club.

The William Vale Pool

Paid Reservation Required

The William Vale has one of the most gorgeous rooftop pools in the city — between the view, the ambiance, and the beautiful heated water, you’ll want to stay all day! If you’re not a hotel guest, you can book a time slot to enjoy a morning or afternoon by the pool starting at $150, with options to upgrade to a daybed or cabana.

Location: 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249, 4th Floor

Hours: 8am-8pm daily

For more information on The William Vale Pool.

SoJo Spa Club Pool

Paid Reservation Required

The possibilities are endless at the vast SoJo Spa Club! They are one of the few places with heated outdoor pools and baths that are open year-round, and they also have an incredible view of the NYC skyline. To soak all of that in — plus the saunas, steam rooms, ice room and many other amenities — simply make a reservation and pay the day fee, starting at $85. 

Location: 660 River Rd., Edgewater, NJ 07020

Hours: 9am-9:30pm daily

For more information on SoJo Spa Club.

McCarren Park Pool

Free

This Olympic-sized swimming pool is the perfect place to chill in the summer, whether you’re there for fitness or just to relax! You can swim laps in the morning or evening, and the park offers free swimming lessons for all ages all summer long. 

Location: 776 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Hours: Public pools open June 28, 2022 — 11am-3pm and 4pm-7pm daily

For more information on McCarren Park Pool.

The Beach at Dream Downtown

Paid Reservation Required

There aren’t many beaches in the middle of New York City, but The Beach at Dream Downtown is an exception. This stunning rooftop offers a glass-bottom pool, a sandy beach, and a full-service bar. To access this unique experience, you’ll need a reservation starting at $150, and entry is 21+ only. 

Location: 355 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm

For more information on The Beach at Dream Downtown.