At long last, New York City’s free outdoor public pools are open for the season, kicking off the summer 2025 season!
New Yorkers can finally rejoice and take a dip and cool off in the city’s pools for the next couple of months.
All of the city’s pools are fully lifeguarded and will remain open FOR FREE throughout the coming months.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about hitting the pools this weekend, including the best pools you should prioritize for opening weekend.
Gottesman Pool in Central Park
Central Park’s only swimming pool is set to debut this Friday, as a part of the $160 million Davis Center glow-up that took place over the past five years.
The newly built Gottesman Pool near the famous Harlem Meer is a whopping 285-foot-long, oval-shaped pool right in the heart of the park.
It’s set to hold over 1,000 swimmers at a time, and has a sparkling new pool deck, locker rooms, and picnic seating. It’s completely FREE to swim at this weekend, but go early because everyone’s talking about it!
Where: 110th Street & Lenox Avenue
🏊♀️ More info here
Astoria Pool
With title of the largest public pool in New York City (54,450-square-feet), the Astoria Pool in Queens needs to be on your bucket list.
It’s slotted in between the Robert F. Kennedy and Hell Gate Bridges, and has incredible views of the them and the Upper East Side.
Plus, the pool itself has Olympic-size lanes, lifeguards, and a lovely Art-Deco look after a $19 million renovation a couple years ago. It’s ideal for swims and views.
Where: 19th Street and 23rd Drive, Queens
🏊♀️ More info here
McCarren Park Pool
Probably the best outdoor public pool in Brooklyn goes to McCarren Park, where the 37,571-square-foot swim area attracts the borough’s finest.
It complements the park’s other amenities beautifully (full running track, basketball courts, BBQing area, and more), making it the perfect place to have an all-day affair.
Plus, it’s ideal location in the heart of Williamsburg/Greenpoint makes it ideal to bar/restaurant hop afterward.
Where: McCarren Park, Brooklyn
🏊♀️ More info here
Highbridge Pool
Located right along the Harlem River, this spot has two Olympic-sized swimming pools (with one of them being a wading pool).
Plus, there’s outdoor co-ed lockers and showers for patrons to use as well. It’s even been spotted in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights movie!
Where: Amsterdam Ave. and W. 173rd Street
🏊♀️ More info here
Hamilton Fish Pool
The Hamilton Fish Pool is ideally the best for swimmers in Lower Manhattan, as their LES location makes for a perfect spot to cool down.
An Olympic sized lap pool is juxtaposed with a wading pool for younger swimmers, making it a great swimming spot for all ages.
Keep in mind here, there is no lounge furniture, so remember to bring towels to sit on while you’re not in the water!
Where: Pitt Street and Houston Street
🏊♀️ More info here
How to find the closest outdoor swimming pool near you
Looking for a different pool not on this list and closer to you? Well, you can head to the NYC Parks website here and locate a pool that’s closer to you!
Pool hours
Outdoor pool hours are from 11 am – 7 pm daily, with a break for pool cleaning between 3 – 4 pm!
What to bring to the pool and what not to bring
Bring:
- Lock (not luggage lock though)
- Towel
- Swimsuit
- Sunblock (pools will be giving away free sunblock too)
Don’t Bring:
- Food
- Glass Bottles
- Electronic devices
- Floaties
- Newspapers