Where to Enjoy Outdoor Swimming in New York City
May 02 2022
When the weather heats up and summer rolls in, NYC heats can heat up quickly and as people up and down the country spend Memorial Day weekend at the beach or the lake – it’s normal to feel a bit jealous.
It might surprise you to know that as the summer hits the city, The Big Apple is home to plenty of alfresco swimming spots where you can cool down and ring in the start of summer with the rest of the country.
Over New York’s five boroughs there are over 60 outdoor swimming pools, and 11 different beaches that provide an oasis to escape the summer heat and enjoy a unique experience in the city.
NYC Beaches: Opening May 28th
There are a total 14 miles of beach in New York City. The Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens are all home to beautiful beaches and every single one of them is free. All beaches will open on May 28th in time for Memorial Day weekend and will remain open until September 12th. All beaches have lifeguards from 10am until 6pm. This complete list of NYC beaches can help you decide which you would prefer to visit.
Closest Beach to Manhattan
The closest beach to Manhattan is Orchard Beach which was once described as the “Riviera of New York City”. The man-made beach stretches along the Long Island Sound for approximately 1.1 miles – and is the only public beach in the Bronx. As well as the beach, the water is popular with both swimmers and divers and there are plenty of places on the promenade to stop for a drink or bite to eat if the sun gets too much. The trip will take you 30 minutes driving or under two hours on public transport from the Hotel Beacon.
Lasker Pool: Opening June
While it might be tempting to jump into the ponds in central park, the heavy fine makes it far from worth it – but you can still swim within the grounds. Located in the park is the Lasker Pool, which is situated between 106th and 108th streets offering both an Olympic-sized pools and a wading pool for younger visitors.
Astoria Pool: Opening June
Featuring multiple pools, including an Olympic-sized pool, a lazy river and a wading pool, Astoria is a great spot for families looking to cool down. The center is about to start the final stage of a large-scale restoration project, with the main pools completed in the previous stage last year. The pool is one of the oldest and most popular in the city.
McCarren Park Pool: Opening June
As one of the largest pools in the city the swim area is 37,571 square feet, but it’s also one of the busiest. Prepare to arrive early or have a long wait – the recent renovation is attracting bigger crowds than ever before, but if you plan it right and get a good spot in the morning, its one of the best pools to visit.
The Floating Pool: Opening June
This large and unique pool is located on a movable barge, and it currently moored at Barretto Point Park in the Bronx. The pool offers views across the water as well as everything you would expect from a “normal” pool, and is occasionally moved to other locations within the city.
The Hotel Beacon provides a great location in the heart of the city for families, couples and individual travelers looking for an apartment-style home in the city.
