It’s easy to find a swimming pool in NYC during the summer months, when there are plenty of FREE swimming pools to visit, but if you’re looking for year-round options or less-crowded waters, the possibilities are more limited. We’ve rounded up the best indoor swimming pools in NYC offering day passes, from private pools to off-the-beaten-path community spots. All are kid-friendly and welcome families for swimming and other water fun.
Read on for our top picks for indoor swimming pools in NYC and find more options for family fun in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.
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Editor’s note: Pool hours change by season, and we recommend calling to confirm availability before you head out with the kids because these venues sometimes close unexpectedly for private events. Prices are current as of January 2023.
1. Manhattan Plaza Health Club – Midtown West
If you’re in the mood for a little luxury, try this rooftop pool with a retractable glass roof. The lap pool has a separate area for kids. Day passes include the use of the gym, saunas, and whirlpool. Weekday passes cost $35 per day; the weekend price is $40. Children ages 6-17 enter any day of the week for $15 but must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 5 and younger are FREE. Kids are only allowed in the pool during children’s swim hours, so call ahead or visit the website to confirm the day’s schedule. Children’s swim classes and monthly and annual memberships are available.
2. Community Center at Stuyvesant High School – Battery Park City
This indoor pool is open on evenings and weekends with dedicated family swim time on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Day passes cost $15 for adults and $10 for children younger than 18, and include access to all facilities but not classes.
3. Asphalt Green Battery Park City – Battery Park City
This downtown 52,000-square-foot fitness complex features a lovely indoor pool. Annual memberships cost more than $1,000, but day passes are $35 for adults and $10 for children. The deal is good any day of the week, but you must attend during the family swim hours. Call to confirm hours.
4. Wall Street Bath and Spa – Financial District
This Russian spa has a huge pool that’s rarely crowded on weekdays—you may very well have it to yourself—plus a hot tub, steam rooms, and saunas. There’s also an on-site Russian restaurant, Matryoshka, and various spa services. Although its clientele is mostly adults, it is family-friendly during the daytime hours. Day passes are $55 on weekdays; $60 on weekends, with discounts for multiple passes.
5. Riverbank State Park – Harlem
This state park in upper Manhattan has a lot to offer, including an indoor Olympic-sized pool that is a total bargain. Pool fees are just $2 for adults and $1 for kids ages 5-15 years old. Children 4 years and younger are FREE. Affordable monthly passes are also available; learn more on Riverbank State Park’s official website.
RELATED: Indoor Water Parks Perfect for a Warm Getaway Near NYC
Spa Castle offers plenty of spots for a relaxing plunge.
6. Spa Castle – College Point, Queens
In addition to a variety of spa facilities and services, Spa Castle features a huge Jacuzzi that’s not too hot, heated outdoor swimming pools, and a separate toddler pool (only open in the summer). Day passes for those older than 2 cost $50 on weekdays and $60 on weekends. One- and 2-year-olds get a slight break at $30 and $35. Those under age 1 enter for FREE. Reservations are only required if you’re booking a special spa service, but plan to arrive early in the day as once capacity is reached, no more visitors are allowed to enter on any given date.
7. Camp Olympia Family Swim – Brooklyn
Brooklyn families need not be enrolled in this organization’s swim lessons to take advantage of its fabulous price for family swim. Head to the group’s pool at John Jay Educational Complex (237 Seventh Avenue) and swim for just $10 a person at the Sunday afternoon sessions (2:40-3:40 pm). The one drawback: Space is limited and sessions last just one hour, so we recommend arriving on time.
8. Eastern Athletic Club – Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Heights location of this full-service gym offers day passes for the swimming pool during the weekend Family Open Swim. Adults pay $25 for admission and kids 16 and under pay $7.
9. Waterside Plaza Swim & Health Club – Kips Bay
This pool is located inside a luxury riverfront residential complex and has a retractable skylight roof, which opens during the summer. Day passes are $20 for adults and $10 for children up to age 12. Call ahead before arriving as the pool is closed for swim lessons for the neighborhood schools.
10. New York City Recreation Centers – Citywide
Many recreation centers throughout the five boroughs have indoor swimming pools. Though membership is required to use the pools, adult memberships are $150/year—much more reasonable than at a private club—and children under the age of 18 receive FREE memberships. Not all rec centers have indoor pools, and the ones that do have varied hours, so please call before heading out. Also, be sure to bring along a lock; few items are allowed poolside.
Another trick: You can always sign up for a FREE one-day trial guest pass to check out the swimming pool at your local YMCA.
Photos courtesy of the pools
A version of this post was published in 2018; it has since been updated. Margaret Kelly contributed additional reporting.
