If You’re Working on Swimmer’s Abs…
Vanderbilt YMCA
224 E. 47th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-756-9600
Cost: $30/day; $100/month
Lap swimming until midnight on weekdays draws night owls going for a washboard stomach. The newer, six-lane pool is kept at a lap-friendly 80 degrees, but the original 1931 three-lane pool stays between 84 and 86.
Stuyvesant High School
345 Chambers St., nr. N. End Ave.; 646-210-4292
Cost: $12/day; $300/year
On weeknights and on weekends, Tribecans get their exercise when the six-lane high-school pool opens to the public. North-facing views of the Hudson and the cold temperature of the water add tranquility to your workout.
Metropolitan Pool & Fitness Center
261 Bedford Ave., at Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-5707
Cost: $75/year
Although it’s indoors, the pool’s skylight lets in plenty of sunshine. And while the three lanes can get jammed, early afternoons are usually pretty clear, and the nightly adult swim keeps the kiddies at bay.
West End Sports Club
75 West End Ave., nr. 63rd St.; 212-265-8200
Size: 25 yards, 4 lanes
Cost: $24/day
Due to a semi-hidden location, Upper West Side locals and the occasional staffer from nearby ABC Studios have the four lanes pretty much to themselves. Plus a sauna for after-swim relaxing.
If You Want to Bask in the Sun…
Printing House Fitness + Squash Club
421 Hudson St., at Leroy St.; 212-243-7600
Cost: $1,176/year
The adjacent rooftop sundeck and 3,000-square-foot gym offer enough incentive to cough up the annual fee, but why not just befriend a member so you can spend the occasional day there for a mere $25 on weekdays?
Hotel Gansevoort
18 Ninth Ave., nr. Little W. 12th St.; 212-206-6700
Cost: $250/day, Mon.–Fri. only
The hefty price tag includes all the accessories you’ll need for a leisurely poolside weekend: sunblock, lip balm, gossip magazines, even Popsicles. However, there are only so many seats for those who live to lounge—not to mention that the pool itself is especially tiny—so get there early or be prepared to wait.
Le Parker Meridien
119 W. 56th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-708-7340
Cost: $75/day, $50/day for children
With poolside service from Norma’s and views of Central Park, the Parker Meridien is the best pool experience in midtown. Pool users also get full access to the 15,000-square-foot fitness center, but you’ll be too enthralled by the sight lines to care.
If You Want to Play Marco Polo…
Kosciuszko Pool
Marcy Ave. at DeKalb Ave., Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; 718-622-5271
Cost: Free
It’s like a kiddie-land version of Studio 54 when the flock of children and teens line up around the block for the split shifts. There’s no shade, either, so pack extra sunblock or take time-outs in nearby Herbert Von King Park.
Hamilton Fish Recreation Center
128 Pitt Street, at Houston St.; 212-387-7687
Cost: Free
Summertime in Loisaida brings out the neighborhood’s knobby-kneed crowd, ready to splish-splash their afternoons away. But take note: Besides a swimsuit, the only clothing allowed inside the pool gates is a plain white tee—and they mean it.
Riverbank State Park
Riverside Dr. at 145th St.; 212-694-3600
Cost: $2, $1 for children 5-15, free for children under 5
Uptown locals enjoy a casual family splash in either the Olympic-size indoor pool or (beginning on the Fourth of July) the six-lane alfresco option.
If You Want It All…
The Floating Pool
Viele Ave. at Tiffany St., Hunt’s Point, The Bronx; 718- 430-4601
Cost: Free
After an inaugural season spent anchored off the shore of Brooklyn Heights, this massive barge will park itself for the second time in Bronx waters this summer.When you’re not enjoying the panoramic city views onboard, you can hit the basketball courts or lie out in adjacent Barretto Point Park.
Asphalt Green AquaCenter
1750 York Ave., at 91st St.; 212-369-8890
Cost: $35/day
Smart scheduling keeps lap swimmers separate from splashing youngsters. When not in the water, the juice bar and rooftop sun terrace should keep you happy.
Astoria Park Pool
23rd Dr. and 19th St., Astoria; 311
Cost: Free
This Art Deco pool in the shadow of the Triborough Bridge draws Greek old-timers and co-eds stopping on the way to Bohemian Hall Beer Garden. With a capacity of 2,178—it’s tied for the largest pool in the city—you may not get the lap swim you want, but at least there’s plenty of poolside lounging space.
Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
3 Clarkson St., at Seventh Ave. South; 212-242-5228
Cost: Free
Though the outdoor pool can get pretty crowded, family-swim hours are limited to the afternoons, during which time adults can take a seat on the sundeck. The facilities are modest, however; you’ll need to bring your own soap and shampoo if you want a post-dip rinse off.
MORE POOLS:
• Spots for Sunbathing
• For the Kids
• All-purpose Pools
MORE POOLS:
• Lap-Swimming Locales
• For the Kids
• All-purpose Pools
MORE POOLS:
• Lap-Swimming Locales
• Spots for Sunbathing
• All-purpose Pools
MORE POOLS:
• Lap-Swimming Locales
• Spots for Sunbathing
• For the Kids