Best Free (and cheap) NYC Swimming Pools for Toddlers and Kids

Summer is just about here; the days are getting hot, kids are getting out of school, and it's time to start figuring out how to occupy yourself and the kids for the long hot days ahead. No matter how much of a die-hard NY-aholic you are, the dog days of summer can test anyone's love of NYC. One way to escape the heat is to dip into a pool.

The following is a list of the best free swimming pools in NYC. (We threw in some other inexpensive options too for those allergic to the thought of a public pool.) Or see our list of top Brooklyn Swimming Pools.You can also find a comprehensive list of all of NYC Public Pools in all five boroughs listed here. They are all free.

Hamilton Fish Recreation Center 128 Pitt St. (bet. Stanton and Houston); Daily 11am-7pm; (212) 387-7691

Frequently cited as the best public pool in NYC, Hamilton Fish has a couple things that make it a stand out. The first one in my book is that it has two pools. One is enormous and four feet deep (perfect for a little swimmer.) The other is a giant kiddie pool. Kiddie pools can be hard to find in NYC, so the fact that this also happens to be possibly the cleanest public pool in NYC with cool water and attentive lifeguards is all bonus.
Outside of the pool area is also a nice little park with sprinklers and a play area and places to picnic and relax in the shade.

The security at the pool is very rigid. You can see this as a positive or a negative. High security means the ruffians tend to stay away, but it also means you are not allowed to bring anything into the pool area except a towel, sunscreen, a t-shirt and a book. No purses, backpacks or clothes are allowed. It does give the pool a slightly Guantanamo feel if you're not used to it. It also means you must bring your own lock since you will have to lock your belongings outside of the pool area, but these rules apply to all outdoor public pools.

Dry Dock E. 10th St (bet Ave C & D); daily 10am-6pm; 212-677-4481

Same vibe as Hamilton Fish, but this pool is said to have tougher lifeguards which means less roughhousing by teens in the water.

John Jay Pool and Recreation 77th St and Cherokee Pl (east of York Ave.); Daily 11am-7pm; 212-794-6566

John Jay is an oasis in the middle of Manhattan. One of the best public pools in Manhattan, it is clean and safe, there's a snack bar inside and a playground with sprinklers and swings. It is also one of the two pools in the city that allows diving. They ask for a small annual donation of $25 for adults and $10 for teens.

Tompkins Square Mini Pool 500 E. 9th St.; Daily 11:30am-6:30pm; 212-260-1316

To swim in this small shallow pool (3 feet deep) in Thompkins Square Park children must be six years old and at least 3'8" tall. That means it's perfect for little kids. Add to that the playgrounds and great neighborhood eats surrounding the park and this is a pool worth traveling to for an great day outing.

Recreation Center 59 533 W. 59th St (bet 10th & 11th Ave); Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, 6pm-6:45pm, 8:45pm-10pm,Sat 3:45pm-5:30pm, Sun Closed; 212-397-3159

This is an indoor pool frequented mostly by midtown working stiffs and their kids so it's a different vibe than most of the public pools. The pool i s free, but they ask for a small annual donation of $25 for adults and $10 for teens.

Tony Dapolito Recreation Center (Carmine Street Rec Center) 1 Clarkson St. (bet. 7th Ave. S and Hudson); Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Weekends 9am-5:30pm); 212-242-5228Tony Dapolito Rec Center gets pretty crowded in the summer, but it is great for older kids because diving is allowed. There's also an indoor pool which is not open in the summer and requires minimal annual fee. Full disclosure: This was the pool we went to as a kid so lots of happy summertime memories.

Asser Levy Rec Center E 23rd Street and FDR Drive; Mon-Fri 6:30am-9:30pm, Weekends 8am-4pm; 212-447-2020This Rec Center has a free outdoor pool during the summer, a playground, basketball courts and game room. During the rest of the year there is a small annual membership fee required to use their indoor pool housed in a 1908 Roman Revival Bathhouse with a fountain and skylights. The long opening hours mean if you are an early bird you can have the pool practically to yourself.

Lasker Skating Rink/Pool Central Park near 110th St. and Lenox Ave. Daily 11am-2:45pm and 4pm-6:45pm

Lasker Pool is an enormous outdoor pool at the top of Central Park. It is one of the city's most popular pools and gets very crowded, but you can go on the early side and then spend the rest of the day exploring this itinerary for Northern Central Park.

The following pools are not free, but each only charges a small day rate and are definitely worth the price of admission.

Stuyvesant High School Community Center 345 Chambers St. between the West Side Highway and the Hudson River; Ope/Family Swim Summer: Mon-Thurs. 3pm-6pm, & Fri 3pm-7pm, Weekends 10am-2:30pm, Open/Family Swim Winter: THurs-Fri 7pm-9:45pm,Weekends 1pm-5pm; 212-312-4800

The Stuyvesant Community Center pool is a nice indoor pool with a great view and family swim times which are usually not crowded during the week. A six-month membership is only $200 for adults plus $70 for each kid, but you can also pay just $12 for the day ($10 for kids). Either way you get access to all the facilities including a gym, basketball, handball and volleyball courts.

Asphalt Green 555 E. 90th St. at York Ave.; Mon-Fri 5:30am-10pm, Weekends 8am-8pm; 212-369-8890

Asphalt Green is a beautiful indoor Olympic-sized pool with excellent kid programs. Membership is $1000/year, but drop-in rates are $25 day for adults and $8 for kids. Drop-ins are not allowed weekdays between 3pm and 8pm.

Manhattan Plaza Health Club 482 West 43rd Street at 10th Ave.; Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Weekends 8am-9pm; 212-563-7001

If you are in the mood for a little luxury try this hotel rooftop pool with a retractable glass roof. The lap pool has a separate area for kids. Day passes are $25 and include the use of the gym, saunas and whirlpool. In the off-season check their site for a special $10 entry promotion.

New York Marriot Hotel at the World Financial Center 85 West St., 212-385-4900; Mon-Fri 6am-9pm, Weekends 8am-9pm

This Financial Center hotel has both an indoor pool and children's pool. The pool is complimentary for hotel guests and $20 for non-guests.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park Pool  Avery Avenue and 131 Street, 718-271-7572;
Mon-Fri 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sat: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.