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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 publication date.

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 all facilities plus towel service. Weekday passes cost $40; the weekend price is $50. Children ages 6-17 enter any day of the week for $25 but must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 6 are FREE. Kids are only allowed in the pool during designated swim hours, which are available on the website. 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 Monday-Friday evenings from 7-10pm and on weekends from 1-9pm. Day passes cost $15 for adults and $10 for children younger than 18, and include access to all facilities but no classes.

3. Asphalt Green Battery Park City – Battery Park City

With a pair of recreation centers in Manhattan, Asphalt Green offers day passes for $35, though some access restrictions apply. A variety of membership offers is available at each location, including day-time only access at a discounted rate.

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 $59.75 on weekdays and $64.75 on weekends and holidays.

5. Riverbank State Park – Harlem

Editor's note: As of February 2025, the pool here is closed for renovation, but it is expected to reopen sometime in winter 2025.
This state park in upper Manhattan has a lot to offer, including an indoor Olympic-sized pool that is a total bargain. Entry to the pool and aquatics area is just $3 for adults. Affordable monthly passes ($30) for morning lap swim are required if you're choosing to lap swim; learn more on Riverbank State Park's official website.

RELATED: Indoor Water Parks Perfect for a Warm Getaway near NYC

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 saunas and bath areas. Day passes for adults are $85 on weekdays and $110 on weekends and holidays. Minors age 17 and under can visit for $55. Children age 1 or younger enter for FREE.

7. Camp Olympia Family Swim – Park Slope, 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 the John Jay Educational Complex and swim for just $10 a person during the Sunday afternoon Family Swim sessions. The one drawback: Space is limited and sessions last just one hour, so we recommend arriving on time.

8. 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 available for a fee. Call ahead, as the pool may be closed for swim lessons for the neighborhood schools.

9. 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.

A version of this post was published in 2018; it has since been updated. Raven Snook contributed additional reporting.