Swimming laps in NYC.
Swimming in New York comes in two seasons. In summer, NYC Parks opens free outdoor pools in all five boroughs. The rest of the year you swim indoors, at a Parks recreation center or a YMCA, with a membership. Here's how each works, from their own pages.
Summer: free outdoor pools
NYC Parks' outdoor pools are free, and you don't need a recreation center membership, even at a pool next to a center. The Olympic pools are at least 50 meters long, and Olympic and intermediate pools are open to all; mini pools are for children, and adults only with a child. In 2026 the big pools stayed open through September 13. Parks lists hours of 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a cleaning break from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
For laps, Parks runs a free adult lap swim program. You register on site during the early-bird hours, or online in advance and show the confirmation email at the pool. It has no upcoming sessions listed right now; check Parks' page for hours when the season comes back.
What to bring to an outdoor pool
A swimsuit, and a sturdy lock: Parks says locks are required to enter, and it won't accept luggage locks. On the deck you can cover up only with a plain white shirt or white hat. Leave food, glass bottles, electronics and newspapers at home. Parks provides free sunscreen, and there's often a line to get in.
Year-round: indoor pools at recreation centers
Parks has 12 indoor pools, all at recreation centers, and one membership covers every center. A year with pool access is $150 for adults 25 to 61 (or $75 for six months), $25 for seniors 62 and older, veterans and people with disabilities, and free for anyone 24 and under. You join in person with the registration form and a government-issued ID; Parks doesn't accept cash.
Two of the 12 are closed for now, Parks says: Hansborough's pool for renovation and Tony Dapolito's because of the building's structural condition. Each pool's Parks page links its hours and programs; check it before you go.
The Y
Several YMCA branches have pools. The Greenpoint Y says lap swim and family swim are available and explains how to reserve a lane. The West Side Y, by Central Park, has two pools, with pool hours on its schedule page. Castle Hill in the Bronx says it's the only NYC Y with an outdoor pool, as well as an indoor one. Membership is priced per branch: $69 a month at Greenpoint, $129 at West Side and $62 at Castle Hill. Branches sell day passes too, but the fee isn't published.
Easiest places to start
From our list, running now: the ones that say beginners are welcome first, then the free and cheapest. In their own words.
- NYC Parks Recreation CentersJoin in person with a form, government ID and payment, then use the centers' weight rooms, gyms, tracks and classes.$50 to try it
- YMCA of Greater New YorkBuy a day pass at a branch desk and use the gym.Price on their site
Not running right now: NYC Parks Outdoor Pools.
Is this for me?
If you can already swim, lap swimming is about the calmest workout in the city: your lane, your pace. If you can't swim yet, Parks runs free Learn to Swim classes for adults. Outdoors is free but only in summer; indoors costs a membership and runs all year.
All 3 places in this guide, on one page, with prices to try. Narrow them by area or price there.
The specifics come from each place's own website, checked on October 22, 2026. Prices and times change, so each place's page links to its live schedule. How we pick.
Checked at on October 22, 2026:
- nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools
- nycgovparks.org/facilities/indoor-pools
- nycgovparks.org/events/lap-swim
- nycgovparks.org/programs/aquatics
- nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation-centers/membership
- nycgovparks.org/parks/M131/facilities/indoor-pools
- nycgovparks.org/parks/M103/facilities/indoor-pools
- ymcanyc.org/locations/greenpoint-ymca
- ymcanyc.org/locations/west-side-ymca
- ymcanyc.org/locations/castle-hill-ymca
- ymcanyc.org/membership