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The Best Swimming Pools in New York City

The pool at the Asser Levy Recreation Center on East 23rd Street.
The pool at the Asser Levy Recreation Center on East 23rd Street.
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NYC Parks Department

MANHATTAN — The city is sweltering, but there are plenty of places to find respite.

The easiest way to escape the sticky city heat is by taking a dip. DNAinfo.com New York has compiled a list of the best public and private pools in each borough.

We chose our selections of two pools per borough based on their location, size, appearance, cleanliness and price. Disagree with any of our selections? Tell us which pools you think are better — and why — in the comments section below.

Public pools are open June 28 to Sept. 3, seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check out the websites listed below for private pools' opening hours.

THE BRONX
Public: Barretto Point Park Floating Pool
Walk the plank to this seven-lane pool that was built on a barge. Floating off Barretto Point Park in Hunts Point-Longwood, the pool offers views of the New York City waterfront, plus all the amenities of New York City's public pool selections, including a pool house, locker rooms and bathrooms.

Tiffany Street and Viele Avenue in Hunts Point-Longwood. 718-430-4601. Free.

Private: The Bronx House (indoor)
This heated, indoor pool in Bronxdale offers plenty of open-swim and lap-swim options. It measures 25 yards, and is open seven days a week.

990 Pelham Parkway South in Bronxdale. 718-792-1800. $10 adult guest-pass; $45 adult monthly membership.

BROOKLYN
Public: McCarren Park Pool
This 37,950-square-foot pool in Williamsburg just received a $50 million makeover. It can hold a whopping 1,500 swimmers, but also features plenty of deck space to spread out and soak in the sun.

Manhattan Avenue between Bayard Street and Berry Street in Greenpoint. For information, call 311. Free.

Private: Brooklyn Sports Club (indoor)
A wall of windows allows sun to stream onto the pool at the Brooklyn Sports Club in East New York, one of the only 25-yard, six-lane pools in New York City. The pool features an on-deck music system, and the sports club offers a wide variety of swimming lessons and programs.

1540 Van Siclen Ave. in East New York. 718-642-2721. $20 adult guest-pass; $62.65 adult monthly membership; $724.54 annual membership.

MANHATTAN
Public: Asser Levy

We like Asser Levy for its ample deck space, plus its proximity to a fitness room, playground and basketball and handball courts.

Asser Levy Place and East 23rd Street in Peter Cooper Village. 212-447-2020. Free.

Private: Manhattan Plaza Health Club
This rooftop pool features a retractable ceiling, making it the only full-size outdoor pool in Manhattan. Surrounded by verdant trees and shrubs, the pool also provides access to a gym, tennis courts, rock-climbing wall and spa.

482 W. 43rd St. in Hell's Kitchen. 212-563-7001. $350 summer membership through Labor Day, plus a variety of daily, monthly and annual memberships.

Honorable Mentions: We would be remiss if we did not mention Asphalt Green and Chelsea Piers. Asphalt Green in the Upper East Side hosts the only 50-meter private pool in New York City and has attracted a devout following. A day pass to the entire facility is $35. Chelsea Piers offers a sun-lit, well maintained, six-lane 25-yard-pool. A day pass will set you back $50 but includes various fitness classes and other amenities and activities.

QUEENS
Public: Astoria Park Pool
The largest pool in New York City also offers one of the best views in the Big Apple. Located at the edge of the East River, the pool provides picturesque perspectives of the Triborough Bridge and the shore, especially at sunset.

19th Street between Astoria Park South and Ditmarks Boulevard. 718-626-8620. Free.

Private: Fairview Swim Club
Fairview Pool in Forest Hills hosts an olympic-size pool, an active events calendar, and some of the cheapest memberships and day-passes in the city.

6120 Grand Central Parkway in $15 adult weekday guest-pass, $25 adult weekend guest-pass. $615 for the season through Sept. 3.

STATEN ISLAND
Public: Tottenville Pool
Although smaller than Lyons Pool, Tottenville offers plenty of space to splash and swim — and often attracts fewer patrons than its larger counterparts.

Hylan Blvd., between Joline Avenue and Sprague Avenue. 718-356-8242. Free.

Private: Great Kills Swim Club
Great Kills Swim Club provides a well-maintained pool and highly active social atmosphere. The club hosts comedy nights, breakfasts, pasta parties, barbecues and more.

27 Nahant St., Staten Island. 718-227-5480. $8 adult weekday guest-pass, $10 adult weekend guest-pass, $15 adult holiday guest-pass. $800 annual membership.