Swimming activities in North America
-
A
Barton Springs Pool
Hot? Not for long. Even when the temperature hits 100, you'll be shivering in a jiff after you jump into this icy-cold natural spring pool. Draped with century-old pecan trees, the area around the pool is a social scene in itself, and the place gets packed on a hot summer day.
reviewed
-
B
Complexe Aquatique de L’île Ste-Hélène
Originally constructed in 1953, this outdoor pool complex was completely demolished and rebuilt when Montréal scored the 2005 World Aquatic Championships. The state-of-the-art facilities are now open to the public. The diving pool (complete with underwater viewing windows) and competition pool are mainly reserved for hosting competitions or for training competitive swimmers and athletic teams. But the championships’ magnificent 55m-by-44m warm-up pool is open for recreational swimming. There’s also a bay-like portion of the pool with a shallow, gently sloping bottom that’s great for kids and families.
reviewed
-
C
Los Baños del Mar
You can also swim in Los Baños del Mar , a municipal outdoor pool near West Beach which is good for recreational and lap swimming. For little ones under eight years old, there's a wonderful wading pool.
reviewed
-
D
Astoria Pool
This Works Progress Administration Olympic-size outdoor pool, built in 1936, is an art-deco wonder with views of Manhattan and the Triborough Bridges. It's also the city's biggest. Crowds break 1000 on shiny summer days.
reviewed
-
E
Bidwell Park
Starting right downtown, 3670-acre Bidwell Park is the nation's third-largest municipal park. It stretches 10 miles northwest along Chico Creek with lush groves and miles of trails. The upper part of the park is a fairly untamed wilderness, surprising to find in the midst of an American city. Several classic movies have been shot here, including The Adventures of Robin Hood and parts of Gone with the Wind.
The park is full of hiking and mountain-biking trails and swimming spots. You'll find pools at One-Mile and Five-Mile recreation areas and swimming holes (including Bear Hole, Salmon Hole and Brown Hole) in Upper Bidwell Park, north of Manzanita Ave; expect some…
reviewed
-
F
Bakar Fitness & Recreation Center
The view from the dizzyingly high, six-lane, 25yd rooftop pool is enough to make you forget you came here to swim. Located at the UCSF Mission Bay campus, this pool and patio overlook the ballpark to the Bay Bridge. Water-based exercise classes are offered in a second pool, one level below.
reviewed
-
Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa
Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa is a spa-goer's 'wet dream' literally, with a private lap pool, outdoor whirlpools and swimming pools and a Spa among its steam and sauna rooms, a full-service salon and huge fitness center. Their Theme Park Leg Relief and Water Lily wraps are humorously geared toward visitors who need special relief from all those steps and the hot Florida sun.
reviewed
-
G
Centre Aquatique
The competition pools at the Olympic Stadium are great for laps – they’re among the fastest in the world thanks to a system that reduces water movement. The six indoor pools include a wading pool for tots, a water slide and a diving basin. Call or check online for the current schedule, which can change owing to events and competitions.
reviewed
-
H
Ubc Aquatic Centre
The city's best indoor pool is on the UBC campus, so it's a bit of a hike from downtown. Also, the students take precedence in the water so you'll have to plan your visit around them – check the website for the latest schedules. If you negotiate those obstacles, you'll find a 50m pool, saunas and exercise areas for public use.
reviewed
-
I
Asphalt Green
Not to be confused with the 1973 Charlton Heston sci-fi film Soylent Green, the Asphalt Green fitness center is set in a former municipal asphalt plant. There is an excellent 50m Olympic-size pool, as well as a smaller pool for classes. Some hours are for members only. There are programs for kids.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Tony Dapolito Recreation Center
This West Village center (formerly the Carmine) has one of the city’s best public pools, but it’s only available by annual membership ($75 not including the indoor pool, which is $50). It has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool (the latter was used for the pool scene in Raging Bull ).
reviewed
-
K
Embarcadero YMCA
Downtown professionals flock to this clean, modern YMCA, with extensive gym equipment, swimming pool, basketball court and massage services. Each locker room has a steam room. Bring a lock for your locker or else use the tiny penny lockers by the swimming pool.
reviewed
-
L
Second Beach Pool
This outdoor pool shimmers like an aquamarine right beside the beach. It has lanes for laps but you'll be weaving past kids on most summer days; the kids take over here during school vacations, making it very hard to get anywhere near the waterslide.
reviewed
-
M
Vancouver Aquatic Centre
At Sunset Beach beside the Burrard Bridge (the concrete monstrosity that looks like a nuclear bunker), this busy aquatic center has a 50m pool, whirlpool, diving tank and sauna. There's also a gym if you want to continue your exercise purge.
reviewed
-
N
Saltwater Pool
One of the most economical and enjoyable places to take a dip is at this small, all-natural pool below the Carpe Olivera statue on Paseo Olas Altas. Kids and their adults splash around as waves crash over the pool's seaward edge.
reviewed
-
O
Natatorium
Québec’s first outdoor pool (1930) harks back to the era when bathing wasn’t just about recreation. It occupies a beautiful spot on the banks of the St Lawrence River, reachable via a pretty bicycle trail through greenery.
reviewed
-
P
Kitsilano Pool
This giant, heated 137m saltwater outdoor pool provides the best dip in town. It has a designated kids' area, where young families often teach their kids to swim, and some lanes so you can practice your laps.
reviewed
-
Q
Redding Aquatic Center
West in Caldwell Park is the Redding Aquatic Center. This hugely popular center has an Olympic-size pool, another vast recreation pool and a 160ft-long water slide. The opening hours are subject to change.
reviewed
-
R
Koret Pool
For a serious lap swim, head to this Olympic-sized pool at the University of San Francisco, with 40ft ceilings and oversized windows. Admission includes use of the full gym as well.
reviewed
-
S
Pavillon de L’éducation Physique et des Sports
There’s a huge Olympic-sized pool here –probably the best in town – that’s also open to the public at certain times. Call for the latest times.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Piscine Schubert
This former bathhouse in the Plateau is chockablock with pretty art-deco details. There are special sessions throughout the day so call ahead to check the schedule.
reviewed
-
U
Swimming at Lake Anza
Lake Anza is a favorite area for picnics. From spring through late fall you can swim in Lake Anza for around. AC Transit bus 67 runs to the park.
reviewed
-
V
Metropolitan Pool
This 1922 gem in Williamsburg, fully renovated in 1997, is one of New York’s nicest public pools. There’s a fitness room as well.
reviewed
-
Swimming Pool
Posada de la Aldea opens its Swimming Pool to nonguests most days.
reviewed
-
W
Georgetown Pool
Outdoor pool crowded with kids.
reviewed