Swimming in New York

Swimming in New York is a fun activity if you want to escape the summer heat. Visit one of the beaches in New York, or explore some NY pools. During the summer months, the city can get very hot and humid, so if you’re planning on booking a trip in July or August, be prepared. Manhattan doesn’t offer many places to swim, but there are several outdoor options in other parts of the city. There are also lots of activities and places you can go to beat the heat. I’ll tell you all about them!

Eric's Index

1 Beaches in New York
2 Swimming Pools in New York
3 Water Sports in New York
- 3.1 Jet skiing
- 3.2 Kayaking
4 FAQ

Beaches in New York

If you love going to the beach, New York has a few good options that allow you to relax, sunbathe, swim and enjoy some outdoor activities during the summer months.

New York beaches are normally open seasonally, with the peak season lasting from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the off-season, however, certain beaches may have limited amenities or access. Here are my picks for the best beaches in New York:

Coney Island Beach

In Brooklyn, you’ll find Coney Island, known for its large beach and amusement park. The beach isn’t that close to Manhattan either, so the best way to get there is by metro!

Why not take the Contrast Tour of New York with a visit to Coney Island? During this tour, you’ll discover the diverse boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx. Choose the tour with Coney Island and the neighbourhood will be your final destination. You can then stay in Coney Island for as long as you like to enjoy the sun.

Rockaway Beach

Another New York beach is Rockaway Beach on the south side of Queens. The easiest way to get here is by taking the Rockaway route of NYC Ferry, offering you a nice boat ride at the same time.

Hamptons day trip

Spend a day at the Hamptons and mingle with the rich and famous. The Hamptons is quite far from Manhattan, and it will take you a while to get there using public transportation. If you want to visit, it’s best to book your New York to The Hamptons day trip in advance. During this tour, you will make a short stop at one of the public beaches of The Hamptons.

Swimming Pools in New York

If you are looking for a swimming pool in New York, you can find them in many hotels. If you are not a guest of the hotel, you are not allowed to use the rooftop swimming pool or you have to pay for it. Keep in mind that most of these pools are not deep, so you may be unable to swim in them. However, they are very refreshing during the warmer months in the city.

New York public pools

If it’s very warm during your visit, you might want to consider visiting a New York City public pool. I’m not a big fan of most of them, as in my opinion, they don’t add much of a New York experience to your trip and are just places to cool off.

However, there is one exception: the Gottesman Pool in the northern part of Central Park. This New York outdoor pool is surrounded by trees and is a nice spot to escape the heat for a few hours. Although I would still prefer to spend the time sightseeing.

Eric’s Tip: “New York is not a city for swimming. If you are travelling with kids, go for a hotel with a pool. Otherwise, the beaches in New York are also a good option to cool off. Also, many playgrounds in New York offer different water elements where kids can splash around. Head to the Heckscher Playground in Central Park, for instance, just make sure kids have waterproof shoes on!”

DreamWorks Water Park

For a day of water fun, DreamWorks Water Park in the American Dream Mall is the place to be. This indoor pool is the largest in North America. The water park has around fifteen water slides and a wave pool. For toddlers, there are quiet lanes and a large water castle. There are also capsules you can shoot through for the real daredevils. You can easily have hours of fun here all year round.

+ POOL

You may have heard about the innovative project + POOL in New York, which combines a swimming pool and a water filtration system. Once completed, you’ll be able to swim in a floating pool filled with freshly filtered water from the New York rivers.

Spa in New York

You can also find a pool at the QC NY Spa on Governors Island. This spa has over twenty wellness experiences and two infinity pools. From these outdoor pools, you can enjoy an amazing view of Manhattan while sipping a cocktail in hand.

Water Sports in New York

There are lots of other summer activities that you can do in New York in order to escape the heat. Please note that all the listed activities are seasonal. So don’t miss out if you’re planning on going to the Big Apple during the summer holidays!

Jet skiing

Did you know that you can go jet skiing in New York? While cruising the waters, you’ll be able to admire all the major highlights of the city. You’ll pass by the Statue of Liberty at 55 miles per hour! This activity starts and ends at Rockaway Beach. After your jet ski experience, you can enjoy the beautiful weather on the beach.

Eric’s Tip: “I have tested the jet skiing myself and think it is really worth it! And yes, you really go that fast. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to do it again.”

Kayaking

If you love water sports but don’t like speeding, kayaking on the Hudson is a good option. You can even go on a tour if you’ve never kayaked before. With a tour, you combine sightseeing and sports. You’ll be able to practice for a while around the dock before following the guide towards the Hudson.

FAQ

New York doesn’t have a famous swimming pool, but some impressive rooftop pools are worth checking out. And the city has a few nice beaches as well.

The Hamptons have some beautiful beaches. I also like going to Coney Island, where I can enjoy the beach, boardwalk and amusement park all in one place.

Yes, many of New York’s sandy beaches are suitable for swimming.