Between the heat waves this summer and views of Olafur Eliasson’s “Waterfalls” taunting us on our morning subway rides, we’re almost ready to take a nosedive into the poo-brown harbor. On second thought, we’ll forgo the risk of nasty rashes. But with all the steamy, garbage-scented NYC air choking us, we better check out these bacteria-free cooling spots quick before we pass out.
The Floating Pool Lady
Barretto Point Park (Viele Ave. & Tiffany St.)
Bronx 718.430.4601
Off the coast of the South Bronx (yes, there is such a place), the Floating Pool Lady offers seven lanes of swimming on a roving, 280-foot barge. Make a day trip out of it, or consider it a pit stop on your way to or from Yankee Stadium or the Bronx Zoo. The pool is free and open daily from 11am–7pm through Sept. 1.
Stuyvesant High School Community Center
345 Chambers St. (@ West Side Hwy.)
TriBeCa 212.312.4800
This indoor pool is less crowded on weeknights, and high chlorine levels keep it squeaky clean (our advice: bring some lotion for afterwards). Twelve dollars gets you a day pass, plus access to the gym, basketball, handball, and volleyball courts. Expect to be splashing with the few Tribecans without pools in their condos. Open Monday–Friday from 3–8:45 pm, and on weekends from 10am–5:45pm.
The Manhattan Plaza Health Club
482 W. 43rd St. (@ 10th Avenue)
Hell’s Kitchen 212.563.7001
For $25, treat yourself to a swim in this rooftop pool with a retractable glass roof and lush tropical plants. You won’t have to deal with screaming children (they have a separate kiddie pool), and you get an all-day pass to the gym, saunas, and whirlpool. Sounds like the perfect staycation to us. Open Monday-Friday 6am-11pm, and on weekends from 8am-9pm.
Hamilton Fish Recreation Center
128 Pitt St. (Stanton & Houston Sts.)
Lower East Side 212.242.5228
You have to be 56 inches or taller to swim in this free outdoor Olympic-size pool, so that means you won’t be floating alongside diapered toddlers. There’s a kiddie pool and a playground with sprinklers for the little people. The pool is kept super clean, and tough life guards keep the riff-raff in check. Remember to bring your own lock, as you are only allowed to bring items like your towel, sunscreen, sarong, and book (ie, no backpacks) into the pool. Open daily from 10am-6pm.
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
Pier 61 (23rd St. & West Side Hwy.)
Chelsea 212.366.6160
Summertime doesn't normally make us think of ice skating, but this rink is open year-round, so why not lace up and freeze the sweat off your face? General skating hours are offered between 12:30pm-2:20pm on Mondays and Fridays, and from noon-3:50pm on weekends. On Sundays through Aug. 24, admission is $5, otherwise it's $12.50 for adults.
Staten Island Ferry
Whitehall Terminal (@ South St.)
Financial District 212.639.9675
Ok, we admit this is a bit of a stretch, but you really can cool off on this breezy 25-minute ride from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan to St. George in Staten Island. The ride is free, you get a view of the lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, and there’s an onboard snack bar that serves beer. Consider it the most affordable booze cruise in town.
