Summer time is pool time here in Boston, and there are plenty of options for young and old to enjoy a cool splash.

Pools here come in different flavours and price points. The most affordable pools are public and are operated by the state DCR or municipalities. Other pools, like the YMCA, come with a monthly membership fee that includes many benefits, such as swimming classes and exercise programmes. Finally, hotel pools offer many amenities, including bars or spa treatments, for a fee between $10 and $100 per visit.

Pools for swimmers are generally too deep for non-swimmers and can be as large as the Olympic size of 50 metres (164 feet).

Wading pools are for non-swimmers and can be as shallow as 3 feet or less. They are designed for children and adults who want to cool off without the need for swimming. Please note that wading pools require arms-length supervision of children.

Spray pads (also known as interactive fountains, splash pads, spray parks, or wet decks) are shallow pool areas with water fountains and/or spray areas. They are designed to accommodate smaller children because of the minimal water depth.

Pools are great fun for all, and observing a few safety rules will keep everybody safe.

  • Always wear sunscreen.
  • Seek shaded areas.
  • Protect your skin from direct sun exposure.
  • Children must always be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Swim aids such as noodles and inflatable toys are not a substitute for close supervision.
  • Lifeguards are not a substitute for personal, arms-length supervision of children.
  • Follow all the rules published at the pool you are visiting.
  • Teach young children how to swim as early as possible.

 

Public Pools in the Boston Area

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Deck

Fall RiverFree
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift available.
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool

CambridgeFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Pool, Restrooms
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool

ChelseaFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Pool, Restrooms, Wading pool
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Ryan Wading Pool

MattapanFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Playground, Restrooms, Shaded benches, Wading pool
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: Opening date 6/18/2022, Sunday - Saturday:, 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Sen. P. Eugene Casey Memorial Swimming Pool

MilfordFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Reilly Memorial Swimming Pool

BrightonFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Olsen Swimming Pool

Hyde ParkFreeFacilities: Pool, Restrooms, Spray deck
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool

LowellFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Picnic tables, Pool, Restrooms, Showers
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022
North Point Park Spray Deck

CambridgeFreeFacilities: Playground, Spray deck
Hours: Spray Deck, 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm
Olsen Spray Deck

Hyde ParkFreeFacilities: Benches, Pool, Restrooms, Spray deck
Accessibility: Beach wheelchair available
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm
Mission Hill Spray Deck

BostonFreeFacilities: Ball courts, Playground, Spray deck
Hours: Spray Deck & Playground, 7/1/2023 - 9/17/2023
Neponset Landing II Spray Deck

BostonFreeFacilities: Picnic area, Playground, Spray deck
Hours: Spray Deck, 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm
Manning Pool

BrocktonFreeFacilities: Playground, Pool, Restrooms, Shaded seating, Spray deck
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: Opens June 25, 2021, Public Swim: 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Melnea A. Cass Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Deck

RoxburyFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Pool, Recreation center, Restrooms
Hours: Spray Deck, 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm, Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Lt. Colonel Edward J. Higgins Swimming Pool

LawrenceFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pools, Restrooms, Showers
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Lt. Dennis C. Holland Memorial Swimming

MaldenFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Playground, Pool, Restrooms, Showers, Wading pool
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/24/2023, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Lawrence W. Lloyd Memorial Swimming Pool

MelroseFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Johnson Playground Spray Deck

Jamaica PlainFreeFacilities: Playground, Spray deck
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm
Latta Brothers Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Deck

SomervilleFreeFacilities: Athletic fields, Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Playground, Restrooms, Showers, Wading pool
Hours: Spray Deck open 6/24/2023 - 8/20/2023, Hours 8am - 8pm, Swimming Pool open 6/24/2023, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
John T. Moynihan Spray Deck

Hyde ParkFreeFacilities: Shaded benches, Playground, Spray deck
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm
Hall Memorial Pool

StonehamFreeFacilities: Lifeguards on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers, Splash pad
Hours: Closed for the season
Geisler Memorial Swimming Pool

LawrenceFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift available.
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
George I. Spatcher Memorial Pool

AttleboroFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Picnic tables, Pool, Restrooms, Shaded chairs
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: 11:00am - 6:00pm daily - close at 4:00pm on July 3 and 4.
Francis J. McCrehan Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool

CambridgeFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Pool, Restrooms
Hours: Spray Deck open 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, 8AM - 8PM, Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Freetown State Forest Wading Pool

East FreetownFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Restrooms, Wading pool
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, 8AM - 6PM
Dilboy Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool

SomervilleFreeFacilities: Athletic fields, Lifeguards, Pool, Restrooms, Showers
Hours: Open
Connell Memorial Swimming Pool

WeymouthFreeFacilities: Indoor pool
Accessibility: Beach wheelchair available Pool lift Sloped entry
Hours: Visit link above for schedules and more information
Connors Memorial Swimming Pool

WalthamFreeFacilities: Basketball court, Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Shaded benches, Showers, Spray deck
Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Bradley Palmer Spray Deck

TopsfieldFreeFacilities: Spray Deck
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 10:00am - 6:00pm
Clarence W. Dealtry Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool

WatertownFreeFacilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers
Hours: Swimming Pool, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Beaver Brook Spray Deck

BelmontFreeFacilities: Benches, Picnic area, Playground, Spray deck
Accessibility: Beach wheelchair available
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm
Allied Veterans Memorial Swimming and Spray Deck

EverettFree
Hours: 6/24/2023 - 8/20/2023, Spray Deck, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm, Swimming Pool, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm
Artesani Playground Wading Pool and Spray Deck

BrightonFreeFacilities: Picnic area, Playground, Restrooms, Showers, Spray deck, Wading pool
Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift is available.
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Spray Deck, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm, Wading Pool Opens June 17, 2023, Sunday - Saturday:, 10:15 am-5:45 pm
Alfond Memorial Spray Deck

BostonFreeFacilities: Picnic tables, Playground, Spray deck
Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm
Stony Brook Reservation

Hyde ParkFreeFacilities: Athletic fields, Bandstand, Bathhouses, Boat ramp, First-aid station, Grills, Ice skating rink, Playground, Picnic area, Restrooms, Spray deck, Tennis court, Wading pool, Swimming pool
Activities: Baseball Biking Canoeing and kayaking Cross-country skiing Educational programs Fishing Hiking Horseback riding Ice skating Mountain biking Swimming Tennis Soccer
Accessibility: Accessible fishing Accessible playground Accessible restrooms
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Southwest Corridor Park

BostonFreeFacilities: Athletic fields , Basketball, Tennis, Playgrounds, Spray decks & wading pools
Activities: Biking Tennis Basketball Hiking
Accessibility: Hiking Paved
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Neponset River Reservation

BostonFreeFacilities: Boat ramp (car top), Educational programs, Playgrounds, Spray decks & wading pools, Weddings
Activities: Biking Boating (non-motorized) Boating (motorized) Canoeing and kayaking Fishing Hiking
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Freetown-Fall River State Forest

AssonetFreeFacilities: Athletic fields, Grilling, Pavilion, Picnic area, Restrooms, Scenic viewing area, Splash pad, Wading pool
Activities: Hiking Mountain biking Horseback riding Cross-country skiing Biking Swimming Fishing Hunting
Accessibility: Accessible restrooms
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Chestnut Hill Reservation

BrightonFreeFacilities: Ice skating rink, Paved walking paths, Restrooms, Swimming pool
Activities: Biking Fishing Swimming Ice skating Educational programs Running and walking
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Charles River Reservation

BostonFreeFacilities: Athletic fields, Baseball/softball, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Boat ramp, Paved bike paths, Playground, Picnic area, Charles River Basin public moorings, Skating rink, Spray decks and wading pools, Weddings
Activities: Hiking Biking Baseball Basketball Tennis Football Boating (non-motorized) Canoeing and kayaking Fishing Ice skating Cross-country skiing Sailing Rowing Swimming Educational programs
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Beaver Brook Reservation

BelmontFreeFacilities: Athletic fields, Basketball, Tennis, Educational programs, Picnic areas, Playgrounds, Restrooms, Spray decks & wading pools, Read about grilling in state parks
Activities: Biking Fishing Hiking Mountain biking
Accessibility: Picnicking Restrooms
Hours: Dawn to dusk