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 River | Free | Accessibility: Outdoor swimming pool lift available. Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm |
Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool | Cambridge | Free | Facilities: Lifeguard on duty, Pool, Restrooms Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm |
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool | Chelsea | Free | Facilities: Lifeguard on duty, Pool, Restrooms, Wading pool Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm |
Ryan Wading Pool | Mattapan | Free | Facilities: 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 | Milford | Free | Facilities: 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 | Brighton | Free | Facilities: 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 Park | Free | Facilities: Pool, Restrooms, Spray deck Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm |
Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool | Lowell | Free | Facilities: 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 | Cambridge | Free | Facilities: Playground, Spray deck Hours: Spray Deck, 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm |
Olsen Spray Deck | Hyde Park | Free | Facilities: 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 | Boston | Free | Facilities: Ball courts, Playground, Spray deck Hours: Spray Deck & Playground, 7/1/2023 - 9/17/2023 |
Neponset Landing II Spray Deck | Boston | Free | Facilities: Picnic area, Playground, Spray deck Hours: Spray Deck, 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm |
Manning Pool | Brockton | Free | Facilities: 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 | Roxbury | Free | Facilities: 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 | Lawrence | Free | Facilities: 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 | Malden | Free | Facilities: 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 | Melrose | Free | Facilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers Hours: Swimming Pool open 6/25/2022, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm |
Johnson Playground Spray Deck | Jamaica Plain | Free | Facilities: Playground, Spray deck Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm |
Latta Brothers Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Deck | Somerville | Free | Facilities: 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 Park | Free | Facilities: Shaded benches, Playground, Spray deck Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm |
Hall Memorial Pool | Stoneham | Free | Facilities: Lifeguards on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers, Splash pad Hours: Closed for the season |
Geisler Memorial Swimming Pool | Lawrence | Free | Facilities: 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 | Attleboro | Free | Facilities: 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 | Cambridge | Free | Facilities: 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 Freetown | Free | Facilities: Lifeguard on duty, Restrooms, Wading pool Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, 8AM - 6PM |
Dilboy Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool | Somerville | Free | Facilities: Athletic fields, Lifeguards, Pool, Restrooms, Showers Hours: Open |
Connell Memorial Swimming Pool | Weymouth | Free | Facilities: Indoor pool Accessibility: Beach wheelchair available Pool lift Sloped entry Hours: Visit link above for schedules and more information |
Connors Memorial Swimming Pool | Waltham | Free | Facilities: 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 | Topsfield | Free | Facilities: Spray Deck Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 10:00am - 6:00pm |
Clarence W. Dealtry Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool | Watertown | Free | Facilities: Lifeguard on duty, Lockers, Pool, Restrooms, Showers Hours: Swimming Pool, Hours 11:15am - 6:45pm |
Beaver Brook Spray Deck | Belmont | Free | Facilities: 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 | Everett | Free | 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 | Brighton | Free | Facilities: 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 | Boston | Free | Facilities: Picnic tables, Playground, Spray deck Hours: 5/27/2023 - 9/17/2023, Hours 8:00am - 8:00pm |
Stony Brook Reservation | Hyde Park | Free | Facilities: 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 | Boston | Free | Facilities: Athletic fields , Basketball, Tennis, Playgrounds, Spray decks & wading pools Activities: Biking Tennis Basketball Hiking Accessibility: Hiking Paved Hours: Dawn to dusk |
Neponset River Reservation | Boston | Free | Facilities: 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 | Assonet | Free | Facilities: 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 | Brighton | Free | Facilities: 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 | Boston | Free | Facilities: 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 | Belmont | Free | Facilities: 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 |