The Best Public Swimming Pools in Boston

Boston may be a coastal city with plenty of surrounding beaches to visit during the hot summer months, but sometimes you just want to take a refreshing dip in a pool.

If you’re not staying at a hotel with a pool during your trip to Boston, we have you covered with several public pools located throughout the city. Some are operated by the Boston Center for Youth and Families (BCYF), while others are run by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and various recreation departments, with some pools available for swimming at no cost.

And if you haven’t yet booked your hotel and want to go with one that does have a pool — particularly a rooftop pool — check out this list as well. More public pools and spray decks can also be found by visiting the Commonweatlh of Massachusetts website and typing in the zip code you are in.

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BCYF Mirabella Pool

Empty swimming pool with two lifeguard towers in Boston — Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF)

Address

475 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-635-1276

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The BCYF Mirabella Pool in Boston's North End neighborhood and is one of the city's most popular outdoor public pool for summer swimming. City of Boston resident rates for passes are $20 for adults, $10 for teens and $5 for youth ages 6-12. If you're visiting from out of town, rates are doubled. But keep in mind that they don't offer day passes, so you'll need to get a pass with a money order (only form of payment accepted, though they are working on an electronic payment method) even if you only plan to go for the day.

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BCYF Clougherty Pool

outdoor swimming pool with three people in it and tree in the background — Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF)

Address

331 Bunker Hill St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-635-5173

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The BCYF Clougherty Pool, located in Charlestown, is another one of Boston's outdoor pools available to families. Much like the Mirabella Pool, they do not offer day passes and passes must be purchased with a money order. Rates are $15 for adults, $5 for teens and free for all children 12 and under. The pool is open from Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. during summer months, subject to weather.

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The Clubs at Charles River Park

Outdoor pool with several people swimming laps, a bunch of people playing with pool floaties and people sunbathing on pool chairs — The Clubs at Charles River Park

Address

10 Whittier Pl, Boston, MA 02114, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-726-2900

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The Clubs at Charles River Park offer a summer program that's complete with Boston's largest outdoor swimming pool, as well as an outdoor wading pool for little ones. The only downfall here is that memberships are more costly than the public city pools, with adult passes at $490, students at $390 and kids at $190 (family packages are also available). This is a good option if you'll be in Boston for the summer.

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Artesani Playground, Wading Pool and Spray Deck

Address

1255 Soldiers Field Rd, Boston, MA 02135, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-626-4973

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Located in Brighton is the Artesani Playground, Wading Pool and Spray Deck. While a wading pool may not sound all that exciting for adults, it's deep enough for any age to cool off in, with plenty to do for the kids. Parking is available here and you'll see this pool filled with families come summer.

Continue to 5 of 8 below.

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Latta Brothers Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool

Address

Somerville, MA 02145, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-666-9236

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Another free option is the Latta Brothers Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool in Somerville, just north of the city. It's typically open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer. It's unfortunately not right off the MBTA trains, but there is parking.

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Dilboy Pool

Address

324 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Somerville, MA 02144, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-625-1539

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Another outdoor pool in Somerville is the Dilboy Pool, operated by the Somerville Recreation Department. This one isn't free though, with individual passes being $40 and family passes $75.

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Francis J. McCrehan Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool

Address

359 Rindge Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140-3128, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-661-0670

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The Francis J. McCrehan Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool is located in Cambridge and is maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. They offer a reduced family swim rate of just $1.

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Hotel Indigo Boston-Newton Riverside's BOKX Pool

Cabanas next to an outdoor pool in Boston — Hotel Indigo Boston Newton Riverside

Address

399 Grove St, Newton, MA 02462, USA

Get directions

Phone +1 617-969-5300

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The last pick on the list is a 20-minute drive from the city, but offers more of a pool day experience than the others. This is the Hotel Indigo Boston-Newton Riverside's BOKX Pool. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, you can purchase a day pass for $35. They also have luxury cabanas available for rent both day and night, as many people opt to stay into the evening to enjoy food and drinks by the fire pits.