But one of the things that makes New York bearable for me is the summer. While my excitement of a hot New York summer was at its peak, I visited as many beaches as I could find. There are surprisingly quite a few good beaches in the New York City area , and many of them are easily accessible by public transport. But after spending most of my life on the stunning beaches around Australia, the beaches of New York quickly lost their appeal.
Sure being by the ocean was good for my soul, but it was such an effort to get to there, and when I arrived I was regularly disappointed by the chilly temps and grey color. So I started looking elsewhere for my summer water fix. Where are the outdoor pools in New York City? After some cyber-sleuthing, I discovered the Central Queens neighborhoods of Forest Hills and Rego Park have some fantastic outdoor private pools tucked away perfect for summer sun.
I made it my mission to try each of them for you and here are my favorite secret outdoor pools in Forest Hills, Queens. With a small investment private pools have an entry fee you can enjoy some fun and sun during the glorious New York summer before it disappears. And you can get to them easily on the subway!
A huge pool, with equally huge deck area and plenty of sun lounges though some are reserved for the summer in advance are what you can expect at Fairview Swim Club. This pool was completely resurfaced in During peak season it thumps, heaves, and grinds with many people seeking respite from the heat, but also to the beat of DJs who spin tunes and give this pool a real party vibe. There is also a concessions stand onsite, and outside food is not permitted. Unfortunately their concession stand is closed for renovation, but Fairview Swim Club welcomes you to BYO food and drink, no glass.
Amenities: cabana and lounge chairs available to rent. There are two pools, an Olympic sized pool and a 25 ft round kiddy pool, both of which are heated to 84 deg F. The setting sun dips behind surrounding buildings around 5pm, so if you are keen on direct sun go early. Between pm is the best time to go for a kid-free dip as many of the families have left by this time. There is also a BBQ grill if you want to cook up some lunch. If you have kids, enquire about having a pool party here!
