Need to Cool Off? Head to One of the Boston Area’s Many Public Pools

All are free, accessible by the T, and a great way to beat the summer heat

Mirabella Pool, in the North End

Mirabella Pool in the North End, one of the city’s most frequented pools, offers lap swims and recreational pool hours. Photo by NorthEndWaterfront.com

Things-to-do

Need to Cool Off? Head to One of the Boston Area’s Many Public Pools

All are free, accessible by the T, and a great way to beat the summer heat

9
Twitter Facebook

The Boston area has already had a few days of steamy 90-degree days this summer, with more on the horizon. To beat the heat, many people are staying inside or making the journey to one of the state’s plentiful beaches. 

Another option is to head to one of the local community swimming pools maintained by the commonwealth’s Department of Conservation & Recreation or the city of Boston. The pools provide a nearby opportunity for a day of sun, summer reading, and a refreshing dip. Best of all, most are free, and they’re all easy to get to by public transportation.

Reilly Memorial Swimming Pool

355 Chestnut Hill Ave.
Brighton

In the heart of Cleveland Circle, next to the MBTA Green Line C branch trolley stop, or just a short walk from the Green Line B branch Chestnut Hill stop, this pool is open daily through August 18 from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm. Find facilities, accessibility, restrictions, and directions here. Call 617-277-7822 for more information.

Francis J. McCrehan Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool

359 Rindge Ave.
Cambridge

This pool is open daily through August 18 from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm. It also features a spray deck open 8 am to 8 pm and offers swim lessons. Find details about parking, facilities, and restrictions here. Call 617-661-0670 for more information.

Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool

719 Memorial Drive
Cambridge

Just across the Charles, on Magazine Beach next to the river, this pool is open daily through August 18 from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm. Find facilities, services, restrictions, and directions here. Call 617-661-0564 for more information.

Latta Brothers Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Deck

235 Broadway
Somerville

A bit farther away from the city, this pool is a good bet for those in the Somerville, Medford, and Everett areas. It’s open daily through August 18, with the spray deck open from 8 am to 8 pm, and the pool from 11:15 am to 6:45 pm. Follow the link here. Call 617-666-9236 for more information.

The Department of Conservation & Recreation manages many other public pools across Massachusetts. Find a complete list of available pools here. Also, check out these pools managed by the city through the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF).

Mirabella Pool

475 Commercial St.
Boston

Open for lap and recreational swimming from noon to 7 pm, Tuesday to Friday through the end of the summer, this North End pool provides excellent views of Boston Harbor. The pool also has registered swim sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Make sure to check the times before you arrive.

Admission is free, and visitors must create a membership in the BCYF registration system. If the pool reaches capacity, visitors will be asked to wait until the next session. Preference is given to Boston residents. Three children under the age of 12 are allowed per adult. Children under the age of 8 need an adult in the water with them. Find all procedures and information here. You can also call 617-635-1276.

Charlestown Community Center Pool

255 Medford St.
Boston

The Charlestown Community Center, which features an indoor pool open year-round, is close to the Boston Harborwalk. The pool is open Tuesday through Friday, from 1 to 9 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, through the end of summer. 

Admission is free. Programs include aqua aerobics, recreational swim, family swim, lap swim, swim team prep, and lifeguard training. Register for classes here. Call 617-635-5169 for more information.

Explore Related Topics:

  • Share this story
  • 9 Comments Add

Share

Need to Cool Off? Head to One of the Boston Area’s Many Public Pools

Share

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 9 comments on Need to Cool Off? Head to One of the Boston Area’s Many Public Pools

  2. Dear “public swimming pools”, the first pool listed in Cleveland Circle is in Brighton, which is a neighborhood in Boston. It’s actually not too far from BU-you can take the B line and get off at “Chestnut Hill Ave” and talk a left on Chestnut Hill Ave, and the pool is only about a block away from there.

    Reply
    Link

  9. When you romanticize about the perfect swimming hole, you likely envision a deep, cool pool you have to hike a bit to get to, a hidden spot off the beaten path. Sennett Hole might not be a secret, but the mile-long hike in gives that impression. This Olympic-size swimming hole, rimmed by sycamores, rock and a waterfall, enables you to dive as much as 8 feet under to encounter chilling waters. Stretch out on a chaise lounge rock to dry away the chill, and repeat as often as time allows.

    Reply
    Link

Post a comment.

Latest from BU Today