After a long winter, Philly is finally heating up. And lucky for us, Philly is home to more public pools per capita than any other city in the country. There are 70 public outdoor pools and four indoor pools open for the 2018 season, and thankfully, enjoying them is just as easy as putting on your swimsuit and showing up. If you don’t mind a few rowdy kids, Philly’s public pools can become your summer oasis. Here is a roundup of the best:
John B. Kelly Pool: Often cited as the nicest public pool in the city, the Kelly, named after Grace Kelly’s father, is located in Fairmount Park. This tree–lined pool is 80,000 gallons, and features 8 lanes for anyone looking to get in some aquatic exercise this summer.
4231 Lansdowne Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Francisville: A pool…with attractions! This pool is part of the pop–up pool project, an architectural mission to improve city pools by making them more vibrant and accessible. Francisville now features sun chairs, palm trees, and even aqua Zumba classes. A glow–up if I’ve ever seen one.
1737 Francis St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
O’Connor Swimming Pool: The closest option to Penn’s campus, the O’Connor pool has been in operation since the 1920s, and offers the best of both worlds with designated hours for lap swimming, as well as times for families to enjoy and just splash around.
2601 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Northern Liberties: A common favorite, the Northern Liberties pool is known to be clean, and has ample times where it is completely open to the public. Surrounding the pool are elaborate murals, so you won’t forget that you’re in a city, even when it feels like you’re a million miles away.
321 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Ridgway: Although this pool is in the heart of Philly, it feels particularly tucked away, nestled in trees. Ridgway is a “detached pool” meaning there's not a rec center directly attached to it. The pool is designed more for family fun than lap swimming, but it can offer a enjoyable day away from the Philly heat.
1301 Carpenter St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
