Updated on July 8th, 2025
When you think of relaxing on a hot summer day and lounging by a pool, New York City is probably the last place that comes to mind. Amid all the concrete and skyscrapers, elusive urban pool oases can be found, you just have to know where to look. New York Habitat can also help you find the perfect furnished apartment in New York City. From apartment buildings, to hotel rooftops, to gyms, read on to find a spot to cool off this summer in the urban jungle.
1. Rent an apartment in a building with indoor pool
Renting a furnished apartment in a building with amenities like an indoor pool is always a cool option. Luckily, we have several apartments in buildings with luxury amenities across the five NYC boroughs. This furnished two-bedroom apartment rental on the Upper West Side is located in a building with a 70-foot indoor saltwater swimming pool and two acres of an elevated and landscaped outdoor terrace where you can relax your day away.
If you are looking for a room for rent in a shared apartment, there are several options available. One is this room for rent in a two-bedroom apartment in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The apartment is in a building with gym facilities that include an indoor pool, a yoga room, a sauna, and a roof deck.
Imagine immersing yourself in this luxurious indoor pool right in your building when you rent this two-bedroom furnished apartment in Midtown East.
Right on the East River, between Queens and Manhattan, you’ll find the stunning Roosevelt Island. Once just accessible by elevated tramway (though that’s still most people’s favorite way to commute there), this island is now connected to the F subway line, making it even more convenient to explore! Although you’ll be surrounded by water on all sides on this island, there’s nothing better than access to a pool right at your own building. Purchase a pass and you can take advantage of the Olympic-sized swimming pool in the building where this three-bedroom apartment share in Roosevelt Island is located.
2. Take advantage of NYC’s outdoor public pools
You don’t have to rent in a luxury building to have access to a pool. New York’s outdoor public swimming pools are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and are a great place to take the kids for a day of fun. Adults can also enjoy uninterrupted lap-swimming hours at some pools in the early morning and evening hours.
In the borough of Queens you can find the Astoria Pool, an Olympic-sized pool located in Astoria Park that also offers swimming lessons. Take a stroll around the rest of the park, where New Yorkers catch some rays by the picturesque East River and Manhattan skyline views. Afterwards, check out all the new restaurants and bars opening in the Astoria area, which is a quick commute from Manhattan. Rent a room at this one-bedroom furnished apartment in Astoria and discover this vibrant neighborhood for yourself.
McCarren Park is a place in neighboring Brooklyn where there’s always something going on, including outdoor movies throughout the summer and a 37,000+ square foot, pool to escape from the steamy concrete jungle. Rent this two-bedroom furnished apartment in nearby Williamsburg and you’ll be close to all the outdoor summer fun.
Located on the East River waterfront, the floating pool at Barretto Point Park in the Bronx is constructed on a refurbished barge that’s docked at the park, providing extraordinary river views. If you get tired of swimming, there are plenty of other water activities at this park, including canoeing, kayaking, and fishing off the pier. There’s even a beach volleyball pit too!
The Gottesman Pool, located at the northern end of Central Park near Lenox Avenue & 110th Street, overlooks the Central Park Meer. Formerly known as Lasker Pool & Rink, it was recently renovated and reopened as part of the new year-round Davis Center. Locals and tourists line up to get into Central Park’s only pool, which is operated by the Central Park Conservancy in partnership with NYC Parks. Free swimming lessons are offered here, and in the colder months it turns into an ice skating rink where you can also join an adult ice hockey league. It’s also available for private parties and corporate events. This furnished two-bedroom apartment rental is also located near Central Park on the Upper East Side, right beside John Jay Park at 77th Street and Cherokee Place. Here you’ll find a public outdoor pool with lounge chairs and an East River view.
On the west side of town, you’ll find Riverbank State Park, a 28-acre state park above the Hudson River and between 137th and 145th Streets in Upper Manhattan. The Olympic-sized pool here is a crowd favorite, and you’ll also find an athletic complex, a roller skating rink, and an ice skating rink in the winter, offering year-round recreational options. This four-bedroom apartment share on Hamilton Heights is conveniently located right nearby; a great choice for those who want to be close to convenient New York City’s scenic beaches and enjoy outdor sports.
3. Splurge on a day at a rooftop pool with amazing views
You don’t need to rent a luxury apartment to enjoy lush amenities. If you want to save on rent but still rub elbows with the celebrity crowd, follow New York “staycationers” and splurge on a day pass at a swanky hotel pool. With amazing views and refreshing cocktails, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped the city, without ever leaving it.
Summer in the city wouldn’t be complete without a night of poolside cocktails atop a skyscraper. At “Jimmy”, the rooftop bar at the James Hotel in SoHo, you can sip drinks and mingle around a pool deck offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline. This rooftop bar hosts pool parties throughout the summer with live DJs, so you can party with a bird’s-eye view of the Big Apple.
If Brooklyn is your home base, the Coda Williamsburg Hotel and Pool offers day passes to its saltwater swimming pool and terrace, complete with poolside snack and cocktail service. While the pool is on the ground floor, you can also head up to the rooftop bar on the 9th floor for fabulous views of the Manhattan skyline.
Another way to beat the midsummer heat is by getting a membership at a local gym with pool facilities. Some even offer day passes, so you can pay for access just when you want it. Prices vary widely, making it easy to find an option that suits your budget and preferences. On the higher end is Equinox Printing House in the West Village, where swimming with a Manhattan sunset in the background feels just about priceless.
Asphalt Green is a more family (and budget) friendly option, with locations on the Upper East Side and in Battery Park. They offer a wide range of aquatic programs including swim classes, lifeguard training, competitive swim teams, and water exercise classes. They also offer swim camps, summer day camps, day passes, and family memberships.
Now that you know the secrets to beating the heat in NYC, browse our website for a great apartment rental for your trip and get ready to chill out, New York-style, in the Big Apple this summer!
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