The heat has been oppressive this summer. Looking for a way to cool off with the kids besides the beach? These pools throughout NJ offer day passes.
Basilone and Frelinghuysen Parks
Woodmere St. and Sherman Ave., Raritan
908-672-0857
Kids ages 1-12 have a blast blowing bubbles here all summer. Basilone has a bocce court, playground, basketball court, track and pavilion, while Frelinghuysen as basketball, baseball and tennis facilities, plus a clubhouse, pavilion and playground.
Bound Brook Park Pool
Thompson Ave., Bound Brook
732-356-0833
Whip down a slide, catch some rays on the deck or cool off in the water. Inquire about lessons for your little ones. NOTE: The pool is closed for 2024 as it undergoes renovations.
Cooper Park Pool and Manville Memorial Park Pool
Boesel Ave. and Cooper St.; Colorado Ave. off Roosevelt Ave., Manville
908-725-9478
Come for daily open swim, lessons, aqua aerobics for every age, a kiddie pool, Splash Camp and more.
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark
380 Dunhams Corner Rd., East Brunswick
732-390-6834
This spot boasts water slides, a lap pool, lazy river, a kiddie pool and a splash play area.
Darlington County Park Lake
600 Darlington Ave., Mahwah
201-327-3500
Take a dip in a lake instead of a concrete bottom pool. The perks? A sand beach, fishing and a natural vibe. There are also picnic tables, a basketball court, a playground and changing rooms.
Fort Monmouth Recreational Pool
2566 Guam Ln., Tinton Falls
848-456-4278
Work out in the lanes or float on noodles with the kids. If you need more cooling off, head inside the Rec Center for a drop-in activity, open gym, basketball or pickleball.
Graydon Pool
200 Northern Pkwy., Ridgewood
201-670-5500, ext 3114
The sandy beachfront along the lake is great for anyone who may need assistance. There are spray fountans in the fenced in Kiddie Area, Adirondack chairs, shade systems, picnic area with tables, charcoal grills and a sheltered pavilion, a playground with sitting area, volleyball and basketball courts and even Wi-Fi accessibility. You can take swim lessons, try standup paddleboarding, listen to storytime on the beach, or watch movies from the sand.
Hackettstown Community Pool
499 Warren St., Hackettstown
908-852-5443
Here, you can treat the kids to a baby pool, toddler wading pool, Olympic-sized pool and a dive tank. Grab a bite at the snack bar or sign the kids up for lessons. Make sure you have cash since credit cards won’t be accepted.
Highlands Natural Pool
180 Snake Den Rd., Ringwood
$12-15/adults, $5-10/teens, $3/kids
973-835-4299
This old-school swimming hole is natural and stream-fed next door to Norvin Green State Forest (that means the water is chemical-free!). You can go for a dip, picnic, play beach volleyball or softball, go for a hike and more.
Memorial Pool and Aquatic Complex
713 Cumberland St., Westfield
908-789-4080
Splash pads, water slides and good times await your little fish. There’s a training pool, diving pool, two water slides, a kiddie pool and snack bar to explore. Inquire about family fun nights.
Oakcrest Swim Club
970 Inman Ave., Edison
908-756-9853
The youngest water lovers have their own kiddie pool with spray features and a playground. The main pool has a water slide on the edge of the six lane pool. The property also has a sand volleyball court, basketball court and shaded pavilion seating.
Palisades Park Swim Club
200 Roosevelt Pl., Palisades Park
201-585-4140
This spot is simple. Cool off in the shade on the grass or in the water, or break a sweat swimming laps. It’ll give the kids a chance to practice their cannonballs off the two diving boards.
Roberts Pool
215 Hillcrest Ave., Collingswood
$20/nonresident
856-854-0720
Three pools make this a great place to cool off. With a day band, you can swim laps in the lanes, splash around in the wading pool or chill out on the lawn chairs.
South Plainfield Community PoolÂ
Maple Ave., South Plainfield
908-226-7713
The Splashpad is complete with a playground, slide, water table and spray features. The main pool has a spider spray feature, whirlpool, six lap lanes, and a deep water activity center with two water slides and two climbing walls.
Sunrise Lake Beach Club
270 Mendham Rd., Morris Twp.
973-267-4351
You can do it all at this sand-bottom spot: swim, boat, build sand castles, play volleyball and more. Best part? The lake is home to a Wibit obstacle course for kids ages 7 and up. They’ll have a blast sliding down the Zoom Floom, too.
Tenakill Swim Club
165 Grove St., Tenafly
201-567-8395
Aside from typical swimming there are special rafting hours, and movies by the pool.
Walter E. Ulrich Pool
Rahway River Park, St. Georges Ave., Rahway
908-527-4000
Go for a dip at this Olympic-size gem. Lounge on the desk, brave the diving board, take on the playground and take the tots to the fenced-in baby pool.
Warrenbrook Pool
500 Warrenville Rd., Warren
908-722-1200, ext. 5018
Cool off at the regular or kiddie pool before having a bite at the snack bar.
Washington Borough Pool
Upper Park Dr., Washington
908-689-3600 ext. 136
After hitting Washington Borough Park’s playground, basketball courts and ball field, end your day at the splash pad and wading/kiddie pool, or hit the slide and swimming lanes at the main pool.
WaterWorks Family Aquatic Center
West Windsor Community Park
193 Princeton Hightstown Rd., Princeton Junction
609-799-6141
Think a diving board, a kids’ play area, showers and changing facilities, an eight-lane lap pool, a family leisure pool and a wading pool. Don’t forget to zip down the two-story water slide and have a bite at the concession stand.
- Jennifer Amato contributed to this story.
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