By Aidan Taylor and Chandler Presson By Aidan Taylor and Chandler Presson | July 2, 2024 | Lifestyle, Feature, Guides,
Summer is officially back in New York City, and there’s no better way to cool down than at a rooftop pool with the city skyline in the background. Whether it’s going for a swim in the deep end, sticking your toes in the shallow end or laying on a poolside lounge chair with a good book or cocktail, rooftop pools are the place to be this summer.
See also: The 14 Best Rooftop Bars In NYC
Here, we’ve gathered a list of 13 of the best rooftop pools that are available through day passes or through a hotel stay to make some magical memories and have fun in the sun during this warm season.
335 W 16th St. / 212.229.2559 / Website
The Beach at this swanky Chelsea hotel brings the coast of Europe to a rooftop in Manhattan. With a 5,000-square-foot deck, 800 square feet of imported sand and a glass-bottom pool, this rooftop is the ultimate summer escape. A full-service bar, 30 chaise lounge chairs, private cabanas and a seasonal food menu finish off this must-see space.
15 Thompson St. / 212.465.2000 / Website
Set in an interior space reminiscent of Picasso’s Blue period, this Soho rooftop is the place to be. Available with a reservation on weekends after 3 p.m., The pool has city views stretching from Wall Street to the Hudson River and East River and a chic indoor bar space to enjoy specialty cocktails and light bites. The space is 18 stories above the ground for an unmatched city rooftop experience.
848 Washington St. / 212.645.7600 / Website
For those looking for a rooftop pool experience with more of a club aesthetic, this is the palace for you. Perched at the top of the Standard Hotel in the trendy Meatpacking District, this rooftop space offers a bar as well as a terrace overlooking the Hudson River. It’s the perfect spot for watching the sunset or dancing the night away.
160 N. 12th St. / 718.218.7500 / Website
You’ll feel like you’ve been transported from the busy streets of Williamsburg to the shores of a West Coast beach at Coda Beach Club, the stunning rooftop space that boasts NYC’s largest 21+ outdoor pool. Those looking for a luxury experience should look no further, as day passes run on the expensive side but provide the type of R&R seldom found in the city. Be sure to check out the pool bar for incredible food and drinks.
420 Park Ave. S / 212.317.2900 / Website
Set on the 20th floor of this posh hotel in Midtown, this heated 40-foot pool is an urban oasis during the summer months. With the Empire State Building as a backdrop, the space also features a 1,000 sq ft deck and chaise lounges to soak up the sun. The deck is open to the public after 6 p.m. to patrons 21 and older and spaces can be reserved online.
112 W 25th St. / 212.404.7969 / Website
One of the most well-known pools in NYC, this two-story indoor lounge and pool space set at the top of the Renaissance Hotel in Chelsea offers panoramic views of the city. The venue is home to many different daytime and nighttime events and performances as well as a stylish and fun atmosphere perfect for summer and year-round fun.
8-08 Queens Plaza S., Queens / 646.942.6807 / Website
Inspired by classic Miami Beach days, this rooftop transports you to a vacation destination. The 50x20-foot pool is set along the city skyline with palm trees and flowers galore. Live entertainment and specialty cocktails make for an unforgettable pool day. Expect a full-blown day club, complete with great DJs, bottle service and dancing. Be sure to book tickets in advance!
111 N. 12th St. / 718.631.8400 / Website
Located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this pool deck is one of the largest in the city. The space offers private cabanas and daybeds as well as a delicious summer food and drink menu to munch and sip on while you relax. A heated pool, two saunas and two hot tubs? Sign me up.
1227 Broadway / 212.213.0090 / Website
One of the newest rooftop pools in NYC, the Virgin Hotels New York City's pool club brings an upscale setting, delicious food and jaw-dropping views of the Empire State Building. Expect live entertainment, and views into the bar from a 10-foot-tall operable glass wall. Come dressed to impress, because this is the spot to see and be seen this summer.
One Idlewild Drive, Queens / 212.806.9000 / Website
Chances are you’ve heard of TWA Hotel, the incredible airport terminal-turned-hotel that has been the talk of the town since its opening in 2019. But have you heard of its rooftop pool? Located at John F. Kennedy International Airport, this might be one of the most unique rooftop pools in the whole country, as it allows you to watch jets take off on the nearby runways. Check out their website for reservation details.
29-35 9th Ave. / 212.627.9800 / Website
Admittedly, Soho House New York’s rooftop pool is not open to the public, as only Soho House members are able to access the rooftop. However, members are able to bring guests, so start making those connections! Soho House New York’s gorgeous pool is heated and open year-round and is well worth a visit if you’re able.
33 Hudson Yards / 212.812.9200 / Website
Complete with a 25-yard indoor saltwater lap pool, outdoor terrace and heated pool, and cold plunge ice baths, Equinox Hotel New York covers all of the bases when it comes to taking a dip in the sky. Open to hotel guests and Equinox club members, gorgeous views of the Hudson River and delicious food and drinks from fast-casual eatery Broken Coconut await.
Whether you choose to take a dip in Manhattan, Queens or Brooklyn, these NYC rooftop pools provide the perfect summer afternoon spent in the sun.
Photography by: courtesy of Somewhere Nowhere