Hamilton Fish Pool

Situated off the FDR Drive on the Lower East Side, this Olympic-size pool is one of the biggest in the city, attracting neighborhood residents and kids, as well as swimmers from all over lower Manhattan. Though there’s no deck furniture, a wide band of concrete surrounds the pool, providing ample space to roll out a towel, stretch out, and watch the ebb and flow of the masses. Note: You have to be 56 inches or taller to swim here, making it a great choice for older kids who don't want to share the water with diapered tots. For littler guys, there's a 2-foot-deep kiddie pool and a playground with sprinklers.