The warmer months are here, and with the change in seasons comes an opportunity for you to get in some swimming. Unfortunately, during the summer months, the weather is often hot and humid which makes it tough for anyone to stay in the water for too long. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the outdoors; you just need to know where and when to go for a swim.
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Veterans Memorial Pool
One option is the Veterans Memorial Pool, one of the largest outdoor pools in the D.C. area. Located in Rock Creek Park, the pool is open from June to September and offers a great place for families to get some swimming done. It also boasts a large area for people to lounge around and enjoy the warm summertime. The pool is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., so you can swim whenever you want.
The pool is named after veterans who contributed service in the armed forces. To date, the Veterans Memorial Pool has provided a place of peace and relaxation for over 80,000 military veterans and their families. It’s open and maintained by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, and it is a popular spot for joggers, bikers, and dog walkers who want to get some fresh air in their daily lives. What’s more is many of the places surrounding the pool are pet-friendly, so owners can leave their animals inside the fenced area while they get some swim practice in.
Lazaretter
Another great place to enjoy the water this summer is at the Lazaretter, a water park just outside of D.C. The park offers a variety of pools, from rectangular to circular, and waterslides. What’s more, it is completely weather-proof, so you can bring your kids and leave the car behind. What’s more, the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, making it an interesting place for families to spend the day. The cost of admission is $44 for adults, $22 for children ages 4-12, and free for children under 4. Day passes are $66 for adults, $33 for children 4-12, and free for children under 4. Annual passes are $99.
Hains Point Pool
One more option is the Hains Point Pool, located in Northwest D.C. This open-air pool is part of the Northwest Park Recreation Center. The pool is surrounded by a grassy area perfect for laying out a picnic, and it is fenced and lit at night. What’s great about this pool is it is open all year long, making it useful even when the weather is cold. In addition, the pool is handicapped-accessible, so people with disabilities can enjoy the water as well. The pool is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the cost of admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6.
As you can see, there are many options for where you can swim this summer in the D.C. area. Keep in mind the weather can be hot and humid, so try to avoid the midday sun, especially if you go to one of the larger pools where the sun beats down on you. If you are a veteran, consider visiting one of the above-mentioned pools, which are open and maintained by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. In addition, if you are a pet owner, take advantage of the fact that many places around the pools are pet-friendly. You can bring your dog or cat along, and if you have the space, leave them in the garage or in the van while you get some swim practice in.