If you’re looking to cool off this summer, but don’t have the time or the money for a beach retreat, there are plenty of places right here in the city that are just a train or bike ride away. Throw yourself a pool party at one of the 50 outdoor pools our city has to offer. Swim season begins June 28th and below are some of our favorite spots to take a dip in the five boroughs.

Red Hook Recreation Center | Brooklyn | Take the F, G to Smith/9th St.
Barretto Point Park Floating Pool | Bronx | Take a Zipcar
McCarren Pool | Brooklyn | Take the L train to Bedford
Riverbank State Park | Harlem | Take the 1 train to 137th-City College
Astoria Park Pool | Queens | N or Q train to Ditmars Blvd.–Astoria Station
Douglas and DeGraw Pool | Brooklyn | Take the M,R to Union Street

Red Hook Recreation Center | Brooklyn | Take the F, G to Smith/9th St.

Serious swimmers and kids with water wings will both find something to do at this olympic-size pool with fountains for little ones to splash around in. After sunning and butterfly kicking, enjoy the park grounds and local fare from one of several food carts stationed there. nycgovparks.org

Barretto Point Park Floating Pool | Bronx | Take a Zipcar

Hop on a barge and take a dip in this seven-lane pool. Coming back again for the 2012 summer, the floating pool’s exact location has yet to be confirmed, but keep checking its website for more details. nycgovparks.org

McCarren Pool | Brooklyn | Take the L train to Bedford

What was once the hipster headquarters of Williamsburg back in the Pool Party days, will re-open on June 28th as the neighborhood swimming hole. The Olympic-sized pool will also be a year round recreational center where visitors will be able to ice skate in the winter. nycgovparks.org

Riverbank State Park | Harlem | Take the 1 train to 137th-City College

Perched nearly 70 feet above the Hudson River, this recreation complex has a variety of pools including an olympic, lap and wading pool. Not a swimmer? Lace up your roller skates and go for a spin in the rink while taking in the views of the Hudson and the George Washington Bridge. nysparks.com

Astoria Park Pool | Queens | N or Q train to Ditmars Blvd.–Astoria Station

The grandfather of New York City’s public pools, Astoria Park Pool is not only the oldest but the biggest of the 50 outdoor pools in our city. Bring your friends and play a lively game of Marco Polo with a spectacular view of the Queensboro Bridge in the background. nycgovparks.org

Douglas and DeGraw Pool | Brooklyn | Take the M,R to Union Street

This less trafficked pool is a great place to cool off in the summer and avoid the crowds that some of the other pools usually draw. Fondly nicknamed the “Double D” pool by its regulars, this complex has a big kids pool and a little kids pool. nycgovparks.org

Red Hook Recreation Center | Brooklyn | Take the F, G to Smith/9th St. thumbnailBarretto Point Park Floating Pool | Bronx | Take a Zipcar thumbnailMcCarren Pool | Brooklyn | Take the L train to Bedford thumbnailRiverbank State Park | Harlem | Take the 1 train to 137th-City College thumbnailAstoria Park Pool | Queens | N or Q train to Ditmars Blvd.–Astoria Station thumbnailDouglas and DeGraw Pool | Brooklyn | Take the M,R to Union Street thumbnail
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Photos: NYC Parks Department, NYC Parks Department, Friends of Douglass/Greene Park