During a typical Washington winter, there are few places to shed layers and pretend, if only for a little while, that it’s warm outside — and do it for free.
Sure, there are spas. Or you could fly off to Bali. But you’d need to fork over cash, and maybe a lot of it.
The District’s 11 indoor pools are a year-round free perk for residents. (They’re $7 a day for nonresidents.) Counting its 19 outdoor pools, the District “has more public swimming pools per capita than any other city in the country,” according to Gwendolyn Crump, a spokeswoman for the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation.
While you wait for the weather to warm up, take the opportunity to check out one of these pools — and maybe even discover a new neighborhood hangout.
Dunbar Aquatic Center101 N St. NW
This pool is actually part of Dunbar High School. The Truxton Circle school began sharing its pool with the neighborhood (outside of school hours) in February 2015. Dunbar’s pool staff dictates the vibe here — relaxed and high-five friendly. Even the 6 a.m. regulars, led by a core group of serious former college swimmers (who’ve shifted to this pool from the still-getting-renovated Marie Reed), are friendly to the slower-pokes around them. Not specifically kid-friendly (a few babies dip with their parents on the weekends) or set up for the water walker, Dunbar is a lap swimmer’s pool.
In the pool: The 25-yard pool has eight dedicated lap-swim lanes. Until recently, swimmers could typically get a solo lane or share one with another swimmer. Circle swimming (more than two to a lane) is fast becoming the norm at this once-hidden gem.
Near the pool: Mount Vernon Triangle’s A Baked Joint, which opens at 7 a.m., is 10 minutes away on foot and the perfect place for a grab-and-go Americano and egg sammie. Or dine in after a weekend swim for their crème brûlée French toast.
William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center635 North Carolina Ave. SE
Also known as the Eastern Market pool, Rumsey is a small rec center that sits adjacent to the famous market. According to the Department of Parks and Recreation, major renovations were completed last year (resurfacing of the pool, improvements to the water chemistry systems), but additional updates are still planned.
In the pool: The 25-yard pool has four dedicated lap lanes and a “leisure area.” There is also a small baby pool. To accommodate an abundance of activities and classes, the pool’s lane rope configuration can change hourly. (Check the schedule online.) This pool is home to the Water Wizards (a masters group for swimmers age 50 and up) and a “hydrospin” class (that’s water-biking!), as well as water-walking classes. The 6:30 a.m. crowd is packed with serious lap-swimming regulars. Later in the day, an older crowd of Rumsey veterans gives the pool a “neighborhood” vibe; some have been taking classes at the pool for decades. The locker rooms have plenty of showers with basic nozzles, but water-temperature control and poor airflow are cause for much locker-room complaint.
Near the pool: There are lots of options for a post-swim snack on Pennsylvania Avenue, but Eastern Market, right next door, is a must.
Takoma Aquatic Center300 Van Buren St. NW
In historic Takoma, this facility sits adjacent to a large senior center and boasts its own fitness center. Friendly regulars abound at this facility. Even in the middle of the day, it can be hard to get your own lane.
In the pool: The leisure pool and baby pool are overshadowed by a 25-yard lap pool that boasts 17 lanes. Takoma hosts aerobics classes as well as Water Wizards. Bathroom renovations completed in November left poolgoers with spacious locker rooms, a variety of great shower heads and, for 75 cents, a key to lock a large locker — or you can bring your own lock.
Near the pool: Healthy food abounds. For the morning swimmer: a hot drink at La Mano. For the lunchtime swimmer: a vegan and kosher soup and salad at Soupergirl. For the post-work swimmer: vegetarian choices (or the beef patty) from the Caribbean spot Spicy Delight — all on Carroll Street.
Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center1100 Michigan Ave. NE
Conveniently located near both the Brookland Metro (a five-minute walk) and the Metropolitan Branch Trail, Turkey Thicket is a true D.C. recreation center, with an indoor pool, indoor basketball court, table tennis, a gym and more. The pool is blissfully uncrowded. For lap swimmers, having a lane to yourself (or splitting the lane with one other) is the norm.
In the pool: Turkey Thicket has a kiddie pool and a small hot tub with pretty good jets. The main, 25-yard pool has up to six lap lanes depending on the time of day and a “leisure area” for water classes. While there are only three showers in an otherwise un-updated and small locker room, the showers are brand new.
Near the pool: The Brookland Arts Walk and shops popping up along Monroe Street NE add to Brookland’s growing appeal. There’s Filter for coffee, Brookland Pint for hot pretzels (and beer) and some artsy shops for a post-swim browse.
Wilson Aquatic Center4551 Fort Dr. NW
A go-to pool for many who live in the District and Montgomery County alike, this facility is attached to Woodrow Wilson High School, one block from the Tenleytown Metro. This is the District’s most popular pool, with nearly 200,000 users in 2016. And yes, popular can mean crowded. Bar none, it’s the nicest of the District’s pools (it opened in 2009), but the too-busy-to-smile vibe from many of the swimmers, as well as some of the staff, can be a turnoff.
In the pool: The main pool converts daily between a 50-meter, eight-lane pool (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) and a 25-yard pool with 15 lanes (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday). Plagued by late openings and frustrated swimmers last year, Wilson seems to have ironed out its staffing issues. You’ll find many of the District’s most serious swimmers here, the only indoor pool that offers 50-meter lap lanes. The lane divisions include the typical slow, medium and fast choices as well as “very fast”; you will most likely be circle-swimming, so take care in choosing your speed. And be sure to save some time to relax in the large, jetted hot tub. A separate beach-entry kiddie pool with water basketball and sprayers is attached to another pool that holds water aerobics classes. Warning to parents: You’ll be called out if you show up on deck without a swimsuit, even if you are not joining your children in the pool.
Near the pool: Proximity to Wisconsin Avenue makes a trip to Wilson extremely errand- and Metro-friendly. A post-swim romp can include a food fix from Crisp & Juicy (Peruvian chicken) followed by a milkshake at Burger Tap & Shake, some errands at Whole Foods and Best Buy, and a stop at the Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library.
Know before you goCheck the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website, dpr.dc.gov, for schedules and more information. Dedicated swimmers should also sign up for text alerts, which will let you know whether a pool has a delayed opening or is closed because of a staffing or mechanical issue.
To use the pools, you’ll need a D.C. driver’s license (or proof of residency) or $7 for nonresident adults, $3 for age 6 and younger, and $4 for children ages 6 to 17 and adults 55-plus (credit cards only). D.C. college students with current school IDs can also use the pools for free, even if they have out-of-state driver’s licenses.
Those who commute into the District and want to swim more regularly can purchase weekly, monthly or quarterly passes on the department’s website or in person at Deanwood Aquatic Center, Takoma Aquatic Center, William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center or Wilson Aquatic Center.
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