Make it a pool day: 10 public pools to visit around Atlanta

Come on in! The water’s just fine. With the heat of the summer upon us, there’s no better way to cool off than by visiting some of Atlanta’s public pools. There are many around town to choose from (most are low-cost or free), and you’re sure to find one close by.

Whether you’re looking for an outdoor or indoor pool, we’ve got you covered. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, a towel, and that book you’ve been meaning to start reading. Now let’s dive in!

Candler Park Pool

Open daily from 12:30-7 p.m. and located in the quiet neighborhood of Candler Park, this community pool is run by the City of Atlanta, Parks and Recreation Department. Admission is free and overall, it’s a great pool to bring the whole family for a swim. With a golf course, playground, tennis courts and picnic pavilions, the pool and park itself are a great hang-out spot for the summer.

Location: East Atlanta - 1500 McLendon Ave. NE; Admission: Free; Website: candlerpark.org; Contact: 404-373-4349

Grant Park Pool

Also operated by the City of Atlanta, Parks and Recreation Department, the Grant Park Pool is open daily from 12:30-8 p.m. (closed daily from 4-5 pm for cleaning). Nestled inside of the shaded oasis that is Grant Park, this pool is surrounded by beautiful trees that will make you feel like you’ve uncovered a hidden gem in the middle of the city.

Location: East Atlanta - 625 Park Ave. SE; Admission: Free; Website: facebook.com; Contact: 404-622-3041

Piedmont Park Aquatic Center

Did you know that swimming in Piedmont Park has been around since before the original bathhouse was constructed in 1911? This state-of-the-art aquatic center features four lap lanes, a beach entry with a current channel for floating, locker rooms and showers, concessions and more! It is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon-5 p.m. on the weekends.

Location: Midtown - Monroe Dr. NE; Admission: $5 one-time access fee (Free swim hours from 3-5 p.m. Monday-Friday); Website: piedmontpark.org; Contact: 404-875-7275

Ebster Pool

Over in Decatur, Ebster Park Pool is home to the Decatur Gators swim team and was built in 1981. Open to residents and non-residents, Ebster Pool has lap lanes available, a sun deck perfect for tanning, a splash pad for the kids and morning swim lessons available.

Location: Decatur - 404 W Trinity Pl.; Admission: $6 for non-resident adults, $3 for resident adults, $4 for non-residents 18 years and younger, $2 for residents 18 years and younger, $4 for non-residents ages 1 and under, Free for residents ages 1 and under, $6 for non-residents 65+, Free for residents 65+; Website: decaturga.com; Contact: 404-377-0494

Garden Hills Pool

With lap lanes and a diving board available, Garden Hills Pool is a City of Atlanta public pool situated right in the heart of Buckhead. The Garden Hills Pool offers seasonal memberships, swim lessons and they even have their own swim and dive teams.

Location: Buckhead/Northeast - 335 Pine Tree Dr. NE; Admission: $5 per person, free for children 2 and under; Website: gardenhillspool.com; Contact: 404-848-7220

John A. White Outdoor Pool

Open daily from 12:30-8 p.m., this City of Atlanta pool is located less than five miles from downtown Atlanta right off of Cascade Road. At this large pool, you’ll find a perfect play area for the kids with water sprinklers to play under and two water slides for a fun-filled time.

Location: Southwest - 1101 Cascade Cir. SW; Admission: Free; Website: atlantaga.gov

MLK, Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center

You will not want to miss out on all of the “best-in-class amenities” offered at the indoor MLK Aquatic Center. This Old Fourth Ward natatorium is the city of Atlanta’s first zero-entry pool, featuring four 25-yard lap lanes and a family leisure zone. Open only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., the facility also offers plenty of other amenities like a fitness center, a climbing wall, a multi-purpose gymnasium, an elevated walking track, event space and much more.

Location: East Atlanta - 10 Hilliard St. SE.; Admission: Free (for 30-minute increments); Website: atlantaga.gov; Contact: 404-658-1149

Tolleson Park Pool (Smyrna)

Tolleson Park Pool is tucked away in a quiet area of King Springs Rd. in Smyrna. It has two diving boards (1-meter and 3-meters) and features a spray park for kids eight years and younger. Open 1-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on the weekends, this neighborhood pool (and park) is the perfect spot for the whole family.

Location: Smyrna - 3530 King Springs Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080; Admission: $7 for adults and $5 for kids; Website: smyrnaga.gov; Contact: 770-431-2844

Wills Park Pool

Alpharetta’s Wills Park Pool is ideal for swimmers of all skill levels. It features both a leisure pool with zero-depth entry and a 10-lane competition pool with two diving boards (one meter and three meters) and depths from four to 12.5 feet. You can also find a waterslide and interactive play stations for the kids, an aquatics center, locker rooms, a sun deck, as well as many special events and activities throughout the summer season. Please note that Mondays are for residents only.

Location: Alpharetta - 1815 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30009; Admission: $8 per person (general admission), $5 for residents, children 3 and under are free, $2 per person for adults age 55+, $1 for residents 55+; Website: alpharetta.ga.us; Contact: 678-297-6107

Mountain Park Aquatic Center

Mountain Park Aquatic Center in Stone Mountain is packed with amenities for the perfect pool day the whole family can enjoy. This aquatic center has an outdoor leisure pool decked out with two large waterslides, a river channel and an indoor lap pool with a spectator area that seats up to 500 people. Aside from the two pools, there’s an activity building with a community room and classroom, and a short 1-mile paved trail that encircles the 18 acres of the aquatic center.

Location: Stone Mountain - 1063 Rockbridge Rd SW, Stone Mountain, GA 30087; Admission: $8.50 for non-Gwinnett residents and $4.25 for Gwinnett residents; Website: gwinnettcounty.com; Contact: 678-277-0870