It’s opening day for 16 Pittsburgh public pools — that's the most we’ve had to choose from in the last six years! To celebrate, we’re talking to Jill Terner, aka @jillratespools, on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast about where you should go for the best amenities, most accessibility, and more.
Jump in to plan your ideal day out ⬇️
🌟 Know Before You Go
Apply for a pass at any location or save time by filling out your application before you go.
Admission is free for children ages 15 and under who live in the city, as well as disabled veterans, active duty military, and reservist guard members. Residents who receive government assistance can purchase tags for a 50% discount with proper ID.
➡️ If those don’t apply to you, here’s a tip: Get a "family of four" season pass and split it among the pool users in your life. Each family pays $60 total, and you can add up to two additional people for $10 more each.
🎟️ First-timer? Test the water with a day pass for $5 per adult.
⛱️ Best for a Full Day: Bloomfield Beach
Whether you're bringing the whole family or just yourself, Bloomfield’s pool is big enough to host everyone without feeling overwhelmingly large. Since there's a whole row of businesses and restaurants along Liberty Avenue, it's also easy to grab lunch or extra snacks. End your day in the sun with a drink from Trace Brewing a short walk away.
Tip: Ormsby Pool in the South Side and Sue Murray in the North Side are also near neighborhood business districts.
🛟 Most Family Friendly: Highland Park
The Highland Pool is the perfect spot for families with young children (and people who’d prefer to avoid the littles), thanks to a separate kiddie pool and splash pad with a functioning (!!) mushroom. Vendors often post up outside the pool with snacks like hot dogs and ice cream. Highland Park also gets a bonus point for having a vending machine!
♿ Most Accessible: Schenley and McGee
Jill says Schenley Pool in Oakland and McGee Pool in Greenfield are the most accessible, but if you're looking for an ADA shower with a chair lift, go to Schenley. Since Schenley Pool is right in the heart of Oakland, it's also easy to get to by bus.
🌊 Other Must-Visits: Riverview, North Park & South Park
If you can only make it to one this year, Jill recommends Riverview Pool. It's at the top of a hill in Riverview Park. Just bring an umbrella or a hat since there's not a lot of shade.
Even if you've got the city pool pass, it's also worth making a visit to some of our county pools. North Park's pool is enormous, and South Park has a wave pool and waterslides.
☀️ More summer fun: Go on a neighborhood home and garden tour, pick strawberries at area farms, rent a POGOH bike to ride on city trails, see a movie under the stars, or dig in at 20+ food festivals.
