The pool? Awesome. It's clean, reallllllly big and even with a lot of people swimming , it serves its purpose and still feels roomy. The lockers? EH - needs upgrades. Feels almost like a prison - lots of strict rules also - bring a key lock or they won't let you in! read more

I don't know what all the complaints are about. The pool is FREE and its huge and the lines aren't all that bad. Yes, know the rules beforehand. A GOOD lock, make sure those with kiddos wear swimming diapers, no shirts except white ones or swim shirts, no shorts except swim shorts, and of course, bathing suits required. There is an eating area if you're hungry and an area with sprinklers that I believe everyone and their mother goes to pee in. Yes, the employees are crabby. Its 100 degrees out and they have to watch other people enjoying their summer. Ignore them! Just follow the rules, pack EXTRA sunscreen because OMG, there is noooo shade anywhere inside the pool area (even though its in a park surrounded by trees). Seriously, this place is like the hottest place in Queens. Thats why I can't last more than 1 or 2 hours there, the sun is just too much. Its a good place to take the little ones, you don't get all gross like you do when you go to the beach, and it doesn't cost $60 like a water park. All in all, always worth the trip to Astoria. Oh and also, if you forget any of the designated items you need, there is always a little table set up outside that sells things like bathing suits and locks and things. They just charge an arm and a leg so make sure you bring the stuff you need, simple! I do have 1 complaint about last summer when my son was 5, one of the female employee asked me if I was sure he was only 5 because older boys I guess are not allowed in the women's locker room...uh. YES. He is just tall for his age! I wonder how it will be this summer bc he is even taller. I am by no means about to let my son go alone to the MENS locker room so lets see what happens. read more

I was a little nervous about going to the pool since I had no idea what to expect and the Parks dept. website offers only generic information. So, consider this a guide for first timers: 1. You line up outside the pool. Two separate Parks Dept people ask you if you brought a lock (you better have one). You file in. 2. Head to the locker rooms - an attendant sits at the front and counts people. Lockers are on one side of the hall, changing booths on the other. If you try to take anything off in the locker area, one of the attendants on patrol WILL freak out on you and tell you to undress first in the booths, then lock up your belongings. 3. Head to the very scary cement showers at the end of the locker room - quick rinse, then it's past the 4-5 "rangers" sitting at the entrance to the pool. I still have no idea what their jobs are aside from being very loud and overweight. 4. The pool itself is FANTASTIC. It's huge, incredibly clean and staffed with many lifeguards. The sprinkler park on the north end is a great place to grab a lawn chair, get away from the screaming kids and relax. 5. Be prepared for them to empty the pool at 3pm when they break for a meeting and clean up. Overall, the experience is worth the very nice, very free pool. As far as the process of getting to it, it is very similar to every book I've read about prison and/or concentration camps. If you're prepared to go to your happy place in the wait in line/locker room/shower portion, you'll be just fine. read more

This review is for the adults laps swim in the morning and evening. They are open only during the summer. For those who want a low impact workout, this pool is fantastic. It is huge and has plenty of lanes for all types of swimmers. I swam here four times a week for 6 weeks over the summer and I lost over 10 pounds. It is much cleaner in the morning than in the evening but they they still do a pretty good job of cleaning up this massive pool after the kids leave. They also keep track of your laps for you and they post a chart of the top distance swimmers. At the end of the summer, the city throws a party for the top swimmers from all the public pools in the city. read more

Terrible employees!!!! One of the worst experiences I've had, needless to say I'll never try that pool again. Such a disappointment for Astoria. read more

This pool is beyond disgusting & it may be easier to enter the White House and crawl into Barack Obamas bed with him. You MUST bring a lock with you and it has to pass a test. The guy in front of us didnt have the "right kind" of lock and was asked to purchase one. You cant wear a cover up into the pool and they make you shower before you are "let in" to the pool area (similar to prison). I didnt have the "correct" sandals on my feet and and at that point I just left. I understand why some rules are in place but jumping through hoops just to try and cool off on a 90 degree day is not what I was looking to do. read more

It gets kinda packed but so what, its so hot you gotta jump im just dont get kicked out for jumping wait I mea get kicked out so there will be less people in the pool so I will have more area to cool down in JUMP IN DO IT read more

Give it a one star for the female employees they are a rude they get on power trips. I will not bring my electronics or keys or anything in the locker I leave it at home my nephews girlfriend left her phone in the locker which it was broken into and they stole everything and I mean everything including underwear, disgusting,and the female employees said it's not their liability and that it was" tough". And the people whole stole the phone kept calling my the family cursing them out etc. I feel a big change should be in order from the way the employees speak to you and how sanitary the place should be 2 of my friends got cut in the pool and the locker and shower room are disgusting yea it's free and maybe that's why it looks like that, for that charge to get in I mean they You charge 8 dollars for a swim diaper but won't charge to get it to make a better improvement with the looks of the pool. I go to the city pools so much between and cleaner and nicer. Screw that mess! read more

I really wanted to like this pool. Ok I did like the pool because we came on a Saturday afternoon and there was more than enough room to swim. And it's free. But not feeling the ambiance at all. Rules, rules, rules! Yech! Kids running around like majorly too close to me splashing puddle feet water. Gross. And they close at 3pm to re-open at 4pm for what exactly? We were herded out like cattle. People waited to re-enter outside but not me. The hour and a half I spent there was more than enough. It feels like a prison pool if prison had a pool. The shower/ locker room had a gas chamber look to it too! Scary! I'll pay for a hotel pool next time thank you very much. Oh and I kept getting bit by water flies! Ouch, you son of a.... read more

it's a great pool. free and clean. lockers room are decent. bring your lock and a swimsuit (you dont want to buy it at the entrance, too expensive). Dont bring any food or drink except water. they'll make you throw it all away if they see it in your bag. You cant take any of your belongings, except towels, sunscreen, flip flops, goggles (cant cover your nose) and book (no magazines or newspapers). Staff isnt all that great. read more

Watch out!!! The "security" told us we didn't have the right lock and sent us to some booth set up outside. $7.00 later , we check our things in the locker room. My friend goes to get some money and our locker was broken into. Someone had a key that fit our lock, because they relocked it. We lost our sneakers, shorts, and money. The cops did nothing and said "Don't bother filing a report." They said they are going to talk to the kid in the booth. When I left, I asked the punk in the booth if he sells this kind of lock? He turned away and said NO. I said ...Yes you do, you sold it to me.!!! He kept saying it wasn't him. BEWARE!!!! Something just doesn't feel right. read more

I absolutely love this pool, its huge and the kiddie section is attached to the adult pool. I love that they have a food section and shade seating under this big spaceship looking area and all the food is under $15. My boys didnt want to leave because they were having such a great time. Its a nyc public pool so its FREE it opens up at 11am to 3pm then 4pm to 7pm everyone has to have a master look, swimming attire and white tshirt. Ive been to 3 nyc pools and this is by far my fav. Also finding a parking was a piece of cake read more

Solid pool. And gigantically huge!! Pretty sure New York has some of the bigger pools I have ever seen. A project of the Great Depression for sure, so it's old. Don't expect the spa treatment but it gets the job done and it's FREE!! Love it!! read more

What an awful place, yes the pool is nice and its big but the staff are so horrible, they are rude and constantly shout, they really were more like prison wardens than park attendants, also you cannot bring a stroller or a baby bag, so if you have a baby forget it as it's just not feasible read more

Best of all! This is THE paradise for your family! My little boy loves this place. If you're looking for a pool in Manhattan don't even think about it, jump on the train and go to Astoria! This pool is the best of all! Brooklyn has some nice pools too but they're too far. read more

Largest pool I've ever seen in my life. Divided into sections like a Piet Mondrian by lane dividers.

Been going there for yrs never had a problem. Very big and clean. Also a children's park wit a great city view

Take advantage of free swim during the summer season for adults in the a.m and p.m. The best in the city.

The pictures presented seem to be a bit exagerated. Nonetheless, the pool is clean and not to chaotic. It is my favorite pool. Not too much mayheem and the street parking was easy to come by. read more

The only time I went to this pool was about 3 years ago, August 9th, 2010. I remember it being clean and really crowded. This was the first pool I ever went to since 2008, so it was kind of exciting for me (not really, just a little). I don't really like pools, but I'll make an exception for this. I'm giving this 4 stars because we had to walk 20 minutes from the train station to the park. Other than that, the experience was great. read more

I did not like this pool. I brought my 2 girls 3 and 6 on a Sunday... it was wayyyyy packed and disgusting... not worth it... even though it was free... I think all pools in NYC are shabby... I have paid for a few in the city and they were gross too... read more

Honestly this one of the best perks of living in Astoria. A free, giant pool that is open to anyone! Yes they have strict rules but honestly it makes things better when all you're trying to do is relax on the pool deck. It's reassuring knowing all your stuff is locked up and you don't have to worry about it. Regarding cleanliness - the pool and pool deck itself was fine. read more

For this to be a free pool, I find it to be very clean. They have a lot of life guards on duty so you always feel safe especially when you don't know how to swim. And the park it self is a great place to come with your family. read more

This is an awesome place but there are rules to fallow the only thing that I don't like is that you can't wear shorts unless it's watershorts and you can wear special type of goggles and that you can't bring your phone with you read more

From a parents perspective the positive is that my two boys ages 5 & 8 loved the pool. They had plenty of room to play because there are a lot of shallow areas and it's a very large pool. For me getting inside was a bit rough. First you have to leave strollers unattended by the front. So I took mine back to the car and brought my infant in a carrier instead. Then I was told I couldn't wear a dress by the pool even though I didn't plan on swimming. Which required taking off baby and carrier. At least I was able to leave my boys sitting by pool security at the gate while I went through the women's side dressing room and didn't have to send them through the men's dressing room alone. read more

Went to pool as a kid had great times only a DIME to get in Went Morning And Night Miss the good times

Guys I have a question , does it let strollers go in ? My son is a year old . & I have another question can I bring his floaty in the water or would it be a problem ? HELP ? I tried to call they don't answer . read more

I am going to preface this review with the following information. I know this is a free pool in New York City , so you get what you pay for right. I understand the employees work in the heat and with a lot of people who do not want to follow rules, but hey they have jobs when a lot of people don't. I understand that rules are necessary for the upkeep of a huge free pool, however the experience I had today was not justified by either of those 2 details. Another thing to point out is the reason we have free establishments especially in New York City where there are many people within the limits of living in poverty. Free pools, museums, parks etc, exist to allow anyone, regardless of their economical background and lack of financial means, to enjoy and experience establishments that would otherwise be outside of their means and they would not be able experience. They should be able to enjoy these venues with the same respect as a paying customer, however at this pool that is not the case. From the moment we (we being myself and my 2 cousins, both young women) entered this pool we were meet with attitude, disrespect and just plain rudeness from the staff. They yell at you as if you are cattle to change and then lock your stuff up. One staff member even said "ugh they take so fucking long". While you are locking up your stuff they watch you as if you are about to steal something. Not to mention not only do you have park security but they also had NYPD officers walking around the locker rooms doing who knows what. Before entering the pool area you must shower in very cold water I might add, for who knows what reason. They also yell at you and shuffle you along as if you are cattle at this point as well. You are not allowed to bring anything out on to the deck. This means no phones, magazines, electronics of any kind. The only thing you are allowed to bring is a towel and you have to shake it out before you enter. Are you going to want to reapply sun lotion? Tough luck, you will have to either burn or come back inside. If are by yourself no problem, if you are with children you are probably going to have a hard time but too bad. One of the rules is you have to have a bathing suit on, fine that's an acceptable rules, however when they begin to police what your bathing suit looks like and what they think ( key word think not know and can be proven) is a bathing suit is where the issue begins. I had on swimming shorts (oldnavy Board short made as a bathing suit, made of bathing suit material), but the employees (who are the rudest human beings I have ever encountered) did not think so. Even after I explained that they were bathing suits bottoms and I did not have anything else underneath. They then proceeded to say that they knew what was bathing suit material and I did not. At that point since I did not want to keep the other women and children waiting I stepped to the side choosing to speak with someone else who might see reason. This young women ignored me and then gave me the same ridiculous reason that my bathing suit wasn't up to their standards. Again to not keep others from having a good time. I allowed my 2 young cousins to go ahead Inside without me and I waited for them, which while waiting for them all I received were dirty looks from the staff. New York City parks management I suggest that you think twice about the rude, disrespectful and horrendous staff you hire and choose instead to hire people who want to uphold customer service standards to make pool goers experience relaxing and fun, rather then what I experienced today. Families and other New Yorkers who are thinking of going here, I suggest you think twice about coming here especially if you want to be treated with as much respect and dignity as a paying customer. read more

I love Astoria pool. Just sunbathing on the big concrete steps between the two bridges is great even if you're not into the public pool thing. In terms of cleanliness, I think they really run a tight ship there. There are employees posted at every entrance to the pool to make sure you're not sneaking anything in and, more importantly, that children are properly diapered. They make it VERY clear to people coming in with kids that you do not want to be the one whose kid poops and closes the pool. I'm sure it inevitably happens, but not when I've been there and hopefully never when I'm there! Personally, I can't swim around for more than about 10 minutes because I always wind up feeling loose hair between my fingers and it freaks me out. Someone else mentioned this in their review and it's definitely the worst part of the experience. However, they also have huge sprinklers to run through so you can still cool down and get wet even if you don't want to get in the pool. There are set hours in the morning and evening for lap swimming, so if you want to exercise that's your best bet. Otherwise expect to just bob around and dodge other swimmers. My main complaint is that it opens too late in the summer (I think sometimes not until July!!) and the hours could be longer, but again, the time they close up is the time they clean and I'd rather they keep it clean. Also, be aware that you have to have your own lock for the locker room. A pretty small price to pay to have free access to the biggest, best pool in the city! read more

Fucking disgusting honestly. They make you walk in these dirty rusty locker rooms! Im not even allowed to wear my shoes that are water proof (not regular sneakers, its specialized for the pool) and my feet turn black whenever walking in there. They provide open changing stalls so you can see people NUDE changing. The staff was very bitchy and looked like they hate their life. Staff would not allow me to take my little boy into the girls locker room so I had to wait nervously for my son to come out the other side. The pool looks really beautiful but disgusting due to eyes getting red indicating theres pee all in this pool. I see dead flies floating about in the water. And i almost forgot! They absolutely will not let you in without having a lock! read more

This pool is amazing! Yes, A LOT of people try to go here during the summer months, what's better than having a pool such a short distance away from where you live? And of course, because of that the crowds are RIDICULOUS! I also don't like the rule of not being able to bring your phone, I feel that it should be a "at your own risk" kinda thing instead of just banning them altogether, I went with my sister and nephew and it would have been nice to be able to get some cute shots of his first time in the pool. However, I started doing the early bird and night owl lap swim that they offer and its INCREDIBLE! it is annoying when there are so many people and if theres one person holding everyone back you kinda have to walk it....but there are times when it seems like I can just swim forever, or as much as my arms and legs will allow me. I have found a new admiration going to the lap swimming, there aren't any "ghetto kids" as a lot of people complain about and it beats being with hundreds of other people, I get to enjoy the pool right before work to start the day refreshed and at night its the perfect cool down after a long day. They also offer fitness classes, and swimming lessons, which I remember attending when I was a kid! The staff is also pretty nice, just a great public pool to go to! read more

now to sept 4th, there is an adult session that starts at 7pm...get there early cause even that gets packed and it'll be hard to find a clear lane to do your laps! read more

I went to the Astoria pool last year (I actually live 15-20 minutes away by car in Jersey.) The parking is easy and free, just take the Triborough Bridge over. What a pleasant experience that I will be repeating this year! There were a lot of people the day I went, but the pool is so huge, it can accommodate at least 500 people. I didn't even bump into anybody the whole time while I did my laps! The building is mad old, but they keep it clean. The rules are in place to keep the pool area clean. The water is ice cold, which is perfect when the weather is boiling hot. I didn't miss going to the beach, as don't need to tan (I'm black); I just love to swim! The biggest expense is the toll for GWB and Triboro, but really appreciate the quaint experience of living close enough to the city to enjoy all the free stuff they provide to city residents! read more

Best time in my life.....were spent at "the pool" As a long time resident of Queens, nothing can beat Astoria Pool. I went to this pool as a child (my sister use to bring me when I was 8 yrs old) I continued to go to this pool through my teen years and on and off during the summer as I got older. I introduced my children to this pool. I remember this pool when they use to have "matrons" in the women's locker room. They would give you a wire basket and you would put your clothes in there and on turn you wold get a elastic band with a number on it. This identified your basket of cloths. As the years went on, the "matrons" disappeared and were replaced with 10 cent lockers. You would insert 10 cents and turn the lock, and that locked your locker. When at the end of the day came, you placed your key back into the locker and you got your 10 cents back. I cant tell you how many dimes I found in lockers because people either didn't know or forgot to collect their dime. The pool also charged at one time to enter, I don't recall exactly how much it was, maybe 75 cents tops....there was a dark period at the pool, when boom boxes were popular, they were all over the pool grounds and all different type of music blasting, you were allowed to bring food in as well, and if you didn't, usually your parents came to check up on you and then sneak you in some food "over the fence". I do recall the "diving pool" being opened, (34 yrs ago when I was 17). I would stand in line, and everyone did, one by one and dive into the diving pool. Lets end the rumors, the diving pool didn't close because people were killed in it.... it closed because there was and is a major leak and they cannot locate it and wold cost mega bucks to fix. My girlfriends and I made friends with the life guards back then and we stayed after hours to party with them. OH, and the pool hours way back then use to be 10 am through 10 pm. No closing in the middle of the day.... Those my friends, WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS !!! read more

I suckered myself into coming here one really hot day last July when I was just so sick of sitting in my non-air conditioned living room and I just didn't know what else to do. I heard it was free so I figured I had nothing to lose. When I saw the line reaching out into the street, I knew this was going to be quite the experience. I had read the reviews on here beforehand so I knew about all the "rules" and was prepared but I could see that others weren't and held up the line by arguing about their cut-offs being bathing suits or wanting to take in cheetos. The locker room is VERY dark and depressing and a staff member stands in the middle with a blow horn stating the rules of what you can and cannot bring into the pool area. Once you do get into the pool deck though, you are good to go. I had come at a time when there was still summer camps and combined with the hot temps, the pool was pretty crowded. I jumped in and cooled off but I think I only stayed in the water for 2 minutes, considering it was really crowded and I started to get flashbacks to working at a public pool as a teenager and I just really needed to get out of there. The cement stairs they have for sunbathing are beyond uncomfortable so reading a book while sunbathing was impossible. I took one more dip and then got the hell out of there. Its a free pool so you get what you pay for but on a hot summer day its kinda worth it. Just come prepared! read more

This was one of my least favorite experiences in Astoria and I LOVE Astoria. I got there and, to my luck, there was no line. Luckily, I also had brought my gym lock with me though I didn't know EVERYTHING has to be locked up. I wasn't allowed to take in my drink that hadn't even been opened yet. THEN my friend and I go in the locker room which reminds me of a prison cell, and put all of our things in the locker... clad in a cotton dress over my bathing suit and flip flops we were going to go out and were sent back to the locker room because the dress and shoes werent allowed. THEN we had to take a cold shower before getting in the pool area. Wet, we found a place to sit - not lay out - sit, because there was no room and had no cell phone to find our male friend who was in the other locker room (you can't take your phone in either). Then someone pooped in the pool and it was down for an hour so they could shock it. We left. However, I give mad props to the city for being able to keep that many people in that large of a space at bay and through the entire process. read more

If you go to this pool, expect to get robbed if you leave ANYTHING OF VALUE in a locker. The fact that it's free is nice, but not considering their restrictions about what you can/cannot bring with you beyond the lockers. read more

This pool is by far my favorite pool in the tri state area! Super big but the staff are friendly, they do focus on the important picture here which is the safety of the ppl in the pool!! The pool might need some remodeling but overall the pool is huge and even on crowded days you are able to swim around with out bumping into anyone. They aren't strict as many staff are at other pools, the staff here are really helpful!! By helpful I mean some ppl here do help the families in certain ways. . Whether its holding belongings in a plastic bag in the office, or having to clip open a lock, or even having a stroller section for the mommies out there! This place is a total family place and I always look forward to coming here!! They also have a snack area in case you guys get hungry!! The best part is the park is close by with an amazing water view and sometimes they have movie night during the summer!! I highly recommend this pool & park !!! read more

Stay away. I work for a pittance in the arts, and although the place charges no admission, it is still not worth the cost to your dignity to subject yourself to this place. First, the park ranger at the front was polite while telling me to throw away my children's lunches and to produce a lock for the locker room, (the lunches I was going to leave well-wrapped in the locker for later in the park because I respect authority and community rules and I can't afford to buy the snack bar's unhealthy offerings), you don't need to treat me like a Rikers Island inmate waiting for trial, I understand the logic of not bringing food or drinks onto a pool deck. I was soon boldly told by a very rude attendant after a new bag check at the locker room entrance, that I had to leave my 5-year old son in the middle vestibule ALONE with his 10 year old brother while I took a mandatory shower. Luckily, my son's friend's mother happened to arrive to watch them. At the end of the locker room's exit to the pool by the showers, I subjected my towel and sunscreen to a full shakeout, I was allowed my one water bottle without having to open it for a sniff test-so that was good, then I had to pull my bathing suit waist out to prove that the swim shorts I had on as part of a legitimate water-worthy swimsuit had an attached panty. Again, I respect the logical need for rules and would not smuggle a phone or food outside, and I deal with everyone I meet courteously because I was raised correctly, so this treatment smacks of utter nonsense. I hurried through the deck to get my sons. "There are cops here, don't worry, he'll be watched," I was told by the same locker room lady before heading through the locker room and before the other mother arrived. Sure, I thought, I'll take your word on that and hope for the best? Uh, no. I said I'd use the family room and that my sons could wait by the lockers or I could even just take my youngest son in but the woman still insisted I must shower without him. "Do the kids need showers too?" I asked. "No, just you," she said. So basically a mom with 2 young sons, both of whom shouldn't be alone in the locker rooms or in the vestibule, and with no car available to store lunch in, is not allowed in unless she is willing to leave minor children alone for a shower and walk back from the far exit, and unless she is willing to feed her children ahead of time on a long day out or from the snack bar. I don't care if it is a government job, I would say to the pool management and/or employees, please show some reasonableness and courtesy. I pay taxes and want representation for that, thank you. It was just absurd treatment, and believe me, I'm no elitist. Astoria Pool has a beautiful history of "by the people for the people" that is currently being squandered with an attitude like the one shown to my family, because, truth be told, it is a kind of surreal and stunning place on a hot Queens August day, a place where you can cool off and look up at the train bridge and the Triborough Bridge and see the ships go down the water of the river, a river with a history of its own that hastened the pool's very existence as a SAFE HAVEN for city kids. Solution to the problem? I think that the park management should post ALL rules for the pool online AND ALL rules should also be clearly posted at the pool entrance so one knows what he or she is in for beforehand. The current rules system appears to be arbitrary, officious, and, quite frankly, condescending. Treat people like adults, if you see them breaking rules say something then, and talk to people nicely and handle locker room situations on a case-by-case basis. My 5-year old son was not a threat to anyone in that locker room for goodness sakes! If you are a single person in the area who doesn't have to worry about children and can put up with the standards with just a little bit of frustration, I say go for it, splash the day away, and please have all of your cool young professional friends keep moving in to Astoria with their money and political pull. I'm serious about that, it's a good thing. That is how this pool will improve, with pressure to think of the taxpaying clientele that will not put up with partiality. However, if you are a member of a lower middle-class Queens family that expects as good as you give and you are looking for just a little respect as a law-abiding decent person who just wants a little bonus for the kids from all that tax money going to the city from your pockets, I say you might best just take the train to Coney Island or Rockaway Beach, or maybe find a way to a town pool out on the island if you have a friend or family member out that way. Maybe just take the kids to the local playground pool- any place where people are welcoming of your presence because they know it sustains their employment, or, even better, because they just have a solid sense of civic pride and want you to have a good time. read more

This could be an oasis - but the lifeguards on duty are obnoxious and inadequate. They should be posted all around the pool, but the three times i have been there I saw many of they talking to the young girls and not even looking at the pool. I tried to alert the supervisor, but he was rude and called me a troublemaker - I just want me and my two girls to be safe. He (Tony) was on the phone for 35 minutes and then went to talk to a friend on a stair. Of course being a city facility there is no one to complain too - if it were a private pool things would be different. Swim at your own risk and youll be fine read more