Actual name to use when looking up hours: Veterans Memorial Pool For the convenient location in Cambridge, I was surprised that the pool wasn't at all crowded when visiting on Sunday afternoons this summer! There aren't very shallow areas for the toddlers like there are at some of the other DCR pools, such as Connors Memorial Pool in Waltham, which probably helps to keep the crowds down. But the pool is very spacious and has enough space both for lap swimmers and kids playing. The spray deck just outside is great for the younger kids, too. read more

I had a previous review on here stating that the pool had no shade on the decks and the changing rooms did not have privacy walls. It's a year later and they've done extensive updates to the pool location. 1. There's now an ADA regulation ramp with rails going into the pool for those in wheelchairs or who have trouble walking. 2. They added easier steps and hand rails for children and families to enter at the opposite end (long stairs that slope gently instead of ladder style.) 3. They have added permanent shade awnings around the pool, along with wooden benches underneath them (definitely still try to come early because those get snapped up quickly.) 4. The changing rooms are the same, but entering the locker rooms, there is now almost a rubberized "curtain" of small strips to walk through that creates privacy. Previously anyone walking by in the main corridor could see directly in. 5. The splash pad/fountain area has awnings and benches around it, and is ADA accessible. As of summer of 2023, the pool is open 7 days a week from 11:15AM-6:00PM. The changes have greatly improved the property, and it's a place where you can come and stay all day instead of roasting on hot concrete. They also have water fountains and outdoor showers along the pool deck for getting a quick drink and rinsing off. read more

Went to the pool today with my kids had fun. getting ready towards the end I noticed this female lifeguard black hair and gold sunglasses on that had just been screaming at the kids all day I finally said something to her I was like you do not need to scream at the kids I was like I get it it's tiering repeating your self but that's your job to watch the kids make sure there safe you can do that with out screaming. if you can not hand your job or kids get a different job. the best was when she said I am not a babysitter yes that is literally what being a lifeguard is you know how I know I did your job when I was your age never once lost my cool on a child. read more

One of the best pools in the neighborhood by far recently renovated and as always clean clean plus they have awesome lifeguards

Fantastic, super clean pool overlooking the river. The pool is really big and doesn't usually feel crowded, except for maybe in the shallow end with all the kids. The locker rooms get pretty gross, so I recommend never going barefoot. They got really strict about the no food/drink (other than water) rule this year, so eat outside if you want to picnic. Definitely bring a chair unless you want to lounge on a wet towel on concrete. There are a couple of benches under an overhang, but people stake those out early. This is more of a rec swimming pool than a lap swimming pool, but there is one lap lane. Don't count on getting parking in the tiny lot, even if you find a space getting in and turning around to leave is a nightmare. Park on Magazine St. if you have a Cambridge sticker. On Sundays, anyone can park in residential parking. Bike or take an uber if you can. Don't miss out on this public pool this summer, it's a great (and free) way to spend a summer day. read more

*Actual name of this pool: Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool (adding this here bc for some reason yelp hasn't approved my edit to the name of this location): *Actual pool hours according to DCR site: 11:15am - 6:45pm, 7 days a week (Yelp hours are slightly off since they only allow 1/2 hour increments.) (http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/recreational-activities/swimming-pools-wading-pools-and-spray-deck.html) My favorite pool around because it's outdoors, clean, big, and located right next to the charles, the bike path, and trader joe's. Probably the only completely free place to swim around Boston! Wish they were open in the Early AM though. read more

A great place to go if want to go for a swim and to Relax with the kiddos.... Make a family day out of it...

Ooooohhhhh my GOODNESS. I'm in disbelief about two things: First, that I only now, today, learned about this fabulous, outdoor, free, open-to-the-public-every-day-of-the-week POOL, even though it's only 5 minutes from my house. IT'S A FREE OUTDOOR POOL IN THE MIDDLE OF CAMBRIDGE, ON THE SHORE OF THE CHARLES RIVER. Secondly, I'm mystified how I could be the first to review this place. Does everyone on yelp know about it but there's some sort of hush law, an agreement that no one will reveal this money spot hidden in plain sight? This doesn't seem to jive with the culture of yelp, so I'll cross that one off. Maybe it just opened? This is possible, except for a google search for "magazine beach bath house" reveals that it was built in 1952 to answer to the recreational needs of park goers who no longer could swim in the Charles. So maybe it's just been RE-opened to the public? Or perhaps it's been open all year, but because summer has really just gotten under way now that the monsoon season is over, and therefore POOL season has really just begun, so people are just beginning to search for the new outdoor spot to consider if they're not feeling The Colonnade roof deck and its entry fee. I don't know the reasons. But my god it's the discovery of the summer for me. Open 11a-7p every day of the week. A bath house with bathrooms, showers, and lockers; a pool that's clean (if a little cold), with three lifeguards always on duty; a lane for swimming laps that's always reserved for this purpose; and a lot of concrete pool deck to spread out your towels. The pool deck is surrounded by a nice manicured part of the Charles River esplanade, so if one wanted to, they could have a very nice picnic on the grass, take a dip in the pool, lie on the pool deck for a tan, and return to the grass for a short summertime nap before heading home for dinner. When I went on a Friday at 3pm, the pool was full of kids, but not overcrowded. There were probably about 40 people just hanging out, getting a tan on the deck. There are no chairs to sit in, except for a few park benches, which is a small but pretty insignificant drawback considering the pool is as awesome, open, and free as it is. It's located behind a brick building called the "Magazine Beach Bath House", on the river side of Memorial Drive, directly across the street from the Trader Joes/Starbucks/MicroCenter shopping mall. read more

This place is free. Anyone, literally anyone can walk right in and swim in the pool for as long as you want. This is what you do: enter the facility from the Memorial drive side, and once in, go through the locker rooms (left for boys, right for girls - you'll meet back up poolside), change (there's benches but no lockers), rinse off in the showers, walk on through to the pool, then jump in the pool. Get it? It's easy. There are life guards on duty, a roped off kiddy section at the North end of the pool, and roped off lap lane on the river side of the pool. Oh, and the whole thing over looks the Charles River, where you can picnic before or after. read more

On a sweltering day in Somerville this summer, a friend and I had a need to go swimming. I looked up nearby "beaches" and found Magazine Beach. We got some towels and some snacks and headed over. We found a little tiny strip of parking spots and a grassy shore to the Charles River, next to a fenced-in pool. Yup, embarassed to say I did not realize until I got there that Magazine "Beach" is not a beach at all. Probably should have guessed that open swimming in the Charles is probably not encouraged. However, the free public pool, though packed with kids on the weekends, is a great amenity in the city. Changing rooms, lifequards, showers, the whole thing (though no lockers). And a great view of the river! read more

I am a huge fan of this pool because the highest it goes is 5'6." (I am a little timid in a pool that is taller than me). A bunch of families who go here and groups of friends, so if you want more privacy maybe this is not the place for you as they do like to play Marco Polo every so often. However, the pool is wide and long enough that you can swim across and not bump into people. Clean pool (they clean it during the day every couple of hours). There is also 1 lane left for laps if you want to embrace your competitive spirit. read more

Only 5 minutes walking from my apartment. A beautiful, clean pool with nice lifeguards. Totally free read more

Magazine Beach Bath House & Pool - Beautiful day at the clean pool - Swimming Pools Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Just visted the pool today for the first time [at approx 12:30p] after close to 10 years in the area! Some observations - 1) When I tried to enter the door, was told by the DCR door-attendants that "there is a line." So I, along with 2-3 other people, were asked to stand to the side.Luckily, as people started to come out, we were quickly asked to go in. 2) Men's Changing Room/Showers to the LEFT. 3) There are NO LOCKERS. 4) The changing room is large with several wooden benches. 5) Just beyond is the shower + basins + restrooms area. [All generally clean] 5a) None of the men seemed to care about showering - they went straight to the pool... 6) Flip-flops advised. 7) The actual pool area is quite large and the pool looks a beautiful blue! There did not seem to be that many people in the area for a line outside... 8) One lane is marked off for laps. The rest 3/4th of the pool is open season for all kinds of swimmers. 9) The pool seemed very clean; the water was just a little cold. 10) I had my stuff all with me since there are no lockers, so I just kept that by the wall and went into the water. 11) . There are 3 (4?) lifeguards on duty. 12) About 10 mins into the water, a bell/siren rang and we were all asked to get out of the pool - time for chemicals check of water! We all waited outside for close to 15 mins...me looking at distant Mem Drive and 93...and wondering when we'd be able to get back in... 13) After abt 15 mins, the bell rang again as lifeguards took positions and we all went back into the pool. Overall a good experience - pool was not super crowded at that time and I could do laps and also happily float around... But I do wish the chemical-check times are written somewhere... Also, take an extra towel or sheet or chair if you want to sun yourself! read more

One of Cambridge's best kept summer secrets! A clean and non-crowded free swimming pool! Seriously, you just walk in and swim to your heart's content. OK, so there are no white tuxedo-clad waiters serving up cocktails on lounge chairs-- in fact, there are no chairs at all. Folks just lay out their towels on hot concrete in a show of true Cantabrigian equality for all. Awesome. read more

This place is not fancy, but it is 100% awesome. Bring your own towel and/or beach chair. Bring a book. Enjoy the view and the water. There are a lot of kids, but as long as like me, you know how to practice selective hearing, you will be just fine. It is a 15 minute drive from my house, if that... so much more convenient than the beach. Wish I'd known about it sooner. read more

I've lived here for 3 years, run by it many times, and never knew it existed! It's free, clean, and the lap-swimming lane was totally empty (on a weekday around noon). It seems to be longer than a standard 25-yard pool, which I liked. Way less crowded than the Harvard pool. Water is nice and cold. read more

Great pool that's free and pretty clean. It has limited parking and a Starbucks across the street. Huge changing rooms with showers I believe. Open every day 11-7. Come at 11 during the week and it's faulty calm and relaxing. Def recommend! read more

Like others, I can't BELIEVE how long it took me to find out about this pool. It's free, about 4-5 ft at its deepest (NOT a baby wading pool like the other DCR pools along the river), open from 11-7 daily during the summer. It's clean but nothing fancy-- just a pool, with a cement deck, bathrooms, changing rooms, and showers. There are always a lot of kids, but still plenty of room to swim around and/or lounge around. Exactly what you need for a summer like this. read more

free public pool on the charles. and nobody know about it. i shouldn't even yelp this. bring art magazines and lounge by the pool. swim in the refreshing water and enjoy the vistas of boston. read more

Nice pool, clean with lifeguards, big locker rooms but a little gritty, totally free, only caveat bring a chair, otherwise you spread your towel on the concrete. read more