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Best Outdoor Swimming Spots In Chicago

It's getting hot. Instead of suffering through the heat, Chicagoans should make the best of the situation, turning a sweltering day into a time for sun, fun and family. Chicago has some very worthwhile pools that are worth visiting. Some are catered for high-end visitors looking to have a quiet swim, large groups or kid-centric play pools.
Chase Park Pool
(Photo Credit: chicagoparkdistrict.com)

Chase Park Pool
chicagoparkdistrict.com

Conveniently located, Chase Park Pool is between Ashland and Clark in Sheridan Park. Attached is a health club for those who live in the area which even has it's own hydrotherapy pool for those looking for a way to stay healthy instead of a sunshine-filled day out. The pool itself is surrounded by a large deck made to accommodate the large volume of bathers who frequent the pool.

Soho House Chicago

If you're looking for an outdoor pool in Chicago with one of the best views in Chicago, check Soho House. This rooftop hotel pool is 60 feet long and features panoramic views of the South Loop. What's the catch? You have to have a room booking to use the pool. However, this may be the perfect excuse to have a weekend stay-cation in the city and enjoy the pool in the sunshine or have the retractable roof cover you from rain. The best part is the pool isn't just a pool, it's an experience. Upstairs is a bar, tables, fire pit and booths to soak up the view after soaking up the sun.

Holstein Park
chicagoparkdistrict.com

Consistently rated as one of the best public pools in Chicago, Holstein Park is located in the Logan Square neighborhood. The park itself is a three-acre estate with ball fields, gazebos and open space for the kids. You can spend all day at this pool with a load of activities to choose from. The pool itself has a wading part as well as typical-deepness parts for adults. It is huge and can accommodate a lot of bathers. The buildings that surround the pool add a charming atmosphere to this public pool.

Related:  Best Indoor Pools In Chicago

White Water Canyon Water Park

Located in South-West suburban Tinley Park, White Water Canyon Water Park is more than a run-of-the-mill public pool. With a public pool price, this swimming venue features, of course, a large pool for swimming, playing and diving. At one end is a children playground in a very shallow part of the pool. The rest of the pool ground is dotted with a takeaway restaurant with picnic tables, huge water slides, a lazy river and grassy areas for sunbathing. City-dwellers should really consider taking the short drive south to Tinley Park or taking the Metra Line to the TInley Park 80th Avenue train station on the Rock Island line. The waterpark is just a 15-minute walk north on 80th Avenue.

Lakeview Athletic Club

The Lakeview Athletic Club has not only one pool, but two. It appeals to two types: sport lovers and families. Their outdoor pool is one of the local watering holes. The Lakeview Athletic club is accessible to those who have a membership pass. If you're not lucky to have one already, a day pass can be purchased for $20. The 20 meter indoor pool appeals to swim junkies who admire the many lanes it has to offer and the clean locker rooms adjacent.

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Robert Mathius is a Chicago suburb native who currently lives in Tinley Park. He has a passion for the automotive industry in addition to journalism and works to blend his two passions in his writing. Additional automotive reporting by Robert can be found on Examiner.com.
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