Andre TaylorMany of my fondest childhood memories were made in the water, whether at a beach or a swimming pool. It’s probably why I grew up to be an avid swimmer. It’s also why I’ve made it a point to visit nearly every pool in my beloved city, Indianapolis.
Along the way, I’ve discovered that the city offers plenty of great spots for swimmers like me, though some stand out more than others.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of the top swimming pools Indianapolis has to offer. Keep it handy for the next time you’re looking to take a dip in the city.
1. Forest Park Aquatic Center
– Media from queenx777
Website: https://forestparkpool.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
Location: 1077 Cicero Rd, Noblesville
Contact: (317) 773-4649
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 4 PM – 7 PM | Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM | Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM | Tuesday and Thursday: Closed
Price: $
Forest Park Aquatic Center is my cousins’ go-to venue for family swimming sessions. I wasn’t surprised when I saw what the center offers. It’s a swimmer’s paradise!
The center has different pools, including an Olympic-sized competition pool for avid swimmers like me. Aside from that, I like that it has pools with one-meter and three-meter diving boards for that extra thrill.
It’s also near Morse Beach for swimmers who crave an outdoor experience.
I also like that the center has kid-friendly zones and pools specifically for kids. It even has pools for babies. This makes the Forest Park Aquatic Center an ideal swimming venue for families looking to enjoy the water together.
| Pro Tip: The center regularly hosts family-friendly events. One example is the annual Glow Party, where guests are given neon lights and pool toys for more fun. |
2. Krannert Aquatic Center
– Media from indywithkids
Website: https://parks.indy.gov/facilities/krannert-park-family-center/
Location: Krannert Park, 605 S High School Rd
Contact: +1 317-327-7275
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 8 PM | Saturday: 9 AM – 4 PM | Sunday: Closed
Price: $
The Krannert Park Family Center got a million-dollar renovation a few years back. This facelift makes the indoor swimming zone look much nicer—spacious, elegant, and cozy.
The center’s indoor swimming area has only one 25-yard multi-lane pool. But I think it’s enough because it’s clean, always well-maintained, and heated from opening to closing. Plus, it’s perfect for swimming laps and open swims.
This indoor pool is also perfect for the center’s regular swimming lessons. The best part is that there are sessions for every age group and skill level. I also like its use for multiple water-based recreational activities, like water aerobics.
| Pro Tip: Whether for one day or monthly, make the most of your pass by pairing your swim with a gym session or a walk along the track. |
3. Sahm Aquatic Center
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Location: 6801 E 91st St
Contact: +1 317-327-4553
Hours: Monday: Closed | Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM | Friday: 11 AM – 8 PM | Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM
Price: $
Located in Sahm Park, Sahm Aquatic Center is what I like to call a hidden gem. It’s also one of my favorites in the city because it gives off cheerful vibes, likely because families and groups of friends seem to enjoy the place so much.
The centerpiece is a large, family-friendly pool with varying water levels, making it perfect for adults and kids. It has deep enough areas for a lap or two and zero-depth entry areas for toddlers, or if you’re not in the mood for a whole swim.
Sahm Aquatic Center also has a giant water slide that I couldn’t resist. It adds to the fun and is more than you’d expect in a community pool. All things considered, I’d say this venue is one of the best overall.
| Pro Tip: Bring some cash for snacks. A concession stand just near the big pool serves delectable snacks and refreshing drinks in case you get hungry. The catch is that it accepts cash payments only. |
4. JCC Indianapolis
– Media from thecitymoms
Website: https://jccindy.org/
Location: 6701 Hoover Rd
Contact: +1 317-251-9467
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11 AM – 7:30 PM | Friday to Sunday: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Price: $$
Swimming at JCC Indianapolis is an incredible experience, to say the least, because it’s like swimming in a luxury hotel.
People here usually swim laps at the competition-sized Regenstrief Lap Pool for a few minutes. Then, they usually finish with a relaxing soak in the Backer Therapy Pool, which has temperatures a few degrees warmer than the lap pool.
Kids make a beeline for the outdoor Eskenazi Water Park. It has a zero-depth pool with a splash pad for toddlers and a 300-foot-long lazy river with giant slides perfect for older kids.
| Pro Tip: For the best view of the outdoor water park, wade through Cantor River Island, which is located right at the heart of the park. It offers a clear, 360-degree view of the outdoors and has a 200-foot-wide umbrella to keep you sheltered from the sun. |
5. Jordan YMCA
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Website: https://indymca.org/jordan/
Location: 8400 Westfield Blvd
Contact: +1 317-253-3206
Hours: Monday to Friday: 5 AM – 9 PM | Saturday: 7 AM – 7 PM | Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
Price: $$
Every time my friends invite me to go for a swim at Jordan YMCA, I almost always say yes. I really like the atmosphere here—festive, casual, and full of life.
The pools—one indoor and another outdoor—are no slouches either. The indoor lap pool isn’t Olympic-sized but big and deep enough for strenuous and challenging swims. Meanwhile, the outdoor pool is perfect for families with zero-depth entries and splash pads.
I also learned recently that Jordan YMCA occasionally opens its outdoor “Y pool” just for dogs. I think it’s a nice touch and one that the fur parents of Indianapolis surely appreciate.
| Pro Tip: Ask for the warm water therapy pool. Jordan YMCA has a smaller pool with much warmer water than the other two main pools. Ask the staff about it and take a relaxing plunge into it. |
6. Willard Park Aquatic Center and Splash Pad
– Media from sarahkathleen531
Location: 1901 E Washington St
Contact: +1 317-327-7330
Hours: Monday to Tuesday: Closed | Wednesday to Friday: 11 AM – 2 PM, 3 PM – 6 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 11 AM – 2 PM, 3 PM – 6 PM
Price: $
Willard Park’s pool is neither vast nor luxurious, but I like it nonetheless. Its charm is in the community atmosphere, and you can feel it when you enter the venue. The best way to describe it is having a “this is your neighborhood pool” vibe.
The pool itself is more than enough. It’s spacious and welcoming, with colorful palettes all around to go along with multiple spraying jets and fountains. It also has a zero-depth entry pool for kids, toddlers, and nonswimmers.
Willard Park Aquatic Center also has some incredibly friendly staff.
| Pro Tip: Plan a family day around Willard Park’s many amenities. Aside from its pool, the park also has picnic areas, basketball courts, and more. Look to spend an entire morning or afternoon enjoying all that Willard Park offers because it’s worth it! |
7. Thatcher Park Pool
– Media from indyparks
Website: https://parks.indy.gov/parks/thatcher-park/
Location: 4649 Vermont St
Contact: +1 317-327-7275
Hours: Monday to Friday: 4 PM – 6 PM | Saturday: 12 PM – 3:30 PM | Sunday: Closed
Price: $
Thatcher Park’s pool has this simplicity that just catches my fancy. The rectangular pool is like a throwback to older times, but it’s functional and spacious—an ideal lap for individuals and families who want to chill in the water.
As someone who likes the more challenging aspects of swimming, I like that the park’s pool has a deep end where I can do my full-speed laps. I also like that this end of the pool has a high enough diving board.
Lastly, it’s not as popular as other swimming spots, so it’s generally less crowded.
| Pro Tip: Pack snacks! Food can be hard to come by at Thatcher Park, so be sure to bring your own. Eating by the pool is prohibited, but you can do so on benches around the park or in shaded picnic areas. |
