The Six Best Pools in Miami

Summer 2016 officially kicks off next week on June 20. Although it feels like the season never really left — thanks to Miami's year-round hot weather and never-ending humidity — the reality is it did. But now school's out and our favorite time of year is here, and that's worth celebrating. Many things in the 305 might be pricey, but thankfully, the city offers a smattering of free public pools. 

From water parks in Hialeah to SoBe-style pools and Coral Gables' beloved Venetian, take your pick at one of the best public spots around. Grab a towel, snag a floatie, and get your tan on, with occasional and very necessary dips in the water too, of course.
6. McDonald Water Park
7505 West 12th Ave., Hialeah
Sometimes it's nice just to be lazy. At Hialeah's McDonald Water Park, take it waterside by floating through waterfalls and caves as the lazy river wraps around the 17-acre park. The public pool's water park is open seasonally, Monday through Friday from April through October. That means the wave pool is up for grabs too. Grab your sunscreen and spend the afternoon outdoors. Some days are more crowded than others, but the park boasts basketball and tennis courts, a walking trail, and a playground for added entertainment. 
5. Flamingo Park Pool
 1200 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach
Take your workout outdoors at this South Beach pool, which features eight lanes perfect for swimming slow and fast laps. The water is aerated in the summer and heated in the winter, keeping a consistent temperature of about 79 to 84 degrees. The pool also welcomes families and children. There are plenty of lounge chairs, so alternate between tanning and hourly pool dips.
4. Highbar at Dream Hotel South Beach
1111 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
The rooftop pool, located at the Dream Hotel, has made a name for itself by hosting high-profile parties, especially during Winter Music Conference season. The all-white infinity pool, which can easily be mistaken for a scene set on a Greek isle, is one of the only South Beach hotel pools open to the public. And the oceanfront hangout, which frequently hosts daytime and nighttime soirees, usually charges no cover either. Go for a swim or come for a party, because chilling at Highbar is always gratis.
3. Venetian Pool
2701 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables
Created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry, Venetian Pool draws thousands of tourists each year to its 820,000-gallon aqua-blue swimming hole. Spring water is pumped in from an underground aquifer. Its cave-like grottos and waterfalls make this public outpost one of the most unique in the nation because real-estate developer George Merrick used Mediterranean-influences to design the space. The pool area also features two historic lookout towers.
2. Surfcomber
1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Behind this art deco hotel lies an expansive outdoor oasis with a large beachside pool. The hotel is known to throw some of the biggest pool parties, but during the off-season, it's locals-friendly. Beyond the pool is direct beach access, giving guests the opportunity to bounce between cool, chlorinated water and the warm, sandy ocean.
1. Freehand
2727 Indian Creek Dr., Miami Beach
Miami Beach's first upscale hostel offers a killer pool for free. Grab a drink at the Freehand's Broken Shaker and head to the pool, where there's a good chance an intimate party will already be in the works. There's table tennis, whimsical decor, and often themed splash soirees featuring various underground DJs native to the 305.