WHERE TO SWIM IN NEW ORLEANS: SUMMER 2026
Lap it up: time to find summer swimming spots in New Orleans
Summer swim time
The season is warming up, and you’re likely thinking about some pool time to take the edge of that New Orleans summer heat. Sadly, we’re not all millionaires with our own backyard pools, so where can you go for a dip? There are several options around the city, from party pools, to quieter day pools, to virtually private pools if you want to splash out for a short stay somewhere. Here’s our round up of your options for pool times this summer:
Public Pools
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) runs several public pools across the city. These facilities typically run lessons and programs, so if you want to swim laps then you’ll need to work around those times, but there are options. For open swim slots and locations, see the NORD Aquatics page here.
Bed and breakfast inns
These are a much-overlooked resource in the summer. Rates are low, properties are quiet and if your spot has a pool, then you’re likely going to get it mostly to yourself. Among the places that have their own pools are Chez Palmiers, The Lookout Inn, Canal Street Inn, HH Whitney House, The Burgundy and Auld Sweet Olive. Perfect for a pool-friendly staycation. Start your search at bbnola.com.
The Country Club
634 Louisa St
One of the long standing favorite spots for locals, the pool here is always lively and though it’s less bohemian than it used to be, it’s a popular spot. The poolside bar and food options don’t hurt - be sure to go early for holidays or special occasions, though. One of the only pools that is open late - until 11pm every day.
Day passes: from $20. Annual pass: $499
Hotel Pools
These can mostly be booked via the hotels themselves, or at resortpass.com - almost all of these come with towel service, access to a lounger (first come, first served) and have food and drink options (some require a minimum spend). Venues listed in alphabetical order of the hotel name.
High Five Pool & Rooftop Bar @ The Barnett Hotel
600 Carondelet St
A rooftop pool with a party vibe. Day passes via Resort Pass start at $10
The Blackbird Hotel
1612 Prytania St.
The boutique hotel's saltwater pool and bar is open for its second summer. Limited day passes, available on a walk-in basis. Monday-Thursday day passes, $45. From Friday through Sunday, $55.
The Chloe
4125 St Charles Ave
Cute pool at this boutique hotel. Day passes from $45 ($55 at weekends)
Haven Pool Club @ Dew Drop Inn
2836 Lasalle St
Day passes from $20
The Garden District Hotel
1525 Prytania St
Heated saltwater pool and the city's first swim-up bar. Day passes start at $30 midweek and $45 on weekends.
Hotel de la Poste New Orleans (formerly The W New Orleans)
316 Chartres St
Another FQ spot at this popular hotel. Day passes via Resort Pass from $25.
Casting Call @ Hyatt Centric
800 Iberville St
Another new pool, this one in the FQ. Day passes via Resort Pass from $18. Season passes from $400
InterContinental New Orleans
444 St. Charles Ave.
From $25 daily, adults (21+) can access the outdoor heated pool.
Lost Coyote
1614 Esplanade Ave.
Chill summer vibes with a locally inspired food and drink menu. Day passes (21+ only) are $20 and come with a complimentary glass of bubbly. Annual passes, available on Lost Coyote’s website, are $350 and include one towel per visit and six free drinks a month.
The Maidstone
3522 Tulane Ave
Probably the most ‘party’-focused pool in town is at this revamped motel (formerly The Drifter). Day passes: from $24. Annual passes: $600
Maison Dupuy Hotel
1001 Toulouse Street
An oasis in the FQ, with a few options. Day passes from $35. Day beds from $150. Day rooms from $109.
Le Meridien
333 Poydras St
A four-star hotel on the edge of the FQ. Day passes via Resort Pass from $40. Cabanas from $250.
Hotel Monteleone
214 Royal St.
Pool loungers from $40 per day for rent daily in addition to its general pool passes. Children ages 5 to 12 are welcome for free.
NOPSI Hotel
317 Baronne St,
Rooftop pool action in the CBD. Day passes via Resort Pass from $35.
Le Richelieu Hotel
1234 Chartres St.
A quiet courtyard space in the Quarter. There are day passes (21+ only) starting at $25 and loungers with pool access starting at $30. You can also rent daybeds and cabanas from $75 to $250.
Omni Royal
621 St. Louis St.
Open daily, the Omni Royal's seasonally heated pool is the French Quarter's only hotel rooftop pool and features towel service, lounge chairs and food and drinks for purchase. Adults can book a day pass for $35 to $65.
The Railyard
710 Poland Ave.
This clothing optional, queer-centered pool. Day pass and cabana reservations available on The Railyard’s website daily. Day passes cost $25 per person, and cabana rentals include a day pass and discounted guest access.
The Roosevelt Hotel
130 Roosevelt Way
Upscale property with a nice rooftop spot just outside the FQ. Day passes from $65 adults/$35 children
Royal Sonesta New Orleans
300 Bourbon Street,
Right in the thick of things in the FQ. Day passes from $25 ($40 on weekends). Day rooms from $199.
Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel
700 Tchoupitoulas Street
Good value for this low-key CBD hotel. Day passes via Resort Pass from $25.
The Pool Club Rooftop & Bar @ The Virgin Hotel
550 Baronne St
A rooftop pool with a great bar. Day passes from $10 for locals. Sofas and cabanas available with F&B minimum spends.
The Windsor Court Hotel
300 Gravier St
Another upscale pool. Day passes from $60 (weekends $100). Cabanas from $1,000.
The season is warming up, and you’re likely thinking about some pool time to take the edge of that New Orleans summer heat. Sadly, we’re not all millionaires with our own backyard pools, so where can you go for a dip? There are several options around the city, from party pools, to quieter day pools, to virtually private pools if you want to splash out for a short stay somewhere. Here’s our round up of your options for pool times this summer:
Public Pools
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) runs several public pools across the city. These facilities typically run lessons and programs, so if you want to swim laps then you’ll need to work around those times, but there are options. For open swim slots and locations, see the NORD Aquatics page here.
Bed and breakfast inns
These are a much-overlooked resource in the summer. Rates are low, properties are quiet and if your spot has a pool, then you’re likely going to get it mostly to yourself. Among the places that have their own pools are Chez Palmiers, The Lookout Inn, Canal Street Inn, HH Whitney House, The Burgundy and Auld Sweet Olive. Perfect for a pool-friendly staycation. Start your search at bbnola.com.
The Country Club
634 Louisa St
One of the long standing favorite spots for locals, the pool here is always lively and though it’s less bohemian than it used to be, it’s a popular spot. The poolside bar and food options don’t hurt - be sure to go early for holidays or special occasions, though. One of the only pools that is open late - until 11pm every day.
Day passes: from $20. Annual pass: $499
Hotel Pools
These can mostly be booked via the hotels themselves, or at resortpass.com - almost all of these come with towel service, access to a lounger (first come, first served) and have food and drink options (some require a minimum spend). Venues listed in alphabetical order of the hotel name.
High Five Pool & Rooftop Bar @ The Barnett Hotel
600 Carondelet St
A rooftop pool with a party vibe. Day passes via Resort Pass start at $10
The Blackbird Hotel
1612 Prytania St.
The boutique hotel's saltwater pool and bar is open for its second summer. Limited day passes, available on a walk-in basis. Monday-Thursday day passes, $45. From Friday through Sunday, $55.
The Chloe
4125 St Charles Ave
Cute pool at this boutique hotel. Day passes from $45 ($55 at weekends)
Haven Pool Club @ Dew Drop Inn
2836 Lasalle St
Day passes from $20
The Garden District Hotel
1525 Prytania St
Heated saltwater pool and the city's first swim-up bar. Day passes start at $30 midweek and $45 on weekends.
Hotel de la Poste New Orleans (formerly The W New Orleans)
316 Chartres St
Another FQ spot at this popular hotel. Day passes via Resort Pass from $25.
Casting Call @ Hyatt Centric
800 Iberville St
Another new pool, this one in the FQ. Day passes via Resort Pass from $18. Season passes from $400
InterContinental New Orleans
444 St. Charles Ave.
From $25 daily, adults (21+) can access the outdoor heated pool.
Lost Coyote
1614 Esplanade Ave.
Chill summer vibes with a locally inspired food and drink menu. Day passes (21+ only) are $20 and come with a complimentary glass of bubbly. Annual passes, available on Lost Coyote’s website, are $350 and include one towel per visit and six free drinks a month.
The Maidstone
3522 Tulane Ave
Probably the most ‘party’-focused pool in town is at this revamped motel (formerly The Drifter). Day passes: from $24. Annual passes: $600
Maison Dupuy Hotel
1001 Toulouse Street
An oasis in the FQ, with a few options. Day passes from $35. Day beds from $150. Day rooms from $109.
Le Meridien
333 Poydras St
A four-star hotel on the edge of the FQ. Day passes via Resort Pass from $40. Cabanas from $250.
Hotel Monteleone
214 Royal St.
Pool loungers from $40 per day for rent daily in addition to its general pool passes. Children ages 5 to 12 are welcome for free.
NOPSI Hotel
317 Baronne St,
Rooftop pool action in the CBD. Day passes via Resort Pass from $35.
Le Richelieu Hotel
1234 Chartres St.
A quiet courtyard space in the Quarter. There are day passes (21+ only) starting at $25 and loungers with pool access starting at $30. You can also rent daybeds and cabanas from $75 to $250.
Omni Royal
621 St. Louis St.
Open daily, the Omni Royal's seasonally heated pool is the French Quarter's only hotel rooftop pool and features towel service, lounge chairs and food and drinks for purchase. Adults can book a day pass for $35 to $65.
The Railyard
710 Poland Ave.
This clothing optional, queer-centered pool. Day pass and cabana reservations available on The Railyard’s website daily. Day passes cost $25 per person, and cabana rentals include a day pass and discounted guest access.
The Roosevelt Hotel
130 Roosevelt Way
Upscale property with a nice rooftop spot just outside the FQ. Day passes from $65 adults/$35 children
Royal Sonesta New Orleans
300 Bourbon Street,
Right in the thick of things in the FQ. Day passes from $25 ($40 on weekends). Day rooms from $199.
Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel
700 Tchoupitoulas Street
Good value for this low-key CBD hotel. Day passes via Resort Pass from $25.
The Pool Club Rooftop & Bar @ The Virgin Hotel
550 Baronne St
A rooftop pool with a great bar. Day passes from $10 for locals. Sofas and cabanas available with F&B minimum spends.
The Windsor Court Hotel
300 Gravier St
Another upscale pool. Day passes from $60 (weekends $100). Cabanas from $1,000.