Make a Splash (Rain or Shine): D.C.’s Best Indoor Pools

Katie Ledecky. Michael Phelps. Chase Kalisz. The D.C. area knows how to produce Olympic swimmers. Whether your little ones are destined for the same fate remains to be seen, but there’s no time like the present to get them in the water, even if weather conditions are less than ideal for a dip in the outdoor pool. Here’s a look at some of the best indoor watering holes in the area.

photo: DCPR

Barry Farm Aquatic Center

Formerly an outdoor pool and reopened as an indoor one a few years ago, it has the only indoor waterslide – did we mention it’s twisty? – in D.C.’s Ward 8. The 8,800-square-foot facility includes a six-lane lap pool and a leisure pool with beach entry.

Cost: Free/D.C. residents, swim passes for nonresidents range from $3 to $149 for day, 30-day and 90-day passes
Where: 1230 Sumner Road, SE
Online: dpr.dc.gov

photo: Rusen G. via Yelp

Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center

Since it opened in 2009, this pool has become one of D.C.’s most popular. It has a 50-meter-by-25-yard competition-size pool with diving boards, a whirlpool and a separate beach-entry kiddie pool with water basketball and sprayers.

Cost: Free/D.C. residents, swim passes for nonresidents range from $3 to $149 for day, 30-day and 90-day passes
Where: 4551 Fort Dr., NW
Online: dpr.dc.gov

photo: Germantown Indoor Swim Center

Germantown Indoor Swim Center

This 60,000-square-foot place has a lot going on: a competition pool, recreation pool, hydroptherapy pools, diving platforms and waterslides...plural. Plus, the décor, with its (fake) palm trees and mini volcano, will transport you directly to the islands. Little ones can splash under a mushroom-shaped fountain or play in a separate fun zone.

Cost: $5/county resident or $8/nonresident 1-17 years old; $7/adult resident or $10/nonresident; $6/senior resident 55 and up or $10/nonresident
Where: 18000 Central Park Cir. (Boyds, MD)
Online: montgomerycountymd.gov

photo: Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center

Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver Aquatic Center

The eight-lane L-shaped main pool is divided into two 25-meter swim areas, a warm-water leisure pool, two separate hydrotherapy pools, diving platforms and – wait for it – a waterslide snaking along a wall. Claim to fame: Eleven divers who competed in the 2012 Olympics trained here.

Cost: $5/county resident or $8/nonresident 1-17 years old; $7/adult resident or $10/nonresident; $6/senior resident 55 and up or $10/nonresident
Where: 5900 Executive Blvd., N. (Bethesda, MD) 
Online: montgomerycountymd.gov

photo: Ed Garcia via flickr

Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex

Sure the 50-meter competition pool is impressive, but the leisure pool is where it’s at. Float along the lazy river, zip down a waterslide (you knew it was coming) and bask in the constant 84- to 86-degree temperatures. For adults, there’s also an 18-person spa with jets shooting out water heated to 102 to 104 degrees.

Cost: $8/impact area resident, $11/resident of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, $15/nonresident
Where: 8001 Sheriff Rd. (Landover, MD) 
Online: pgsportsandlearn.com

Cub Run RECenter

The almost-5,000-square-foot leisure pool has two waterslides, including a 30-foot-high one that goes outside the building in an enclosed tube. There’s also a zero-depth water playground with climbing equipment, a small waterslide and lots of fountains.

Cost: $10/adult, $6.50/youth ages 5-18, free/child 4 and younger, $6.50/senior Mon.-Fri., $20/family up to five
Where: 4630 Stonecroft Blvd. (Chantilly, VA)
Online: fairfaxcounty.gov

photo: Jason R. via Yelp

Claude Moore Recreation Center

The leisure pool here has what the website calls a “giant” waterslide, a children’s play area with playground-like equipment, a hot tub, a vortex and a lazy river. But if that’s not enough, there’s still space to free swim without having to go to the 25-yard-by-50-meter competition pool. Bonus: It’s next to the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, which highlights Loudoun County’s agricultural history through exhibits such as the Claude Moore Children’s Farm, an interactive exhibit where kiddos can be a “farmer for a day.”

Cost: $6/adult, $4/youth ages 3-17, $4/senior over 55, free/child 2 and younger, $16/family up to five
Where: 46105 Loudoun Park Ln. (Sterling, VA)
Online: loudoun.gov/claudemoorerec

—Stephanie Kanowitz and Ayren Jackson-Cannady

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