Memorial Day Weekend: Where to Go Swimming In and Around Georgetown

If you plan to live the life aquatic this summer, get ready to dive in. The traditional kick-off to the summer swim season is upon us.

Even though the weather forecast calls for it to be hovering around 70 degrees Monday, Memorial Day, the holiday weekend is a traditional kick-off to the pool season.

If you’re looking for a place in or around Georgetown to take a dip, look no further than the outdoor pool at Volta Park, 1555 34th St. NW, just a block off Wisconsin Avenue.

The pool opens for the season Saturday at noon, and will be open from noon to 6 p.m. all weekend — Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Memorial Day. After this weekend, the pool will be open only on weekends until June 24, after DC public schools let out for the school year. Other than Memorial Day, the pool is closed Mondays.

Admission to the pool is free for DC residents; patrons must show a DC driver’s license or utility bill and ID to enter.

The Volta Park pool hours are: General public swim: Tuesday to Friday, 1-8 p.m.; lap swim, Tuesday to Friday 8-9:30 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 12 Noon-6 p.m. The pool will be open Memorial Day from noon to 6 p.m.

For more information, call the pool at (202) 645-5669 or (202) 673-7647 and ask to be transferred to “Aquatics.”

Other area outdoor and indoor pools we found in the area include the membership-only Beauvoir Pool, Embassy Row Hotel penthouse pool, indoor pools at Crystal Park across the river in Crystal City and Tenleytown Sport & Health north of Georgetown and the membership-only Penthouse Pool Club.

Best for families:

• Looking for a family pool? The outdoor Beauvoir Pool opens Saturday for the season. The 25-meter pool and toddler pool are located behind Beauvoir - the National Cathedral Elementary School, 3500 Woodley Road, NW, on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral and will be open from Saturday, May 25 to Monday, Sept. 2.  

Membership includes use of dressing facilities and showers. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are provided. Children are welcome to use the adjacent playground under parent supervision. Refreshments may be purchased from a snack bar. Lifeguards are on duty during the hours the pool is open.

Summer membership to the Beauvoir Pool starts at $525 for an individual membership; and up to $875 for a family membership, with a registration fee of $775. Swimming lessons are available.

Best for playing hooky from work on a sunny day:

• Although they were still waiting to have the pool inspected on Thursday, the rooftop pool at the Embassy Row Hotel (formerly the Hilton Washington on Embassy Row), 2015 Massachusetts Ave., NW, is expected to open Memorial Day weekend to the general public, according to an employee who spoke to Patch; you need to ask for a day pass, for $20, at the front desk. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call before you go to make sure it’s open. (202) 265-1600.

Best for a workout and a swim/swimming lessons:

• If you’re looking for a place for swimming lessons, the Crystal Park Sport & Health, 2231 Crystal Dr., in Arlington has swimming lessons for children and adults. Call (703) 486-3380 for more information. 

You can also head north to the Sport & Health at Tenleytown. Call (202) 362-8000 for more information.

You do not have to be a member to take swimming lessons (fees are lower if you become a member). Contact the Aquatics director at Crystal Park: epena@sportandhealth.com

Best for singles, all-out decadence, to see and be seen:

Poolside cabanas, fire pits, wi-fi….you can’t go wrong with the amenities offered at the Penthouse Pool Club, 1612 U St. NW, located on the rooftop of VIDA Fitness U Street. Entry is by membership only, ages 21 and older. Call (202) 939-2563 for more information.

Know a great pool in the area? Tell us about it in the comments box.