Beat the heat at Toronto's best outdoor pools

While Toronto’s cooling centres are one way to bring down body temperatures, there’s an alternative that never goes out of style — the swimming pool. PostCity.com has picked the best outdoor pools in the city, so be prepared to enter a new level of cool.

Toronto’s  Downtown Oasis

For the ‘go big or go home’ swimmer who is into scene and size, the expansive indoor-outdoor Sheraton Centre pool is the one for you. Host last year to the DIP Ultra Pool Parties (the city’s exclusive mix of DJs, beautiful people and water), expect to find plenty of sculpted abs here, in addition to on-site WiFi and a pool-side bar. ($28 admission)

The Sheraton Centre is located at 123 Queen Street West, 416-361-1000

Toronto’s Swankiest

For those who want to lounge by the pool in the manner of SATC’s Carrie Bradshaw, then the Four Seasons Hotel is where you want to be.  In addition to a two-level sundeck, saunas, and a poolside bar, guests can keep themselves fresh with fruit kebobs, spritz bottles and hourly rounds of sorbet offerings.  For the forgetful, disposable bathing suits are available upon request. ($65 admission)

 The Four Seasons Hotel is located at 21 Avenue Road – 416-964-0411

Toronto’s Oldest

Just because your grandmother swam in it … doesn’t mean it’s lame. Opened in 1925, Sunnyside pool (originally nicknamed the ‘tank’) was accessible to children at the steep admission of 10 cents. These days, taking a dip in the pool – which straddles Lake Ontario’s shore – is free.

Sunnyside-Gus Ryder Pool is located at 1755 Lake Shore Boulevard West – 416-338-7665

Toronto’s Best View

Just a jaunt away on the subway line, Broadview’s Riverdale Pool makes you almost forget you’re in the city. The large pool, which has a water-slide, looks out on the Don Valley and is a stone’s throw away from a bridge that takes you over the DVP and into the Riverdale Farm. (Free)

Riverdale Pool is located at 550 Broadview Avenue – 416-392-7801

Toronto’s Most Family Friendly

While only adults can swim from 7 to 8 p.m., most kids probably won’t mind — as they’ll be worn out from spending the day at this swimmer’s paradise. With an Olympic-sized lap pool, a diving pool and a shallow kiddie pool, the trio of choices means mom and pop will hear nary a complaint. (Free)

D.D. Summerville pool is located at 1867 Lake Shore Boulevard East – 416-392-7688

Toronto’s Most Hipster Friendly

While skinny jeans and fedoras are often put aside by swimmers, at this location they’re no further than the change room. The neighbourhood hub offers a variety of water-play activities, such as: a diving board, slide and a water-spraying canopy — all proving that there is no such thing as too cool. (Free)

Alex Duff Christie Pits Pool is located at 750 Bloor Street West – 416-392-0910

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