Family Friendly Boston – What to Know About Boston University Pool (and its Awesomeness for Kids!)

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We’ve found swimming to be our go to activity in the winter since there are a whole bunch of indoor swimming pools around us.  Not too long ago a neighbor was celebrating a birthday and all the kids from our building were invited to a pool party at Boston University (BU).  Initially I was surprised at the venue since there is a pool on campus as well as a number of other closer pools.  That is I was surprised until we got there and discovered how incredible the Boston University pool is for kids!

Things to Note:

1) Pool
BU actually has a couple of different pools, but the one I thought was the most note worthy is the kid pool.

• It’s in a separate room from the lap/lane pool
• It has life guards
• It has a long, zero depth ramp so children can slowly get into the water
• It has a pool depth of 3-5 feet
• It has a basket ball hoop & basket balls
• It has small raised trampoline like sections under the water so children don’t have to swim clear to the walls to touch the ground
• It has lots of floaty toys like pool noodles, boards, and water tubes
• It has a lazy river
• Warm water (about 85 degrees)
• A 15 person hot tub

2) Changing Rooms
The Boston University Pool has family changing rooms!  These are amazing!  There is a set of 6 (if I remember correctly).  You can take your family in and lock the door. Inside each changing room is a toilet, sink, bench, a handful of lockers and a shower with a pull down shower head.  This made getting kids changed so much easier since I didn’t have to chase them around the locker room and keep them from running out of the shower and away or getting in anyone else’s space.

3) Price/Getting In
Unfortunately you have to know someone at BU to have access to their amazing pool.  If you can find a friend you can get in on a daily pass for $12/adult $8/child which gives you access to so much more than the pool.  (There is a climbing wall, gym equipment, dance classes etc.) Learn more about Guest Passes.

4) Getting There
The green line drops off right in front of BU, and there is also a parking garage behind the fitness center.

Summary and Rating  ★★★★☆

Four Stars. We thought this pool was amazing and for a family swim it’s perfect with warm water, leveled ramps, toys, a lazy river and family changing rooms.  The only down side I can see if that you have to know someone from BU to get in, there are no single day/single use passes otherwise, which is a complete bummer because the place is amazing.

Boston University Fitness and Recreation Center 
915 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

Phone: 617.358.3740
Website: http://www.bu.edu/fitrec/

Hours: Vary