These are just a few of the most popular spots and some that might not be as familiar.

Saratoga State Park has two very different pools that are available to the public in the summer time. Victoria Pool is more upscale and although children are welcome it is more of an adult-oriented pool. If you want to sip your Absolute Cosmopolitan while leisurely reading a paperback while only occasionally taking a dip in the pool, than this is the place for you. Victoria Pool offers a poolside bar and café and it is somewhat of a ‘see and be seen’ kind of atmosphere. Victoria Pool is open everyday Monday- Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and costs $6 for adults and $3 for children; parking is free.

Warning: get there early if you want a poolside lounge chair.

Linda Passaratti, originally from Saratoga Springs, had this to say about Victoria Pool, “I haven’t been here in probably 10 or 15 years, I grew up in Saratoga and enjoyed the Victoria Pool a lot when I was kid with my mom and my sister. We definitely enjoyed the fact that there is a restaurant right on the premises, and of course when I got to be old enough to have a cocktail that was fun too. So this is my first time back in many, many years and it’s really nice to see on a Thursday afternoon that it’s so busy and it’s as beautiful as ever.”

The other pool in the State Park is the Peerless Pool which has an Olympic-size swimming pool, nearby kiddie pool and waterslide pool. Children must be at least 48 inches tall in order to use the waterslide. In order to get access to Peerless Pool you must pay an entrance fee of $6 per car. The pool itself costs $3 for adults and $1.50 for children. As with most parks in New York State, you can bring your own food and snacks but you must take your refuse with you as parks no longer have garbage removal. For more information on both Victoria and Peerless pools call (518) 584-2003 for the Victoria Pool and (518) 584-2009 for the Peerless Pool. The Peerless Pool as of this printing has not opened yet. According to Michael Greenslade, the Saratoga State Park Manager, the pool is “waiting on lab test results to make sure that the pool is safe to swim in.” However when the pool does re-open (they hope to re-open Friday July 18), the kiddie pool and the slide pool will remain closed until further notice. It would be best to call before heading over to Peerless pool.

Both the East and West Side Recreation fields in Saratoga Springs have spray pools for those with small children that are free and open to the public every day. Pack a lunch and make a day of it. Of course there is always the local YMCA in Saratoga located on West Avenue. Guest passes are available for $10 a day for adults, $5 a day for kids and $16 a day for families. Call (518) 583-9622 for more information or check out their website at www.ymcasaratoga.org.

If public pools aren’t your thing, don’t worry, there are many beautiful lakes here in Upstate New York that you can cool off in. Moreau Lake, just 20 minutes north of Saratoga Springs is a perfect place to spend a summer afternoon. The entrance fee is $7 per car. There are many picnic tables and grills if you wish to barbeque. There are play areas for smaller children.  

Saratoga Springs resident Colette Baker has already been to Moreau Lake twice this year and intends to go a lot more. “It’s always so clean.” Debbie LaBaron who works at Moreau Lake said there is an increase in day use and camping this year. “It’s filled to capacity on the weekends. The weather is great and everybody’s here.”  Probably the most notable thing about Moreau Lake besides its obvious beauty is that motorized boats are not allowed, so the water there is crystal clean and clear. Moreau Lake State Park does, however, rent canoes and kayaks. They offer a boat launch if you wish to bring your own canoe or kayak. They do have a strict policy regarding appropriate swimming attire - no street clothes and no floatation devices (unless it is a Coast Guard approved life preserver) in the water. For more information, call (518) 793-0511.

Further north is Water Slide World located in Lake George, New York. It is the only water park in Upstate New York. Water Slide World has more than 35 Slides and attractions. They are open every day from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. weather permitting. You may bring a cooler if you like but there is a concession stand. Admission prices for adults, ages 11 and up is $28.95, admission price for children 10 and younger is $26.95. Toddlers who are between 35-39 inches are $10.95 and toddlers under 35 inches are free. Senior citizens are $10.95. Water Slide World does offer season passes at $65 dollars per person and $250 for a family of four. Their phone number is (518) 668-4407.                                                

Right in the heart of the Village of Lake George on Canada Street you’ll find Shepards Park Beach, just down the street is Million Dollar Beach which is free but you pay $6 dollars to park your car. It is family friendly, but if you want something a bit more quiet, try nearby Ushers Park Beach on Route 9L just past Million Dollar Beach.

Just past Lake George going west is Tubby Tubes Co. in Lake Luzerne. Tubby Tubes offers tubing, rafting, kayak trips and tours. Also check out their website www.tubbytubestubing.com for special discounts. For reservations and more information. call (518) 696-5454. tubbytubestubing.com

Twenty minutes north of Lake George off of exit 27 is the majestic Schroon Lake. Sit and relax on the beach in one of many of the Adirondack chairs they provide for free. Feel free to bring your own boat - the boat launch is right next to the beach or you could take an hour long cruise on the water. Tickets and schedules are available at the information booth or call the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-SCHROON. 

Twelve miles east of Troy, New York, you’ll find Grafton Lake State Park located between the Taconic and Hudson Valley on Long Pond Road. Includes five ponds, all ponds have facilities for canoes, sailboats and rowboats. They do allow electric boats and they offer camping year-round; swimming from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. every day. For more information call (518) 279-1155.