{"id":309268,"date":"2026-07-29T22:40:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T22:40:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/309268\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T22:40:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T22:40:31","slug":"after-17-years-this-iconic-1930s-beachfront-pool-complex-near-nyc-just-reopened-following-a-100m-restoration-and-entry-is-only-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/309268\/","title":{"rendered":"After 17 years, this iconic 1930s beachfront pool complex near NYC just reopened following a $100M restoration \u2014 and entry is only $5"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Jones<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSusan Watts \/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul<\/p>\n

Though we\u2019re practically halfway through summer<\/a> there\u2019s still plenty of time to head to the beach<\/a>\u2013and Jones Beach<\/a> is giving NYC swimmers the ultimate reason to make the trek out to Long Island before the season ends.<\/p>\n

After sitting abandoned and shuttered for nearly two decades, the historic Jones Beach East Bathhouse in Wantagh officially reopened to swimmers on Friday, July 24, following a staggering $100 million restoration<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The highly anticipated, top-to-bottom overhaul completely reimagined what a day at Jones Beach looks like, preserving the bathhouse\u2019s legendary 1930s architectural glamour while introducing modern, climate-resilient amenities, brand-new public pools, and splash zones for all ages.<\/p>\n

\"JonesAntony-22<\/a>, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p>\n

$100-million-worth of brand-new amenities<\/p>\n

Closed to the public since 2009 due to budget constraints, the fully restored 115,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts and Art Deco facility has been reimagined as a safe, highly affordable summer haven for New York families. <\/p>\n

The state-of-the-art facility now features:<\/p>\n

A zero-entry learn-to-swim pool: Measuring 125 feet by 75 feet, this shallow, gently sloping pool is designed to help children and beginner swimmers build water confidence in a safe, controlled environment away from ocean waves<\/p>\n

A maritime family sprayground: Features two full splashpads and custom water elements inspired by Jones Beach history\u2014including the park\u2019s iconic seahorse emblem, whales, dolphins, and classic boats<\/p>\n

A competition-length lap pool: Perfect for fitness swimmers and adults looking to do laps<\/p>\n

Restored historic bathhouse buildings: The North and South Bathhouse structures now house park offices, first aid facilities, accessible public restrooms, family changing areas, and fresh concession stands<\/p>\n

Meticulous architectural preservation: Preservationists carefully restored the complex\u2019s original Barbizon brick, Ohio sandstone, bronze accents, decorative mosaics, and woodwork<\/p>\n

The landmark East Bathhouse has been transformed into a modern destination for New Yorkers to \u2018Get Offline, Get Outside\u2019 and experience the best in summer fun at Jones Beach State Park \u2013 Governor Kathy Hochul<\/a><\/p>\n

\"JonesSusan Watts \/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul<\/p>\n

$5 admission (no $4,000 membership required)<\/p>\n

Unlike the newly restored bathhouse at Jacob Riis park<\/a> in Queens<\/a>\u2013which introduced a private, members-only beach club<\/a> costing families up to $4,000 per year\u2013the East Bathhouse at Jones Beach remains 100% public and accessible to everyone.<\/p>\n

Admission costs just:<\/p>\n

Adults (12+): $5<\/p>\n

Children (ages 5-11): $3<\/p>\n

Children 4 & under: Free<\/p>\n

Swimming lessons & seasonal schedule<\/p>\n

To promote water safety across the state, the facility is kicking off a full schedule of swimming programs following its grand opening:<\/p>\n

Youth Swimming Lessons: Begin Wednesday, July 29 for infants through age 15 (sessions run between 8 am and 10 am based on skill level)<\/p>\n

Adult Swimming Lessons: Offered Thursdays from 7 pm to 7:45 pm for ages 16 and older<\/p>\n

General Pool Hours (Through Labor Day):<\/p>\n

Weekdays: 10 am \u2013 6 pm<\/p>\n

Weekends & Holidays: 9 am \u2013 7 pm<\/p>\n

According to New York State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser, over 350 people signed up for the Learn to Swim program prior to opening\u2014a vital step given that an estimated 54% of American adults report not knowing how to swim or lacking basic water safety skills.<\/p>\n

\"JonesSusan Watts \/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul<\/p>\n

A flagship project for New York swimming<\/p>\n

The East Bathhouse restoration serves as the flagship centerpiece of Governor Hochul\u2019s NY SWIMS initiative<\/a> (New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming).<\/p>\n

Representing the largest investment in public swimming infrastructure since the New Deal, the $260 million statewide push aims to deliver safe, high-quality, and affordable aquatic facilities to communities across New York.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re looking to teach your kids to swim or simply want to soak in 1930s seaside glamour for five bucks, this restored Long Island gem is a must-visit before summer wraps up!<\/p>\n

Know Before You Go: Jones Beach East Bathhouse<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd Where: Jones Beach State Park (Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, NY 11793)<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude97 Distance from NYC: ~45\u201360 minutes by car or accessible via LIRR to Freeport Station + n88 LIRR Beach Bus<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f Pool Admission: $5 Adults | $3 Children | Free for kids under 4 (Note: Standard $10 vehicle parking fee applies at state park lots during peak hours)<\/p>\n

\u2139\ufe0f More Info: Check the NYS Parks Website<\/a> for lesson registration and updates<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Susan Watts \/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul Though we\u2019re practically halfway through summer there\u2019s still plenty of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":309269,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[9,56,63,65,64],"class_list":["post-309268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york-city","tag-new-york","tag-ny","tag-nyc","tag-nyc-headlines","tag-nyc-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=309268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/309269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=309268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=309268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=309268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}