Hot Places to Cool Off

When Florida’s scorching summer temperatures arrive, a pool may be the only thing that can save you. But if you aren’t privileged enough to have your own pool, you aren’t completely left out in the hot.

There are great public pools around South Tampa quick to offer up a cool splash, great atmosphere and sometimes even a fully stocked liquor bar.

1. HAWAIIAN VILLAGE (Green Iguana) – RIGHT AROUND —  2520 N. Dale Mabry Hwy – Get ready for “Fun in the Sun” at Tampa’s South Beach Style Sunday hot spot located in a 64,000 square foot tropical area featuring a large pool with a waterfall, great music, frozen drinks, delicious food, cabanas, koi pond. Over the summer they will be featuring International & Local Dj’s, radio hosts, celebrity hosts, live shows and more all in an area to comfortably fit 2800 people. More Info.

2. HULA BAY WATERFRONT BAR & GRILL – RIGHT AROUND – 5201 W. Tyson Avenue – If you are looking for more than a cool pool to cut the heat, visit Hula Bay Club’s Sundown Sundays Pool Party. From noon until sundown, the waterfront restaurant and bar hosts a poolside party with live music and DJ’s, private cabanas, bottle service and bikinis. So don’t settle for just any cement pond. 

3 . TAMPA MARRIOTT WATERSIDE HOTEL AND MARINA –DOWNTOWN – 700 South Florida Ave. – Even if you aren’t a guest, feel free to enjoy the 13th-floor pool deck of the Marriott Waterside. Simply pay the $5 valet fee and walk your way up to the vacation oasis in the sky. The full liquor bar and great view makes this the perfect place to feel fancy, sip on a frozen alcohol and forget that your life isn’t a vacation.

4. KON TIKI AT THE TAHITIAN – RIGHT AROUND – 601 S. Dale Mabry Hwy – Pool party Sundays come with Steel Drum live entertainment, cabana-style lounge seating, and poolside beverage and food service from Kon Tiki at the Tahitian—Tampa’s first and only Latin-Asian Fusion Restaurant.

5. UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA AQUATIC CENTER –  DOWNTOWN – 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. – You don’t have to be a student to gain access to this pool. It’s open to the public although the pool hosts swimming lessons in the evening and UT Swim Team practices during the day. But you can almost always find a section of the pool free for use.

6. BOB GILBERTSON CENTRAL CITY YMCA – DOWNTOWN -110 East Palm Ave – Joining the YMCA is a great idea if you are Twentysomething running on a low income. Their membership rate is based directly on your income, so the membership is never more than you can afford. Included in that membership is gym and pool access. The Bob Gilbertson Central City YMCA located on the Westside of Downtown has an Olympic sized pool perfect for outdoor exercise in the heat-infused Tampa summer months giving you an excuse to go outside and get active.