The benefits of a good swim are well known — all the upside of running or other aerobic exercises, minus the downside of a long grind on a hard surface (i.e., fewer orthopedic injuries).
What’s less established are the benefits of a good swim in a beautiful, inviting or just plain jaw-dropping lap pool. But we suspect you’d be willing to give it a try just in case — especially since seeking out a new place to swim can help you stave off the boredom of doing another round laps.
Here, dive into the country’s 10 must-visit lap pools — guaranteed to give you a boredom-free swim.
1. THE INDOOR POOL AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL, CHICAGO
Photo Credit: Intercontinental Hotel
Built in 1929 — just as the Roaring ‘20s were giving way to the Great Depression — this junior Olympic-sized pool has been hosting swimmers since the building was part of the Medinah Athletic Club. (Johnny Weissmuller — aka Tarzan — trained here.) Its Jazz Age glamour, including hand-painted Spanish tiles, has been painstakingly preserved. Best of all, you don’t need to book a room to go — you can get a membership to the spa or spring for a day pass.
2. RIVER HOUSE POOL AT PALMETTO BLUFF, BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Photo Credit: Palmetto Bluff
A low country stunner overlooking the May River, this 50-meter, three-lane pool near Hilton Head and Savannah is perhaps the most relaxing location on our list. (Helpful on that front: No kids allowed.) It’s a saltwater pool, which is believed to help with everything from asthma to inflammatory diseases, and supposedly can help induce sleep. Be sure to relax your muscles at the adjacent Jacuzzi.
3. BARR POOL AT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY, DALLAS