Summer Hidden Gems: Magazine Beach Bath House and Pool

Nestled along the Charles River across the street from Starbucks and Trader Joe’s is the Magazine Beach Bath House, a free public pool. Now that Mother Nature has decided to grace Cambridge with some actual summer weather, Flyby wants to bring this hidden gem, open every day until 7 p.m., to light.

The good:

The pool is big, deep but not too deep, and all kinds of refreshing. This definitely isn’t one of those pools that is filled with ice-cold hose water TJ’s and Starbucks are right there, so stock up on your summer treats on the way home.It’s free. Even if you’re not the swimming type, you can go to get your tan on without spending your precious cash money.There’s a cute grill-picnic area and soccer field next to the pool.

The bad:

It’s crowded, because college kids definitely aren’t the only demographic that likes cooling off on a summer day. If it’s at capacity, which it probably will be on weekend afternoons, you might have to wait in line for a bit, too.The walk is a tad long. A mile and a half is definitely not a breeze when you’re armed with a pool bag, towel, etc., and it’s 95 degrees.Food is aggressively prohibited in the pool area. If you’re going to try and sneak in an elaborate picnic lunch, proceed with caution.

Overall, though, Flyby gives this pool a thumbs up. If anything, it’s a much-needed break between sweating at work and sweating in your dorm room.