Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am a new Raleighite (West Raleigh, Hilsborough section), from NYC and I am looking for a nice place to swim in clean water and also get some sun, without having to drive all the way to Carolina Beach.
Any info on some nice lake spots with beaches, or a more "upscale" pool club would be great.
There's a city run pool on Ridge Rd off of Wade Ave near the Beltline. However, I haven't been in years. So, I can't tell you how it's holding up or what the scene is like these days. I used to swim laps there when I lived nearby.
You can check out the pools by googling the City of Raleigh and then look at Leisure/Pools. There is a seasonal pool at Ridge Road that insn't enclosed where I swim laps and get some sun but it isn't upscale but I still like. Pullen and Millbrook are enclosed pools but you can get some sun at Millbrook. To get something "upscale" you might have to look at a private facility which I'm not too acquainted with. Hope this helps.
Here's a link to to a map showing private pools all over Raleigh and Cary that belong to the Tarheel Swim Assoc.Maybe one of them will suit your needs.
Lake Johnson pool is outdoors and while I don't think it's "upscale" it is very nice and not far from the Hillsborough Street area.
As for private facilities which require memberships, the pool at Lifetime Family fitness is really nice with the added benefit of the gym facilities.
Here's a link to a Jordan Lake website: Division of Parks and Recreation--Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Things to do (http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/jord/do.html - broken link)
What I am really more interested in though, is finding a sweet river or lake spot. (not sure if there even are any though)
The best lake spot, by far, is Beaver Dam on Falls lake (off of Creedmore/US50). No motorboats allowed on that arm of the lake, so it is a great place to openwater swim. Good depth there too, so the water doesn't feel warm as a bathtub. Very clean as well. Downside is that you have to pay an entrance fee during the day, but it is free in the evenings.
I would recommend Beaver Dam or any of the Falls Lake spots - you can find some nice places to sit and gaze at the water. Please note: The lake looks 'muddy'. It took some getting used to. If you are used to lakes in NY and more NE where they are crystal clear and cool, the lake here is warmer and you cannot see down very far. It is 'clean' but with all the clay and sediment, it is murky looking (no offense to the locals). I just didn't want you driving, paying your entrance fee and not knowing that. I also second the raleigh rec pools - whether or not they are overtaken with kids really depends on the time of day. Most have lap lanes though. There are also some private tennis clubs with nice pools.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
