Open Recreation is your opportunity to get moving whenever you have time. With multiple facilities where you can play, swim, run and workout all you have to do is get here! Check our open recreation schedules regularly for the most accurate times.
Our 50 meter pool at the Z Center and our 25 yard pool at Alumni/Wang are both great places to swim a few laps. While the Z Center Pool also accommodates MIT Varsity Athletics, Club Teams and special events, during Rec Swim hours you have the freedom to follow your personal routine without additional instruction.
All open swimming will be through online reservation located on the MIT Recreation Website (HERE). Individuals without a reservation will not be allowed access to the pool area.
Reservations will start 15 minutes after the top of each hour and will conclude at the end of the hour example 7:15 – 8:00am. The 15 minutes will allow for transition time and cleaning. Reservations can be made up to 1 hour prior to a reservation time. Please come on time to your reservation as no allowance will be given for extended swimming and will help promote social distancing inside the locker rooms. See Operational Playbook for more information.
Women’s only Rec Swim is offered during the academic year at the Alumni/Wang Pool on Tuesdays from 9:30pm – 10:30pm. Members and MIT Students have free access, pricing for non-members is listed below.
Interested in Women’s Only Learn to Swim or Beginning Swim Classes? Take a look at our Instructional Programs or sign-up for updates on all women’s only programs here.
Women’s Only Rec Swim Rates
| *Non-Members (w/ student ID) | **Non-Members (non-students) | |
| 1 Pass | $5 | $10 |
| 5 Passes | $25 | $50 |
| 10 Passes | $45 | $95 |
*Student passes must be purchased in person.
**Non-Member, non-student passes may be purchased online as a “series sale” or in person.
Improve your game year-round at The MIT Recreation Indoor Golf Driving Range. Open to members and guests, our golf range options include Private Lessons for adults and youth, or Golf Range Reservations.
Play Badminton at your own pace on one of our 3 courts in Rockwell Cage. Just find a partner, set-up the nets and get moving! We have raquets and shuttlecocks that you can purchase from our Pro Shop, but you’re always welcome to bring your own.
Shoot around, play a game of horse or go full-court! Basketball can be played in Rockwell Cage or DuPont Gym when our courts are available. At our equipment checkout, you are welcome to swap your I.D and borrow a men’s or women’s basketball.
The Johnson Ice Arena operates seasonally from October – March. Members and guests are welcome to participate during our General Skate and Recreational Hockey times based on our monthly schedules. Guests must purchase an MIT Recreation day pass for access to the ice arena.
For ice skate rentals or ice skate sharpening, stop by our main member service desk at the Z Center.
The Wood Sailing Pavilion grants access to MIT Students and our members who hold an active 6-month or annual membership. The facility is open from April 1st through November 15th and offers a Learn to Sail Program for beginners. Those with experience can obtain a Sailing Card and rent boats for recreational sailing. Open sailing hours are 12:00pm to sunset Tuesday – Sunday and 3:00pm to sunset on Mondays.
For more information visit sailing.mit.edu
*Currently unavailable due to boathouse renovations* The Pierce Boathouse grants access for recreational sculling to adults with an MIT Recreation membership. Those without experience or seeking to develop skills are encouraged to register for our Sculling Instructional Program offered during the summer.
Those with rowing or sculling experience may be cleared for unsupervised recreational sculling April 1 through September 30. In order to use our sculling shells an individual must: a) have at minimum a six month MIT Recreation membership that is active for the duration of the sculling pass, b) pass the swim/boat test, c) pass both a written and practical exam of sculling knowledge, and d) pay the annual fee. If you are interested in rec sculling, but unable to complete any part of the requirements, you may consider a private lesson to help establish competency. Please contact summerrowing@mit.edu for more information.
Day/Time: Weekdays, during boathouse open hours
Dates: April 1 (or when the river becomes safely accessible) – September 30
Cost: $150
Location: MIT Pierce Boathouse (W8), Charles River
Find an open court and get moving! It’s that easy for our members and guests to play or practice squash at our facilities. The Z Center has 6 squash courts available for open recreation where you can drop-in and play or reserve space for matches with friends.
COVID Update for Tennis: Beginning Monday, November 2nd, the J.B. Carr Tennis Bubble will be open for students in MIT COVID access. The hours will be Monday-Friday 7:00am-10:30am and 2:30pm-8:30pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm-7:15pm. There will be a 15-minute buffer between all bookings. Reservations are available up to two days in advance by calling 617-253-1451. Beginning Monday, November 23rd, the J.B. Carr Tennis Bubble will be open for faculty and staff in MIT COVID access. The hours will be Monday-Friday 7:00am-10:30am and 2:30pm-8:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm-7:15pm. There will be a 15-minute buffer between all bookings. Please note that the tennis facility will follow the same hours of operation as the Zesiger Center for Holiday hours. During this indoor season, all courts will be $25/hr. Reservations are available in advance by calling 617-253-1451 during operational hours.
*All users must be in MIT COVID access*
Serve up a good time on our tennis courts any time of year. Our Outdoor Tennis Courts are available as long as the weather permits while the Indoor Tennis Bubble season runs September through May. Indoor Tennis Bubble drop-in rates are listed below:
Indoor Tennis Drop-In Rates
| MIT Affiliation | No Affiliation | DAPER Member | |
| PT | $44/hr | $46/hr | $42/hr |
| Non PT | $28/hr | $29/hr | $27/hr |
*PT = Prime-Time, Non PT = Non-Prime-Time
Indoor Tennis Times
| Mon – Fri | Sat/Sun | |
| Prime- Time | 6pm – 10pm | 8am – 2pm |
| Non-Prime- Time | 7am – 2pm | 6pm – 9pm |
Current Outdoor Tennis Times
| Daily Schedule |
| Mon – Fri, 7am – 9pm Sat – Sun, 12pm – 7pm |
*No fee for Outdoor Reservations. Members may book a court up to 48 hour in advance.
For reservations, choose your location and call or login:
Outdoor: Online Reservations or call 617.253.9485
Winter/Indoor: 617.253.1451
