Craving an indoor pool during the December break, my eight-year-old daughter suggested this newer aquatic center in Arlington close to the D.C. border. After swimming during their "family time," we will definitely be back. Here's why.

1) Admission: Run by Arlington Parks and Rec, admission is required for everyone. It's slightly cheaper for Arlington residents. Our friends who went right when family time started paid $25 as D.C. residents. We got their with only two hours left and weren't charged anything.

2) Pools: One side has lap pools for adults and lessons. The other side has a large pool, lazy river, little kid space, and water slide for families. The water was clean and the lazy river was fun. (The current is stronger than expected making it fun.)

3) Space: They have family changing areas with showers with hot water, lockers (bring your own locks), and more. Upstairs is a gym and an outdoor terrace bleeding into Long Bridge Park with views of National Airport and Washington, D.C.

4) Parking: With such a large parking lot, you can usually find a space. Of course, parking is free.

5) Area: Afterwards, grab lunch or dinner at nearby Crystal City where you can find fats casual like Rasa and sit-down restaurants.

Members of the public are often prevented from using the pool because it is monopolized by private groups. The only thing separating membership here from an outright scam is that the lane availability schedules are posted, and they show that for vast amounts of time during the workweek, there are few or no lanes available for public use. Every single weekday evening from around 3:30 to 8:30 PM, most or even all of the 22 swim lanes are not available. This facility sells expensive memberships for services that it then provides only on a severely limited basis. Long Bridge Aquatics Center does not serve the community for which it was built, and that is a shame.

Frequenting this place will remind you of the difference between a business that’s operated for profit and one that’s designed for open public use. 9 of the last 11 times I’ve been here over the last 6 months their hot tub was out of order.

I canceled my membership last year (which I bought solely for access to a hot tub after working out to managing pain issues) because 4 days of each week at random for different random reasons - the hot tub was closed.

Worst facility anywhere near Arlington.

Fantastic facility with helpful staff and super clean changing rooms. The pool is impressive and multi functional. Love this place and highly recommend the aquatic programs and classes. The gym is also state of the art and huge, also never really gets crowded.

I love exercising here! I haven't tried the pools, yet. However, a lot of families go swimming here. I've seen people of all ages here, too. There are weights, treadmills, and a yoga/stretching room in addition to the swimming pools.