At the heart of Boston Common, one of the oldest and most treasured public parks in the US, sits the Boston Common Frog Pond. Although it’s named for the melodious creatures that once dotted the site, today, the pond’s placid surface is the natural habitat of visitors from around the world. The pond changes with the seasons; during the winter, park officials replace the water with ice for skating school and public sessions. During the spring and the fall, visitors cast pensive looks into the reflecting pond; in the summertime, those looks are trumped by the squeals of laughter from children cavorting around the spray pool and carousel.

No matter the season, the Frog Pond Café stays open, serving hot cocoa and soups to warm up winter guests, as well as year-round snacks including burgers, hot dogs, iced tea, and juice.