Capture the scent of wood smoke in the air. Hear the sound of metal blades skimming over smooth ice. Close your eyes and your senses return you to 1634, as you skate on the Frog Pond in America's oldest public park.

Here at the coolest gathering place in Boston you can join local residents and visitors alike as they glide over the carefully manicured, refrigerated surface. In 1997, people were able to skate on this type of surface for the first time in Downtown Boston. The Frog Pond Skating Rink is now open from November to mid-March with at least 100 days of seasonal skating. Whether you're practicing for a 9.9 at the Winter Olympics or simply trying to stand on two feet, the ice at the Frog Pond will always be accommodating.

After you take a spin on the ice, why not enjoy a pleasant lunch or dinner nearby? Just beyond the Frog Pond you'll find some of Boston's finest restaurants.

From the restaurants and shops lining Charles Street to the shopping excitement of Downtown Crossing, Back Bay's Newbury Street and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, there's so much to do and see it can be positively dizzying, just like the feeling you get after attempting your first spin on skates.