A gazebo is a freestanding outdoor structure with a roof and open sides, usually built in gardens, parks, or backyards. Picture a small, covered pavilion where you can sit and enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from sun and rain. Most gazebos are round or have six or eight sides, with pillars or posts holding up the roof, and they often have built-in benches along the inside edges.

People build gazebos in spots with nice views: overlooking a pond, in the center of a garden, or on a hill. They're perfect places to read a book on a summer afternoon, have a picnic dinner, or just sit and watch the world go by. Some families hold outdoor weddings in gazebos decorated with flowers and ribbons.

The word comes from “gaze,” which makes sense when you think about it. A gazebo is designed for gazing out at the scenery around you. Unlike a porch attached to a house, a gazebo stands alone, surrounded by open space. Unlike a tent, it's a permanent structure built to last for years. You'll find gazebos in public parks where people gather for concerts, in botanical gardens where visitors rest between flower beds, and in backyards where families enjoy warm evenings together.