As much as I love running from one attraction to the next, sometimes you just have to sit down for a while and relax. It’s always an added bonus when you can find a place to unwind and still enjoy the gorgeous views all around the park!

The following is my ranking of the top 5 places to unwind at the Disneyland Resort. I have excluded places where you have to purchase something (like a table service restaurant or bar), and instead chose open spaces where you can just sit down and rest your feet for a while.

5. Red Rose Taverne

Red Rose Taverne

If you’re on the Tomorrowland/Fantasyland side of Disneyland, you’ll be hard pressed to find a quiet place to sit down and relax. But the Red Rose Taverne is hidden in the perfect spot at the back of Fantasyland, and is quite the escape from the commotion! You can relax on the semi-enclosed patio, which overlooks the King Arthur Carrousel, Dumbo, and the forest to the north, or head inside and sit in the antler-filled dining room, covered wall to wall in elaborate Beauty and the Beast decor. The Red Rose Taverne is a wonderful place to regroup, and is surprisingly peaceful for being in such an endlessly noisy and busy land.

4. The Hungry Bear Restaurant

Hungry Bear Restaurant

If some peace and quiet is what you’re after, The Hungry Bear Restaurant is THE place to be at the Disneyland Resort. This two-tiered patio is tucked along the very back corner of Critter Country, right on the waterfront of the Rivers of America. You can watch the riverboat and canoes float by, or look out at the views of Splash Mountain and New Orleans Square. Day or night, this shady, rustic patio is one of the best places to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

3. Paradise Gardens

Top 5 Places to Unwind

The gardens in Paradise Gardens Park make for a really great place to hang out. You’ll be able to enjoy live music periodically, bask in the sunshine on nice days, or cool off under the fans on hot days. The patio’s great location between the far end of the pier and the walkway to Cars Land and Grizzly Peak makes for an ideal spot to plan the rest of your day, and it’s also close to tons of great dining and snack options.

2. Flo’s V8 Café

Flo's V8 Cafe

Whether you’re a fan of Cars or not, Cars Land is undeniably one of the most amazing and beautiful lands in the park. Flo’s V8 Café, located on the main strip, is the land’s largest restaurant, and its back patio offers breathtaking views of the landscape and mountains. I love to grab an ice cream from Ghirardelli or a drink from the Cozy Cone and just sit back and relax on the patio. You won’t find a better view anywhere in the park, and the patio is the perfect place to take it all in.

1. Rancho del Zocalo

Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

My favorite place to take a breather is Frontierland’s Rancho del Zocalo. This Mexican restaurant has a semi-outdoor dining room, perfect for getting some shade while still enjoying the breeze, or a fully outdoor patio, perfect for soaking up the sun and enjoying periodic mariachi performances. Despite being between two of the loudest attractions in the park (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Shootin’ Exposition), Rancho del Zocalo is quiet, private, and gorgeous. Whether you’re visiting for a meal or just a quick break, Rancho del Zocalo is the absolute perfect place to rest, and feels like its own little world.

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