Let the favorites begin! The ballots are in and counted! Washtenaw County voters have spoken! Thanks to all our readers for telling us what they love most about the Ann Arbor area. From local experts to exciting locations, it’s no wonder we love to call Washtenaw County home!
LET’S EAT
Family restaurant
Mangiamo Italian Grill
107 W. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-429-0060
Runner up: Zingerman’s Roadhouse
Healthy fast food
Whole Foods
3135 Washtenaw Ave.
734-975-4500
www.wholefoodmarket.com
Runner up: Jerusalem Garden
Fun place for dinner
Bagger Dave’s
859 W. Eisenhower Pkwy.
734-994-3283
Runner up: Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery
Pizza joint
Pizza House
618 Church St.
734-995-5095
Runner up: Mangiamo Italian Grill
Burger
Dan's Downtown Tavern
103 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-429-3159
Runner up: Bagger Dave’s
Ice cream shop
Mickey's Dairy Twist
751 W. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-429-4450
Runner up: Washtenaw Dairy
Place where kids eat free
Moe’s Southwest Grill
857 W. Eisenhower Pkwy.
734-998-0900
Runner up: Mac’s
Kid-friendly grocery store
Busch’s
2240 S. Main St.
734-998-2666
www.Buschs.com
Runner up: Trader Joe’s
Natural food store
Whole Foods
3135 Washtenaw Ave.
734-975-4500
wholefoodsmarket.com
Runner up: Arbor Farms
TOPS IN ANN ARBOR
Local company to work for if you have children
The University of Michigan
Runner up: Toyota
Best neighborhood to raise a family
Saline
Runner up: Burns Park
Kids photographer
Kat Foley
734-904-0070
www.katfoleyphoto.com
Runner up: Cheryl Hall Photography
Program for preschoolers
Ella’s Music Together at Hand in Hand Music
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-429-3385
www.handinhandmt.com
Runner up: My Urban Toddler
Summer day camp
Bemis Farms
77 W. Bemis Rd., Saline
734-944-1709
www.bemisfarmschildcare.com
Runner up: Ann Arbor Art Center
Summer day camp
Bemis Farms
77 W. Bemis Rd., Saline
734-944-1709
www.bemisfarmschildcare.com
Bemis Farms children develop a relationship with their natural surroundings — not only do they enjoy it as a setting for their games of tag, but they nurture it, as well, helping to water and care for plants. The 18 acres of farmland are the setting for Bemis Farms' summer day camps, but kids enjoy weekly field trips to baseball games, museums and water parks, too. They're also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a designation provided by the Washington, D.C. association to childcare and preschool centers devoted to nurturing children in all physical, emotional, and educational aspects.
Teacher
Angela Schmidt
Hand in Hand Music
1200 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline
734-429-3385
www.handinhandmt.com
Runner up: Betsy Mail
Tutor or learning center
Kumon Math and Reading Center
7005 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-944-1443
www.kumon.com
Runner up: Great Lakes Educational Group
Family-friendly car dealer
Briarwood Ford
7070 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
888-693-5001
www.briarwoodford.com
Runner up: Howard Cooper Honda
Bank/financial institution
U of M Credit Union
333 E. William St.
734-662-8200
www.umcu.org
Runner up: Bank of Ann Arbor
Special needs services
Ann Arbor Preschool and Family
2775 Boardwalk St.
734-994-2303
Runner Up: Parent’s Night Out at
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Dentist/orthodontist
Dr.Kay Wilson/Wilson
Dental Associates
1303 Packard St.
734-662-1591
www.drkaywilson.com
Runner up: Dr. Alizia Westfall
Optometrist
Dr. Christina Curcione
Ann Arbor Optometry
2433 Oak Valley Dr. #300
734-994-0100
www.aaoptometry.com
Runner up: Dr. Thomas Cunningham,
CVC Centers
Veterinarian
Animal Kingdom
4920 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.
734-913-0003
Runner up: Ann Arbor Cat Clinic
Family Lawyer
Derk Wilcox
Tishkoff & Associates PLLC
407 N. Main St.
734-663-40477
https://www.tishlaw.com
Runner up: Barbara E. Wise, PLLC
Place to worship
First United Methodist Church
1200 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline
734-429-4730
www.fumc-saline.org
Runner up: St.Thomas Apostle
Catholic Church
Special needs services
Ann Arbor Preschool and Family
2775 Boardwalk St.
734-994-2303
www.a2schools.org/preschool.home
The preschool, a part of Ann Arbor's public school district, provides an early intervention program for children up to three years of age who could have developmental delays or who have already been diagnosed with a disability. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Washington, D.C. (given to preschools that show exceptional dedication to nurturing children), and offers help to special needs families through services from teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, or physical therapists. There's also a program for children ages 3 to 5 with a diagnosed disability, to provide children the stability of remaining in the same environment and the comfort of building a long-lasting relationship
Preschool
Discovery Center of Ann Arbor
775 S. Maple Rd.
734-663-7496
www.thediscoverycenterpreschool.com
Runner up: Pooh Corner Preschool
Daycare
Bemis Farms
77 W. Bemis Rd., Saline
734-944-1709
https://www.bemisfarmschildcare.com
Runner up: Ann Arbor Kindercare L.C.
Place to give birth
St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital
5301 McAuley Dr.
734-712-3456
www.stjoesannarbor.org
Runner up: U of M Hospital
Pediatric practices
Liberty Pediatrics
3200 W. Liberty Rd. # A
734-994-5858
www.libertypediatrics.org
Runner up: IHA Pediatrics
Doctor
Dr. Andrew Seiler
3200 W. Liberty Rd.
734-994-5858
www.libertypediatrics.org
Runner up: Dr. Matthew Waier
Midwife
Holly Powers
1500 E. Medical Center Dr.
734-936-7507
Runner up: Stephanie Matos
Place to change a diaper
Von Maur
300 Briarwood Cir.
734-622-0233
www.vonmaur.com
Runner up: My Urban Toddler
Place to nurse a baby
Von Maur
300 Briarwood Cir.
734-622-0233
www.vonmaur.com
Runner up: My Urban Toddler
Family restroom
Von Maur
300 Briarwood Cir.
734-622-0233
www.vonmaur.com
Runner up: Briarwood Mall food court
Kids haircut
247 North Maple Rd.
734-997-9190
www.greatclips.com
Runner up: Renew, Van Buren Salons
LET’S PLAY
Dance class
Arts in Motion
2841 Boardwalk Dr.
734-222-6246
www.artsinmotion.net
Runner up: Dance Steps Studio Saline
Program for preschoolers
Ella's Music Together at Hand In Hand Music
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-429-3385
www.handinhandmt.com
Ella’s Music Together, a Hand In Hand Music program, provides a nurturing environment for children with Down syndrome. Babies to children as old as 5 can participate in the musical jam sessions, usually held at My Urban Toddler, and show off their best drumstick moves in this creative outlet for preschool children.
Art class
Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St.
734-994-8004
www.annarborartcenter.org
Runner up: 212 Art Center
Music class
Hand in Hand Music Together with Angela Schmidt
10276 Normonie Ct., Saline
734-429-3385
www.handinhandmt.com
Runner up: Ella First Steps Music Together
Free activity
Ann Arbor District Library
343 S. Fifth Ave.
734-327-4200
www.aadl.org
Runner up: Ann Arbor Parks
Family-friendly festival
Ann Arbor Art Fair
721 E. Huron St. #200
734-994-5260
www.artfair.org
Runner up: Ann Arbor Summer Fest
Live theater for children
Wild Swan
410 S. Maple
734-995-0530
www.wildswantheater.org
Runner up: Michigan Theater
Park or playground
Mill Pond Park
565 W. Bennett St., Saline
734-429-3502
Runner up: County Farm Park
Live theater for children
Wild Swan Theater
410 S. Maple
734-995-0530
www.wildswantheater.org
Wild Swan Theater is maintained by a dedicated group of Ann Arbor theater lovers who seek to make high quality productions available for families in all walks of life. Started in 1980, their variety of programs, from live performances of children's classics like "The Three Little Pigs" to the more thought-provoking "The Spirit of Harriet Tubman," instill a love and appreciation for the arts in kids (or the kids inside us all)
Story hour
Ann Arbor District Library
343 S. 5th Ave.
734-327-4200
www.aadl.org
Runner up: Saline Library
Sunny day activity
Ann Arbor Parks
For locations, www.a2gov.org
Runner up: Gallup Park
Swim lessons
Gold Fish Swim
2107 W. Stadium Blvd.
734-864-5555
www.goldfishswimschool-annabor.com
Runner up: Saline Rec Center
Indoor water park
Splash Universe
100 Whitetail Dr.
877-752-7482
www.splashuniverse.com
Runner up: Kalahari
Vacation on a budget
Buhr Park Ice Arena
2751 Packard Rd.
734-794-6234
Runner up: Frankenmuth
Family friendly health club
YMCA
400 W. Washington St.
734-996-9622
www.annarborymca.org
Runner up: Liberty Athletic Club
Indoor sports facility
YMCA
400 W. Washington St.
734-996-9622
www.annarborymca.org
Runner up: Wide World
Gymnastics
Gym America
4611 Platt Rd.
734-971-1667
www.gymamericagymnastics.com
Runner up: Champion
Bowling alley
Colonial Lanes
1950 S. Industrial Hwy.
734-665-4474
coloniallanescubsac.com
Runner up: Maplewood Lanes
BIRTHDAY BASHES
Entertainer
Colors the clown
17991 Wingate Rd.
734-428-7926
www.colorstheclownandco.com
Runner up: Gordo the Magician
Place to buy a cake
Baker’s Nook
901 W. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-429-1320
www.shopbakersnook.com
Runner up: Cake Nouveau
Inflatable bounce house
Extreme Bounce
82 Aprill Dr.
734-761-3242
www.xtremebouncezone.com
Runner up: Delux Rental
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Kid’s clothing
Elephant Ears
415 N. 5th Ave.
734-622-9580
www.elephantearsonline.com
Runner up: Children’s Place
Kid’s shoes
Stride Rite
818 Briarwood Cir.
734-662-6600
www.striderite.com
Runner up: Von Maur
Consignment for kids
Once Upon a Child
3426 Washtenaw Ave.
734-971-6822
www.onceuponachild.com
Runner up: Children's Orchard
Place to buy maternity clothes
My Urban Toddler
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-944-3628
www.myurbantoddler.com
Runner up: Motherhood
Place to splurge
for the nursery
My Urban Toddler
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-944-3628
www.myurbantoddler.com
Runner up: Elephant Ears
Speciality toys and gifts
Learning Express
2465 W. Stadium Blvd.
734-997-0707
www.annarbor.learningexpress-toys.com
Runner up: My Urban Toddler
FOR ADULTS ONLY
Support group for moms
Lamaze Family Center
2855 Boardwalk Dr.
734-973-1014
www.lamazefamilycenter.org
Runner up: Moms of Ypsilanti
Mom-friendly date spot
My Urban Toddler
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-944-3628
www.myurbantoddler.com
Runner up: Jungle Java
Place for single parents to meet
Ann Arbor Parks
Runner up: Jolly Pumpkin Cafe
and Brewery
Parent blog
Ann Arbor Mom Blog
www.annarbormom.com
Runner up: www.experiencedbadmom.com
Date night restaurant
The Chop House
322 S. Main St.
888-456-3463
www.thechophouserestaurant.com
Runner up: Pacific Rim, Gratzi
Romantic getaway
Weber's Inn
3050 Jackson Ave.
800-443-3050
www.webersinn.com
Runner up: Hot Tub Gardens
