You voted for your Family Favorites and the results are in! From the best place for after school activities to the best family friendly restaurant to the best health care in town, see the results of our readersβ votes in this go-to guide for places to be, things to see, and where to shop in the Ann Arbor area all year long.
Party Time | Out and About | Family Friendly Eats | Shop Local | Social Media Faves | Education and Childcare | After School Activities | Health and Wellness | Get Active | Me Time
Party Time
Place for an Indoor Birthday Bash
#1: The Chelsea TreeHouse | thechelseatreehouse.com
The Chelsea Treehouse is an awesome adventure destination featuring 9,000 square feet of play and hang out space. The location boasts a huge climbing and playing structure, five slides, a baby and toddler area, swinging bridges, basketball hoops and, of course, a huge tree house to climb and explore. As a bonus, their climbing structure is big enough for kids of all ages and adults too! The cafe also features treats for adults and kids like Washtenaw Dairy donuts and Zingermanβs gourmet coffee. The Treehouse is easy to find in Chelseaβs Village Plaza Shopping Center.
Runner Up: Kidopolis
Place for an Outdoor Birthday Bash
#1: County Farm Park | washtenaw.org/421/County-Farm-Park
Runner Up: Leslie Science & Nature Center
Party Entertainment
#1: Robinsongs For Kids | robinsongsforkids.com
Runner Up: Dave Melcher, Sonic Boom Enterprises
Place to Buy a Gift
#1: The Little Seedling | thelittleseedling.com
Runner Up: Learning Express Toys
Place to Buy a Birthday Cake
#1: Zingermanβs Bakehouse | zingermansbakehouse.com
Runner Up: Tasty Bakery
Out and About
Family Activity
#1: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum | aahom.org
Runner Up: Hand in Hand Music
Family Day Trip
#1: Toledo Zoo | toledozoo.org
Runner Up: Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford Museum
Place to Camp
#1: Pinckney Recreation Area | michigandnr.com
Runner Up: Waterloo Recreation Area
Indoor Playspace
#1: 2|42 Church Community Center | 242communitycenter.com
Runner Up: The Chelsea TreeHouse
Place to Read
#1: Ann Arbor District Library | aadl.org
Runner Up: Saline District Library
Place to Worship
#1: St. Francis of Assisi | stfrancisa2.com
Runner Up: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Ann Arbor
Kid Friendly Museum
#1: Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum | aahom.org
Runner Up: University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
Sporting Event for Families
#1: University of Michigan Basketball | mgoblue.com
Runner Up: University of Michigan Football
Animal Encounters
#1: The Creature Conservancy | thecreatureconservancy.org
Runner Up: Leslie Science & Nature Center
Garden and Nature Center
#1: Matthaei Botanical Gardens | mbgna.umich.edu
Runner Up: Leslie Science & Nature Center
Place to Volunteer
#1: Humane Society of Huron Valley | hshv.org
Volunteering at HSHV is a very rewarding experience and there are so many ways for your family to help out. Volunteers assist with cleaning the shelter, animal enrichment activities such as dog walking and cat comforting, and even can become adoption counselors. There is a job for everyone in your family (over age 12). Family members ages 12-17 years old can participate in the HSHVβs Youth Junior Volunteer (J.V.) Program. Youth in the J.V. program attend volunteer training sessions to learn different procedures, policies and safety precautions for working with and caring for animals. Upon completion of all six sessions, certified Junior Volunteers have opportunities to volunteer at HSHV!
Runner Up: Food Gatherers
Family Friendly Eats
Cupcakes/Bakery
#1: The Cupcake Station | cupcakestation.com
Runner Up: Zingermanβs Bakehouse
Candy Shop
#1: Kilwins | kilwins.com
Runner Up: The Rocket
Ice Cream Shop
#1: Washtenaw Dairy | washtenawdairy.com
Runner Up: Blank Slate Creamery
Frozen Yogurt Shop
#1: Menchieβs | menchies.com
Runner Up: TCBY
Healthy Family Restaurant
#1: Seva | sevarestaurant.com
Runner Up: The Lunch Room
Family-Friendly Restaurant
#1: Zingermanβs Roadhouse | zingermansroadhouse.com
Runner Up: Jerusalem Garden
Kid-Friendly Coffee Shop
#1: Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea | sweetwaterscafe.com
Runner Up: 2|42 Church Community Center
Local Pizza Place
#1: Buddyβs Pizza | buddyspizza.com
Runner Up: Aubreeβs Pizzeria and Grill
Place Where Kids Eat Free
#1: MAIZ Mexican Cantina, Ypsilanti | maizmexican.com
Runner Up: The Pretzel Bell
Shop Local
Place to Buy Kidsβ Clothing
#1: The Little Seedling | thelittleseedling.com
Runner Up: Once Upon a Child
Kidsβ Consignment/Resale Shop
#1: Grow With Me | growwithme123.com
Runner Up: Once Upon a Child
Place to Buy School Uniforms
#1: Once Upon a Child | onceuponachildannarbor.com
Runner Up: Meijer
Baby Boutique Shop
#1: The Little Seedling | thelittleseedling.com
Runner Up: My Urban Toddler
Mom-Owned Business
#1: The Little Seedling | thelittleseedling.com
Runner Up: Hand in Hand Music
Bike Shop
#1: Wheels in Motion | wheelsinmotion.us
Runner Up: Great Lakes Cycling
Family Photographer
#1: Kat Foley, Saline | katfoleyphoto.com
Runner Up: Vera Davis Photography
Place to Buy Childrenβs Books
#1: Nicolaβs Books | nicolasbooks.com
Runner Up: Literati
Social Media Faves
Local Parent Blogger
#1: Anna Trievel, Ann Arbor With Kids | annarborwithkids.com
Runner Up: Sarah Noda, Good Idea Mom
Local Parent Facebook Group
#1: Ann Arbor Area Mamas Network | facebook.com/groups/annarbormamas
Runner Up: Hike it Baby Ann Arbor
Local Instagram Account
#1: @thelittleseedling
Runner Up: @WhiteLotusFarms
Education and Childcare
Preschool
#1: Early Learning Center | elcpreschool.com
Runner Up: Saline Cooperative Preschool
Daycare
#1: Gretchenβs House Child Development Centers | gretchenshouse.com
Runner Up: Teddy Bear Day Care and Learning Center
Teacher
#1: Ms. Bonnie Jacques, Saline Cooperative Preschool | salinecoop.org
Runner Up: Marciah Boerema, Early Learning Center Preschool
School Principal
#1: Al Waters, Director, Honey Creek Community School | honeycreekschool.org
Runner Up: Tracey Smith, Early Learning Center Preschool
Elementary School
#1: Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, Saline Area Schools | salineschools.org
Runner Up: Harvest Elementary School, Saline Area Schools
Private/Parochial School
#1: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School | stfrancisa2.com
Runner Up: Emerson School
Charter School
#1: Honey Creek Community School | honeycreekschool.org
Runner Up: South Arbor Charter Academy
Middle School
#1: Saline Middle School, Saline Area Schools | salineschools.org
Saline Middle School believes that middle level education must respect the unique developmental issues facing early adolescents. Middle School students are experiencing rapid, life changing challenges. As educators, they feel a responsibility to educate the whole child, not just teaching information, but teaching life lessons that will assist them in becoming successful adults. This innovative approach carries into their announcement that they will bring the Summit Learning Platform to their school for the 2018-2019 school year. The program will launch with one 6th grade and one 7th grade team and focuses on project-based learning to connect classroom learning with real world application. This excitement and innovative approach to learning is why our readers selected them as a Family Favorite.
Runner Up: Summers-Knoll School
Tutoring Center
#1: Great Lakes Educational Group, Saline | greatlakeseducationalgroup.com
Runner Up: Kumon
After-School Program
#1: Ann Arbor YMCA | annarborymca.org
Runner Up: Ann Arbor Art Center
Special Needs Services
#1: Down Syndrome Support Team | downsyndromesupportteam.com
Runner Up: High Point School
After School Activities
Acting and Theatre Classes
#1: Spinning Dot Theatre | spinningdot.org
Runner Up: Young Peopleβs Theater
Dance Studio
#1: Arts In Motion Dance Studio | artsinmotion.net
Runner Up: Dance Steps Studio
Kids Art Class
#1: Ann Arbor Art Center | annarborartcenter.org
Runner Up: Flipside Art Studio
Gymnastics Class
#1: Gym America | gymamericagymnastics.com
Runner Up: Champion Gymnastics
Martial Arts Program
#1: Quest Martial Arts | quest-martialarts.com
Quest takes a family approach to teaching the Martial Arts. As a Black Belt school, they focus on their ability to take students of all experience levels from the very beginning of their training through belt progressions to the achievement of a Black Belt. Their facility is open to athletes of all ages and experience levels and skilled instructors work hard to meet the needs of each student on an individual level. In their Kids Martial Arts classes they work with parents to help you find the right class, instead of grouping children based on their age or experience level. Quest Martial Arts truly offers comprehensive martial arts training for the whole family.
Runner Up: PKSA Karate Ann Arbor
Music Class
#1: Robinsongs For Kids | robinsongsforkids.com
Runner Up: Hand in Hand Music
Swim Lessons
#1: Goldfish Swim School | goldfishswimschool.com
Runner Up: Saline Parks & Recreation
Horseback Riding Lessons
#1: Double H Equestrian Center, Whitmore Lake | doubleheq.com
Runner Up: Misty Meadows, LLC
Health and Wellness
Pediatric Practice
#1: Liberty Pediatrics | libertypediatrics.com
Runner Up: Dr. Sara Sandvig, Michigan Medicine Pediatric Clinic
Urgent Care
#1: IHA Urgent Care WestArbor | ihacares.com
Runner Up: IHA Internal MedicineβDominoβs Farms
Place to Give Birth
#1: Von Voigtlander Womenβs Hospital | umwomenshealth.org
Runner Up: St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor
OB/GYN
#1: Dr. Caren Stalburg, Michigan Medicine OB/Gyn Clinic | uofmhealth.org
Runner Up: Dr. Natalie Saunders, Michigan Medicine OB/Gyn Clinic
Midwife
#1: Anne Rosa, CNM, Michigan Medicine | medicine.umich.edu
Runner Up: Sarah Hakala, IHA Nurse Midwives
ENT Doctor
#1: Dr. David Brown, Michigan Medicine Ped, Otolaryngology Clinic | mottchildren.org
Runner Up: Dr. Paul Hoff, Michigan Otolaryngology Surgery Associates
Family Doctor
#1: Dr. Amanda Kaufman, Integrative Healthcare Providers | ihcpaa.com
Runner Up: Dr. Noble, Saline Health Care Center
Chiropractor
#1: Holistic Healing and Chiropractic Center | holistichealingannarbor.com
Runner Up: Borer Family Chiropractic
Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
#1: Erica Johnson Carder, Bennett Optometry | bennettoptometry.com
Runner Up: Cunningham Vision Centers 2st
Pediatric Dentist
#1: Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry | annarborpediatricdentistry.com
Runner Up: Ann Arbor Smiles Dental Group
Allergist
#1: Dr. Harvey Leo, Allergy and Immunology Associates of Michigan | annarborallergy.com
Runner Up: Dr. Marc McMorris, Michigan Medicine Allergy Clinic
Orthodontist
#1: Dr. Katherine Kelly Orthodontics, Saline | drkatherinekelly.com
Runner Up: Edwards & Schaefer Orthodontics
Speech/Language Therapy
#1: Rachel Schilling, Childrenβs Center for Growth and Development | childrenscenterforgrowth.com
Runner Up: Spectrum Therapy
Natural & Homeopathic Health
#1: Integrative Healthcare Providers | ihcpaa.com
Runner Up: Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center
Family Mental Health & Counseling Services
#1: Robin Kahler | robinkahler.com
Runner Up: University Center for the Child and Family (UCCF)
Veterinarian
#1: Affordable Vet Services | affordablevetservices.com
Runner Up: Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hosp.
Get Active
Place to Go Ice Skating
#1: Ann Arbor Ice Cube | a2ice3.com
Runner Up: Buhr Park
Place to Play Mini-Golf
#1: Putterz, Ypsilanti | putterz.com
Runner Up: Stone Mountain Family Fun Center
Park or Playground
#1: Gallup Park | a2gov.org
Runner Up: County Farm Park
Waterpark
#1: Rolling Hills Water Park, Ypsilanti |washtenaw.org
Runner Up: Blue Heron Bay
Family-Friendly Gym
#1: Ann Arbor YMCA | annarborymca.org
Runner Up: Liberty Athletic Club
Soccer Program
#1: Saline Area Soccer Association, Saline | salinesoccer.org
Runner Up: WideWorld Sports Center
Youth Sports League
#1: Ann Arbor Rec & Ed | a2schools.org/reced
Runner Up: Pittsfield Township Parks & Recreation
Traveling Sports Club League
#1: Ann Arbor Aβs Travel Baseball Club | annarboras.com
Runner Up: One on One Basketball
Summer Day Camp
#1: Saline Parks & Recreation, Saline | cityofsaline.org
Runner Up: Spinning Dot Theatre
Sports Camp
#1: University of Michigan | camps.mgoblue.com
Runner Up: Kids K.A.M.P., WideWorld Sports Center
Faith Based Summer Camp/Vacation Bible School
#1: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School | stfrancisa2.com/school
Runner Up: SpringHill Day Camp
Kids Fitness Class
#1: Peachy Fitness | peachyfitness.com
Runner Up: Final Round Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness
Me Time
Date Night Restaurant
#1: Aventura | aventuraannarbor.com
Runner Up: Real Seafood Company, Ann Arbor
Workout for Mom
#1: Ringstar Studio | a2ringstar.com
Runner Up: Jazzercise Center of Ann Arbor
Spa Day for Mom
#1: Fran Coys Salon and Spa | francoysalon.com
Runner Up: Renew Salon & Spa, Saline
Girls Night Out
#1: The Session Room | sessionrooma2.com
Need a location for your next girls night out? The Session Room offers the perfect place to set down the sippy cup and pick up a glass of your favorite beverage from their expansive menu of wines, beers, and cocktails. Relax on the patio and enjoy a delicious meal of their elevated brew fare such as their best-selling Session nachos, a delicious pizza, or their salmon BLT sandwich. They also offer an incredible selection of craft cocktails and make all their own juices and syrups. Consider this reader favorite for your next night on the town.
Runner Up: Isalita
