Breathe easy, parents — June is the month you're allowed to play favorites. In fact, we encourage it! Every year, our readers (an opinionated bunch!) tell us their picks for the spots that make Washtenaw County such a great place to raise a family — their top places to eat, play, learn, and be cared for — in our Family Favorites awards. Those votes create an annual guide to the best of the best for the families of Southeastern Michigan. Use the 2013 results as your family resource — and feel free to let your favorites be known!
Place for winter fun
Veteran’s Memorial Park
2150 Jackson Ave. / 734-794-6230 /
www.a2gov.org
Runner up: Huron Hills Park
Rainy day activity
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
220 E. Ann St./ 734-995-5439
www.aahom.org
Runner up: My Urban Toddler
Sunny day activity
Rolling Hills Water Park
7660 Stony Creek Rd. / 734-484-9676
www.ewashtenaw.org
Runner up: County Farm Park
Place to sneak in a history lesson
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
1109 Geddes Ave. / 734-764-0478
www.lsa.umich.edu
Runner up: Greenfield Village
Dance class
Dance Steps Studio, Inc.
5449 Countryside Dr., Saline
734-429-5522
www.dancestepsstudio.com
Runner up: Arts in Motion
Martial arts program
Keith Hafner’s Karate
214 S. Main St. / 734-994-0333
www.karateisgoodforyou.com
Runner up: Pittsfield
Recreation Department
Art class
Two Twelve Art Center
212 W. Michigan Ave., Saline / 734-944-2787
www.twotwelvearts.org
Runner up: Ann Arbor Art Center
Music class
Hand in Hand Music
10276 Normonie Ct., Saline / 734-429-3385
www.handinhandmt.com
Runner up: Ella’s Music
Free activity
Ann Arbor District Library
see website for locations / 734-327-4200
www.aadl.org
Runner up: Museum of Natural History
Family-friendly fair or festival
FestiFools
Main St. / 734-763-7550
www.festifools.org
Runner up: Ann Arbor Art Fair
Live theater for kids
Young People’s Theater
331 Metty Dr. Suite 3 / 734-763-8587
www.youngpeoplestheater.com
Runner up: Wild Swan
Place to hop on a horse
Maybury Riding Stable
20303 N. Beck Rd., Northville / 248-347-1088
www.mayburyridingstable.com
Runner up: Corner Stone Acres
Place to volunteer
Humane Society of
Huron Valley
3100 Cherry Hill Rd. / 734-662-5585
www.hshv.org
Runner up: Food Gatherers
Park or playground
County Farm Park
2230 Platt Rd. / 734-971-6337
www.ewashtenaw.org
Runner up: Mill Pond Park
Story hour
Ann Arbor Downtown Library
343 S. Fifth Ave. / 734-327-4200
www.aadl.org
Runner up: Saline Library
Swim lessons
Goldfish Swim School
2107 W. Stadium Blvd. / 734-864-5555
www.goldfishswimschool.com
Runner up: Saline Recreation Center
Place to swim
Rolling Hills Water Park
7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti Township
734-484-9676
www.ewashtenaw.org
Runner up: Goldfish Swim School
Indoor water park
Splash Universe
100 Whitetail Dr., Dundee / 877-752-7482
www.splashuniverse.com
Runner up: Liberty Athletic Club
Vacation that won’t empty your wallet
Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky / 419-627-2350
www.cedarpoint.com
Runner up: Great Lakes Beaches
Family-friendly gym
Liberty Athletic Club
2975 W. Liberty Rd. / 734-665-3738
www.libertyathletic.net
Runner up: Saline Recreation Center
Gymnastics Center
Gym America
4611 Platt Rd. / 734-971-1667
www.gymamericagymnastics.com
Runner up: Champion Gymnastics
Place to play rec sports
Saline Recreation Center
1866 Woodland Dr., Saline / 734-429-3502
www.salinerec.com
Runner up: Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center
Bowling alley
Maplewood Lanes
830 Woodland Dr. E, Saline / 734-429-5457
www.maplewoodlanes.com
Runner up: Colonial Lanes
Family restaurant
Zingerman’s Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Ave. / 734-663-3663
www.zingermansroadhouse.com
Runner up: Pizza House
Healthy fast food
Moe’s Southwest Grill
857 W. Eisenhower Pkwy. / 734-998-0900
www.moes.com
Runner up: Earthen Jar
Pizza joint (non-chain)
Pizza House
618 Church St. / 734-995-5095
www.pizzahouse.com
Runner up: Sylvio’s Organic Pizza
Burger place (non-chain)
Dan’s Downtown Tavern
103 E. Michigan Ave., Saline / 734-429-3159
Runner up: Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger
Ice cream shop
Mickey’s Dairy Twist
751 W. Michigan Ave., Saline / 734-429-4450
Runner up: Washtenaw Dairy
Place where kids eat free
Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack
104 E. Michigan Ave., Saline / 734-944-6227
www.macsinsaline.com
Runner up: Aubree’s Pizzeria and Grill
Kid-friendly grocery store
Busch’s Fresh Food Market
see website for locations / 734-214-8088
www.buschs.com
Runner up: Hiller’s Market
Natural food store
Whole Foods
see website for locations / www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Runner up: Arbor Farms
Kid’s clothier
My Urban Toddler
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline / 734-944-3628
www.myurbantoddler.com
Runner up: Elephant Ears
Kid’s shoe shop
Stride Rite
818 Briarwood Circle / 734-662-6600
www.striderite.com
Runner up: My Urban Toddler
Kid’s consignment
Once Upon a Child
4559 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: Mimi
Place to furnish your little one’s “nest”
Elephant Ears
415 N. Fifth Ave. / 734-622-9580
www.elephantearsonline.com
Runner up: My Urban Toddler
Locally owned specialty toys/gifts
The Little Seedling
355 S. Zeeb Rd. / 734-418-2392
www.thelittleseedling.com
Runner up: Lexi’s Toy Box
Entertainer
Joe Reilly, singer-songwriter
see website for contact information
www.joereilly.com
Runner up: Gemini
Birthday party venue
My Urban Toddler
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline / 734-944-3628
www.myurbantoddler.com
Runner up: Zap Zone
Place for goodie bag loot
The Rocket Candy and Gifts
122 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti / 734-483-2291
www.therocketypsi.com
Runner up: Hands on Museum Gift Shop
Place to buy a cake
Zingerman’s Deli
422 Detroit St. / 734-663-3354
www.zingermansdeli.com
Runner up: Cake Nouveaux
Support group for moms
Lamaze Family Center
2855 Boardwalk Dr. / 734-973-1014
www.lamazefamilycenter.org
Runner up: Stroller Strides
Mom-friendly play date
My Urban Toddler
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline / 734-944-3628
www.myurbantoddler.com
Runner up: Jungle Java
Place for single parents to meet
Jungle Java
3900 Jackson Rd. / 734-926-2990
www.junglejavaplay.com
Runner up: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
Parent blog
www.annarborwithkids.com
Runner up: www.arborparents.com
Date night restaurant
Pacific Rim by Kana
114 W. Liberty St. / 734-662-9303
www.pacificrimbykana.com
Runner up: Gratzi
Place for mom to be pampered
Fran Coy’s Salon and Spa
418 S. Wagner Rd. / 734-665-7207
www.francoysalon.com
Runner up: Salon Luminosity
Romantic getaway
Mackinac Island
see website for details / www.michigan.org
Runner up: Weber’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel
Neighborhood to raise kids
Saline
see website for details / www.ci.saline.mi.us
Runner up: Burns Park
Program (activity for preschoolers)
Music Together at Hand in Hand
10276 Normonie Ct., Saline / 734-429-3385
www.handinhandmt.com
Runner up: Tiny Tots at Leslie Science Center
Summer day camp
Varsity Day Camp
3420 Cordley Lake Rd., Pinckney
734-878-3515
www.varsitydaycamp.com
Runner up: Leslie Science and Nature Center
Tutor/learning center
Kumon Math and
Reading Center
2741 Plymouth Rd. / 734-761-4648
www.kumon.com
Runner up: Great Lakes Educational Group
Teacher (and his/her school)
Miss Bonnie Jacques, Preschool
Saline Cooperative Preschool
6299 Ann Arbor Saline Rd., Saline
734-429-0685
www.salinecoop.org
Runner up: Mrs. Wendy Kelley,
Early Learning Center
Family-friendly car dealership
Briarwood Ford
7070 E. Michigan Ave., Saline / 888-216-0452
www.briarwood-ford.com
Runner up: Lafontaine Automotive Group
Kid-friendly emergency room
Saint Joseph Mercy
Health System
5301 McAuley Dr., Ypsilanti / 734-712-3456
www.stjoeshealth.com
Runner up: University of Michigan Health System
Place to take Dad for Father’s Day
The Gandy Dancer Restaurant
401 Depot St. / 734-769-0592
www.muer.com
Runner up: Knight’s Steak House
Place to take Mom for Mother’sDay
Weber’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel
3050 Jackson Ave. / 734-769-2400
www.webersinn.com
Runner up: The Gandy Dancer Restaurant
Kid-friendly salon
Zoey + Joey Studio
3260 Washtenaw Ave. / 734-975-9400
www.zoeyjoeystudio.com
Runner up: Douglas J Aveda Institute
Picnic spot
Gallup Park
2970 Fuller Rd. / 734-994-2780
www.a2gov.org
Runner up: The Arboretum
Parent-friendly work place
University of Michigan
www.umich.edu
Runner up: Google
Bank/financial institution
Bank of Ann Arbor
see website for locations / 734-662-1600
www.bankofannarbor.com
Runner up: University of Michigan Credit Union
Family lawyer
Nichols Sacks, Slank Sendlebach and Buiteweg
121 W. Washington St. No. 300 / 734-994-300
www.nsssb.com
Runner up: George Sotiropoulos
Dentist/orthodontist
Woodland Family Dentistry
510 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline / 734-429-4111
www.woodlandfamilydentristry.com
Runner up: Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry
Place to give birth
Saint Joseph Mercy
Health System
5301 McAuley Dr., Ypsilanti / 734-712-3456
www.stjoeshealth.com
Runner up: C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital
OB/GYN
IHA Ann Arbor OB/GYN
990 W. Ann ArborTrail # 302 / 734-434-0477
www.ihacares.com
Runner up: University of Michigan Nurse Midwifery
Optometrist
Dr. Steven I. Bennett
Bennett Optometry
117 S. Main St. / 734-665-5306
www.bennettoptometry.com
Runner up: Dr. Thomas Cunningham,
Cunningham Vision Centers
Midwife
Patricia Kramer
Jackson Doulas
734-428-8740
www.jacksondoulas.com
Runner up: Cheryl Bachman
Pediatric practice
IHA Child Health
3100 E. Eisenhower Pkwy. / 734-971-9344
Runner up: Liberty Pediatrics
Doctor
Dr. Andrew Seiler
multiple locations in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline
Runner up: Dr. Therese Benevich
Chiropractor
Dr. Jonathan Lazar
Lazar Chiropractic
203 S. Zeeb Rd. #106 / 734-274-5107
www.lazarspinalcare.com
Runner up: Dr. T. J. Paquin,
Family Chiropractic Clinics of Michigan
Allergist
Dr. Harvey Leo
Allergy and Immunology Associates of Ann Arbor, P.C.
5333 McAuley Dr. Suite R1018, Ypsilanti
734-434-3007
www.annarborallergy.com
Runner up: Dr. Benjamin Song,
Allergy and Immunology Associates of Ann Arbor, P.C.
Veterinarian
Dr. Bill MacArthur
Affordable Vet Services
2117 W. Stadium Blvd. / 734-926-0114
www.affordablevetservices.com
Runner up: Dr. Annie Staebler, Ann Arbor Mobile Vet
Place to nurse a baby
Von Maur
300 Briarwood Circle / 734-622-0233
www.vonmaur.com
Runner up: Lamaze Family Center
Kids photographer
Cheryl Hall
Cheryl Hall Photography
8120 Huron St., Dexter / 734-426-8223
www.cherylhallphotography.com
Runner up: Kat Foley Photo
Special needs services
Down Syndrome Support Team
9227 Fieldstone Ln., Saline / 734-944-1595
www.downsyndromesupportteam.com
Runner up: Ann Arbor Preschool and Family Center
Place to worship
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
306 N. Division St. / 734-663-0518
www.standrewsaa.org
Runner up: First United Methodist
Preschool
Early Learning Center
3070 Redwood Ave. / 734-973-7722
www.elcpreschool.com
Runner up: Saline Cooperative Preschool
Daycare
The Discovery Center
775 S. Maple Rd. / 734-663-7496
www.thediscoverycenterpreschool.com
Runner up: Bemis Farms Childcare and Preschool
Drop-in childcare
Bright Beginnings Childcare and Preschool
5730 Amber Way, Ypsilanti / 734-819-1344
Runner up: Hour Kidz Day Care
Family-friendly restroom
Von Maur
300 Briarwood Circle / 734-622-0233
www.vonmaur.com
Runner up: Saline District Library
