Thank you, readers, for participating in our annual Readers’ Choice poll. We’ve counted your ballots, and we’re pleased to unveil the results of your votes. Browse the following pages to learn about the businesses, people and places you voted as the best for children and families in the Baltimore area. Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners and thank you to everyone who took time to nominate and vote for them this year!
Eating Out
Best Food Truck
Winner: BMore Greek Grill
Runner-Up: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
Best Local Bakery
Winner: THB Bagelry & Deli
Runner-Up: Yia Yia’s Bakery
Best Local Burger
Winner: Clark Burger
Runner-Up: Gino’s Burgers & Chicken
Best Local Brewery
Winner: Inverness Brewing
Runner-Up: B.C. Brewery
Best Local Cup of Coffee
Winner: The Roast Coffee and Cafe
Runner-Up: Baltimore Coffee and Tea
Best Local Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Shop
Winner: Taharka Brothers Ice Cream
Runner-Up: Prigel Family Creamery
Best Local Outdoor/Patio Dining
Winner: CeCe’s Roland Park
Runner-Up: Hightopps Backstage Grille
Best Local Pizza
Winner: Frank’s Pizza and Pasta
Runner-Up: Pepe’s
Best Local Restaurant to Feed a Family of Four
Winner: Pappas Restaurant & Sports Bar
Runner-Up: Pepe’s
Best Local Restaurant with a Kid’s Night/Special
Winner: Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Runner-Up: Friendly’s
Best Local Restaurant with Entertainment or Diversions
Winner: Hightopps Backstage Grille
Runner-Up: Magoobys Joke House
Best Local Romantic Restaurant
Winner: The Milton Inn
Runner-Up: La Scala
Best Local Sports Bar
Winner: Looney’s Pub
Runner-Up: Charles Village Pub
Best Local Winery
Winner: Boordy Vineyards
Runner-Up: Linganore Wines
Education and Camps
Best Academic/Enrichment Program
Winner: Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Runner-Up: Lutherville Music School
Best After-School Program
Winner: Immaculate Conception School
Runner-Up: Gilman School
Best Arts Program
Winner: Roland Park Country School
Runner-Up: Calvert Hall College High School
Best Ballet Class
Winner: Towson University
Runner-Up: A Step Ahead Dance Center
Best Baseball Camp
Winner: Calvert Hall College High School
Runner-Up: Gilman School
Best Camp – Day
Winner: Summer at Friends
Runner-Up: Irvine Nature Center
Best Camp – Overnight
Winner: Camp Puh’tok
Runner-Up: River Valley Ranch (RVR)
Best Camp – Special Needs
Winner: Sensory Inclusive Summer Camp at the B&O
Runner-Up: J Camps
Best Charter School
Winner: Creative City Public Charter School
Runner-Up: George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Best Children’s Cooking Classes
Winner: Baltimore Chef Shop
Runner-Up: Gilman School
Best Children’s Theatre or Drama Instruction
Winner: Roland Park Country School
Runner-Up: Calvert Hall College High School
Best ChildCare/Daycare Center
Winner: Trinity Episcopal Church
Runner-Up: Bright Star Early Learning LLC
Best Community College
Winner: Community College of Baltimore County
Runner-Up: Harford Community College
Best Continuing Education
Winner: Towson University
Runner-Up: Community College of Baltimore County
Best Dance Program
Winner: A Step Ahead Dance Center
Runner-Up: Charm City Ballet
Best Dance Studio
Winner: Charm City Ballet
Runner-Up: A Step Ahead Dance Center
Best Day Camp for Preschoolers
Winner: Irvine Nature Center
Runner-Up: PADONIA
Best Foreign Language Instruction
Winner: Roland Park Country School
Runner-Up: Mercy High School
Best Gymnastics Center
Winner: Rebounders Gymnastics
Runner-Up: Towson Gymnastics Academy
Best Independent School
Winner: Calvert Hall College High School
Runner-Up: The Park School of Baltimore
Best Montessori School
Winner: Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School
Runner-Up: Montessori School of Westminster
Best Outdoor Enrichment Camp or Program
Winner: Irvine Nature Center
Runner-Up: Adamah Adventure Camp at Pearlstone
Best Place for Kids to Play
Winner: Irvine Nature Center
Runner-Up: Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Best Performance Art Program
Winner: Roland Park Country School
Runner-Up: Notre Dame Preparatory School
Best Preschool Program
Winner: Little Reds – Roland Park Country School
Runner-Up: Trinity Episcopal Preschool
Best Private Elementary School
Winner: Park School of Baltimore
Runner-Up: Immaculate Conception School
Best Private High School
Winner: Calvert Hall College High School
Runner-Up: Roland Park Country School
Best Private School (overall)
Winner: Calvert Hall College High School
Runner-Up: Roland Park Country School
Best Private School: Coed
Winner: Friends School of Baltimore
Runner-Up: Immaculate Conception School
Best Private School: Boys
Winner: Calvert Hall College High School
Runner-Up: Gilman School
Best Private School: Girls
Winner: Notre Dame Preparatory School
Runner-Up: Roland Park Country School
Best Public School
Winner: Towson High School
Runner-Up: Eastern Technical High School
Best SAT/ACT Test Prep Tutoring
Winner: Capital Educators
Runner-Up: Meredith Dew
Best School Break Program
Winner: Stages Music Arts
Runner-Up: Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Best Special Needs Programming
Winner: A Step Ahead Dance Center
Runner-Up: Friendship Circle
Best Special Needs School
Winner: The Odyssey School
Runner-Up: The William S. Baer School
Best Sports After-school Program
Winner: Mercy High School
Runner-Up: Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore
Best Sports Camp
Winner: Calvert Hall College High School
Runner-Up: Summer at Friends
Best STEM Camp
Winner: Red Hot Summer Camps at Roland Park Country School
Runner-Up: Summer at Friends (Robots & Rockets)
Best STEM Program
Winner: Notre Dame Preparatory School
Runner-Up: Roland Park Country School
Best Summer Program
Winner: Calvert Hall College High School
Runner-Up: Red Hot Summer Camps at Roland Park Country School
Best Swim Instructor
Winner: Coach Terri Byrd, Notre Dame Preparatory School
Runner-Up: Mercy High School
Best Swim School
Winner: Merritt Clubs
Runner-Up: Goldfish Swim School
Best Tutoring Program
Winner: Meredith Dew
Runner-Up: Fit Learning Maryland
Best University
Winner: Towson University
Runner-Up: Loyola University of Maryland
Best Visual Arts Program
Winner: Notre Dame Preparatory School
Runner-Up: Roland Park Country School
Best Youth Sports League
Winner: Towson Recreation Council
Runner-Up: White Marsh Recreation Council
Family Fun
Best Amusement Park
Winner: Hersheypark
Runner-Up: Adventure Park USA
Best Art Gallery
Winner: Chesapeake Arts Center
Runner-Up: The Katz Gallery at Friends School
Best Bowling Alley
Winner: Parkville Bowling Lanes
Runner-Up: Stoneleigh Lanes
Best Concert Venue
Winner: Merriweather Post Pavilion
Runner-Up: Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
Best Family Day Trip
Winner: Ocean City, Maryland
Runner-Up: Great Wolf Lodge – Baltimore/Perryville, MD
Best Family Event
Winner: Maryland State Fair
Runner-Up: Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards
Best Farmers Market
Winner: The Baltimore Farmers’ Market
Runner-Up: Hereford Farmers Market
Best Free Family Fun
Winner: Baltimore County Public Library
Runner-Up: Carroll County Public Library
Best Ice Skating Rink
Winner: Ice Skating at THE AVENUE at White Marsh
Runner-Up: Mimi DiPietro Family Skating Center
Best Indoor Activity
Winner: National Aquarium
Runner-Up: Maryland Science Center
Best Indoor Attraction
Winner: National Aquarium
Runner-Up: Maryland Science Center
Best Indoor Play Facility
Winner: Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Runner-Up: Storyville – Baltimore County Public Library
Best Indoor Swimming Pool/Rec Center
Winner: YMCA
Runner-Up: Merritt Clubs
Best Movie Theater
Winner: Cinemark Towson and XD
Runner-Up: The Senator Theatre
Best Museum
Winner: Maryland Science Center
Runner-Up: The B&O Railroad Museum
Best Outdoor Activity
Winner: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Runner-Up: Hiking at Irvine Nature Center
Best Outdoor Attraction
Winner: Irvine Nature Center
Runner-Up: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Best Performance Theater for Young Audience
Winner: Children’s Theatre Production Company at the JCC
Runner-Up: Charm City Players
Best Petting Zoo
Winner: Catoctin Wildlife Preserve
Runner-Up: Clark’s Elioak Farm
Best Roller Rink
Winner: Coppermine Sportsman’s Hall Roller Skating Center
Runner-Up: Laurel Roller Skating Center
Best Swimming Pool
Winner: PADONIA
Runner-Up: YMCA
Best Water Park
Winner: Great Wolf Lodge
Runner-Up: Merritt Clubs
Health and Wellness
Best Allergy or Asthma Doctor & Practice Name
Winner: Jonathan Matz, M.D., Allergy & Asthma Specialists of Maryland
Runner-Up: Dr. Matthew Mardiney, M.D.
Best Children’s Dentistry
Winner: Baltimore Pediatric Dentistry
Runner-Up: Growing Smiles – Pediatric Dentistry in Maryland
Best Children’s Therapist/Psychiatrist & Practice
Winner: Matthew Edelstein, Psy.D., Johns Hopkins
Runner-Up: Sachele Edwards, M.A., CAS, LCPC at LB Counseling Group
Best Children’s Yoga Classes
Winner: Merritt Clubs
Runner-Up: The Womb Room
Best Cosmetic Surgeon
Winner: Samir Shureih, M.D.
Runner-Up: George T. Grace, M.D., Ascension
Best Dentist & Practice Name
Winner: Dr. Simhi, Baltimore Pediatric Dentistry
Runner-Up: Dr. Susanne Wallengren, Joppa Green Pediatric Dentistry
Best Dermatologist & Practice Name
Winner: Advanced Dermatology
Runner-Up: Dermatology at Mercy Medical Center
Best ER for Kids
Winner: GBMC HealthCare
Runner-Up: Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Best Eye Doctor (Optometrist) & Practice Name
Winner: Elizabeth McGinn, O.D., GBMC
Runner-Up: Abraham Zuckerbrod, O.D., Ideal Family Eye Care
Best Family Doctor & Practice Name
Winner: Amy Winkelstein, M.D. at Maryland Pediatric Group
Runner-Up: Margaret Andrews, D.O. at GBMC Health Partners Primary Care – Family Care Associates
Best Family Therapist / Psychiatrist & Practice Name
Winner: Sachele Edwards, M.A., CAS, LCPC – LB Counseling Group
Runner-Up: Matthew Edelstein, Psy.D. – Brief Treatment Clinic at Kennedy Krieger Institute
Best Fertility Clinic
Winner: Shady Grove Fertility
Runner-Up: GBMC HealthCare
Best Hospital
Winner: GBMC HealthCare
Runner-Up: University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
Best Midwife
Winner: Gigi Moore, University of Maryland Medical System
Runner-Up: Moonstone Midwifery
Best Nutritionist/Dietician
Winner: Samantha Lewandowski, RDN, CEDS-C – Big Picture Nutrition
Runner-Up: Rachel Lucke, M.S., CNS, LDN
Best OB/GYN & Practice Name
Winner: Capital Women’s Care (Towson)
Runner-Up: Aimee Jacobs, M.D. at Aurora Women’s Health
Best Orthodontist & Practice Name
Winner: Lawrence Wang, DDS, M.S., Baltimore Orthodontic Group
Runner-Up: Moshe Stern, DDS, M.S., Isaacs, Nawy, Stern & Isaacs Orthodontics
Best Orthopedist & Practice Name
Winner: Philip McClure, M.D., Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics
Best Pediatric Hospital
Winner: Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Runner-Up: Mt. Washington Pediatric Center
Best Pediatric Mental Health Practitioners
Winner: Chea Weltchek, LCPC, Counseling & Wellness Collective
Runner-Up: Matthew Edelstein, Psy.D., Johns Hopkins Medicine
Best Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Practice
Winner: Kids Thrive Therapy
Best Pediatric Orthopedic Practice
Winner: Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Runner-Up: Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics
Best Pediatric Vision Care
Winner: Michael Repka, M.D., Johns Hopkins Hospital
Best Pediatrician & Practice Name
Winner: Amy Winkelstein, M.D., Maryland Pediatric Group
Runner-Up: Jason Goldstein, M.D., Pavilion Pediatrics
Best Physical Therapist & Practice Name
Winner: Pelvic Pride Physical Therapy & Wellness
Runner-Up: Agape Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation
Best Place to Deliver Your Baby
Winner: GBMC Medical
Runner-Up: St. Joseph’s Medical Center
Best Urgent Care
Winner: ExpressCare Urgent Care Center
Runner-Up: Patient First Primary & Urgent Care
Best Weight Loss Program or Doctor
Winner: GBMC Medical Weight Loss Program
Runner-Up: Merritt Clubs
Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
Winner: Merritt Clubs
Runner-Up: Club Pilates
Living
Best Church/Place of Worship
Winner: Church of the Nativity
Runner-Up: Calvary Baptist Church
Best Kid-Free Night Out
Winner: Toby’s Dinner Theatre
Runner-Up: Author events at Carroll County Public Library
Best Kid’s Birthday Party Program
Winner: Clark’s Elioak Farm
Runner-Up: Irvine Nature Center
Best Kids’ Deals
Winner: The TotSwap Kid’s Consignment Sales
Runner-Up: Tried But True
Best Local Children’s Author
Winner: Kristin Hanson
Runner-Up: Becky Titelman
Best Local Getaway/Resort
Winner: Havre de Grace
Runner-Up: Wisp Resort
Best Local News Personality
Winner: Tony Pann
Runner-Up: Reagan Warfield
Best Local Professional Athlete
Winner: Gunner Henderson
Runner-Up: Lamar Jackson
Best Minor League Sport Experience
Winner: Aberdeen IronBirds
Runner-Up: Frederick Keys
Best Park/Play Area
Winner: Annie’s Playground
Runner-Up: Lake Roland Park
Best Party Destination
Winner: Irvine Nature Center
Runner-Up: Clark’s Elioak Farm
Best Place for a Team Party
Winner: Merritt Clubs
Runner-Up: PADONIA
Best Place for Family Fun
Winner: Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Runner-Up: National Aquarium
Best Professional Sporting Event for Families
Winner: Baltimore Orioles
Runner-Up: Baltimore Ravens
Best Public Space
Winner: Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Runner-Up: Angel Park
Services
Best Baby/Family Photography
Winner: JB Photography (Landisville, PA)
Runner-Up: Jessica Leigh Photography
Best Caterer
Winner: The Classic Catering People
Runner-Up: Eddie’s of Roland Park
Best Day Spa
Winner: About Faces Day Spa & Salon
Runner-Up: Truth, Mind & Body
Best Daycare
Winner: Bright Star Early Learning, LLC
Runner-Up: Little Friends Early Learning Center
Best Deck/Porch Builder
Winner: Allied Remodeling
Runner-Up: Maryland Decking
Best Electrician
Winner: Tim Kyle Electric, Heating & Cooling
Runner-Up: Milton Electric
Best Event Planner
Winner: Rachel Hoffberger, Plan It Perfect Events
Runner-Up: Kim Bray, K2B Events
Best Family-Friendly Gym
Winner: YMCA
Runner-Up: Merritt Clubs
Best Flooring Company
Winner: Jim Boyd’s Carpet & Rug Outlet
Runner-Up: Jason Brown Wood Floors
Best Financial Planner
Winner: Brian Kroneberger, RBC Wealth Management
Runner-Up: Lauren Debelius
Best Hair Salon/Colorist
Winner: Elements of Style Hair Salon – Eldersburg
Best Hair Salon for Children
Winner: Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids
Runner-Up: Sharkeys Cuts for Kids
Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company
Winner: Perry Hall Heating & Air
Runner-Up: Blue Dot Services
Best Kid’s Party Entertainer
Winner: The Science Guys of Baltimore
Runner-Up: Eric Energy
Best Kitchen Designer
Winner: Baltimore Kitchen & Bath
Runner-Up: Cox Kitchens and Baths
Best Local Family Photographer
Winner: Jessica Leigh Photography
Runner-Up: Rochel Lazar
Best Mani/Pedi
Winner: About Faces Day Spa & Salon
Runner-Up: Bliss Nail Bar
Best Martial Arts Instruction
Winner: Kells Karate Academy
Runner-Up: Victory Martial Arts
Best Mechanic
Winner: Leading Edge Auto Body & Mechanical Repair
Runner-Up: Adam T&T Automotive
Best Mortgage Loan Officer
Winner: Jonathan Wald, Main Street Home Loans
Runner-Up: Allan Gushue, First Home Mortgage
Best Music Instruction
Winner: Stages Music Arts
Runner-Up: Lutherville Music School
Best Nanny/Babysitting Services
Winner: Brandon Dean’s Childcare
Runner-Up: Kids Club at Canton Merritt Clubs
Best Overall Gym or Health Club
Winner: YMCA
Runner-Up: Merritt Clubs
Best Painting Company
Winner: Donovan’s Painting
Runner-Up: Sheldon & Sons Painting
Best Party Venue
Winner: PADONIA
Runner-Up: Wonderfly Arena
Best Personal Organizer
Winner: Simplify Organizing, LLC
Best Pet Groomer
Winner: Pet Care Extraordinaire
Runner-Up: Shaggy Chic Pet Grooming
Best Pet Trainer
Winner: Carter Wilde at Wilde Acres
Runner-Up: Cerberus K9
Best Plumber
Winner: Lutherville Plumbing
Runner-Up: 1st Choice Plumbing & Backflow Prevention, LLC
Best Realtor
Winner: The Beliveau Group
Runner-Up: Michelle Vogel
Best Remodeling Company
Winner: Brothers Services Company
Runner-Up: Pikesville Remodeling
Best Veterinarian
Winner: Kim Hammond, DVM at Falls Road Animal Hospital
Runner-Up: Chelsea McIntyre, VMD at Evergreen Veterinary Care
Shops and Wares
Best Accessories Store
Winner: The Mimi Boutique
Runner-Up: The MAD Cottage
Best Children’s Consignment or Resale Store
Winner: Once Upon a Child – Timonium
Runner-Up: Kid to Kid
Best Grocery Store
Winner: Wegmans
Runner-Up: Eddie’s of Roland Park
Best Health Food Store
Winner: MOM’s Organic Market
Runner-Up: Sprouts
Best Jewelry Store
Winner: Smyth Jewelers
Runner-Up: The 1916 Company (formerly Radcliffe Jewelers)
Best Kids’ Boutique
Winner: Pied Piper Kids
Runner-Up: Once Upon a Child – Timonium
Best Kitchen Counters Company
Winner: Maryland Countertop Solutions
Runner-Up: GranitePro
Best Local Car Dealer
Winner: Carmax
Runner-Up: Keene Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram
Best Local Children’s Furniture Store
Winner: IKEA
Runner-Up: Bob’s Discount Furniture
Best Local Selection of Children’s Books
Winner: Ivy Kids
Runner-Up: A Likely Story Bookstore
Best Local Shoe Store
Winner: Van Dyke & Bacon
Runner-Up: Ma Petite Shoes
Best Local Shopping Center or Mall
Winner: The Shops at Kenilworth
Runner-Up: Hunt Valley Town Centre
Best Local Toy Store
Winner: Shenanigans Toys
Runner-Up: Totally Toys of Maryland
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: BH & Co.
Runner-Up: The Mimi Boutique
Best Party Supplies
Winner: Amazon
Runner-Up: Costco
Best Pet Sitting/Boarding
Winner: Camp Bow Wow Towson
Best Pet Store
Winner: PetSmart
Runner-Up: Petco – Timonium
Best Place to Buy Outdoor Play Equipment
Winner: Play N’ Learn
Runner-Up: Playground Specialist
