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 2025 winners and thank you to everyone who took time to nominate and vote for them this year!
Eating Out
Best Food Truck
Bmore Greek Grill
Runner Up: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
Best Local Bakery
Fenwick Bakery
Runner Up: Yia Yia’s Bakery
Best Local Brewery
B.C. Brewery
Runner Up: 1623 Brewing
Best Local Burger
Copper Shark
Runner Up: Wits End Saloon
Best Local Cup of Coffee
Aveley Farms Coffee Roasters
Runner Up: Ceremony Coffee Roasters
Best Local Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Shop
The Charmery
Runner Up: Taharka Brothers Ice Cream
Best Local Outdoor/Patio Dining
HighTopps Backstage Grille
Runner Up: Tark’s Grill & Bar
Best Local Pizza
Coal Fire
Runner Up: Frank’s Pizza & Pasta
Best Local Restaurant To Feed a Family of Four?
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Runner Up: Ashland Cafe
Best Local Restaurant With a Kids’ Night/Special
Denny’s
Best Local Restaurant With Entertainment or Diversions
Looney’s Pub
Runner Up: HighTopps Backstage Grille
Best Local Romantic Restaurant
LaScala
Runner Up: The Milton Inn
Best Local Sports Bar
The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille
Runner Up: Charles Village Pub
Best Local Winery
Boordy Vineyards
Runner Up: Linganore Winecellars
Education and Enrichment
Education and Enrichment
Best Academic/Enrichment Program
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Peabody Institute
Best After-School Program
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Merritt Clubs
Best Arts Program
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Peabody Institute
Best Ballet Class
Charm City Ballet
Runner Up: Ballet Theatre of Maryland Conservatory of Dance
Best Baseball Camp
Gilman School
Runner Up: Calvert Hall College High School
Best Camp – Day
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Summer at Friends
Best Camp – Overnight
Camp Puh’tok
Runner Up: Camp Ramah in the Poconos
Best Camp – Special Needs
Sensory Inclusive Summer Camp at the B&O
Runner Up: The Arc NCR
Best Charter School
Creative City Public Charter School
Runner Up: Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Best Child Care/Daycare Center
Bright Star Early Learning LLC
Runner Up: Trinity Episcopal Preschool
Best Children’s Theatre or Drama Instruction
Chesapeake Arts Center
Runner Up: Children’s Playhouse of Maryland
Best Community College
Community College of Baltimore County
Howard Community College
Best Continuing Education
Community College of Baltimore County
Runner Up: Towson University
Best Day Camp for Preschooler
Irvine Nature Center
Runner Up: Charm City Ballet
Best Dance Studio
Charm City Ballet
Runner Up: A Step Ahead Dance Center
Best Foreign Language Instruction
Gilman School
Runner Up: Fun With Foreign Language
Best Gymnastics Center
Rebounders Gymnastics
Runner Up: BC Gymnastics
Best Independent School
Friends School of Baltimore
Runner Up: Calvert Hall College High School
Best Montessori School
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School
Runner Up: Montessori School of Westminster
Best Outdoor Enrichment Camp or Program
Irvine Nature Center
Runner Up: Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center
Best Performance Art Program
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Children’s Chorus of Maryland
Best Place for Kids to Play
Irvine Nature Center
Runner Up: Clark’s Elioak Farm
Best Preschool Program
Trinity Episcopal Preschool
Runner Up: Gilman School
Best Private Elementary School
Friends School of Baltimore
Runner Up: Immaculate Conception School
Best Private High School
The Catholic High School of Baltimore
Runner Up: Immaculate Conception School
Best Private School (overall)
The Park School of Baltimore
Best Private School: Boys
Calvert Hall College High School
Runner Up: Gilman School
Best Private School: Co-ed
Immaculate Conception School
Runner Up: Friends School of Baltimore
Best Private School: Girls
Notre Dame Preparatory School
Runner Up: Roland Park Country School
Best Public School – Elementary
Rodgers Forge Elementary School
Runner Up: Eldersburg Elementary School
Best Public School – High School
Towson High School
Runner Up: Baltimore City College
Best Public School – Middle
Cockeysville Middle School
Runner Up: Roland Park Elementary/Middle School
Best SAT/ACT Test Prep Tutoring
Meredith Dew
Runner Up: Capital Educators
Best School Break Program
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Soundcheck Rock Academy
Best Special Needs Camp
JCC Inclusion Program (Not sure if this is right but J Day Camp isn’t a real thing)
Runner Up: Sensory Inclusive Summer Camp at the B&O (Railroad Museum)
Best Special Needs Programming
Harford County Infant and Toddler/Child Find
Runner Up: Friendship Circle
Best Special Needs School
The Odyssey School
Best Sports Afterschool Program
Gilman School
Runner Up: The Children’s Guild
Best Sports Camp
Gilman School
Runner Up: Downtown Sailing Center
Best STEM Camp
Chesapeake Arts Center
Best STEM Program
Notre Dame Preparatory School
Runner Up: Chesapeake Arts Center
Best Summer Program
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Park School Camps
Best Swim Instruction
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: Coach Terri Byrd, Notre Dame Preparatory School
Best Swim School
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: Goldfish Swim School
Best Tutoring Program
SAJE Education Services
Runner Up: Fit Learning Maryland
Best University
Towson University
Runner Up: University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
Best Visual Arts Program
Notre Dame Preparatory School
Runner Up: MICA Young People’s Studio
Health and Wellness
Health and Wellness
Best Allergy or Asthma Doctor & Practice Name
Jonathan Matz MD
Best Children’s Dentistry
Baltimore Pediatric Dentistry
Runner Up: Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Best Children’s Therapist/Psychiatrist & Practice Name
Adefolake Akinsanya, MD, Sheppard Pratt
Runner Up: Sachele Edwards at LB Counseling Group
Best Children’s Yoga Classes
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: Sachele Edwards (Unsure if she does yoga? Couldn’t find anything on this)
Best Cosmetic Surgeon
Thomas Grace
Best Dance Program
A Step Ahead Dance Center
Runner Up: Arabesque Dance Studio
Best Dentist & Practice Name
Dr. Chani Simhi, Baltimore Pediatric Dentistry
Runner Up: Dr. Jay Shires, Sweet Tooth Dentistry
Best ER for Kids
Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)
Runner Up: The Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Room
Best Eye Doctor (Optometrist) & Practice Name
Dr Elizabeth McGinn – GBMC
Runner Up: Dr. Jeffrey Wexler at Physicians Eye Care
Best Family Doctor & Practice Name
Dr Amy Winkelstein at Maryland Pediatric Group
Runner Up: Dr Margaret Andrews – GBMC Family Care Associates
Best FamilyTherapist/Psychiatrist & Practice Name
Sachele Edwards
Best Fertility Clinic
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Best Hospital
Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)
Runner Up: Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
Best Midwife
Moonstone Midwifery
Best Nutritionist/Dietician
Rachel Lucke
Best OB/GYN & Practice Name
Kimberly Kesler-O’Rourke, Perinatal Associates at GBMC
Runner Up: Dr. Aimee Jacobs – Aurora Women’s Health
Best Orthodontist & Practice Name
Dr. Amanda Gallagher, Amanda Gallagher Orthodontics
Runner Up: Dr. Maxine Clark, Maryland Orthodontic Specialists
Best Orthopedist & Practice Name
Dr Philip McClure- Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopaedics
Runner Up: Dr. Gregory Guyton – MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
Best Pediatric Hospital
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Runner Up: Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
Best Pediatric Mental Health Practitioners
Chea Weltchek
Best Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Practice Name
Kids Thrive Therapy
Best Pediatric Orthopedic Practice
Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics
Best Pediatric Vision Care
Dr Michael Repka, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute
Best Pediatrician & Practice Name
Andrew Cardin, Owings Mills Pediatrics
Runner Up: Dr. Ariela Taub, Cross Keys Pediatrics and Family
Best Physical Therapist & Practice Name
Pelvic Pride
Runner Up: Agape Physical Therapy
Best Place to Deliver Your Baby
Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)
Runner Up: Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
Best Urgent Care
Patient First Primary and Urgent Care
Runner Up: PM Pediatric Urgent Care
Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: Breathe Free Physical Therapy & Yoga
Living
Best Church/Place of Worship
Church of the Nativity
Runner Up: Bolton Street Synagogue
Best Kid-Free Night Out
Everyman Theatre
Runner Up: Merritt Clubs
Best Kids’ Birthday Party Program
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: Clark’s Elioak Farm
Best Local Children’s Author
Jessica Correnti
Runner Up: Maggie D. Brace
Best Local News Personality
Tony Pann
Best Local Professional Athlete
Gunnar Henderson
Runner Up: Zay Flowers
Best Minor League Sport Experience
Towson University Athletics
Runner Up: Baltimore Lightning
Best Park/Play Area
Clark’s Elioak Farm
Runner Up: Oregon Ridge Nature Center
Best Party Destination
Irvine Nature Center
Runner Up: Urban Pirates
Best Place for a Team Party
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: PADONIA
Best Place for Family Fun
Maryland Science Center
Runner Up: Irvine Nature Center
Best Professional Sporting Event for Families
Baltimore Orioles
Runner Up: Baltimore Blast
Best Public Space
Storyville – Rossville
Services
Best Baby/Family Photography
Heartlove Photography
Best Caterer
The Classic Catering People
Runner Up: Santoni’s Marketplace & Catering
Best Day Care
Padonia Park Child Centers
Runner Up: Bright Star Early Learning LLC
Best Day Spa
Sweet Willow Massage & Wellness
Runner Up: About Faces Day Spa & Salon
Best Event Planner
Rachel Hoffberger/Plan It Perfect
Best Family-Friendly Gym
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: Jewish Community Center (JCC) Owings Mills
Best Financial Planner
Travis Brown
Runner Up: Lauren Debelius
Best Kids’ Party Entertainer
Mr. Bond, Science Guys of Baltimore
Runner Up: Urban Pirates
Best Hair Salon/Colorist
Kimberly’s Beach House Salon & Spa
Runner Up: Michael’s Signature Salon
Best Hair Salon for Children
Cookie Cutters Haircuts For Kids – Lutherville and Perry Hall
Runner Up: Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids – Timonium
Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company
Blue Dot
Runner Up: Farnen & Dermer
Best Local Family Photographer
Heartlove Photography
Runner Up: Rochel Lazar
Best Mani/Pedi
About Faces Day Spa & Salon
Runner Up: Cindy’s Nails
Best Martial Arts Instruction
Three Branches Kung Fu
Runner Up: Ground Control, Owings Mills
Best Mechanic
Adam Pollard – T&T Automotive
Runner Up: Lenny’s Automotive
Best Minor League Sport Experience
Towson University Athletics
Best Mortgage Loan Officer
Brian Sacks
Runner Up: Butch Velten
Best Music Instruction
Stages Music Arts
Runner Up: Lutherville Music School
Best Nanny/Babysitting Services
Napp
Runner Up: Brandon Dean’s Childcare
Best Overall Gym or Health Club
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: YMCA
Best Party Venue
Clark’s Elioak Farm
Runner Up: Irvine Nature Center
Best Personal Organizer
Simplify Organizing
Best Plumber
Donovan WaterWorks
Runner Up: 1st Choice Plumbing
Best Public Space
Storyville – Rossville
Best Realtor
Lauren Shapiro – Long & Foster, Baltimore Regional Center
Runner Up: Carole Glick – Long & Foster, Baltimore Regional Center
Best Remodeling Company
Brothers Services
Runner Up: Pikesville Remodeling
Best Veterinarian
Dr. Kim Hammond, Falls Road Animal Hospital
Runner Up: Dr.Charles Lerner, Fountain Green Veterinary Center
Shops and Wares
Best Accessories Store
The Mimi Boutique
Best Children’s Consignment or Resale Store
Tried but True
Runner Up: TotSwap Consignment Sales
Best Grocery Store
Wegmans
Runner Up: Giant Food, Timonium
Best Health Food Store
MOM’s Organic Market
Best Jewelry Store
Smyth Jewelers
Runner Up: Radcliffe Jewelers
Best Kids’ Boutique
Pied Piper Kids
Runner Up: Wee Chic Boutique
Best Local Car Dealer
Len Stoler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
Runner Up: Heritage Subaru Owings Mills
Best Local Selection of Children’s Books
Baltimore County Public Library
Runner Up: Greedy Reads
Best Local Shopping Center or Mall
Foundry Row
Runner Up: Towson Town Center
Best Local Toy Store
Shananigans Toy Shop
Runner Up: Doc Taylor’s Toy Emporium
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
The Mimi Boutique
Runner Up: Renewal Upscale Resale
Best Maternity Clothing
Target
Runner Up: Ooh La La Boutique
Best Party Supplies
Costco
Best Pet Store
Petco, Timonium
Baron’s K-9 Market
Best Shoe Store
Nordstrom Rack
Runner Up: Van Dyke & Bacon Shoes
Things To Do
Best Amusement Park
Hersheypark
Runner Up: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Best Art Gallery
Chesapeake Arts Center
Runner Up: The Walters Art Museum
Best Bowling Alley
Stratosphere Social
Runner Up: Stoneleigh Lanes
Best Concert Venue
Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
Runner Up: Chesapeake Arts Center
Best Family Day Trip
Great Wolf Lodge Perryville
Runner Up: Ocean City, Maryland
Best Family Event
Maryland State Fair
Runner Up: Orioles game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Best Free Family Fun
Baltimore County Public Library
Runner Up: FREE FRIDAYS at Irvine Nature Center
Best Ice Skating Rink
Mimi DiPietro Family Skating Center, Patterson Park
Runner Up: Inner Harbor Ice Rink
Best Indoor Activity
National Aquarium
Runner Up: Storyville – Baltimore County Public Library
Best Indoor Attraction
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Runner Up: National Aquarium
Best Indoor Play Facility
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Runner Up: We Rock the Spectrum
Best Indoor Swimming Pool/Rec Center
Owings Mills Jewish Community Center (JCC)
Runner Up: YMCA (Which one?)
Best Movie Theater
AMC
Runner Up: Cinemark Towson and XD
Best Museum
The Maryland Science Center
The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum
Best Outdoor Attraction
Irvine Nature Center
Runner Up: PADONIA
Best Outdoor Activity
Hiking at Irvine Nature Center
Runner Up: Urban Pirates
Best Performance Theater for Young Audiences
Chesapeake Arts Center
Runner Up: Cockpit in Court Summer Theater
Best Petting Zoo
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Runner Up: Baugher’s Orchards & Farm
Best Roller Rink
Sportsman’s Hall Roller Skating Center
Best Swimming Pool
Merritt Clubs
Runner Up: PADONIA
