Metro Parent’s first-ever “best of” survey may not be as prestigious as the Academy Awards. But for local parents, it’s a heap more relevant! After all, these winners are in 25 categories that matter most to moms and dads. From your top toy store to your favorite family getaway, you told us what places are primo to you and your tots. Did your favorites make the cut? Browse through our gallery and discover which southeast Michigan stores, services and spots are superstars to local parents like you.
1. Family Sit-Down Restaurant
Chain
Gold
Max and Erma’s
“They serve kids’ cocktails like Watermelon Fizz and my son’s favorite, the Beetlejuice (grape juice and Sprite with gummy worms). Plus, the build-your-own sundae bar is a big hit!” – Heather Lorring, Utica
Silver
Bronze
Independent
Gold
Zingerman’s Deli
422 Detroit St., Ann Arbor
Silver
Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen
54 S. Main St., Clarkston
“They make the best macaroni and cheese in the whole state, and you know how much kids love mac ‘n cheese.” – Sharon Billings, Rochester
Bronze
Apple Annie’s
28030 Gratiot Ave., Roseville
2. Cheap Eats on the Fly
Major chains
Gold
McDonald’s
“Telling my kids that we’re going to McDonald’s is a real treat. Nothing makes them happier than those Happy Meals.” – Sheree Woods, Oak Park
Silver
Bronze
Independent
Gold
Silver
Supino Pizzeria
2457 Russell St., Detroit
“Our son is a real foodie. As far as he’s concerned the only pizza worth eating is Supino’s. He loves their “Smoky” with prosciutto, garlic and ricotta.” – J.R. Berry, Grosse Pointe Park
Bronze
3. Grocery Store
Major chains
Gold
Meijer
“Their ‘Organics’ line of cookies, crackers, peanut butter, apple sauce and more are just awesome and so cheap!” – Michelle Morgan, Berkley
Silver
Bronze
Independent
Gold
Silver
Plum Market
“They have the biggest, juiciest Bell & Evans organic rotisserie chickens that will make you swear off those dried-up birds sold at most grocery stores.” – Claire Graske, West Bloomfield
Bronze
Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace
4. Toy Store
Gold
Little Monsters
16 W. Flint St., Lake Orion
“They always have the coolest toys you can’t find anywhere else, and my daughter loves picking from the tiny toy buckets they have. So fun!” – Nina Scott-Patton, Romeo
Silver
Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop
3947 12 Mile Road, Berkley
Bronze (tie)
Toyology
Orchard Lake Mall, West Bloomfield
Tree Town Toys
2611 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor
5. Movie Theater
Gold
Silver
Bronze
6. Family Attraction
Gold
Detroit Zoo
Woodward Avenue and 10 Mile (I-696), Royal Oak
Silver
The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn
“It really is a treasure, and we parents get as much out of it as the kids.” – Carl Samperson, Huntington Woods
Bronze
Cranbrook Institute of Science
39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills
7. Bakery
Gold
Just Baked: A Cupcake Shop and Bakery
Silver
Bronze
8. Ice Cream Place
Gold
Treat Dreams
22965 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
“Their vegan ice cream is out-of-this-world.” – Cyndi Little, Ferndale
Silver
Ray’s Ice Cream
4233 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak
Bronze
Guernsey Ice Cream Parlor
21300 Novi Road, Northville
9. Place to Blow Off Steam
Gold
Silver
Rochester Play
210 W. University St., Suite 3, Rochester
Bronze
Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
10. Date Night Destination
Gold
Downtown Royal Oak
“It pretty much offers the whole date-night package. Dinner at Andiamo or Bastone, entertainment at the Main Art Theatre or Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, and dessert at Cold Stone or Astoria – a perfect night!” – Enid McMichaels, Madison Heights
Silver
The Whitney
4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Bronze
Coach Insignia
100 Renaissance Center, Detroit
11. Baby Store
Note: In chains, Babies “R” Us beat Buy Buy Baby.
Gold
The Little Seedling
355 S. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor
Silver
Green Baby
431 Main St., Rochester
Bronze
Baby Bliss
118 E. Main St., Northville
12. Kids Store
Note: In chains, Target beat Kohl’s.
Gold
Bec and Sam’s
146 W. Maple Road, Birmingham
Silver
The Funky Frog Children’s Resale Boutique
121 E. Third St., Rochester
Bronze
Lollipop Kids Children’s Resale Shop
50432 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Township
13. Teens Store
Note: In chains, Kohl’s beat Target.
Gold
Silver
Bronze
14. One-Stop Shop for the Whole Family
Note: Meijer was the locally based southeast Michigan fave.
Gold
Silver
Bronze
15. Best Outdoor Spot
Gold
Kensington Metropark
2240 W. Buno Road, Milford
Detroiters and Ann Arborites unite in their love of the kayaks and paddle boats, the petting farm and picnic area.
Silver
Belle Isle
8109 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
Bronze
Stony Creek Metropark
4300 Main Park Drive, Shelby Township
16. Party Place
Gold
Goldfish Swim
“It’s the easiest, best and most fun party you could throw for your kids – and no clean up!” – Leanna Dunlap, Ann Arbor
Silver
Bronze
The Robot Garage
637 S. Eton St., Birmingham
17. Athletic Club
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Beverly Hills Club
31555 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills
18. Haircuts for Kids
Gold
Silver
Bronze
19. Dance Studio
Gold
Deborah’s Stage Door
1655 W. Hamlin Road, Rochester Hills
Silver
Studio A Center for Performing Arts
2065 E. West Maple Road, Commerce Township
Bronze
Mary Skiba’s School of Dance
41726 Hayes Road, Clinton Township
20. Kids Sports Class
Note: Some clear standouts rose to the top, but not enough to hand out silver and bronze stars.
Fencing
Gold
Renaissance Fencing
408 Oliver St., Troy
Gymnastics
Gold
Bloomfield Gymnastics
2124 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Hills
Karate
Gold
Canton Karate
7252 N. Sheldon Road, Canton
Skating
Gold
Detroit Skate Club
888 Denison Court, Bloomfield Hills
Swimming
Gold
21. Daycare
Gold
Silver
Kiddie Club
2897 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills
Bronze
22. Emergency Room/Urgent Care
Emergency Room (ER)
Gold
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
3901 Beaubien St., Detroit
“All of the doctors on staff specialize in kids health. When it comes to an emergency, I want doctors who know the most about kids to give them care.” – Brittany Oronzo, Royal Oak
Silver
Beaumont Hospital
3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak
Bronze
St. John Providence
16001 W. Nine Mile Road, Southfield
Urgent Care
Gold
Silver
23. Family Getaway
Gold
Zehnder’s Splash Village
730 S. Main St., Frankenmuth
Silver
Kalahari Waterpark Resort
7000 Kalahari Drive, Sandusky, Ohio
Bronze
Traverse City
So many shout-outs to Great Wolf Lodge, Sleeping Bear Dunes and more family fun Up North.
24. Best Family Car
Detroit pride, indeed: Not one foreign car made the top five!
Gold
Silver
Bronze
25. Best Annual Event
Gold
Michigan Renaissance Festival
Late August through late September/early October
Silver
Woodward Dream Cruise
August
Bronze (tie)
Armada Fair
August
Livonia Spree
June
