2012 Charlotte Parent Readers' Favorites

June 27, 2012

Carolina Parent,

Dining Out

Best Farmers' Market
Favorite – Matthews Community Farmers Market
Runner-up – Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
Best National Family Restaurant
Favorite – Cracker Barrel
Runner-up – Red Robin
Best Ethnic Food
Favorite – Thai Taste
Runner-up – Red Bowl
Best Frozen Treat
Favorite – TCBY
Runner-up – Coldstone Creamery
Best Pizza Place
Favorite – Big Guy's Pizza
Runner-up – Brixx
Best Kids Eat Free Spot
Favorite – McAlister's Deli
Runner-up – Moe's Southwest Grill
Best Local Family Restaurant (non chain)
Favorite – Big Guy's Pizza
Runner-up – Big Daddy's

Health Care

Best Family Dentist
Favorite – Laxer, Long & Savage
Runner-up – Mint Hill Dentistry
Best Place to Give Birth
Favorite – Presbyterian Main
Runner-up – Presbyterian Matthews
Best Orthodontist
Favorite – Robinson Orthodontics
Runner-up – Hull and Coleman Orthodontics
Best Special Needs Services
Favorite – Lazar Center of Learning and Achievement
Runner-up – Achieve Therapy Services
Best Family Doctor
Favorite – Charlotte Pediatric Clinic
Runner-up – Dr. Kimberly Lemaster

Out & About

Best Local Festival
Favorite – Matthews Alive!
Runner-up – Festival in the Park
Best Park/Playground
Favorite – Freedom Park
Runner-up – Colonel Francis Beatty Park
Best Family Day Trip
Favorite – Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Runner-up – Lazy 5 Ranch
Best Place to Ride Bikes
Favorite – Freedom Park
Runner-up – Seven-mile greenway (near UNC Charlotte)
Best Rainy Day Outing
Favorite – Discovery Place
Runner-up – Monkey Joes
Best Pool/Sprayground
Favorite – Ray's Splash Planet
Runner-up – Carowinds
Best Live Performance
Favorite – Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Runner-up – Matthew's Alive!
Best Area Sports Team
Favorite – Carolina Panthers
Runner-up – Charlotte Knight's
Best Cultural Spot Museum
Favorite – Mint Museum
Runner-up – Levine Museum of the New South

Party Time

Best Local Place to Buy a Cake
Favorite – Harris Teeter
Runner-up – Edible Art
Best Party Entertainer
Favorite – Wish Upon A Star
Runner-up – Zelnik The Magician
Best Party Facility
Favorite – Monkey Joe's
Runner-up – Sports Connection

Places to Learn

Best Arts/Music Class
Favorite – Noah's Art
Runner-up – The Bean & Belle Children's Art Studio
Best Swimming Lessons
Favorite – Little Otter Swim School
Runner-up – YMCA
Best Dance/Cheer Program
Favorite – Miller Street Dance Academy
Runner-up – Steps 'N Motion Dance Studio
Best Preschool
Favorite – Goddard School
Runner-up – Ivybrook Academy
Best Equestrian
Favorite – Latta Equestrian Center
Runner-up – Providence Equestrian Center
Best Private School
Favorite – Charlotte Latin School
Runner-up – Charlotte Catholic High School
Best Gymnastics/Fitness
Favorite -YMCA
Runner-up – Snap Fitness
Best Public/Charter School
Favorite – Queens Grant Community School
Runner-up – Kensington Elementary
Best Martial Arts
Favorite – The Peaceful Dragon
Runner-up – Sangrock Black Belt World

Shopping & Services

Best Children's Hair Cut
Favorite – Dolittle's
Runner-up – Great Clips
Best Family Photographer
Favorite – Jody G Photography
Runner-up – Nicole Faby Photography
Best Kids' Consignment Store
Favorite – Kid to Kid
Runner-up – Once Upon A Child
Best Local Book Store
Favorite – Barnes & Noble
Runner-up – Books a Million
Best Kids' Shoes Store
Favorite – Kixx
Runner-up – Stride Rit