Washington FAMILY Magazine Ultimate FAMILY Resource
We asked, and you voted! For more than 20 years, Washington FAMILY Magazine has been running our annual Best for FAMILIES survey. This year’s survey received more than 15,000 online votes in 135 categories. Some categories were a tie vote between the winners or runners-up, so we’ve included both.
We’re always excited to see the year’s winners, and hope you will find the results as useful as we do. Congratulations to our area’s best!
Education & Activities
BEST ARTS PROGRAM
Bella Ballet
• RUNNER-UP •
Acting for Young People
BEST BALLET OR DANCE STUDIO
Bella Ballet
• RUNNER-UP •
Dance Academy of Loudoun
BEST BASEBALL CAMP
Bethesda Big Train
• RUNNER-UP •
Ross Natoli Baseball Camp at Catholic University
BEST CHILD CARE/DAYCARE CENTER
Jaclyn Perovich, Au Pair Cultural Care
• RUNNER-UP •
The Goddard School
BEST CHILDREN’S COOKING CLASSES
Cookology
• RUNNER-UP •
Cooking with Fun
BEST CHILDREN’S THEATRE OR DRAMA INSTRUCTION
Acting for Young People
• RUNNER-UP •
Encore Stage & Studio
BEST CHILDREN’S YOGA CLASSES
Heart & Soul Yoga
• RUNNER-UP •
Lil Omm
BEST DAY CAMP
Congressional Camp
www.congressionalschools.org
703-533-9711
3229 Sleepy Hollow Rd.
Falls Church, VA
Congressional Camp is an ACA-accredited coed day camp designed for ages 3-14. We’re located on a beautiful, 40-acre campus in Falls Church, VA, at Congressional School. Our diverse programs include day camp, travel camps, academic classes and specialty camps which offer summers of new challenges, old traditions, friends and boundless FUN!
• RUNNER-UP •
Acting for Young People
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION
Loudoun Country Day School
www.lcds.org | 703-777-3841
20600 Red Cedar Dr.
Leesburg, VA
• RUNNER-UP •
Language Stars
BEST GYMNASTICS CENTER
APEX Gymnastics
• RUNNERS-UP •
Dynamite Gymnastic
Dobre Gymnastics Academy
BEST MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION
TopKick Martial Arts
• RUNNERS-UP •
Kicks Karate School
BEST MONTESSORI
Oneness-Family School
onenessfamilymontessorischool.org
301-652-7751
6701 Wisconsin Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD
Oneness-Family School serves students ages 2- grade 8, providing the very best in Montessori education since 1988. Our unique program focuses on both character and curriculum, offering a diverse international community founded on values within an academically rich environment. This enables us to prepare our students to be the global leaders of tomorrow who can think in creative and dynamic ways for an ever-changing world. In 2017, we will expand our successful program into the first Montessori high school in the Mid-Atlantic! Visit our website or come in for a tour to see why we were voted the “Best Montessori School in the Washington D.C. area.”
• RUNNER-UP •
Arris Montessori Academy
BEST MUSIC INSTRUCTION
Loudoun Country Day School
www.lcds.org
703-777-3841
20600 Red Cedar Dr.
Leesburg, VA
B&B Music Lessons
www.bnbmusiclessons.com
301-655-4460
B&B Music Lessons has been providing at home music lessons since 2005. Our primary goal is to change lives through music, one lesson at a time. B&B has created a community of reliable and talented teachers. Private music lessons with B&B are fun and engaging while still covering the fundamentals of music. Our students are excited about taking lessons because we make it easy and fun for them to learn. We know that not every music student wants to become a professional musician and we make sure lessons are enjoyable and individually tailored for the student. Our private teachers do the driving so you don’t have to!
• RUNNER-UP •
Potomac Arts Academy
BEST OVERNIGHT CAMP
Randolph-Macon Academy
www.rma.edu
200 Academy Dr.
Front Royal, VA
Students soar here! Located 70 miles west of Washington, D.C., R-MA is a co-ed day and boarding school that helps students achieve their academic potential through small classes, mentoring groups and supervised study halls. Advanced Placement and college courses are available. Students learn leadership skills through Air Force JROTC, and develop positive morals through the school’s affiliation with the United Methodist Church. Students also excel in 20 varsity sports, forensics, band, chorus, drama and a flight program. Graduating classes have a 100 percent college acceptance rate and average $6.5 million in college scholarship offers each year.
• RUNNER-UP •
Camp Tall Timbers
BEST PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
Loudoun Country Day School
www.lcds.org
703-777-3841
20600 Red Cedar Dr.
Leesburg, VA
• RUNNER-UP •
The Griffin Academy Preschool of Westminster School
BEST PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Westminister School
www.westminsterschool.com
703-256-3620
3819 Gallows Rd.
Annandale, VA
Westminster School provides students in preschool-8th grade a well-rounded education steeped in the classics, whose fundamental goals are a disciplined and well-informed mind, strength of character, dedication to learning, generosity of spirit, creativity and joy in the possibilities of life. Accelerated curriculum includes the core subjects, as well as Junior Great Books, French, Latin, art, music, penmanship, drama, and daily PE. Extracurricular activities such as sports, chorus, orchestra, MathCounts, Odyssey of the Mind, Science Olympiad, chess and multiple field trips per year enhance students’ rich experience. Extended care, door-to-door bus service, enrichment classes and camp programs are also available.
• RUNNER-UP •
Loudoun Country Day School
BEST PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL
Randolph-Macon Academy
• RUNNER-UP •
The Siena School
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
(OVERALL)
Loudoun Country Day School
www.lcds.org
703-777-3841
20600 Red Cedar Dr.
Leesburg, VA
LCDS has enjoyed a prominent place in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia since 1953, and its outreach grows every year as we appeal to larger geographical areas. Our robust educational program, including our emphasis on strong academics, STEM, the arts and athletics is gaining recognition in the greater metropolitan area. Beyond that, LCDS students emerge not only as independent and critical thinkers, but also responsible and caring citizens. Although we are honored to be chosen in reader surveys, we also hope for a larger goal, and that is to graduate students who can make our world a better place, and who will pass on this commitment to their own children.
• RUNNER-UP •
Westminster School
BEST SAT/ACT TEST PREP
PrepU
• RUNNER-UP •
Tutoring Club of McLean
BEST SPECIAL NEEDS CAMP
Fitness for Health
• RUNNER-UP •
Commonwealth Academy
BEST SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL
The Siena School
• RUNNER-UP •
Commonwealth Academy
www.commonwealthacademy.org
703-548-6912
1321 Leslie Ave.
Alexandria, VA
Small class sizes, experiential learning, grade-level through AP courses and a wide range of extracurricular activities are hallmarks of Commonwealth Academy, where average to gifted students with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning differences come to develop their critical thinking and organizational skills and prepare for college.
BEST STEM PROGRAMS
Stemtree Education Center
Loudoun Country Day School
www.lcds.org
703-777-3841
20600 Red Cedar Dr.
Leesburg, VA
BEST SWIM SCHOOL
SwimKids Swim Schools
www.swimkids.us
Village at Leesburg
703-962-SWIM(7946)
Leesburg, VA
Market Place at Potomac Station
703-962-SWIM(7946)
Leesburg, VA
Massad Family YMCA
540-446-5437
Fredericksburg, VA
Potomac Festival
703-396-SWIM(7946)
Woodbridge, VA
Wellington Center Circle
571-261-SWIM(7946)
Gainesville, VA
• RUNNER-UP •
British Swim School — Montgomery County
BEST TUTORING PROGRAM
PrepU
• RUNNER-UP •
Tutoring Club of McLean
BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIOS
Heart & Soul Yoga
Honest Soul Yoga
• RUNNER-UP •
Circle Yoga
BEST YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUE
Reston Raiders
Hockey Club
• RUNNER-UP •
Reston Soccer
Food
BEST CATERER
District Taco
• RUNNER-UP •
Verdot Tastings
BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Uncle Julio’s
• RUNNER-UP •
The Cheesecake Factory
BEST GROCERY STORE
Wegmans
• RUNNER-UP •
Trader Joe’s
BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE
Whole Foods Market
• RUNNER-UP •
MOM’s Organic Market
BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN YOGURT SHOP
SweetFrog
• RUNNER-UP •
Rita’s Italian Ice
BEST LOCAL BAKERY
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
• RUNNER-UP •
Mom’s Apple Pie
BEST LOCAL CHEAP-EATS RESTAURANT
Lost Dog Café
• RUNNER-UP •
Noodles & Company
BEST LOCAL CUP OF COFFEE
Bean Bar
• RUNNER-UP •
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
BEST LOCAL CUPCAKE SHOP
Georgetown Cupcake
• RUNNER-UP •
Baked & Wired
BEST LOCAL OUTDOOR/PATIO DINING
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
• RUNNER-UP •
Fire Works Pizza
BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT WITH A KID’S NIGHT/SPECIAL
Silver Diner
• RUNNERS-UP •
Eggspectation
The Green Turtle
BEST LOCAL ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
L’Auberge Chez Francois
• RUNNER-UP •
Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
BEST LOCAL SPORTS BAR
Buffalo Wild Wings
• RUNNER-UP •
Glory Days Grill, Burke, VA
Health
BEST ALLERGY OR ASTHMA DOCTOR & PRACTICE NAME
MindWell Psychology
• RUNNER-UP •
Children’s National Health Center
BEST CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY
Little Pearls Dentistry for Children
BEST CHILDREN’S THERAPIST/PSYCHIATRIST & PRACTICE NAME
MindWell Psychology
• RUNNER-UP •
Little Hands Speech & Occupational Therapy
BEST DENTIST OR ORTHODONTIST & PRACTICE NAME
Little Pearls Dentistry for Children
BEST DERMATOLOGIST & PRACTICE NAME
Dr. Semler — Semler Dermatology, Inc.
BEST EYE DOCTOR (OPTOMETRIST) & PRACTICE NAME
Dr. McGrew — Eyecare Center of Leesburg
BEST FAMILY DOCTOR & PRACTICE NAME
Children’s Medical Associates of Northern VA
• RUNNER-UP •
Dr. Kelly — Northern VA Pediatric Associates
BEST FAMILY THERAPIST/PSYCHIATRIST & PRACTICE NAME
MindWell Psychology
• RUNNER-UP •
Little Hands Speech & Occupational Therapy
BEST FERTILITY CLINIC
Shady Grove Fertility
• RUNNER-UP •
Dominion Fertility
BEST GYM OR HEALTH CLUB
Sport&Health
• RUNNER-UP •
TopKick Martial Arts
BEST HOSPITAL
INOVA Loudoun Hospital
• RUNNER-UP •
INOVA Fairfax Hospital
BEST MIDWIFE
Loudoun Community Midwives
BEST NUTRITIONISTS/DIETICIANS
Dr. Wong — Capital Integrative Health
Theresa Roth — Prosperity Eating Disorder and Wellness Center
• RUNNER-UP •
Dr. McFarland — Envision Health Chiropractic and Wellness Center
BEST OB/GYN & PRACTICE NAME
Dr. Band and Dr. Lizardo — Capital Women’s Care
• RUNNER-UP •
Robert Footer, MD
BEST ORTHOPEDISTS
Dr. Reff — The Orthopaedic Center
• RUNNER-UP •
Progressive Pediatric Physical Therapy
BEST PEDIATRICIAN & PRACTICE NAME
Dr. Michel — Haymarket Pediatrics
• RUNNER-UP •
Children’s Medical Associates of Northern VA
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER
Kathy Corbey — Studio Pink Fit
• RUNNER-UP •
Reza Mofarrahi — Fitness for Health
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST & PRACTICE NAME
Progressive Pediatric Physical Therapy
• RUNNER-UP •
Dr. Wagner — Progressive Pediatric Physical Therapy
BEST URGENT CARE
Patient First
www.patientfirst.com
800-447-8588
Locations in D.C., Maryland & Virginia
Patient First provides convenient, cost-effective urgent care for routine injuries and illnesses, as well as primary care for patients who do not have a regular physician. Every Patient First medical center is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365-days-a-year, with experienced physicians available on a walk-in basis. All Patient First centers have x-rays, lab tests and prescription drugs on-site. Patient First accepts most major insurance plans and files claims on behalf of patients. And if a patient wishes us to do so, we will transmit a copy of the visit record to his or her primary care physician.
• RUNNER-UP •
INOVA Urgent Care Center, Dulles South
BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM OR DOCTOR
Weight Watchers
Home Improvement
BEST DECK/PORCH BUILDER
Woodscape Construction
• RUNNER-UP •
Nuance, Inc.
BEST ELECTRICIAN
J&G Electric Co., Inc.
• RUNNER-UP •
Breeden Electric
BEST FLOORING COMPANY
Loudoun Valley Floors
• RUNNER-UP •
Normandy Carpet Care Co.
BEST GENERAL REPAIRS/HANDYMAN
Fixit Home Repair and Improvements
• RUNNER-UP •
Hourly Husbands
BEST HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY
Climatic Heating & Cooling, Inc.
www.climaticva.com
703-779-7455
9 W. Federal St.
Middleburg, VA
Climatic is a family owned and operated heating and cooling company specializing in residential service and installation. We pride ourselves in providing ethical, reliable service and the best installations in Northern Virginia. We employ highly trained, certified technicians who are never commission based. All of us at Climatic believe systems should be designed by engineers, not by sales people. Call us to see why we have been voted Best of Loudoun three years in a row!
• RUNNER-UP •
Michael & Son Services
BEST HOME BUILDER
Next Life Homes
• RUNNER-UP •
Sandy Spring Builders
BEST INTERIOR DECORATOR
Kim Kendall Interiors
• RUNNER-UP •
Ethan Allen
BEST KITCHEN DESIGNER
AKG Design Studio
www.akgdesignstudio.com
571-446-1108
AKG Design Studio is a boutique cabinet design firm serving the D.C. Metro area. From classic design to modern décor, the AKG team is committed to ongoing education and research and keeping their pulse on market trends so they can deliver the best products and solutions to you. AKG Design Studio provides design and cabinetry for kitchen bathrooms and other spaces around the home.
• RUNNER-UP •
IKEA
BEST MARBLE AND GRANITE COMPANY
Baltimore Granite Direct, LLC
• RUNNER-UP •
Flintstone Marble & Granite, Ashburn VA
BEST PAINTING COMPANY
Five Star Painting
• RUNNER-UP •
Nuance, Inc.
BEST PLUMBER
J.R. Snider Ltd.
• RUNNER-UP •
Michael & Son Services
BEST REMODELING COMPANY
MAC Design & Build
• RUNNER-UP •
AAA Quality Home Improvement, Glenn Hughes
Party
BEST KID’S BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE
Rockin’ Jump
• RUNNER-UP •
Monkey Joe’s, Dulles, VA
BEST KID’S PARTY ENTERTAINER
Acting For Young People
• RUNNER-UP •
TopKick Martial Arts
BEST PARTY SERVICE
Acting For Young People
• RUNNER-UP •
Sweet & Sassy
BEST PLACE FOR A TEAM PARTY
Rockin’ Jump
• RUNNER-UP •
Shadowland Adventures
www.shadowlandadventures.com
703-263-1004
4300 Chantilly Shopping Center
Chantilly, VA
Strap on a high-tech light-weight suit, enter the huge multi-level carpeted arena and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! Eerie fog, specialty lights, sounds and music combine for a sensory experience like no other. Choose your code-name, suit up,and join others on your team to push your senses to the limit. After your adventure, compare your score and performance to others in the game. Phenomenal fun for individuals, families, youth groups, sports teams and office team building outings. Call the ShadowLand closest to you today and see why people who take part say that ShadowLand is “unbelievably exciting…”
BEST PARTY SUPPLIES
Party City
• RUNNER-UP •
Target
People
BEST BOSS
Jamie Romaezi Photography
• RUNNER-UP •
Toni McGillen at SwimKids, Leesburg, VA
BEST FAMILY BLOGGER
DC Thrifty Mom
• RUNNER-UP •
DullesMoms.com
BEST COSMETIC SURGEON
Dr. Chang — Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center
• RUNNER-UP •
Dr. Parva — Parva Plastic Surgery
BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER
Nathan Myers — Edward Jones
• RUNNER-UP •
Steven Feys — Seneca Wealth Strategies, LLC
BEST HOME CLEANING SERVICE
Maid Brigade
• RUNNER-UP •
Merry Maids
BEST LOCAL FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
Staged Photography
• RUNNER-UP •
Julia MacInnis Photography
BEST LOCAL NEWS PERSONALITY
Doreen Gentzler
• RUNNER-UP •
Angie Goff
BEST LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE
Bryce Harper
• RUNNER-UP •
Kirk Cousins
BEST MECHANIC
Mike Stanoyevitch at Bethesda Sunoco
BEST MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICERS
SunTrust Banks
Dennis Elliot — McLean Mortgage Corporation
• RUNNER-UP •
Greg Simmons — First Savings Mortgage Corporation
BEST NANNY SERVICE/BABYSITTER
Let Mommy Sleep
• RUNNER-UP •
Jaclyn Perovich, Au Pair Cultural Care
BEST RADIO DJ/SHOW
The Kane Show — Hot 99.5
• RUNNER-UP •
Tommy McFly — 94.7 Fresh FM
BEST REALTOR
Gift Thongpia-Hughes — Keller Williams Realty, Reston, VA
BEST PERSONAL ORGANIZER
Scott Roewer — The Organizing Agency, Inc.
Stressed by clutter when you walk in the front door? Frustrated by your disorganized closet? Our clients call us “Superheros” and “Miracle Workers” – but we are a dedicated team of professional organizers who can create organizing systems your entire family can use and maintain. We provide organizing services for residential and office spaces, including specialized offerings such as stress-free moving, renovation planning, closet design, virtual organizing and wardrobe styling. Please call or email now for a free consultation and learn how TheOrganizingAgency.com can help you organize your personal and professional life. Email [email protected] Mention this article for $100 off your first appointment.
• RUNNER-UP •
Simplify You — C. Lee Cawley
BEST SWIM INSTRUCTOR
Toni McGillen at SwimKids, Leesburg, VA
• RUNNER-UP •
Lindsey Lidlow at SwimKids, Woodbridge, VA
Pets
BEST PET GROOMER
PetSmart
• RUNNER-UP •
DogiZone, Rockville, MD
BEST PET SITTING/BOARDING
DogiZone Rockville, MD
• RUNNER-UP •
Olde Towne Pet Resort
BEST PET STORE
PetSmart
• RUNNER-UP •
Petco
BEST PET TRAINER
DogiZone
• RUNNER-UP •
PetSmart
BEST VETERINARIAN
Clarendon Animal Care
Places
BEST AMUSEMENT PARK
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• RUNNER-UP •
Hersheypark
BEST CHURCH/PLACE OF WORSHIP
Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, VA
• RUNNERS-UP •
McLean Bible Church
St. John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Leesburg, VA
BEST FAMILY DAY TRIP
Wintergreen Resort
• RUNNER-UP •
Luray Caverns
BEST ICE SKATING RINK
Cabin John Ice Rink
BEST INDOOR ACTIVITY
Fitness for Health
• RUNNER-UP •
Flight Trampoline Park
BEST INDOOR PLAY FACILITY
Monkey Joe’s Dulles
• RUNNER-UP •
Flight Trampoline Park
BEST INDOOR SWIMMING POOL/REC CENTER
Claude Moore Recreation Center
• RUNNER-UP •
Cub Run RECenter
BEST LOCAL BEACH
Ocean City, MD
• RUNNER-UP •
Bethany Beach, DE
BEST LOCAL BREWERY
Dogfish Head Alehouse
• RUNNER-UP •
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
BEST LOCAL GETAWAY/RESORT
Wintergreen Resort
• RUNNER-UP •
Rehobeth, MD
BEST LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER OR MALL
Tysons Corner Center
• RUNNER-UP •
Westfield Montgomery Mall
BEST LOCAL WINERY
Veritas Vineyard & Winery
• RUNNER-UP •
Sunset Hills Vineyard
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
• RUNNER-UP •
Angelika Film Center & Café at Mosaic
BEST MUSEUM
Smithsonian National Gallery of Art
• RUNNER-UP •
National Museum of Natural History
BEST PETTING ZOO
Leesburg Animal Park
• RUNNER-UP •
Critters & Conservation
BEST ROLLER RINK
Purcellville Skating Rink
BEST STADIUM
Nationals Park
• RUNNER-UP •
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
BEST WATER PARK
Water Country USA
• RUNNER-UP •
Kings Dominion
Retail
BEST CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT OR RESALE STORES
Little Lords and Ladies
Once Upon A Child
• RUNNERS-UP •
Frilly Frocks
Wiggle Room
BEST HAIR SALON FOR CHILDREN
Sweet & Sassy
• RUNNER-UP •
Cartoon Cuts, Fair Oaks, VA
BEST LOCAL CAR DEALERS
Fitzgerald Auto Mall
CarMax
• RUNNER-UP •
Dulles Motorcars
BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE
Wiggle Room
• RUNNER-UP •
Robcyns
BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S FURNITURE STORE
Great Beginnings
• RUNNER-UP •
Kids2Teen Bedrooms
BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S SHOE STORE
Shoe Train
• RUNNER-UP •
Stride Rite
BEST LOCAL SELECTION OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Barnes & Noble
Barstons Child’s Play
• RUNNER-UP •
McKay Used Books
BEST LOCALLY OWNED TOY STORE
Barstons Child’s Play
• RUNNER-UP •
Doodlehopper 4 Kids
BEST PLACE TO BUY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Melodee Music
• RUNNER-UP •
Shamrock Music Shoppe
BEST PLACE TO BUY OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT
Play N’ Learn’s Playground Superstores
• RUNNER-UP •
Costco.com
Style
BEST ACCESSORIES STORE
Charming Charlie
• RUNNER-UP •
Kohl’s
BEST DAY SPA
Ibiza Day Spa & Salon
• RUNNER-UP •
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
BEST HAIR SALON/COLORIST
Ibiza Day Spa & Salon
• RUNNER-UP •
Images Hair Studio — Laura Trittipoe
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Charming Charlie
• RUNNER-UP •
Kettermans Jewelers
BEST MAKEUP STORE
Sephora
• RUNNER-UP •
ULTA Beauty
BEST MANI/PEDI
Ibiza Day Spa & Salon
• RUNNER-UP •
Totally Polished Salon
BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Jos. A. Bank — Reston Town Center
• RUNNER-UP •
Avenue Jack
BEST PERSONAL SHOPPER/STYLIST
DC Style Factory
• RUNNER-UP •
Marcy Slibert — J. Hilburn
BEST SHOE STORE
DSW
• RUNNER-UP •
Nordstrom
BEST UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT
Chic Envy and Chic to Chic
• RUNNERS-UP •
Natalie Dressed
Current Boutique
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Ann Taylor LOFT
• RUNNER-UP •
South Moon Under
