Thank you, readers, for participating in our annual Best for Families 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 DMV. 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: District Taco
Runner-Up: Phowheels
Best Local Bakery
Winner: Baked & Wired
Runner-Up: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
Best Local Brewery
Winner: BabyCat Brewery
Runner-Up: Silver Branch Brewing Company
Best Local Burger
Winner: Big Buns
Runner-Up: Good Stuff Eatery
Best Local Cup of Coffee
Winner: Java Nation
Runner-Up: Tatte Bakery & Café
Best Local Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Shop
Winner: Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream
Runner-Up: The Dairy Godmother
Best Local Outdoor/Patio Dining
Winner: Guapo’s Cocina & Bar
Runner-Up: Millie’s
Best Local Pizza
Winner: The Italian Store
Runner-Up: Andy’s Pizza
Best Local Restaurant To Feed a Family of Four
Winner: Silver Diner
Runner-Up: Guapo’s Cocina & Bar
Best Local Restaurant With a Kid’s Night/Special
Winner: Gregorio’s Trattoria
Runner-Up: Summer House Santa Monica
Best Local Restaurant With Entertainment or Diversions
Winner: The Hamilton Live
Runner-Up: Westover Market and Beer Garden
Best Local Romantic Restaurant
Winner: 2941 Restaurant
Runner-Up: Il Pizzico
Best Local Sports Bar
Winner: Quincy’s Potomac Bar & Grille
Runner-Up: Dogfish Head Alehouse
Best Local Winery
Winner: Stone Tower Winery
Runner-Up: Windridge Vineyards
Education and Enrichment
Best Academic/Enrichment Program
Winner: Russian School of Mathematics
Runner-Up: Bullis School
Best After-School Program
Winner: Russian School of Mathematics
Runner-Up: CommuniKids Language Immersion Preschool
Best Arts Program
Winner: International School of Music
Runner-Up: Acting for Young People
Best Ballet Class
Winner: Tiny Dancers
Runner-Up: Bella Ballet
Best Baseball Camp
Winner: DMV Prospects
Runner-Up: St. John’s College High School Summer Camps
Best Camp – Day
Winner: Tiny Dancers
Runner-Up: CommuniKids Language Immersion Preschool
Best Camp – Overnight
Winner: Calleva
Runner-Up: Independent Lake Camp
Best Camp – Special Needs
Winner: Camp Accomplish
Runner-Up: Brainy Ridge Inc.
Best Childcare/Daycare Center
Winner: CommuniKids Language Immersion Preschool
Runner-Up: Green Acres Camp
Best Children’s Cooking Classes
Winner: Tiny Chefs
Runner-Up: Sur La Table
Best Children’s Theater or Drama Instruction
Winner: Imagination Stage
Runner-Up: Acting for Young People
Best Community College
Winner: Montgomery College
Runner-Up: Northern Virginia Community College
Best Continuing Education
Winner: Montgomery College
Runner-Up: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Best Dance Studio
Winner: Bella Ballet
Runner-Up: Tiny Dancers
Best Day Camp for Preschoolers
Winner: CommuniKids Language Immersion Preschool
Runner-Up: Tiny Dancers
Best Foreign Language Instruction
Winner: CommuniKids Language Immersion Preschool
Runner-Up: Merritt Academy
Best Gymnastics Center
Winner: Dominique Dawes Academy
Runner-Up: YMCA
Best Independent School
Winner: The Sycamore School
Runner-Up: The Siena School
Best Montessori School
Winner: Butler Montessori School
Runner-Up: Bethesda Montessori School
Best Outdoor Enrichment Camp or Program
Winner: Green Acres Camp
Runner-Up: Pinecrest School
Best Performance Art Program
Winner: Tiny Dancers
Runner-Up: Imagination Stage
Best Place for Kids to Play
Winner: Montgomery Parks
Runner-Up: National Children’s Museum
Best Preschool Program
Winner: CommuniKids Language Immersion Preschool
Runner-Up: Green Acres School
Best Private Elementary School
Winner: Butler Montessori School
Runner-Up: The Sycamore School
Best Private High School
Winner: Bullis School
Runner-Up: The Sycamore School
Best Private School (Overall)
Winner: Bullis School
Runner-Up: The Sycamore School
Best Private School: Boys
Winner: Gonzaga College High School
Runner-Up: Butler Montessori School
Best Private School: Coed
Winner: Bullis School
Runner-Up: The Sycamore School
Best Private School: Girls
Winner: Holton-Arms School
Runner-Up: Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Best Public School
Winner: Walter Johnson High School
Runner-Up: Chevy Chase Elementary School
Best SAT/ACT Test Prep Tutoring
Winner: Educational Connections
Runner-Up: Russian School of Mathematics
Best School Break Program
Winner: Tiny Dancers
Runner-Up: Focus Family Martial Arts Academy
Best Special Needs Programming
Winner: Camp Accomplish (Melwood)
Best Special Needs School
Winner: The Siena School
Best Sports After-school Program
Winner: Arlington Triathlon Club
Runner-Up: Arlington Soccer Association
Best Sports Camp
Winner: Bullis Summer Programs
Runner-Up: Focus Family Martial Arts Academy
Best STEM Camp
Winner: Mad Science
Runner-Up: The St. James
Best STEM Program
Winner: Russian School of Mathematics
Runner-Up: Nysmith School
Best Summer Program
Winner: Green Acres Camp
Runner-Up: The Siena School
Best Swim Instructor
Winner: John Leinweber, British Swim School at Cloppers Mill Village – Germantown
Best Swim School
Winner: British Swim School of Central Montgomery County
Runner-Up: The St. James
Best Tutoring Program
Winner: Bullis Student Tutors
Runner-Up: Gold Signature Writers
Best University
Winner: University of Maryland
Runner-Up: Georgetown University
Best Visual Arts Program
Winner: Mason Community Arts Academy
Runner-Up: Green Acres School
Best Youth Sports League
Winner: MSI Soccer
Runner-Up: The St. James
Health and Wellness
Best Allergy or Asthma Doctor & Practice Name
Winner: Schreiber Allergy
Runner-Up: Institute for Asthma and Allergy
Best Children’s Dentistry
Winner: VK Pediatric Dentistry
Runner-Up: Healthy Kids Pediatric Dentistry
Best Children’s Therapist/Psychiatrist & Practice
Winner: Washington Psychological Wellness
Runner-Up: Dr. Jaclyn Halpern, Playful Therapy Connections
Best Children’s Yoga Classes
Winner: Down Dog Yoga
Runner-Up: Talk Yoga
Best Cosmetic Surgeon
Winner: Dr. Navin Singh, Washingtonian Plastic Surgery
Runner-Up: Dr. Ping Song, VHC Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Best Dentist & Practice Name
Winner: Dr. Allie Lonneman, Arlington Tongue Tie Center
Runner-Up: Bethesda Smiles
Best Dermatologist & Practice Name
Winner: MedStar Health Dermatology at Chevy Chase Building
Runner-Up: Braun Dermatology
Best ER for Kids
Winner: Children’s National Hospital
Runner-Up: Inova Children’s Hospital
Best Eye Doctor (Optometrist) & Practice Name
Winner: Dr. Raza M. Shah, Maryland Retina Institute
Runner-Up: Dr. Mehrnaz Green, Vision & Conceptual Development Center
Best Family Doctor & Practice Name
Winner: Kenwood Pediatrics
Runner-Up: Metropolitan Pediatrics
Best Family Therapist/Psychiatrist & Practice Name
Winner: Washington Psychological Wellness
Runner-Up: Cohn Counseling
Best Fertility Clinic
Winner: Shady Grove Fertility
Runner-Up: Columbia Fertility Associates
Best Hospital
Winner: Suburban Hospital
Runner-Up: Inova Fairfax Hospital
Best Midwife
Winner: Katie Shannon, Chesapeake Midwifery
Runner-Up: Rachel Simpson, Simmonds, Martin & Helmbrecht
Best Nutritionist/Dietitian
Winner: Jen Silverman Nutrition
Runner-Up: Dr. Daisy & Co.
Best OB/GYN & Practice Name
Winner: Capital Women’s Care
Runner-Up: Dr. Nancy Gaba, GW Medical Faculty Associates
Best Orthodontist
Winner: Dr. Crissy Markova, VCO Orthodontics
Runner-Up: Orthodontics by Crutchfield
Best Orthopedist & Practice Name
Winner: [MedStar] Orthopaedic Institute – Bethesda, MD
Runner-Up: Dancing Tree Physical Therapy and Wellness
Best Pediatric Hospital
Winner: Children’s National Hospital
Runner-Up: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Best Pediatric Mental Health Practitioners
Winner: Washington Psychological Wellness
Runner-Up: Playful Therapy Connections
Best Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Practice
Winner: Just for Me OT
Runner-Up: The Point Occupational Therapy
Best Pediatric Orthopedic Practice
Winner: Asher Goldrosen, OTR/L, MOCO Movement Center
Runner-Up: Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV)
Best Pediatric Vision Care
Winner: Kids Eye Care of Maryland
Runner-Up: MyVisionFirst
Best Pediatrician & Practice Name
Winner: Dr. Jeremy Fishelberg, Potomac Pediatrics
Runner-Up: Dr. Emily Atwood, Potomac Pediatrics
Best Physical Therapist & Practice Name
Winner: MOCO Movement Center
Runner-Up: Dorina Kroll, Potomac Physical Therapy and Rehab
Best Place to Deliver Your Baby
Winner: Inova Fairfax Hospital
Runner-Up: Sibley Memorial Hospital
Best Urgent Care
Winner: MedStar Health: Urgent Care
Runner-Up: Patient First Primary & Urgent Care
Best Weight Loss Program or Doctor
Winner: Jen Silverman Nutrition
Runner-Up: Dr. John Brebbia, MedStar Health
Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
Winner: YogaSix
Runner-Up: Pure Barre Rockville South
Living
Best Church/Place of Worship
Winner: Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA
Runner-Up: Capital Life Church
Best Kid’s Birthday Party Program
Winner: Focus Family Martial Arts Academy
Runner-Up: Montgomery Parks
Best Kids’ Deals
Winner: Sportrock Climbing Centers
Runner-Up: CertifiKID
Best Local Children’s Author
Winner: Katherine Marsh (author of “Nowhere Boy” and “The Lost Year”)
Runner-Up: Vicki Johnson (author of “Molly’s Tuxedo”)
Best Local Getaway/Resort
Winner: Delaware Beach
Runner-Up: Ocean City, Maryland
Best Local News Personality
Winner: Doug Kammerer
Best Local Professional Athlete
Winner: Alexander Ovechkin
Best Minor League Sport Experience
Winner: Washington Spirit
Runner-Up: Chesapeake Baysox
Best Park/Play Area
Winner: Clemyjontri Park
Runner-Up: Cabin John Regional Park
Best Place for a Team Party
Winner: Topgolf
Runner-Up: Sportrock Climbing Centers
Best Place for Family Fun
Winner: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
Runner-Up: National Children’s Museum
Best Professional Sporting Event for Families
Winner: Washington Nationals
Runner-Up: Washington Capitals
Best Public Space
Winner: National Mall
Runner-Up: Old Town Alexandria
Services
Best Baby/Family Photography
Winner: Bella Baby Photography
Runner-Up: Cindy Kane Photography
Best Caterer
Winner: Catering by Seasons
Runner-Up: Spilled Milk Catering
Best Day Spa
Winner: Woodhouse Spa
Runner-Up: Bethesda Salt Cave
Best Daycare
Winner: Willowcreek Academy
Runner-Up: Little Beginnings
Best Deck/Porch Builder
Winner: Knoble
Best Electrician
Winner: Adam Silverman (Silco Electric)
Runner-Up: Trunnell Electric
Best Event Planner
Winner: Jamie Kramer Events
Runner-Up: Save the Date, LLC Events
Best Family-Friendly Gym
Winner: Life Time
Runner-Up: Aspen Hill Club
Best Financial Planner
Winner: Sandbox Financial Partners
Runner-Up: Medallion Financial Corp.
Best Flooring Company
Winner: Luna
Best General Repairs/Handyman
Winner: Mr. Handyman
Runner-Up: Jeeves Handyman
Best Hair Salon/Colorist
Winner: Progressions Salon Spa
Runner-Up: PR at Partners Old Town Alexandria
Best Hair Salon for Children
Winner: Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids (Lorton)
Runner-Up: Tiny HeadQuarters Salon
Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company
Winner: Michael & Son Services
Runner-Up: Eli’s Heating & Air Conditioning
Best Home Builder
Winner: All-In Renovations
Best Home Cleaning Service
Winner: AXIS Cleaning Services
Runner-Up: Home Maid Service
Best Interior Decorator
Winner: Amy Schwartz Interiors
Best Kid’s Party Entertainer
Winner: Focus Family Martial Arts Academy
Runner-Up: Eric Energy
Best Kids’ Spa
Winner: Nail Ritual
Best Kitchen Designer
Winner: Knoble
Best Local Family Photographer
Winner: Danielle Wood Photography
Runner-Up: Anna Meyer Photo
Best Mani/Pedi
Winner: Nail Ritual
Runner-Up: Amber Door Day Spa
Best Martial Arts Instruction
Winner: Kicks Karate
Runner-Up: Beltway Martial Arts
Best Mechanic
Winner: Auto Pros
Runner-Up: Ourisman Honda
Best Mortgage Loan Officer
Winner: Rocket Mortgage
Runner-Up: Alex Jaffe
Best Music Instruction
Winner: International School of Music
Runner-Up: Mason Community Arts Academy
Best Nanny/Babysitting Services
Winner: Care.com
Runner-Up: Jovie
Best Overall Gym or Health Club
Winner: Life Time
Runner-Up: The St. James Performance Club
Best Party Venue
Winner: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
Runner-Up: BlackRock Center for the Arts
Best Personal Organizer
Winner: Contained Chaos
Runner-Up: Sara Wiggins (PriOrganize)
Best Pet Groomer
Winner: Bark In Style
Runner-Up: Bone Jour
Best Pet Trainer
Winner: The Polite Dog
Runner-Up: Your Dog’s Friend
Best Plumber
Winner: Erik Platenberg
Runner-Up: Michael & Son Services
Best Realtor
Winner: Jen Vo, Keller Williams Capital Properties
Runner-Up: Monique Craft, Weichert Realtors
Best Remodeling Company
Winner: DTG Construction LLC
Best Veterinarian
Winner: McLean Animal Hospital
Runner-Up: Dr. Christina Stotz, Kentlands Veterinary Hospital
Shops and Wares
Best Accessories Store
Winner: Red Orchard
Best Children’s Consignment or Resale Store
Winner: Kid to Kid
Best Grocery Store
Winner: Roots Market
Runner-Up: Trader Joe’s
Best Health Food Store
Winner: Roots Market
Runner-Up: MOM’s Organic Market
Best Jewelry Store
Winner: Tabandeh
Best Kitchen Counters Company
Winner: Counter Culture
Best Local Car Dealer
Winner: Koons Lincoln of Bethesda
Best Local Children’s Furniture Store
Winner: Belfort Furniture
Best Local Selection of Children’s Books
Winner: Wonderland Books
Runner-Up: One More Page Books
Best Local Shopping Center or Mall
Winner: Tysons Corner Center
Runner-Up: Westfield Montgomery
Best Local Toy Store
Winner: Child’s Play Toys and Books
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: Apricot Lane Potomac
Runner-Up: Monkee’s
Best Party Supplies
Winner: Michaels
Runner-Up: Party Warehouse
Best Pet Sitting/Boarding
Winner: MusselMutts, LLC Pet Care and Farm Sitting
Runner-Up: Pet Dominion
Best Pet Store
Winner: Wag N’ Wash
Runner-Up: Pets Are Home
Best Shoe Store
Winner: Nordstrom
Runner-Up: Shoe Train
Things to Do
Best Amusement Park
Winner: Kings Dominion
Runner-Up: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
Best Art Gallery
Winner: National Gallery of Art
Runner-Up: Glenstone
Best Bowling Alley
Winner: Bowlero
Runner-Up: Lucky Strike
Best Concert Venue
Winner: Wolf Trap
Runner-Up: 9:30 Club
Best Family Day Trip
Winner: Shenandoah National Park
Runner-Up: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Best Family Event
Winner: Eggstravaganza (Southern Maryland)
Runner-Up: Taste of Bethesda
Best Farmers Market
Winner: Olney Farmers Market
Runner-Up: Bethesda Central Farm Market
Best Free Family Fun
Winner: Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Runner-Up: Fairfax Family Festival
Best Ice Skating Rink
Winner: Cabin John Ice Rink
Runner-Up: National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink
Best Indoor Activity
Winner: Smithsonian Museums
Runner-Up: Hyper Kidz
Best Indoor Attraction
Winner: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Runner-Up: National Children’s Museum
Best Indoor Play Facility
Winner: National Children’s Museum
Runner-Up: Hyper Kidz – Rockville
Best Indoor Swimming Pool/Rec Center
Winner: Cub Run Rec Center
Runner-Up: Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center
Best Movie Theater
Winner: AMC Rio Cinemas 18
Runner-Up: Angelika Film Center
Best Museum
Winner: National Air and Space Museum
Runner-Up: International Spy Museum
Best Outdoor Activity
Winner: The Arlington Triathlon
Runner-Up: Butler’s Orchard
Best Outdoor Attraction
Winner: The National Mall
Runner-Up: Brookside Gardens
Best Performance Theater for Young Audiences
Winner: Olney Theatre Center
Runner-Up: Imagination Stage
Best Petting Zoo
Winner: Clark’s Elioak Farm
Runner-Up: Frying Pan Farm Park
Best Roller Rink
Winner: Skate N’ Fun Zone
Runner-Up: Kraken Kourts & Skates
Best Swimming Pool
Winner: Rockville Swim and Fitness Center
Runner-Up: The St. James
Best Water Park
Winner: SplashDown Waterpark
Runner-Up: The St. James
