By Readers

Our annual Family Favorites awards cover a lot of bases, from kids’ menus to clothing stores, but we know there are still plenty of fabulous Family Favorites out there to share. So we asked you, our readers! Here are some of the great recommendations added to this year’s ballot.

Best free movie event: Saturday Movie Train at Riverview Theater, sponsored by ChooChoo Bob
— Virginie M. Sanchez, Minneapolis

Best movie theater: Childish Films, Minneapolis Central Library
— Ryan Allen, Minneapolis

Best swimming hole: Elm Creek Park
— Emily Martin, Minneapolis

Best kids art class: Kidcreate Studio
— Cindy Reiners, Edina

Best-kept secret for family fun: Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakota Life, especially on event weekends
— Maureen McGinn, St. Paul

Best professional sports: The Wild!
— Tiffini Flynn Forslund, Brooklyn Park

Best family membership for entertainment: MN Zoo. “You can’t beat $115 per year to go as often as you want and bring one friend free every time. Plus, you get free parking every time and discounts on purchases there and discount admission to other zoos around the country! You cannot find that value for the fun and education we get every time we go and as often as we go.”
— Angela Bryant, Bloomington

Best swimming lessons: Learn to Swim Program through the University of Minnesota. “Low student-to-teacher ratio and affordable.”
— Lori Gingerich-Boberg, St. Paul

Best fitness center/gym childcare and child activities: Lifetime Fitness Highland & Maplewood locations
— Lisha Eskridge, St. Paul

Best kid-friendly grocery store: Kowalski’s Markets. “They do free first birthday cakes, free events at Easter, Halloween, and Christmas with free giveaways. They have the best kids grocery carts, and kids get a balloon and a cookie free each visit.”
— Kristina Borsch, Crystal

Best children’s furniture store: HOM Furniture
— Kathy Blake, Elk River

Best violin teacher: Elizabeth Bonacci at Simply Strings Studio. “Unbelievably patient and kind with young kids, and a talented performer in the Twin Cities folk/Americana scene as Eliza Blue.”
Best piano teacher: Tom Lee at Ensemble Music Studio. “Dedicated and patient with his students and their parents!”
Best stylist for moms: Ann Prentice. “Ann will get your style mojo back after baby! AnnPrentice.com.”
— Leah Drury, Minneapolis

Best place to camp: Lake Elmo
— Lisa Coleman, Woodbury