We asked and you answered. From the best place for after school activities to the best doctor town and everything in between, you shared your vote for Family Favorites. The following list can serve as your go-to for places to go, people to see and things to do all year long.
Time to Party | Favorite Places and Spaces | Delicious Eats | Boutique Beauty | Get Active | Enrichment Activities | Doctors Orders | Watch Me Soar
Time to Party
Place to Buy a Birthday Cake
#1: Buggy Whip Bakery | buggywhipcakes.com
Runner Up: Cakes for Heaven’s Sake
Family Friendly Entertainer
#1: Awakening Minds Art | awakeningmindsart.org
Runner Up: Art Me! Ohio
Place to Buy Birthday Decorations
#1: Decorations Plus | decorationsplusonline.com
Runner Up: Party Place
Family Photographer
#1: Amy Cook Photography | amycookphotos.com
Runner Up: Chelsie Hosmer Photography
Local Toy Store
#1: Smarty Pants Findlay
Smarty Pants Findlay is a local resource for teachers and families to find quality educational supplies, books, games, toys and classroom decor. Owner Jane Hassan’s passion is making learning enjoyable for all. Smarty Pants carries a variety of toys to keep kids’ brains keen and ready including educational games, toys and puzzles and other learning aids. For more information visit “Smarty Pants Findlay” on Facebook.
Runner Up: Once Upon A Child—Findlay
Favorite Places and Spaces
Family Activity
#1: Children’s Museum of Findlay | cmfindlay.com
Runner Up: Mazza Museum
Place to Read
#1: Findlay-Hancock County Public Library | findlaylibrary.org
Runner Up: Tiffin-Seneca Public Library
Place for a Birthday Bash
#1: Flashover Indoor Sports | flashoverindoor.com
Runner Up: Rolling Thunder Skating & Family Fun Center
Place to Worship
#1: St. Michael the Archangel Parish | findlaystmichael.org
Runner Up: StoneBridge Church
Museums
#1: Mazza Museum | mazzamuseum.org
Runner Up: Children’s Museum of Findlay
Fair or Festival
#1: Hancock County Fair | hancockfairgrounds.org
Runner Up: Flag City Balloon Fest
Place for a Picnic
#1: Riverbend Park | hancockparks.com
Runner Up: Riverside Park
Place to Volunteer
#1: Humane Society & SPCA of Hancock County | hancockhumanesociety.com
Runner Up: Findlay City Mission
Animal Encounters
#1: Toledo Zoo | toledozoo.org
Runner Up: The Farm at Walnut Creek
Tween Activity
#1: Ice Skating at The Cube
Runner Up: Swan House Tea Room
Garden and Nature Center
#1: Hancock Park District | hancockparks.com
Runner Up: Feasel’s Garden Center
Bowling Alley
#1: AMF Sportsman Lanes | amf.com/location/amf-sportsman-lanes
Runner Up: Southgate Lanes, Bluffton
Delicious Eats
Cupcakes/Bakery/Sweets Shop
#1: Brinkman’s Country Corner | brinkmanscountrycorner.com
Runner Up: Buggy Whip Bakery
Family-Friendly Restaurants
#1: Fricker’s Findlay | frickers.com
Runner Up: Ralphie’s
Ice Cream Shop
#1: Dietsch Brothers Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream | dietschs.com
When someone asks what Findlay is known for, there are a few landmark businesses that come to mind…one of those is Dietsch Brothers. Throughout seventy five years in business, two things remains the same: the personal level of service provided to customers and their high quality fine chocolates and ice cream. Quality has been the secret to their success. With a variety of unique, traditional and even seasonal ice cream flavors, there is something for every ice cream lover!
Runner Up: Mr. Twister
Local Pizza Shop
#1: Heavenly Pizza | heavenlypizzafindlay.com
Runner Up: Jac & Do’s
Place Where Kids Eat Free
#1: Ralphie’s | ralphies.com
Runner Up: Fricker’s Findlay
Boutique Beauty
Baby Boutique Shop
#1: Homestead Collection
Homestead Collection has a “Village of shops” to browse through with something for everyone, offering boutique gifts, home decor, antiques and more! Stop by their Homestead Boutique for a variety of adorable baby items. For more information visit “Homestead Collection” on Facebook.
Runner Up: Trendy Little Tots, Bowling Green
Kids’ Clothing Store
#1: Once Upon A Child—Findlay | onceuponachildfindlay.com
Runner Up: The Beanstalk, Tiffin
Maternity Clothing Store
#1: Once Upon A Child—Findlay | onceuponachildfindlay.com
Runner Up: Style Encore
Place for Furnishing the Nursery
#1: Once Upon A Child—Findlay | onceuponachildfindlay.com
Runner Up: Hobby Lobby
Mom-Owned Business
#1: TRENDS! On Main | trendsonmain.com
Runner Up: Journey Salon & Day Spa
Place to Buy Sports Equipment
#1: DICK’S Sporting Goods | dickssportinggoods.com
Runner Up: Dunham’s Sports
The Digital Age
Local Parent Blogger
#1: Christy Denman, Our Cozy Den | ourcozyden.com
Runner Up: Amy Mullholand, The Fibro Frog
Local Parent Facebook Group
#1: Hancock County Mom to Mom Sale
Runner Up: Findlay Family
Local Instagram Account
#1: Social Findlay | @socialfindlay
Runner Up: @foddi_tiffin
Get Active
Place to Go Ice Skating
#1: The Cube | facebook.com/findlaycube
The Cube, an indoor ice rink open from September to late March and May to July, offers a competition quality ice surface for figure skating, hockey and public skating. The Cube is the home ice for the Findlay High School Trojan Hockey Team, Silver Blades Figure Skating Club, Findlay Amateur Hockey Association, Gliding Stars Adaptive Ice Skating, Findlay Men’s Hockey League as well as City of Findlay Recreational Skating programs and classes.
Runner Up: Slater Family Ice Arena, Bowling Green
Place to Go Roller Skating
#1: Rolling Thunder Skating & Family Fun Center | rollingthunder-findlay.com
Runner Up: Ohio Skate, Maumee
Park or Playground
#1: Riverbend Park | hancockparks.com
Runner Up: Fort Findlay Playground at Emory Adams Park
Indoor Play Space
#1: Children’s Museum of Findlay | cmfindlay.com
Runner Up: Flashover Indoor Sports
Waterpark
#1: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Sandusky | kalahariresorts.com
Runner Up: Great Wolf Lodge, Sandusky
Family Friendly Gym
#1: Findlay Family YMCA | findlayymca.org
Runner Up: Tiffin Community YMCA
Biking Trail
#1: Blanchard River Greenway Bike Trail | hancockparks.com/yourparks/blanchard-river-greenway
Runner Up: Heritage Trail
Sports Camp
#1: Findlay Family YMCA | findlayymca.org
Runner Up: Cory Rawson Soccer Club
Summer Day Camp
#1: Campfire Northwest Ohio | campfirenwohio.com
Runner Up: Findlay Family YMCA
Enrichment Activities
Acting and Theatre Class
#1: The Arts Partnership | artspartnership.com
Runner Up: University of Findlay
Dance Class
#1: Becky’s School of Dance | beckysschoolofdance.net
Runner Up: Studio 1 Dance
Kids Art Class
#1: Awakening Minds Art | awakeningmindsart.org
Runner Up: Findlay Art League
Music Class
#1: Music Together | musictogetherfindlay.com
Runner Up: Heartstring Melodies
Martial Arts Program
#1: Findlay Martial Arts Academy | findlayma.com
Runner Up: Academy of Martial Arts Studies
Swim Lessons
#1: Findlay Family YMCA | findlayymca.org
Runner Up: Tiffin Community YMCA
Horseback Riding Lessons
#1: Triple T Ranch and Western B&B | thetttranch.com
Runner Up: The Secret Ranch, By Victoria, Van Buren
Youth Sports League
#1: Findlay Youth Baseball | findlaybaseball.org
Runner Up: Flashover Indoor Sports
Traveling Sports Club League
#1: Findlay Amateur Hockey Association | findlayhockey.com
Runner Up: Blackswamp Volleyball Club
Gymnastics Class
#1: Findlay Elite Gymnastics & Cheer | findlayelite.com
The goal of Findlay Elite Gymnastics & Cheer is to positively encourage children to reach their fullest potential through the sports of gymnastics and cheerleading. Over the years the Findlay Elite staff has coached thousands of girls and boys from ages three and up with all levels of ability from beginners to World Champions. The gym is able to house everything from preschool classes to USAG Level 10 gymnasts to All-Star Cheerleading with a full size 42×54 spring floor.
Runner Up: Capitol City Gymnastics & Cheerleading
After School Program
#1: FABSS – Findlay City Schools | findlaycityschools.org/fabss
FABSS is designed to provide safe and quality care for children in grades K-5. Children have the opportunity to participate in daily activities that promote academic achievement, creativity and social skills. FABSS sites open at 6:30am and close at 6pm. Activities include fine and large motor skill games, homework and academic review time and a variety of fun learning experiences. Breakfast is offered in the before school session along with a nutritious snack in the after school session. FABSS is also open for all school delays due to inclement weather but is closed for all school holidays and closures, scheduled or unscheduled.
Runner Up: The Arts Partnership
Doctors Orders
Pediatric Practice
#1: Blanchard Valley Pediatrics | bvpediatrics.com
Runner Up: A Tender Touch Pediatrics, Tiffin
Chiropractor
#1: Risner Spinal Center | risnerspinalcenter.com
Runner Up: Dr. Lofquist, Flag City Sport and Spine
Emergency Care
#1: Physicians Plus Urgent Care
Runner Up: ProMedica Urgent Care
Place to Give Birth
#1: Blanchard Valley Hospital | bvhealthsystem.org
Runner Up: Mercy Health—Tiffin Hospital
OB/GYN
#1: Dr. Lorie Thomas, DO, Women & Children’s Center
Runner Up: Dr. Kimberlee Perkins, DO, Findlay Women’s Care
Midwife
#1: Susan Smith, CNM, Findlay Women’s Care | findlayobgyn.com
Runner Up: Kathleen Fries, CNM
Family Doctor
#1: Dr. Kathryn Karhoff, DO, Eastern Woods Family Practice
Runner Up: Dr. William Hopkins, MD, Findlay Family Practice
ENT Doctor
#1: Dr. Evan McBeath, MD, ENT & Allergy Specialists of Northwest Ohio
Runner Up: Dr. Erik Nielsen, MD, ENT & Allergy Specialists of Northwest Ohio
Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
#1: Dr. Duane Wires, O.D., Eyes on Main | eyesonmainvisioncenter.com
Runner Up: Dr. Kurt L. Ebersole, O.D., Spectrum Eye Care
Allergist
#1: Dr. Amber Patterson, MD, ENT & Allergy Specialists of Northwest Ohio
Runner Up: Dr. Ghassan Safadi, MD, FAAAAI, Allergy Clinic Ohio
Dentist
#1: Dr. Kathryn Lewis, DDS, Findlay Dental Group | findlaydentalteam.com
Runner Up: Dr. Kyle Amspaugh DDS, MS, Blanchard Valley Pediatric Dentistry
Orthodontic Care
#1: Dr. Jonathan Davis, DDS, Total Dental Care | findlay.dentist.com
Runner Up: Findlay Orthodontics
Veterinarian
#1: VCA Findlay Animal Care Center | vcahospitals.com/findlay-animal-care-center
Runner Up: Blanchard Valley Veterinary Clinic
Watch Me Soar
Preschool
#1: Washington Preschool | preschool.fcs.org
Runner Up: First Presbyterian Church Nursery School
Tutoring Center
#1: Sylvan Learning Center Findlay | sylvanlearning.com
Runner Up: Sylvan Learning Center Tiffin
Teacher and Their School
#1: Mrs. Ryan, Northview Primary School | northview.fcs.org
Runner Up: Mrs. Curth, Jefferson Primary School
Elementary School
#1: Lincoln Elementary School | lincoln.fcs.org
Runner Up: Whittier Primary School
Middle School
#1: Donnell Middle School | donnell.fcs.org
Runner Up: Liberty-Benton Middle School
Charter School
#1: Findlay Digital Academy | findlaydigitalacademy.com
Runner Up: TRECA Digital Academy
Private/Parochial School
#1: St. Michael the Archangel School | findlaystmichaelschool.org
Runner Up: Calvert Catholic Schools, Tiffin
Special Needs Services
#1: Awakening Minds Art | awakeningmindsart.org
Runner Up: Blanchard Valley Center
Daycare
#1: Something Special Learning Center Findlay | somethingspecial.us
Runner Up: Owens Community College Findlay Child Care Center