Best of Orlando 2017 – Kids & Pets
Our readers voted online for their top picks in dozens of categories, from sweet shops to car dealers, bloggers to wedding venues. We carried our snazzy "Best of Orl" sign to various winning spots for photos, then had a "blast" coloring it for the cover.
|
Best of Food & Drink |
A Well Rounded Class Act
Founded in 1970, Lake Highland Preparatory School is one of the largest independent schools in the country, with a student enrollment of 1,900. Among the school’s greatest strengths is its offerings in math, science, technology, engineering and innovation, says Susan Clayton, Lake Highland's vice president of advancement. For 20 years, the school has offered a program that matches motivated math and science students with researchers and physicians who work as their mentors and engage them in their current laboratory projects. Vrinda Madan, who will attend Princeton University in the fall, was recently named one of 40 national finalists at the prestigious Science Talent Search. Famous alumni include Kerri Strug, 1996 Olympic Games gold medalist in women’s gymnastics, and Scott Stapp, lead singer of Creed.
—Loraine O’Connell
PRIVATE SCHOOL, 9-12
1 Lake Highland Preparatory School
Orlando
lhps.org
2 Windermere Preparatory School
Windermere
windermereprep.com
3 The First Academy
Orlando
thefirstacademy.org
PRIVATE SCHOOL, K-5
1 StarChild Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
starchildacademy.com
2 Lake Highland Preparatory School
Orlando
lhps.org
3 Windermere Preparatory School
Windermere
windermereprep.com
PRIVATE SCHOOL, 6-8
1 Windermere Preparatory School
Windermere
windermereprep.com
2 Lake Highland Preparatory School
Orlando
lhps.org
3 The First Academy
Orlando
thefirstacademy.org
PRESCHOOL
1 Ladybird Academy
Multiple locations
ladybirdacademy.com
2 StarChild Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
starchildacademy.com
3 The First Academy
Orlando
thefirstacademy.org
SUMMER CAMP
1 StarChild Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
starchildacademy.com
2 Ladybird Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
ladybirdacademy.com
3 Windermere Preparatory School
Windermere
windermereprep.com
PLACE FOR BABY AND CHILDREN'S CLOTHING
1 Once Upon a Child
Three Orlando-area locations
onceuponachildorlandofl.com
2 The Children’s Place
Six Orlando-area locations
childrensplace.com
3 Tugboat & the Bird
Downtown Winter Park
tugboatandthebird.com
Animal Veterinary (ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
1 Animal Veterinary Hospital of Orlando
South Orlando
myavho.com
2 Tuscawilla Oaks
Animal Hospital
Oviedo
tuscawillaoaksah.com
3 Underhill Animal Hospital
Orlando
underhillanimalhospital.com
Rock & Brews (ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
Who's a Good Boy?
There are 52 beers on tap at Oviedo's Rock & Brews restaurant for their human customers and two for the canine variety. "We treat the dogs just like the owners," says General Manager Tavo Mendez. There's a doggie menu with five items on it, including Doggy Beer (a sodium- and preservative-free broth) and doggy ice cream (a swirl of peanut butter, banana and yogurt, frozen and served in cubes). Dogs must stay on the patio, but Rock & Brews keeps dog beds on hand in case the cement is too hot or cold for the pups’ comfort. "I believe it's a big draw," Mendez says. The restaurant is in the middle of a community, which is why they cater to families and partner with local dog- and people-oriented organizations by hosting fundraisers and volunteer luncheons. "We don't just hand out gift certificates," Mendez says. "We take it to the next level."
—Megan Stokes
PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
1 Rock & Brews
Oviedo; Lee Vista Area
rockandbrews.com
2 TR Fire Grill
Winter Park
trfiregrill.com
3 Yellow Dog Eats
Gotha
yellowdogeats.com
KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
1 Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Seven Orlando-area locations
kobesteakhouse.com
2 Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Four Orlando-area locations
unos.com
3 Café Tu Tu Tango
Southern I-Drive area
cafetututango.com
PET SPA AND GROOMING
1 Clipper Ship Pet Grooming
Lake Mary
facebook.com
(search Clipper Ship)
2 Plush Paws
College Park
plushpawsinc.com
3 Bow Wow Resort
Apopka
bowwowresort.com
SPECIALTY PET STORE
1 Woof Gang Bakery
Nine Orlando-area locations
woofgangbakery.com
2 Pookie’s Pet Nutrition
& Bow Wow Bakery
Winter Park
pookiesbowwowbakery.com
3 The Doggie Door
Downtown Winter Park
thedoggiedoor.com
DOGGIE DAY CARE
1 Ranger’s Pet Outpost
and Retreat
Winter Park
rangerspetoutpost.com
2 Bow Wow Resort
Apopka
bowwowresort.com
3 Eastman’s Escape
Winter Park
eastmansescape.com
