The winners and finalists for the 2023 Best of Parenting Awards were voted on by our readers — thank you for participating! And many thanks to all the businesses and services who support parents and Rutherford Parent Magazine!
The winners are shown in RED and the honorable mentions are listed after them in alphabetical order.
BEST EATS
Best Family Restaurant
- Toot’s
- The Alley on Main
- Jonathan’s Grille
Best Mexican Restaurant
- Camino Real
- Mi Patria
- Nacho’s
Best Family-Friendly Brewery
- Mayday Brewery
- Cedar Glade Brewery
- Hop Springs Beer Park
Best Pizza
- Slim and Husky’s
- Marco’s
- Sir Pizza
Best Ice Cream
- Andy’s Frozen Custard
- Hattie Jane’s Creamery
- Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Best Local Bakery
- Julia’s HomeStyle Bakery
- Hornitos Bakery
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
BEST PARTIES
Best Party Entertainer
- Party Princess Productions
- Anthony The Balloon Kid/Balloons of Pure Awesomeness
- Super Science TN
Best Away-From-Home Party
- Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
- Go USA Fun Park
- Strike and Spare Murfreesboro
Best Party Rental
- Big Thunder Events
- Bubble Ball
- Foamboree
BEST DESTINATIONS
Best Family Weekend Getaway
- Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN
- Chattanooga TN
- Great Smoky Mountains
Best Family Day Trip
- Chattanooga TN
- Fall Creek Falls
- SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland
Best Sleep-Away Camp
- Horton Haven Christian Camp
- Camp Ocoee
- YMCA Camp Widjiwagan
Best Beach Destination
- Destin/Ft. Walton FL
- Gulf Shores AL
- Panama City Beach FL
BEST OF OUR CITY
Best Farming Outing
- Lucky Ladd
- Gentry’s Farm
Best Local Day Camp
- Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
- ETC Gymnastics
- YMCA Camp Widjiwagan
Best Museum
- Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
- Adventure Science Center
- Frist Art Museum
Best Live Theater Venue
- Tennessee Performing Arts Center – TPAC
- Murfreesboro Center for the Arts
- Nashville Children’s Theatre
Best Tourist Attraction
- Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
- Cannonsburgh Village
- Discovery Center at Murfree Spring
Best Live Music Venue
- Bridgestone Arena
- Ascend Amphitheater
- Ryman Auditorium
BEST PARENTING RESOURCES
Best Child Care Center
- The Academy Child Development Center & Preschool
- Stonebrook Day School
- Tots Landing
Best Drop-In Child Care
- KidsPark
- MeTime Drop-In Child Care
- Playhouse Daycare Drop-in Center
Best Preschool
- The Primrose School
- The Academy Child Development Center & Preschool
- Community Christian Day School
BEST PET CARE
Best Pet Boarding
- Safari Pet Resort
- Doggies Day Out
- Hounds Town Smyrna
Best Veterinarian
- Brogli Lane Weaver & Alexander Animal Hospital
- Animal Medical Center
- Stones River Veterinary Hospital
BEST SHOPPING
Best Resale/Consignment
- Once Upon A Child
- Kid to Kid
- Uptown Cheapskate
Best Furniture Store
- Rooms to Go
- Ashley Home Store
- Haverty’s
Best Retail Shopping
- The Avenue Murfreesboro
- Stones River Mall
BEST APPEARANCE
Best Day Spa
- Calla Lily Day Spa and Salon
- Nurture Nook
- The Rain Tree Salon
Best Hair Salon
- Tangerine
- Beehive Salon
- Bombshells Hair Studio
Best Kids Photographer (TIE)
- Angel Pardue Photography • Carla Lynn Photography
- Shacklett’s Photography
Best Tutoring/Learning Service
- Sylvan Learning Center
- Huntington Learning Center
- Mathnasium
Best Dance Studio
- The Dancer’s School
- Barfield School of Dance
- Dance Academy
Best Gymnastics
- ETC Gymnastics
- Elite Energy Gymnastics
- Steele Elite Athletics
Best Cheerleading
- Steele Elite Athletics
- Elite Energy
- Premier Athletics Murfreesboro
Best Martial Arts
- Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate
- Black Dragon
- Stevens Family TaeKwonDo
Best Music Instruction
- Music & Arts
- Carpe Artista Arts Academy
- Mobile Music Academy
Best Horseback Riding/Lessons
- Harris Riding Academy
- Kensington Farms
- The Meadows of Murfreesboro
Best Theater Class/Camp
- Center for the Arts
- Murfreesboro Little Theatre
- Nashville Children’s Theatre
BEST HEALTH AND FITNESS
Best Pediatrician
- Murfreesboro Medial Clinic Pediatrics
- Smyrna Pediatrics
- Tennessee Pediatrics
Best Pediatric Dentist
- Wild About Smiles
- Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics of Murfreesboro
- Snodgrass-King Dental Associates
Best Orthodontist
- Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics of Murfreesboro
- Pack Orthodontics
- Wild About Smiles
Best Hospital
- Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford
- Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
- TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center
Best Place to Have a Baby
- Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford
- TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center
Best OB/GYN
- Murfreesboro Medical Clinic
- Advanced Women’s Care
- Women’s Health Specialists
Best Family Fitness Center
- Planet Fitness
- Burn Boot Camp
- Gold’s Gym
