Meet the 2026 Harrisburg & Hershey Family Favorites!
From the places where our kids play to the people we trust with their care, these are the businesses, organizations and community spaces local families showed up to celebrate.
Once upon a time, finding the "best place in town" meant checking the cocktail list, studying the dessert menu and hoping the lighting made us look like people who regularly got eight hours of sleep. Then we had kids.
Now the best restaurant is the one that brings something edible before the smallest person at the table realizes they are hungry. We evaluate parks by shade, bathroom distance and how easily a determined preschooler could make a break for it. A truly great dentist is one our children will willingly visit twice, and a great coffee shop is one capable of reviving us after a morning that began with one missing shoe, a spilled cup of milk and a heated debate over why we cannot bring a lizard to school. Our standards are still high; they are simply much more practical...and significantly more dependent on snacks.
That is exactly why the Family Favorite Awards matter. Parents make approximately 47 decisions before breakfast, and a recommendation from another local family can save time, money and occasionally everyone’s remaining patience. These winners and Village Standouts are the places, people and programs families throughout Harrisburg and Hershey trust to make raising kids here easier, healthier, sweeter and a whole lot more fun.
Harrisburg & Hershey families, you understood the assignment. You nominated. You voted. You told your friends, your customers, your dance moms, your baseball group chats and probably at least one unsuspecting relative who thought they were only opening Facebook to look at birthday photos.
And now, after carefully combining three former voting regions into our two new publications, checking locations, reviewing overlapping categories and counting every eligible vote, the results are finally here!
These awards are powered by local families. Businesses did not pay to appear on the ballot, and recognition was not sold to the highest bidder. These are your nominations, your votes and your Family Favorites.
A quick note before the confetti flies
Some original ballots used broad combined categories while others offered more specific choices. We kept as many meaningful categories as possible and did not automatically pour every vote into a category that asked a different question. Exact ties are celebrated together.
About ties: A tie designation means the results fell within a 2% margin of error. It may represent a statistical tie rather than identical vote totals.
Territory note: Businesses in ZIP codes 17001, 17012, 17025 and 17089 are included with Carlisle & West Shore and are not part of these East results.
Jump to a section
Go, Play & Explore • Celebrate • Learn, Grow & Belong • Move, Make & Perform • Eat & Treat • Health & Wellness • Shop, Style & Local Services • Picture-Perfect Favorites • Summer Camp Stars
Go, Play & Explore
Amusement & Water Parks (East)
WINNER
- Hersheypark
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Hershey's Chocolate World
Aquariums Zoos & Animal Experiences (East)
WINNER
- ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
- Hershey Gardens Butterfly Atrium
Family Membership (East)
WINNER
- Hersheypark
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
- Harrisburg Area YMCA
Free Fun (East)
WINNER
- Hershey's Chocolate World
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Wildwood Park and Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center
- Hershey Public Library
Indoor Play Places (East)
WINNER
- Urban Air Adventure Park Harrisburg
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Hershey Children's Museum
- Get Air Harrisburg
Farmers Markets (East)
WINNER
- Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Broad Street Market
- Masonic Village Farm Market
Pick Your Own (East)
WINNER
- Masonic Village Farm Market
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Country Joy Flowers
- Strites' Orchard
Theatres & Arenas (East)
WINNER
- Hershey Theatre
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- GIANT Center
- Midtown Cinema
Nature & Environmental Attractions (East)
WINNER
- Wildwood Park and Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Indian Echo Caverns at Echo Dell
- Hershey Gardens
Museums & Educational Attractions (East)
WINNER
- Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- The State Museum of Pennsylvania
- Hershey Gardens
Arcades & Other Indoor Fun (East)
WINNER
- Adventure Sports in Hershey
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Challenge Family Fun Center
- Doc's Family Fun Center
Parks & Playgrounds (East)
WINNER
- Cocoa Castle
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Palmdale Park
- Elizabethtown Borough Community Park
Pools & Splash Pads (East)
WINNER
- Derry Township Community Center
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Palmyra Community Pool
- Willowood Swim Club
Sports Recreation & Adventure Attractions (East)
WINNER
- Adventure Sports in Hershey
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- E-Dance Center
- Urban Playground
Without the Kids (East)
WINNER
- The Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Stumpy's Hatchet House Hershey
- Fenicci's of Hershey
Kids Night Out & Drop-Off Fun (East)
WINNER
- SPLAT A Family Art Studio
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- GEARS
- Pennon Education at WITF Public Media Center
Playdate/Meetup Spot (East)
WINNER
- Elizabethtown Public Library
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park
- Where the Wild Things Play
Teen Picks (East)
WINNER
- Hersheypark
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- SPLAT A Family Art Studio
- Stumpy's Hatchet House Hershey
Celebrate
Event Entertainment (East)
WINNER
- The Balunguy
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Gamut Theatre Group
- ZboyZ Mobile Gaming
Event Venues - DIY Gatherings (East)
WINNER
- The Hive Elizabethtown
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- SPLAT A Family Art Studio
- Willowood Swim Club
Event Venues - Party Packages (East)
WINNER
- Hershey's Chocolate World
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- SPLAT A Family Art Studio
- Hershey Children's Museum
Learn, Grow & Belong
Child Care & Daycare (East)
WINNER
- Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning - Hershey
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Seedlings Academy for Young Learners
- Amazing Sports & Activities
Preschools (East)
WINNER
- St. Stephen's Episcopal School
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Elizabethtown Community Nursery School
- Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning - Hershey
Homeschool Programs (East)
WINNER
- Commonwealth Charter Academy
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- The Twisted Easel
- Mini Explorer Club at Camp Catherine
Charter Schools (East)
WINNER
- Commonwealth Charter Academy
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- REACH Cyber Charter School
- Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School (CASA) (tie)
- Infinity Charter School (tie)
Private Religious Schools (East)
WINNER
- St. Stephen’s Episcopal School
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Harrisburg Christian School
- St. Joan of Arc School
Private Secular Schools (East)
WINNER
- The Londonderry School
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Harrisburg Academy
- The Circle School
Tutoring & Academic Resources (East)
WINNER
- Children's Dyslexia Center of Central Pennsylvania
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Mathnasium of Hershey
- Mathnasium of Harrisburg
Baby, Toddler & Preschool Activities (East)
WINNER
- GEARS
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Mini Explorer Club at Camp Catherine
- Where the Wild Things Play
Special Needs Services & Resources (East)
WINNER
- Vista Autism Services
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities
- TrueNorth Wellness Services
Therapeutic & Accessible Recreation (East)
WINNER
- Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Theatre Harrisburg Penguin Project
- British Swim School of Greater Harrisburg
Move, Make & Perform
Educational & STEAM Activities (East)
WINNER
- Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Make! Believe! Makerspace
- Mini Explorer Club at Camp Catherine
Recreation & Adventure Activities (East)
WINNER
- Mini Explorer Club at Camp Catherine
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Artz N' Motion
- Net Ninjas Tennis
Fine Arts Activities (East)
WINNER
- Maureen Marks Art
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- The Twisted Easel
- SPLAT A Family Art Studio
Music Activities (East)
WINNER
- Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestras
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Hershey Symphony Orchestra
- Music Together in Susquehanna Valley - Harrisburg
Theatre Activities (East)
WINNER
- Gamut Theatre Group
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Hershey Area Playhouse
- Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
Dance Activities (East)
WINNER
- E-Dance Center
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Hershey School of Dance & Arts
- ExHaLTT Performing Arts Academy
- One Broadway Dance & Performing Arts Academy
Gymnastics Activities (East)
WINNER
- Gymnastic Center of Hershey
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Artistic Sports Academy Plus
- Elizabethtown Gymnastics Club
Martial Arts, Ninja & Parkour (East)
WINNER
- Fighting Dragons School of Martial Arts
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Kim's Institute of Martial Arts - Hershey
- Complete Martial Arts Club of Hershey
Swim Lessons (East)
WINNER
- Floats to Strokes Infant Aquatics
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Harrisburg Area YMCA
- British Swim School of Greater Harrisburg - Harrisburg
Team Sports (East)
WINNER
- Soccer Shots Harrisburg
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Hershey Soccer Club
- Net Ninjas Tennis
Eat & Treat
Family-Friendly Restaurant (East)
WINNER
- Red Robin - Paxton Towne Center
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Stuff'D Steaks & Hoagies
- El Rodeo - Harrisburg
Bakery (East)
WINNER
- Desserts Etc.
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Valosh Pâtisserie
- Moore Desserts by Julie
Coffee (East)
WINNER
- Whisk Cafe
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Crema Coffee Cottage
- Elizabethtown Coffee Company
Ice Cream & Sweet Treats (East)
WINNER
- Urban Churn - Harrisburg
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Cubby's Ice Cream Cafe
- Udder Bliss Creamery
Pizza (East)
WINNER
- P&J Pizza Elizabethtown
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Bellia's Pizza II
- Mangia Mangia Italian Grill
Catering (East)
WINNER
- Stuff'D Steaks & Hoagies
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- The Spot Hometown Deli
- The Hershey Pantry
Kids Eat Free & Kids Nights (East)
WINNER
- Texas Roadhouse - Union Deposit
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Red Robin - Paxton Towne Center
- Arooga's - Linglestown Road
Health & Wellness
Dental (East)
WINNER
- Advanced Pediatric Dentistry
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Kearns & Ashby Pediatric Dentistry - Harrisburg
- Smiles by Shannon Dental
General Medical (East)
WINNER
- Tan & Garcia Pediatrics - Harrisburg
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Penn State Health Children's Hospital
- UPMC Kline Health Center / Children & Teen Center
Mental & Behavioral Health (East)
WINNER
- Neurofeedback & Counseling Center of Pennsylvania
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute
- UPMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Harrisburg
Medical Specialists (East)
WINNER
- Partners in Women's Healthcare - Harrisburg
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Medical Arts Allergy - Harrisburg
- Thomas Chu, DO - UPMC
Vision (East)
WINNER
- Premier Eye Care Group - Harrisburg
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Harrisburg Eye Associates
- Morrison Eye Associates - Harrisburg
OB/GYN (East)
WINNER
- UPMC Woodward & Associates - Hershey
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Partners in Women's Healthcare - Harrisburg
- UPMC Women First - Harrisburg
Doula or Midwife (East)
WINNER
- Dauphin County Doulas
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Death Doula Beth
- Penn State Health Nurse-Midwifery
Family or Pediatric Chiropractic & Massage (East)
WINNER
- Life Adjusted Chiropractic - Harrisburg
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- The Hetrick Center - Harrisburg
- Brownstone Chiropractic - Hummelstown
Shop, Style & Local Services
Consignment Store or Event (East)
WINNER
- Fancy Unicorn
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Once Upon a Child - Harrisburg
- WeeUsables - Harrisburg Sale
Home Services (East)
WINNERS (TIE)
- Down East Fabrication - Harrisburg
- HL Bowman (tie)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- BiiLT Contracting Group
Toy, Game & Book Store (East)
WINNER
- Toys on the Square
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Tatted Toy Guys
- Bookshelf Shenanigans
Self-Care for Parents (East)
WINNER
- The Spa at The Hotel Hershey
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Kairos Massage & Skincare
- MeltSpa by Hershey
Finance Services (East)
WINNER
- Premier Accounting Associates
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Mid Penn Bank
- PSECU
Haircuts for Kids (East)
WINNER
- Izzy's Fast Fades
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Sport Clips Haircuts of Harrisburg
- Sport Clips Haircuts of Hummelstown
Cleaning & Organization Services (East)
WINNERS (TIE)
- Junk Tank (tie)
- MaidPro Hershey (tie)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Grime Busters
- Immaculate Custom Cleaning
Legal Services (East)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
- Mette, Evans & Woodside
Real Estate Services (East)
WINNER
- John P. Henry - Keller Williams of Central PA
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Corinne Hankins - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
- Doraezha Scott - Keller Williams of Central PA
Picture-Perfect Favorites
Photography - Overall (East)
WINNER
- CGallery
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Kim Winey Photography
- Tony Gibble Photography
Photography - Maternity & Newborn (East)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Olya Bik Photography
- CGallery
Photography - Family (East)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Kim Winey Photography
- Nathan Grumbine Photography
Photography - Event, On-Location & Lifestyle (East)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Tony Gibble Photography
- Nathan Grumbine Photography
Photography - Milestone (East)
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Nathan Grumbine Photography
- Olya Bik Photography
Summer Camp Stars
Summer Camp - Adaptive, Therapeutic & Inclusive (East)
WINNER
- Joshua Group Summer Learning Program
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Easterseals Western & Central Pennsylvania
- Vista Autism Services
Summer Camp - Adventure (East)
WINNER
- Wildwood Park Summer Day Camps
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- ZooAmerica ZooCamp
- Camp Urbie at Urban Air Harrisburg
Summer Camp - General Day (East)
WINNER
- GEARS Summer Camps
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Amazing Sports & Activities (tie)
- Harrisburg Area YMCA Summer Day Camps (tie)
- Mini Explorer Club at Camp Catherine
Summer Camp - Faith-Based (East)
WINNER
- Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Mt. Lou San Bible Camp
- RAFA Church Summer Camp
Summer Camp - STEAM & Educational (East)
WINNER
- Whitaker Center Summer Camps
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- ZooAmerica ZooCamp
- Hershey Gardens Camps
Summer Camp - Special Interest (East)
WINNER
- Critter Camp at Humane Society of Harrisburg Area
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Artz N' Motion
- Whitaker Center Summer Camps
Summer Camp - Sports (East)
WINNER
- Amazing Sports & Activities
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Twin Ponds Hockey Camp
- Hershey Racquet Club Summer Camp
Summer Camp - Visual & Performing Arts (East)
WINNER
- Hershey Area Playhouse Theatre Academy
VILLAGE STANDOUTS
- Gamut Theatre Academy
- Whitaker Center Summer Camps (tie)
- ExHaLTT Performing Arts Academy
Congratulations to every 2026 Family Favorite!
Winning is wonderful, but what makes these awards matter is the village behind them: families sharing the places and people that make life here easier, sweeter, healthier, more joyful and a whole lot more fun.
Family Favorite designations reflect eligible votes received during the 2026 nomination and voting process, together with the documented category and territory rules described above.
