Best Of Tucson®

Best Birthday Party Place

Chuck E. Cheese's

You're going to be asked to clap your hands. You're going to be asked to dance. You're going to be asked to form a conga line and shout. You'll wonder where the rum punch is when they bring you pizza and party favors. And then, suddenly, you will be surrounded by children screaming, "Chuck E.! Chuck E.! Chuck E.!" A large costumed character will come up to your birthday child and hug him--and you'll reach into your soul to suppress the horror you feel, because your kid will be in a state of bliss. There may be 10 other parties going on around you, and you and the other parents will give each other that secret parent look. The little plastic cup in your hand is void of rum, but somehow, the Diet Coke is swirling in your brain, and you'll say, "He turns 7 only once. It's worth it."

Runners up:

2. Peter Piper Pizza, Various locations, peterpiperpizza.com

3. TIE

Funtasticks Family Fun Park, 221 E. Wetmore Road, 888-4653, funtasticks.com

Pump It Up, 3248 N. Freeway Industrial Loop, No. 108, 888-9198, pumpitupparty.com