Hundreds of families have spoken on the best things to see, do and eat in the Sacramento region.

The Bee conducted a two-part online survey recently to solicit your ideas and then let you vote on them.

More than 900 readers participated in the survey, and now we're sharing the results to help your family discover a place that may become a favorite with your brood.

BEST PLACE TO ENTERTAIN KIDS ON A RAINY DAY: The Discovery Museum of Sacramento

Does about $4 for a day of family entertainment sound like a good deal?

That's how much it would cost if a a family used its one-year membership to the Discovery Museum of Sacramento once a month. The $50 membership covers up to five people and allows families access to any worldwide museum in the Association of Science and Technology Centers.

The Discovery Museum includes a planetarium, flight simulator, rocket ship (on loan from another museum), several dress-up areas, and wildlife on weekends.

It was on a rainy weekend over the summer when a "doctor's office" exhibit at the museum helped foster a major discovery for one family.

"A mom was in with her kids and they were all listening to each others' hearts, and one of the children asked the mom if girls' hearts sound different than boys'," said Beth Callahan, director of development and marketing. "The mother took the little girl to the doctor and discovered she had a heart murmur."

The 3-year-old girl was treated and is OK.

"The mom came in overjoyed and said 'I love this museum,' " Callahan said.

RUNNERS-UP: California State Railroad Museum, Art Beast Children's Studio

BEST DAY CAMP: The Discovery Museum of Sacramento

The museum's summer program, Camp Discovery, offers three science camps, two space camps and two Brownie and Girl Scout camps.

The one-week camps range in cost from $115 to $225 per child and include snacks. Age requirements vary.

Go to www.thediscovery.org for more information.

RUNNERS-UP Explorit Science Center, YMCA, Busy Bee Studios

BEST PARK: William Land Park

How many parks can boast lakes, a nine-hole golf course, an outdoor children's museum, public zoo and amusement park in addition to ball fields, a playground and a running track?

The roughly 166-acre park also offers picnic areas, gardens and an amphitheater.

RUNNERS-UP: McKinley Park, Southside Park

BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE BAKERY: Freeport Bakery

Freeport Bakery hasn't always been the epicenter of children's birthday cakes.

It wasn't until Marlene and Walter Goetzler purchased the Freeport Boulevard bakery that kid-friendly cakes were added to the menu.

"We thought, 'We need to come up with really good cakes that adults will want to eat and kids will enjoy looking at,' " Marlene Goetzler said. "I think that changed the face of the bakery."

Golden buttermilk cake with chocolate frosting is the most popular kids' birthday cake.

Freeport's bakers also can create a cake that resembles just about anything, she said. Check out www.freeportbakery.com to see the bakery's tempting array of treats.

RUNNERS-UP: Costco, Ettore's Bakery

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT: Old Spaghetti Factory

Whether it's the $4.99 kids meal, the cool streetcar your family can dine in or the pasta topped with mizithra cheese and browned butter, there's a lot to love about the Old Spaghetti Factory.

"The value we offer families has always been a draw," said George Dariotis, one of the restaurant chain's owners.

The Old Spaghetti Factory is offering a free kids meal from noon to 5 p.m. on Halloween for children 10 years old and younger dressed in costume.

RUNNERS-UP: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Evan's Kitchen

BEST CHILDREN'S SECTION AT A LIBRARY: Central Library

With more than 35,000 children's books and roughly 5,000 books for teenagers, the Central Library branch of the Sacramento Public Library has much to offer families.

The Kid's Place – the section dedicated to young readers – also is a cozy place in which to curl up with a book and is decorated to inspire the imagination.

Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing at (916) 321-1270.