9 Tips for Taking Your Toddler on a Road Trip

Traveling with your little one is a wonderful way to introduce them to the world. Road trips are an easy and enjoyable way to expose your munchkin to the many cities, towns and states that comprise the USA and perhaps Canada or Mexico too (how adventurous are you?).

During a road trip, you are the master of your itinerary. You're free to make as many stops and take as many detours as you need. With a little planning, you can transform your car into a comfortable homelike environment where your tot can feel relaxed and safe.

If you're ready to hit the open road with your little one, here are nine tips for taking your toddler on a road trip:

1) Turn your child's backseat area into a comfortable, stimulating, home-like environment. Grab a couple of his/her favorite board books and toys, a favorite blanket or snuggie and place them where they can be easily reached. Provide plenty of opportunities for self-entertainment.

2) Bring along a fun playlist or CD of songs your little one recognizes and adores. There are a lot of opportunities for fun and memory making here. Encourage your tot to have a dance party in his safety seat. You can do the same from the front seat (unless you're the one driving). Have a family sing-along. Whatever you do and however you do it, have fun.

3) Pack your  iPad or Tablet. My husband Mark and I spent a lot of time trying to keep Ohm awake on our last road trip. Kids love to sleep in the car which is lovely for adults but too much sleep can backfire at bedtime thus potentially throwing your entire schedule off. To keep him awake and lively, we played some of his favorite shows (a lot of Backyardigans and Sesame Street). We have an iPad holder that sits on the back of the driver's head rest- it's like gold. The iPod works well at night too if your child gets fussy in the dark. Pssst - the iPad works wonders on husbands as well.

4) Pull over often and let your little one stretch their limbs and run about. We pulled over every 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

5) Pack snacks! You can never have too many. Pack a good variety so your little one will have plenty of healthy options since road travel most often means fast food. Make sure to pack plenty of fluids and place them somewhere easily accessible.

6) Have an extra pair of clothes and several extra diapers and wipes on hand- you just never know. Between food, drink and bathroom accidents, you never know when an extra shirt may come in handy. You're not going to want to dig around in your suitcase. I turned my glove compartment into a mini diaper bag.

7) Dress your little one in soft comfortable clothes and layer. Depending on your trip, you may cross multiple climate zones. You'll want to be ready. Your little ones comfort and contentment is equal to your comfort and contentment.

8) Make your road trip educational and fun. Depending on the age of your child, you can plan to make stops at museums, zoos, national parks, and cultural sites of interest. Pulling over to pick peaches at a farm in Georgia for example is a great way to teach your child about regional fruit and is a wonderful form of exercise after spending hours in the car. If your tot is really small, simply making an educational game out of identifying all of the familiar objects will entertain them. "Look, a tree! T is for tree, t-r-ee. Look, a truck! T is also for truck, vroom vroom - etc."

9) Take time for yourself! Listening to Sesame Street for hours on end, or to your child's favorite Raffi CD on loop can take its toll on your sanity. There is nothing wrong with silent breaks, or listening to your music while your child self-entertains. Encourage independent play! When your little one does fall asleep, and they will thanks to the lull of the car, make sure that you take time for yourself. Engage in an adult conversation, listen to the music you like, if you're in the passenger seat take a nap, it will save your sanity.

Taking a road trip with a toddler is not without its challenges, but it is well worth the effort. With a little planning, a little creativity and a little ingenuity, you can build memories and explore the world together.

Have you traveled with a tot?

Broadway Week/ Restaurant Week- It's Time to Visit New York!

The ornately ensconced lights were deliciously dim. Excited chatter filled the space around me as I sunk into the plush seat. With an air of quiet dignity, the curtains parted revealing a beautifully detailed, expertly lit set, a grand replica of the interior of a Victorian era brownstone.

The Heiress, a period drama set in 19th century New York City is the story of Catherine Sloper, a young woman of great affluence and fortune whom despite her training and exposure, has grown into a shy, reclusive, awkward creature.

Catherine’s disposition is distressing to her father, a prominent New York physician who wants nothing more than for his daughter to blossom into a witty, charming, fashionable beauty. Desperately seeking her father’s approval, her attempts to please him succeed only in driving him away.

Just when we think our protagonist is doomed to a loveless life of needlepoint and cats, the debonair Morris Townsend shakes up the foundation of young Catherine’s world.

The result is a sharply executed multi-layered story with universal appeal.

The Heiress stars Jessica Chastain (Academy Award® nominee for The Help), David Strathairn (Academy Award® nominee for Good Night, and Good Luck), Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey) and Judith Ivey (two-time Tony Award® winner).

The Heiress plays through February 10^th 2013 at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue)

This is one of the best times to take advantage of Broadway. Broadway Week is in full swing. During Broadway week, you can buy one ticket and get the second free. It’s a great way to grab a friend or a date and discover a new favorite show. It also turns out, that New York City is in the middle of Restaurant Week 2013 which is always a great excuse to dine and wine yourself into a food coma. During Restaurant Week, some the city’s best restaurants feature discounted Prix-Fixed menus. The fact that these two events overlap is very good news for you when it comes to planning and enjoying a great night out in Manhattan.

Here’s what you do to take advantage of Broadway Week tickets:

Broadway week runs January 22^nd-February 7^th.

The Heiress is my current top choice when it comes to plays but there are so many others.

Click here to see a list of participating shows and to purchase tickets.

Here’s what you do to take advantage of Restaurant Week:

Restaurant Week (which is more like Restaurant Month) runs from January 14^th-February 8^th

Click here to see a list of participating restaurants and to make reservations.

*I’d like to thank BlogHer, Have to Have, and Serino Coyne for sponsoring my fabulous Night on Broadway!

What's your favorite show of the moment?

What is Savannah, Georgia Like?

 

At first glance:

Pulling off the I-4 I had to do a double take. We were suddenly and inexplicably surrounded by darkness. I looked at the dashboard, it was 9:30 pm, I looked out the window again, the streets of Savannah, Georgia were deserted. I was unnerved. Then there was the sound, “scccccccccccccccrrrrrrrrrrrrttttttttttttttccccch,” as droopy mossy vines scratched against the top of our car. It was ghostly.  The hair on the back of my neck was at full attention.

“I don’t know about this Savannah business.” I whispered to my husband Mark as we unloaded the car and made our way to the dimly lit hotel.

As far as cities go, upon first impression, after dark, on a Thursday, Savannah was full of shadows and low empty places.

Then:

By seven o’clock the next morning, the sun was out, the birds were singing, the breeze was slow and warm, and Savannah presented herself vibrant and welcoming.

People strolled the cobblestone streets with their morning coffees. Dogs were walked, baby strollers were pushed, there was life here.

Historic Savannah was alive and radiating splendor.

Savannah is a romantic portal into the past!

The city is compact and perfectly planned for pedestrians. Elaborate parks and green squares pop up every few blocks. Winding along wide cobblestone paths you’ll find historic plaques commemorating landmarks many with their original wood and brick details. Ornate statues decorate beautiful circular green spaces, dotted with sweeping willows and mossy pines. Savannah is artfully preserved and meticulously maintained.

*Note: Pushing a stroller over those cobblestone streets is a workout!!!!!

The streets of Savannah are wide and sprawling. Row houses, restaurants and boutique shops give the city a sophisticated and aged air.

The Savannah waterfront is simply stunning. There is something to be said about old cities set on the water, they rarely disappoint. There is an easily accessible walking path that will lead you past candy shops and taverns, galleries and restaurants. The aroma of sweet pralines fills the wafting air.

Every few blocks, Mark dashed out of a shop with a hot buttery sample of praline brittle. Savannah’s praline brittle, when done well, melts in your mouth- a sweet and salty buttered symphony unfolds. You can’t help but smile as you continue your walk, between the breeze and the water, the praline brittle and the beautiful shops, it’s almost enough to compel one to skip and hum.

Savannah, Georgia is easily one of the most beautiful colonial cities in America boasting the best of Southern hospitality and charm and gorgeous architecture. Savannah bears witness to centuries of history and is a hub of modern innovation. Long story short, I love Savannah!

Savannah, Georgia is:

Charming

Savannah was one of the most polite cities that I have ever visited. Everywhere doors were held and people nodded and drawled happy greetings. It was warm without being false, without condescension. Savannah is refreshing.

The Most Haunted City in America

If you think about it, it makes sense. Between the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Slavery, horrible malaria outbreaks, the phenomena of “strange fruit” hanging from trees, Savannah has seen its share of horror, anguish, and bloodshed. She is a pretty lady with a very dark side, thus earning herself the distinction as America’s most haunted city.

There is no shortage of ghost tours in the city. Some are by foot, others by carriage, one took tourists around in a Hearst (eek).

A Stunning Spectacle

A History Lover’s Treasure Chest

One of America’s first planned cities circa 1733; my history geeky tendencies were over-stimulated in Savannah.

Originally the home of the Yamacraw Indians, Savannah was transformed into a prized and productive British colony.

In 1779, during the American Revolution, Savannah was the setting for the pivotal Siege of Savannah, where American and French troops fought in vain to reclaim the city in one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution.

After the revolution Savannah thrived. Thousands of slaves from West Africa landed on the port of Savannah, where they were forced into brutal labor. Savannah is the location of one of the largest slave auction sites in the U.S. Savannah slaves cleared land, tended cattle, engaged in farm labor and worked on the notoriously dangerous rice and cotton plantations. Benefiting from the institution of slavery, the city rose to great power and prestige, only to fall towards the end of the Civil War during Sherman’s March to the Sea, when the port of Savannah was overcome by Union forces crippling the city’s industry.

Savannah was at the center of the Civil Right’s movement. The city saw lynchings and a great deal of Ku Klux Klan activity. With a large and active black community, protests among black community leaders, demanding fair treatment during the Jim Crow years date back to WWII.

Integration was a struggle in Savannah, as was moving forward, but the city has grown into a small and relatively diverse (Savannah boasts a large South Asian population) and progressive city of the New South.

Today, perfectly restored, Savannah holds her own. She holds her past, but most importantly, she holds the promise of a bright future.

A weekend in Savannah may result in the need to buy new pants!

The people of Savannah, Georgia eat well. They eat very well indeed. When I hear the term “down home cooking,” Savannah is what comes happily to mind.

After all, Savannah is home to celebrity cook Paula Dean. She has a beautiful shop in the center of downtown, boasting sweet, succulent goodness.

Local eateries abound on every corner with down-home Southern touches that are soul stirring and rib sticking good.

You can’t visit Savannah, without sampling one of their famous praline’s (most commonly found in the form of a pie, or a brittle candy.  You must also have some peach cobbler.

When it comes to establishments, my brunch recommendation is Goose Feather's Cafe. The line wraps around Barnard Street, but moves quickly and is well worth the wait. Everything at Goose Feathers is baked fresh on the premises. You’ll find classic sandwiches, French baked goods and Southern favorites. Goose Feather’s boasts itself to be the home of Savannah’s original Whoopie Pie. Mark and I ordered croissant sandwiches, Ohm had a quiche and we all shared a sticky sweet praline bun. It was all, really good. The expresso drinks were piping hot and strong. The ambiance was quirky and bright Goose Feather’s Cafe was a delicious win!

Long story short, Savannah, Georgia is a wonderful city to visit and explore y'all!

Have you been to Savannah?

What is Charleston, South Carolina Like?

Not too long ago, we took a road trip from Brooklyn, New York to Orlando, Florida. It was interesting, especially with a little-one in the back seat. Often entertaining, at times monotonous, we passed many towns and cities along the way as we scuttled down I-95 S. One city that thoroughly stood out as we made our way deeper south was Charleston, South Carolina.  

Charleston is beautiful!

Strolling through downtown Charleston, one truly gets a sense of the old south. Immaculately preserved historic architecture proudly bears witness of Charleston's vibrant (and at times dark) past.

On historic Rainbow Row, you'll glimpse 18th century Georgian townhouses.

On gorgeous Battery Row, you'll find towering waterfront mansions.

The city of Charleston has no shortage of public gardens and green spaces. I loved the seemingly tropical surprise of palm trees set against elegant colonial architecture.

Charleston is elegant!

Downtown Charleston is full of dainty and eclectic boutiques. A city on the water, gracious mansions with ornate lighting fixtures pose before the gentle lapping of the Charleston harbor.

Horse drawn carriages carry tourists around town and along rustic cobblestone streets. Charleston knows how to eat!

You will find no shortage of great food in Charleston. From savory barbecue to fine French dining, Charleston has a rich culinary tradition.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Rue De Jean per my friend Susan's recommendation. Rue De Jean was cozy and intimate. The service was wonderful and our dinner and dessert were spectacular. Despite being a relatively upscale eatery, they were ready for Ohm, presenting him with a high chair and crayons and a gourmet kids menu. They even warmed some milk up for us to go at no extra charge- mamma loves that!

Charleston is a modern city, with a deep and at times dark past.

Charleston is a surprisingly hip and modern city with an old and layered soul.

Modern art boutiques boasting everything from blown glass jewelry to oil paintings depicting the lives of the Gullah people and elaborate polo matches can be found throughout the city.

Locals, stroll the streets with yoga mats slung to their backs, lattes in hand, or on bike. Downtown Charleston is very walkable. As a walkable city, where people spend a lot of time outside, it is also fashionable. This wasn't a sweatpants and sneakers type of place. Charleston loves Vera Bradley. There was a lot of floral- a lot!

Charleston has always fancied itself a fashionable city. It was on the streets of Charleston two centuries ago, where Southern belles donned corsets and parasols and showed off their finest silks and satins. Charleston's past isn't all fashion, mirth and fluff  though.

It was at the ports in Charleston, South Carolina where numerous slave ships docked, bringing human cargo from West Africa to the Southern states. Over 40% of slaves brought to the American colonies, passed through Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston's economic survival as a colony and later as a state was secured on the backs of these slaves, most of whom worked the dangerous rice plantations. The reminders are everywhere, from the sprawling plantations, the prominent Gullah culture, the civil war monuments to the Confederate soldiers who perished in "The War of Northern Aggression," and in the confederate flags that defiantly wave beneath the mild blue sky. Dixie devotion runs strong.

Charleston is an interesting city. Progressive and polite at first glimpse, it is an affluent and historic cookie cutter marvel, yet despite the surface polish, one can't help but notice the distinct difference between the haves and the have-nots. Where in many modern cities, you will find diverse groupings of people from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, downtown Charleston was quite homogenous leaving one to wonder how far this city has truly evolved from its early days.

Overall, the city of Charleston has a lot of strengths. What is Charleston, South Carolina like? It's a living window into America's past.

Charleston is a great city to visit if you're a history buff, a shopper, a foodie or in search of a  quick weekend getaway or place to pull off the road during your next road trip!

What are your impressions of Charleston?

Road Trip South from New York to Florida

Contrary to popular belief Americans do travel. Though not overwhelmingly visible overseas, there exists a national preoccupation the good ole' American Road Trip. Chances are, if you're an American, you've experienced this phenomena in some form or fashion, whether it's a drive from Ohio to Indiana to visit grandma,  a weekend trip from California to Las Vegas, or a true blue cross-country drive from Washington State to Maine.

My first road trips manifested themselves as treks from Rochester, New York to Southern Maryland to visit my grandparents. My first major road trip came in college, when a group of friends and I drove from Niagara Falls, New York where we went to school, to Opelika, Alabama to participate in a protest. That was an invigorating ride. A bunch of college kids crammed in a van, swapping stories, snacks, singing songs, taking pictures. I was fascinated by the culinary differences as we forged further south, food became heartier, more savory, and came in enormous portions usually drenched in sauce. One of my favorite road trips was a simple drive up the California coast in 2002, when a friend and I took the long way from San Francisco to Los Angeles. As an east coast girl, I was romanced by the landscape. The colors were so vibrant, the contrast between the ocean and the hills took my breath away. I remember falling in love with the exotic breezy Californian coast.  One of the beautiful things about the vast land mass that is America, is that you don't have to leave the county to experience different climates, geographic phenomena, cultures, food, sights and sounds. The deserts of New Mexico after all, can be a life altering exotic experience to a person from, say, Harrisburg, PA.

For the holidays, my husband and I found ourselves hitting the open road on a sojourn southwards, one that took us from Brooklyn, New York to Orlando, Florida. It was a beautiful ride. I was able to knit two scarves. I was able to throw my head back while waving my bare feet out of the window beneath the warm southern sun. I sang (much to the annoyance of everyone else in the car) at the top of my lungs to every playlist on my i-phone. There were many wonderful stops along the way, including Christmas with family at our home in Brandywine, Maryland, an idyllic afternoon in Savannah, Georgia,  a sophisticated evening in Charleston, South Carolina, and ringing in New Years with Mark's family in Orlando, Florida.

In many ways, this post could be called "A Tale of Two Americas." That small mid-Atlantic stretch along the I-95, illustrated the cultural and regional diversity that makes America so fascinating and complex. Neighbors by proximity, the cultural, linguistic, and geographic distinctions that divide the borders between the north and the south can create the feeling at times that one is exploring a foreign and exotic new world. On the southern side, life moved slower, the sun warmed the winds as if it were spring, anything it seemed was game to be killed and barbecued,  moss draped elegantly from low languid trees,  regional pralines were a prized delicacy and everything seemed to be followed with a sweet drippy "y'all."

Our journey took 72 hours each way as we took our time exploring  the sites and cities that sparked our imagination. We were also totting a 16 month-old backseat driver who was just as curious as we were about our Southern neighbors and their usually refreshing brand of hospitality.

If you find yourself traveling south along I-95, you may want to check out:

George Washington's birthplace in Westmoreland County, Virginia

Richmond, Virginia (check out Monument Avenue)

Charleston, South Carolina (enjoy a lovely meal by the water, or check out the fancy shops and boutiques near the University of Charleston)

Tuskegee Airman Monument in Walterboro, South Carolina

Koger Plantation in Dorchester County, South Carolina

Frampton Plantation House in South Carolina

The Kingdom of Oyotunji: An African Kingdom in South Carolina

Savannah, Georgia (head downtown to Historic Savannah, and check out the restaurants and shops along the water)

Daytona Beach, Florida (DOLPHINS! Romantic sunset)

For tips on how to plan your next road trip, visit www.roadtripamerica.com.

Happy Trails!