Britax, mostly known as the leading manufacturer of car seats, will release a line of strollers this summer that will KNOCK YOUR SOX OFF. It will also give the competition a run for their money, so watch out Phil & Ted’s, Uppa Vista, and others – the B-READY is coming to town!

The B-READY can be converted from a single to a two-child or twin stroller by using any combination of seats, bassinets and infant car seats in 14 possible configurations!!! Seats can point forward or backward, recline in multiple positions, and fold into the stroller without removing them (it can be folded with one hand – for real). Be ready (couldn’t resist) for other souped-up features as well. It comes in four colors and each will have a matching car seat (but you can use any car seat on the stroller). And… are you ready for it???? It’s $499.99. Available in July. I can hardly wait.

We recently took a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, for a long weekend. Charleston is mostly known as a romantic city for adults, but why not bring the kids along for some fun too? It turns out Charleston is a great city for a family getaway.

Charleston is small, manageable and easily walkable. The city’s rich history is evident at every turn, and there are endless quaint cobblestone roads and hidden places to explore. The historic homes in the heart of the city are breathtaking. You can gaze at block after block of these beautiful homes such as the Heyward Washington House built in 1772 and take yourself back in time, or walk along Rainbow Row, famous for its multicolor row houses (see above photo). The group (or private) carriage tours are fun for families and great for kids tired of walking. Charleston recently gave its waterfront park a face lift, perfect for a picnic or walk by the water. There is a fantastic public recreation center on East Bay Road (down by the water), complete with a free open playspace, air hockey, games, bathroom with changing tables and outdoor playground.

Some other great family highlights are:
The South Carolina Aquarium – This modern aquarium is not-to-be-missed with kids. See daily shows and amazing exhibits.
The Children’s Museum – Lots of hands on activities that your kids will love. See daily events calendar.
The Beaches: Both within a half hour drive of Charleston these two beaches are great for a day trip – Folly Beach (super casual layed back beach town) & Sullivan’s Island (gorgeous wide perfect sand beach).
The Plantations – Boon Hall Plantation is the most popular plantation and very accessible (5 minutes from downtown Charleston). You and your kids get to see what life was like on a real South Carolina plantation.
Kid Friendly Restaurants – There are many kid friendly restaurants in Charleston but many are very touristy so be careful. I recommend Magnolias and High Cotton for some local cuisine and Baked for some yummy deserts (yes, this is a Brooklyn import but it’s SO good!). Gullah Cuisine is a good choice if your kids are a bit more adventurous and want real lowcountry cuisine.

Here are my top 10 favorite NYC iPhone apps (in no particular order):

Exit Strategy
This NYC-based app tells you where to stand on the subway platform to shave minutes off your subway trip. It also tells you which subway exits are the closest so you can get out of the subway the fastest. New Yorkers have no time to waste!

SOHO In My Pocket
SOHO In My Pocket tells you what’s around you in Soho and how to get there. Soho is one of NYC’s best neighborhoods and it is jam packed with stores, restaurants, hotels, art galleries, attractions, and more. This great locals and visitors guide also offers deals and discounts at some great NYC locations.

Dinosaurs: The American Museum of Natural History Collections – This is a phenominal app if you are traveling to NYC with kids or if you are just really into dinosaurs. If it’s the former, you can visit The American Museum of Natural History and use this iPhone app as your guide through the dinosaurs. Your kids can even use it when they get home to explore the dino’s even more, or to re-live their great NYC experience.

Hop Stop
Gives you directions or a subway route from point A to point B. With Hop Stop you can chose your method of transportation – subway, bus, taxi, walking, or just the fastest route, and Hop Stop will tell you exactly how long it will take and how to get there. A true staple for New Yorkers and tourists.

Menu Pages
It’s no secret that New Yorkers love to eat. Can you blame them? We have some of the best restaurants in the world here on our little island. Menu Pages is a comprehensive collection of NYC restaurant menus. Definitely a go-to when finding a place to eat.

Cab Sense
Believe it or not, hailing a cab in New York ain’t always easy. Cab Sense helps out by using historical data and prediction math to figure out the best corner to hail from, and when to do so. Seriously, how did we ever live without things like this?

Up Next NYC
An interactive 3D map of Manhattan where users can view restaurants, nightlife, and shops. Users can tap a building to see all the businesses inside, or on a subway station to see all the trains passing through. It’s a great travel tool for locals or anyone visiting for the weekend.

Time Out New York
This iPhone app is great for residents or tourists. It provides ideas of thing to do, places to see and eat by neighborhood in NYC. It highlights all the standards and features some great spots that are off the beaten path.

Fresh Direct
This app allows you to order groceries to be delivered straight to your home from your mobile phone. It saves your previous grocery lists and even syncs with your online orders. No more wasting time in the supermarket! This is a lifesaver app for busy New Yorkers.

iKidNY
Last but not least, I have to include iKidNY. If you live in, or are traveling to NYC with kids, it’s a must have. It tells you how to find the closest parks, playgrounds, museums, indoor playspaces, kid friendly restaurants, changing tables, subway stations with elevators, and much more.

Who knew that The American Museum of Natural History was developing iPhone apps? And good ones too! A couple of weeks ago AMNH launched their first iPhone app called Dinosaurs: The American Museum of Natural History Collections. The app allows paleontologists, both big and small, to discover and explore the museums famous dinos through hundreds of beautiful photos, renderings, and detailed descriptions. If you are at the museum, the app will act as your tour guide. If you are at home, the app brings the collection to you. What a great way to explore the history of dinosaurs with your kids! Oh, and did I mention that it’s FREE? Check out the app demo on You Tube.

According to the Museum this is just the first of many “Collections” apps to come. Good thing, because this is just ANOTHER reason for us to get excited about The American Museum of Natural History!

The American Museum of Natural History
(212) 769-5100
Central Park West & 79th Street, New York, NY 10024