1) If you mean "Manhattan" as the "city", then you don't need a rental
car. If you plan to spend most of your time in NJ, Staten Island,
Queens, or further out on Long Island, then a car could come in handy
but otherwise, it's just a big hassle to try to find free parking or
pay out the wazoo for a lot.
2) the public transportation system is very safe for your family - kids
take the subway every day to school or summer day camp with their
parents. Just follow all the basic "common sense" safety rules (i.e.
keep your children away from the platform edge, especially when trains
enter/leave a station; don't lean against doors; hold their hands if
you can't get a seat; etc.). If there is snow, be very careful going
up and down the steps at subway station entrances/exits - they aren't
always shoveled and can be very slippery. Also, pick up a map of the
system (they're free) and know how to get to where you want to go
before you get on. My wife, 2 1/2 year old son, and I will typically
go out for breakfast at a favorite spot all the way across town on any
given weekend morning and I'll usually take my son back by subway/bus
while my wife drives home. Really, it's very safe.
3) we have a car, so we don't ride in cabs too often, but the few times
we have (i.e. going to the airport at 5am) we've always brought our own
car seat. For what it's worth, the public transportation system is
comprehensive enough and reliable enough to meet most of your needs.
The only times I see the added expense of a cab as being preferable is
when you're trying to go east-west in a hurry. Keep in mind that you
don't have to pay for 3-year-olds or 5-year-olds (unless they're over 4
ft.) on the subway trains or buses, so it's still usually more cost
effective to use the MTA and avoid the cabs.
4) yes, LIRR should take you where you want to go (you may need your
family to pick you up from the station) - just keep track of the train
schedule so you don't get stranded.
|