New York City - Navigating NYC with a toddler

I'm meeting the fam in NYC, and my sister is bringing her 2 year old. We'll meet at Penn Station. We need to get to 46th street just east of 8th. I'd walk, or take the subway. But sis is hesitant. She thinks we'll cab it, and tolerate the lack of a car seat, which I think is folly.

Any advice on:
Taking a cab with a toddler -- how about car seats?
Walking north on 8th from Penn Station -- can you make it to Port Authority underground? That would limit our exposure to the elements.

While you're reading, any sugestions on getting in from the North would be a help. I'm driving down from MA and plan to park at Stamford and take Metro north. more trains there than from New Haven. Any better ideas?

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I would either take the A, C, or E subway north one stop to 42nd Street and exit at 44th, or take the M20 bus from 8th and 31st to 8th and 45th/46th. You'll have to wait outside if you want to catch the bus; you'll have to walk an extra block or two if you take the subway.

There is no underground connection from Penn to PA...besides the subway. Subways are easy but for that short of a distance just walk. For people of a driving culture I've noticed people start to whine after walking 10 blocks and compound that with a 2 year old in your arms the choice of a cab or subway can make more sense. I see people with toddlers in cabs all the time. Is it risky...sure but that's a personal decision.

Be careful which train you take into the city as some only go to Grand Central and some go to Penn. Grand central does connect to PA via subway. If your sister has one of those human leashes I suggest she use it.

I'm meeting the fam in NYC, and my sister is bringing her 2 year old. We'll meet at Penn Station. We need to get to 46th street just east of 8th. I'd walk, or take the subway. But sis is hesitant. She thinks we'll cab it, and tolerate the lack of a car seat, which I think is folly.

Any advice on:
Taking a cab with a toddler -- how about car seats?
Walking north on 8th from Penn Station -- can you make it to Port Authority underground? That would limit our exposure to the elements.

While you're reading, any sugestions on getting in from the North would be a help. I'm driving down from MA and plan to park at Stamford and take Metro north. more trains there than from New Haven. Any better ideas?

Last to first, what train were you planning on taking from Stamford? If Amtrak, its much more expensive, though quicker, but less frequent, and will get you directly to Penn Station.

If you were considering MetroNorth, that would get you to Grand Central, and you'd have to get into Penn Station, basically over the same route you'd be taking to get to your hotel.


Where in Mass are you coming from? If near Boston, why not consider talking the Bolt/MegaBus (one or both serve Boston-New York. There are also the "ChinaTown" busses which serve Boston-New York.


Where is your sister coming from? (Might help with your routing options)

Lastly, I dont mean to sound "mean" but how do you all plan on getting around the city during your stay? Honestly, the best way is the subway, so I hope your sister can get over her being "hesitant" over taking it. Otherwise, your trip is bound to get very expensive, very quickly.

All noted concerns are absolutely valid. Personally, I'd walk short distances and subway the longer ones. The child is a bit .... hard to control.... so everything is a challenge.

I'm planning metro north, and subway over to Penn to meet them.
Not sure where else we will go; it's a day trip only. Any advice on cabbing with a toddler? Do any have carseats? She doesnt want to bring her own; I cant disagree....

Can't I be in the minority in saying any child under 3 may not appreciate the crowds and non-car culture of NYC and just not worth making it a meeting point until they are older?
You have zoo, central park, toy stores, etc. but overall NYC is more a parent nightmare for one unfamiliar and worrisome of their infants which is my read of this situation.
There are certain choices parents make which are stress inducing vs. logically the best choice for their family.

If the above doesn't matter just jump on subway. It is very quick or cab is fast enough and driver will take it easy as they don't want risk of accident with an infant. The distance is approx. 2/3 a mile and will take a cab about <3 mins without traffic. Maybe 10 mins walking depending how many lights you are held up at with stroller. Note walking on the right side of 8th av north is better than left due to crowds rush near port authority.
Kid may enjoy subway or bus if thy remember any of it.

Tell your sister to bring a lightweight but reliable umbrella stroller and a good foot muff for the little one, and walk or take the subway. That's what those of us who live here do with our kids. You're technically supposed to fold up a stroller and carry your kid on the subway, but nobody does (everybody just rolls their kid onto the subway in the stroller). If she doesn't own a good umbrella stroller, go to Buy Buy Baby (7th Ave between 25th and 26th--just a few blocks from Penn Station) and buy a Maclaren Volo or something similar.

It's legal to ride in taxis and livery cabs without child seats in New York. When a subway ride isn't a practical option, mrsmicah's and my practice is to make sure all adults are buckled up properly and hold the kid on the lap tightly in arms but OUTSIDE the seat belt. It's not ideal, but there is no way in hell that we're carrying around a car seat with us everywhere we go. And from a probability perspective, I believe that my kids who ride in taxis maybe once every week or so without a proper restraint are less likely to be hurt in a car accident than a kid who rides 2-3 times a day every day in a car with a car seat.

That said, if you wanted to bring a car seat, taxi drivers are required to allow you to install it (and they're not allowed to start running the meter until you're all set). It's completely impractical and an enormous pain in the butt, but possible in theory.

There also is a car-seat-centric car service you could hire to drive you around for a hefty price: http://www.kidcarny.com/

I think you should get a small light stroller too. They are avail at Toys R Us on Broadway and 44th. Hey, there's a ferris wheel in there too, good if its not too crowded. As for things to do with kids, there's tons. Childrens Museum of Manhattan would be a start, as well as Childrens Museum of the Arts. Check out this site mommypoppins.com (I'm not affiliated with any of the previously mentioned things). Enjoy

Tell your sister to bring a lightweight but reliable umbrella stroller and a good foot muff for the little one, and walk or take the subway. That's what those of us who live here do with our kids. You're technically supposed to fold up a stroller and carry your kid on the subway, but nobody does (everybody just rolls their kid onto the subway in the stroller)

I agree. The stroller and subway is the move. I would not trust my kid in those yellow cabs without a car seat. Those cabs are scary enough as it is, and they can get up to 50mph in the city when the lights are in their favor. They're quite dangerous, and I would not risk it with a child.

If you've ever seen someone roll a kid onto the NYC subway with that huge gap, and the doors start closing, it is about one of the scariest thing you will see in your life. Those doors are incredibly strong, and it takes a lot of force to hold them open. If your child is in there, that stroller will not be in very good shape afterwards if the door closes on them. Also, getting across that gap can be a challenge, especially if your stroller has little wheels. I'd be very careful. If you're going to get on, be first, not last, so that at least you have time to navigate the gap and the doors closing. Otherwise, you will be living a horrific nightmare in front of your eyes.

Do you write headlines for Fox News by any chance?

I agree. The stroller and subway is the move. I would not trust my kid in those yellow cabs without a car seat. Those cabs are scary enough as it is, and they can get up to 50mph in the city when the lights are in their favor. They're quite dangerous, and I would not risk it with a child.

If you've ever seen someone roll a kid onto the NYC subway with that huge gap, and the doors start closing, it is about one of the scariest thing you will see in your life. Those doors are incredibly strong, and it takes a lot of force to hold them open. If your child is in there, that stroller will not be in very good shape afterwards if the door closes on them. Also, getting across that gap can be a challenge, especially if your stroller has little wheels. I'd be very careful. If you're going to get on, be first, not last, so that at least you have time to navigate the gap and the doors closing. Otherwise, you will be living a horrific nightmare in front of your eyes.

Do you write headlines for Fox News by any chance?

You trying to de-rail this thread? :rolleyes:

Portraying my opinion of what you said sounds a lot like sensationalist journalism. About 70% of the people that responded to this thread suggested subway use and some even noted how easy it will be. As an individual it is very easy and as a person with an infant it is more challenging but I have never run into the doors closing crushing the child I was wheeling around with the strength of a thousand wildebeests. Should the OP's sister take extray caution as she's not used to the system?..sure and that is easily conveyed but the OP already has portrayed the sister as a (overly)concerned parent and you come along with, "NYC subway are going to kill your child" like crappy 5 second sound clips played during commercial break to make you watch the News later that night.

You trying to de-rail this thread? :rolleyes:

Portraying my opinion of what you said sounds a lot like sensationalist journalism.

I agree 100%. NYC is not the film Warriors or Grand Theft Auto. However, the OP indicates concerns by his sister of a straight cab ride of 3/4 of a mile (aka 1.5 minute of driving) without a car seat. Can't say confidently the subway with the Penn Station or 42nd rush hour crowds and/or non-stroller friend stairwells is an ideal interaction for the non-experienced.
NYC visit should be exciting and exploring vs. paranoid anxiety the cab or subway or dinko will swallow your baby.

Walk the .7 miles but NOT in a wide line (like a parade) one behind the other.
Take a cab and realize traffic does flow pretty efficiently for the number of pedestrians, taxis, bike messengers.
Take a subway and realize who can travel faster than any other form of land transportation.

Portraying my opinion of what you said sounds a lot like sensationalist journalism. About 70% of the people that responded to this thread suggested subway use and some even noted how easy it will be. As an individual it is very easy and as a person with an infant it is more challenging but I have never run into the doors closing crushing the child I was wheeling around with the strength of a thousand wildebeests. Should the OP's sister take extray caution as she's not used to the system?..sure and that is easily conveyed but the OP already has portrayed the sister as a (overly)concerned parent and you come along with, "NYC subway are going to kill your child" like crappy 5 second sound clips played during commercial break to make you watch the News later that night.

I will accept that as a much more cogent and reasonable response than you first one.

By the way, I'm from San Francisco. Do you think I would watch Fox news? :confused:

Touche and I cheer you with some "fernet".

I will accept that as a much more cogent and reasonable response than you first one.

By the way, I'm from San Francisco. Do you think I would watch Fox news? :confused:

I'm meeting the fam in NYC, and my sister is bringing her 2 year old. We'll meet at Penn Station. We need to get to 46th street just east of 8th. I'd walk, or take the subway. But sis is hesitant. She thinks we'll cab it, and tolerate the lack of a car seat, which I think is folly.

Any advice on:
Taking a cab with a toddler -- how about car seats?
Walking north on 8th from Penn Station -- can you make it to Port Authority underground? That would limit our exposure to the elements.Your sister doesn't want to bring a car seat with her yet she plans on taking taxis? Well, it seems that asking us for advice won't do you a bit of good. She'll do what she wants regardless. :D Why is she coming to NYC in the winter with a baby if she doesn't want to be outside exposed to the elements?

If it's raining, you'll be standing outside getting wet waiting a while on a long line for a taxi. Not a good idea. At Penn, take the A, C, or E train to 42nd Street and sit toward the front of the train. When you exit, you'll be at 44th Street and only be exposed to 2 blocks of elements. ;)

While you're reading, any sugestions on getting in from the North would be a help. I'm driving down from MA and plan to park at Stamford and take Metro north. more trains there than from New Haven. Any better ideas?Stamford is a good choice. You might get an express train. Then at GCT, take the Shuttle to the 1, 2 or 3 one stop downtown to Penn.

I'm planning metro north, and subway over to Penn to meet them.
Not sure where else we will go; it's a day trip only. Any advice on cabbing with a toddler? Do any have carseats? She doesnt want to bring her own; I cant disagree....No, taxis don't provide car seats. Does she plan on taking taxis throughout her trip?

Touche and I cheer you with some "fernet".

Cheers! ;)

It's legal to ride in taxis and livery cabs without child seats in New York. When a subway ride isn't a practical option, mrsmicah's and my practice is to make sure all adults are buckled up properly and hold the kid on the lap tightly in arms but OUTSIDE the seat belt. It's not ideal, but there is no way in hell that we're carrying around a car seat with us everywhere we go. And from a probability perspective, I believe that my kids who ride in taxis maybe once every week or so without a proper restraint are less likely to be hurt in a car accident than a kid who rides 2-3 times a day every day in a car with a car seat.

That said, if you wanted to bring a car seat, taxi drivers are required to allow you to install it (and they're not allowed to start running the meter until you're all set). It's completely impractical and an enormous pain in the butt, but possible in theory.OP, take it from another parent who has brought up 3 children from birth to adulthood in NYC. Take a freakin' cab and don't worry about a car seat. Just do as themicah says.

All, Thanks for the mix of entertainment and advice. We ended up rerouted due to rain. Had planned to visit the WTC site, but no go. We took the subway around, as the little one likes trains. Taxis were vetoed partly due to the awful traffic while we were there and partly for her concerns over carseats.

When I take my toddler to the city (once I have one that is....) I think the subway was fine, though I think a smaller stroller would be the way to go. That thing was massive. Yikes.

I only had a few minor oopses, having been to the big city many times. Didnt realize that the 7 train doesnt actually get all the way across to Port Authority -- that line from PA to Times Sq is a free pedestrian connection -- I knew the tunnel existed, but somehow thought the 7 ran along it. Nope. No problem for me, but if you really didn't want to walk, that would be an oops. All my previous trips I've headed north one stop on the 6 and then taken the E, when doing something like this. I wonder if the shuttle drops off in a better location to make the walk....

Also, the parking at Stamford in CT almost burned me. The first garage you see coming in from 95 is actually for some office building, and costs more than double the cost of the station garage. Maybe that's a necessary evil on normal workdays if the station garage fills, but it wasn't for me. They only allow you to leave for free for the first five minutes of your stay.

All, Thanks for the mix of entertainment and advice. We ended up rerouted due to rain. Had planned to visit the WTC site, but no go. We took the subway around, as the little one likes trains. Taxis were vetoed partly due to the awful traffic while we were there and partly for her concerns over carseats.

When I take my toddler to the city (once I have one that is....) I think the subway was fine, though I think a smaller stroller would be the way to go. That thing was massive. Yikes.

I only had a few minor oopses, having been to the big city many times. Didnt realize that the 7 train doesnt actually get all the way across to Port Authority -- that line from PA to Times Sq is a free pedestrian connection -- I knew the tunnel existed, but somehow thought the 7 ran along it. Nope. No problem for me, but if you really didn't want to walk, that would be an oops. All my previous trips I've headed north one stop on the 6 and then taken the E, when doing something like this. I wonder if the shuttle drops off in a better location to make the walk....

Also, the parking at Stamford in CT almost burned me. The first garage you see coming in from 95 is actually for some office building, and costs more than double the cost of the station garage. Maybe that's a necessary evil on normal workdays if the station garage fills, but it wasn't for me. They only allow you to leave for free for the first five minutes of your stay.

Glad to hear that, all things considered, everything worked out well for you and your family. At the very least, you've got some experience navigating NYC with a toddler.

All, Thanks for the mix of entertainment and advice. We ended up rerouted due to rain. Had planned to visit the WTC site, but no go. We took the subway around, as the little one likes trains. Taxis were vetoed partly due to the awful traffic while we were there and partly for her concerns over carseats.

When I take my toddler to the city (once I have one that is....) I think the subway was fine, though I think a smaller stroller would be the way to go. That thing was massive. Yikes.All sounds good!

I only had a few minor oopses, having been to the big city many times. Didnt realize that the 7 train doesnt actually get all the way across to Port Authority -- that line from PA to Times Sq is a free pedestrian connection -- I knew the tunnel existed, but somehow thought the 7 ran along it. Nope.Not really an "oops". You just learned something new. Sounds like you had a nice time. :)