The reasons why we would rent a car somewhere outside Manhattan, are that we are told that it is much cheaper, and of course, driving on Manhattan doesn't seem too tempting...

But getting from Manhattan to some outlying pickup spot will cost both money and precious vacation time. Driving around within Manhattan is no fun, especially if you need parking, BUT just picking up a rental car and heading OUT of town is no big deal.

willi: i think Wolfshin and Anonymous' idea regarding the car rental is an excellent one.
anyway, i hope you (and tim_and_liz) have a great time when you visit nyc.

We all have a much better chance of being killed in a local car accident than meeting our demise during a terrorist strike. So should we stayed locked up at home too?

I agree. We shouldn't let fear rule our lives. That's why we will stick to our plans for this summer ! But still ..... (feelings are not always rational).

I'm traveling to Europe this summer. Should I feel scared about terrorist threats that the Amsterdam police have not yet uncovered? Please go to NYC and really enjoy yourselves. It's a wonderful place and somewhere that you will want to visit again and again because there is just too much to do in 1 visit.

Do what you feel is best for you and your family. Personally I vote go. However if you are not comfortable with that then your vacation is ruined. It really depends on how you feel about it. If you can't resolve this question and be at ease then make new plans. JM2C. Good luck.

willi:
I just got back home to Canada from a week in NYC. I don't think I have ever felt safer than when I was in New York.

Canadian cities are known to be very safe but I have to say, with all the security around NYC and a very visible police presence, I felt safer walking in Manhattan even at night than I do in my own neighbourhood.

Go to NY, you will love it!

I will travel twice to Europe this summer (once to Amsterdam!) and also to New York. Sure, you always think about what "could" happen but in the end you just keep going. NYC is among the safest large U.S. cities and you will love it! Have a great trip.

willi - just another option for NY to Washington DC - Amtrak. There are great, fast trains from Penn Station to Union Station. It will take hours less than driving and be a lot less stressful. I drive often from DC to NY and Connecticut, where I have family, but I only drive because they don't live in New York City itself, so the train doesn't really work for me.

You can rent a car in DC to get to Pennsylvania. This will save money because you don't need a car in DC either, so it would just be sitting somewhere while you rack up parking fees if you drove down from NY and then stayed a few days in DC.

Welcome to the US!

Karen

Thank you all for nice and wise words. I guess you said what I wanted to hear... so YES, we are going, despite of my fear, and we really look forward to coming to New York! And to those of you going to Europe (Dan and DanB), have a very nice trip!

About car-rental. KathyM: My husband really loves to drive, so going by train is not a good alternative for him (I would prefer to take the train, though). We will rent a car when we get to NY (instead of booking one in advance), most probably on JFK-airport. I guess that's the most expencive alternative, but maybe the easiest. Alternatively we will take car from Jersey City.