To me, the first tip is the best tip. DON’T DRIVE, STUPID!
Take either the much-maligned No. 7 train or — better still — the Long Island Railroad from Manhattan, which is 15 minutes from Penn Station. If you insist on private transportation, take a cab over a car service, which drops you off somewhere near Canarsie. At the risk of sounding like a tourist bureau PR flack, you’ll be surprised how civil and efficient the trains are.