First time visitors! Staying in Long Island City, at the Aloft on Jackson Ave, is it safe?

Hello all! I'm traveling to NYC this coming weekend, it will be me, my mom and my two kids 7 and 10.

I booked four nights at the Aloft on Jackson Ave, just wanted to double check we are in a safe area? I planned on traveling into manhattan via subway/ trains, would you recommend the queens plaza or queensboro station? We don't plan on being out late at night, other than I think it would be cool to go to Times Square when it is dark.

Any and all tips appreciated! Plans include the museum of natural history, intrepid museum, Central Park, Times Square, the Edge and Statue of Liberty.

If there is any recommendations for us, food, places that I didn't list, etc would love to hear them!