S.D.
NYC is awesome! Spend the extra $$ and stay in one of the many wonderful hotels in mid-town Manhattan. Check out Expedia.com or other travel websites for more info. You can take the subway to wherever you need to go. A ride-all-day pass is about $7-10. You can also take a taxi, more $$ but they are everywhere. We once stayed out in NJ, which was cheaper, and drove in to the city every day - big mistake! Terrible traffic, tolls on the bridges, parking difficult to find and very expensive. Save yourself alot of headaches by staying in mid-town. You'll also be closer to Times Square, a must-see, especially at night. Many theatres are in walking distance. If you can get tickets, go see "Wicked". It is a fantastic show! Also, try to go to the former World Trade Center site - Ground Zero. It is incredibly moving. You might also like to try a midnight dinner cruise on the rivers around lower Manhattan. They go out past the Statue of Liberty. The views of the city are breathtaking. For a great NYC hot dog, try Gray's Papaya on the corner of Broadway and 72nd St. There's a subway stop right next to it. Then walk a few blocks east to Central Park. Central Park is huge - we loved the area around Bethesda Fountain and the Mall. Popular tourist attractions like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tour, Rockefeller Center tour are also excellent. You can buy tickets online ahead of time for many attractions. There are so may other great things to see and do. Planning is key!! Have fun!!