It really depends on what you like to do. When it comes to NYC, I'm a wanderer. I just like to walk around cobble stone streets, look at beautiful architecture, beautiful people, and mostly - eat amazing food. I will link to some of my favorites below. -veen's advice to get a metro card is SPOT ON. You won't regret it. Get the 7 day pass - get adventurous - be aware and safe - but honestly, I have ridden the subway at all hours of the day and felt safe almost all the time - Once it was a little sketchy at about 3am in a SHITE part of Brooklyn - but that's another story. -I've been 4 or 5 times now just to visit… and frankly, I avoided the empire state building because I thought that was something that "mid-town-theater-ladies" did. Well - I bit the bullet last time (and it is expensive - I think $30+ for a trip to the top) and I will say I'm glad I did it. We went early - right when it opened - so I didn't have to wait in a line or be rushed at the top. I don't think I'll do it again - but I'm very glad I've done it once. -Central Park IS all it's cracked up to be. The waffle truck on the SE corner of central park is amazing and in my opinion a MUST. I like to rent a bike, but not from there. I prefer to rent one here and then ride up the west side bike path and cut over at like 66th. And that bike shop is in a COOL neighborhood. -If you're in to celebrity sightings, Chelsea, SoHo, and the west village might deliver. -You'll likely hear about "The High Line Park". In my opinion - it is over-rated. I went right after it opened and it was a nice break from the city streets. I went again a year ago and it was WALL TO WALL people. I could have had more personal space on a tokyo subway. -I don't have a lot of input on bars, clubs, etc. Some one else will need to weigh in on the night life. -Some of my favorite spaces to just "be" are here and here Union Square park is so peaceful. There are often Chinese performers playing music. Old men bring birds in their cages and just enjoy the park. I felt like I was in a park in Beijing. It's very peaceful. And there's a great dumplings place around the corner. You get like five potstickers for $1. I get dumplings, walk over to the park and soak it all in. Petrosino Square (which is actually a triangle) is cool for a different reason. There's a lot of foot traffic, it's near a LOT of cool restaurants, and if you're into fashion or models - this is where you see a lot of them. It's kinda crazy. -I am a big fan of Grand Central Station. It's so big you feel like you could explore it for years and never find the end. It's beautiful to look at, and if you're into architecture - it's not to be missed. -This is a weird one… but with your metro card you're able to ride the tram over to Roosevelt Island. There's not a lot there (that I've found) but I like the cable car ride - it's a great view, easy to do and gives another perspective on the city. And there's usually an ice cream truck there for a quick treat. (see? it's all about the food) -Pizza… if you like pizza… NYC is crazy with it. Lombardi's or Grimaldis have been my favorites so far. Grimaldi's is in Brooklyn, but the DUMBO area of Brooklyn is totally worth exploring. -Those are the things I can think of at the moment. I'll add more later as I think of it. I'm so excited for you to go. It can be a lot of fun.
. Other restaurants not listed above that are AWESOME: http://epistrophycafe.com http://cafeselectnyc.com http://www.vietnamese-sandwich.com (SERIOUSLY - this is a favorite - and so reasonably priced)